occupation

Commodore Sloat Raises US Flag at Monterey, California

July 7, 1846 | Mexico-US Wars

Commodore John Drake Sloat of the US Pacific Squadron landed sailors and marines at Monterey, Alta California, and raised the American flag, claiming California for the United States. Acting on prior secret instructions and news of war, Sloat's bloodless occupation inaugurated the American conquest of California. Within days US forces occupied San Francisco (Yerba Buena) and other key ports.

Sources

T1 Commodore Sloat dispatch to Secretary of the Navy, July 1846 — US National Archives Official
T2 Neal Harlow, California Conquered (University of California Press) Major

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