Battle of Rio San Gabriel

Annual Reenactment

Save the Date!

January 16, 2027,
11 A.M. - 4 P.M.

Juan Matias Sanchez Adobe
Museum & Historic Site
946 N Adobe Ave, Montebello, CA 90640

Description

Uniformed American & Californio soldiers re-live the Battle of Rio San Gabriel. This battle played a decisive role in the California campaign during the Mexican-American war. Experience the smell of the black powder from the musket-firing demonstrations. Join us as we set off our CANON! Fun activities for kids; food & drinks are available for purchase.

Family Friendly.
Free & Open to the Public.

Past Program

Event Flyer (PDF)

Program (PDF)

California History

Mexican-American War

Before

By December of 1846, the United States had steered the fate of the Mexican-American War into the sooted streets of El Pueblo de Los Angeles. After over half a year of combat, a revamped campaign to recapture Los Angeles from the Californios was devised by two brash military commanders. The decisive strategy would secure Alta California and wrench a surrender from Mexican authority. After the war was won, sights were set on mapping the economic possibilities of the uncharted San Gabriel Mountains.

During the Battle of Rio San Gabriel

“We passed over a country destitute of wood and water, undulating and gently dipping towards the ocean, which was in view. About two o’clock we came in sights of the San Gabriel river. Small squads of horsemen began to show themselves on either flank, and it became quite apparent the enemy intended to dispute our passage of the river.”

— "Notes of a Military Reconnoissance," American Lieutenant W. H. Emory

The Americans marched through the knee-deep river under musket and cannon fire by the Californios, but lost momentum as their boots and artillery were sucked into the quicksand bed of the hundred yard crossing. Easy targets in sight, Flores was handed an advantage. Yet the Californios' low-grade powder and poor aim proved a weak assail on Stockton's men, inflicting few casualties. Inspired, Stockton rallied his struggling troops, personally charging into the water to rescue one of his sinking cannons and shouted: "Quicksand be damned, come on boys!"

While Stockton pounded the Californio's bluff with cannon shot, Kearny's party of bayonets clamored up the hill. Flanked by Flores' horsemen near the bluff's summit, the American general drew his men into a square formation and drove off the cavalry. Lieutenant Emory recalled the victory: "the 1st battalion...was directed to rush for the hill, supposing that would be the contested point, but great was our surprise to find it abandoned." It took only ninety minutes to repulse Flores and his men from the bluff. Learn more about this battle in context by going here.

After

After the Battle of Río San Gabriel, American victory would be swift. On January 10, U.S. forces retook Los Angeles. Three days later, the Californios would officially surrender upon the signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga on January 13, 1847.

Annual Battle Reenactment

January 10th, 2026

Photographs by Bob Smith

Do you have photos from the event you'd like to share with the Montebello Historical Society?
We'd love to consider them for our online gallery!

Please contact us at: media [at] mhsadobe [dot] org
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