Vol.

XXVI, No 2

March/April 2013

Photos courtesy of Rose Tyson (left) and Michelle Wolf

CALENDAR
Sunday, March 3 Living History, Park Tuesday, March 19 History Discussion, Escondido Library, 3:30 to 5:30 pm, California Robber Barons with Ron Hinrichs Friday, March 22 Board Meeting, 11 am-1 pm Sunday, April 7 Living History, Park Friday, April 26 Board Meeting, 11 am-1 pm (There is no History Discussion in April)

Presidents Message:
Election of officers took place at the January board meeting. After faithfully serving as treasurer since 1999, Jim Caldwell asked to be relieved of these duties. Gisela Koestner was elected to take on the responsibilities. Similarly, Ron Hinrichs requested that he no longer be vice-president. Don Coates was elected to fill the position. Both Jim and Ron remain active and continue working for SPBVA on the board. We thank them for their dedication to this park It is with heavy heart that I report that Dan Winne of Happy Trails Riding Stables passed away January 17, 2013. Dan was a former SPBVA board member and had supplied the horses for San Pasquals annual battle re-enactment for more years than I can remember. Dan is survived by his
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by Tom Vilicich wife Joanne, daughter Lisa, and his grandson Garret, as well as other family members. Dan will be greatly missed (see page 6). The park is open and we are going on with our programs. First Sunday Living History will be held March 3, April 7, May 5, and June 2. The US Army ROTC from San Diego State University will be coming to the park for the battle talk in March. We have been invited to participate in the Memorial Day services at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on May 27. And, once again, we will have the cannon under tow to Old Town San Diego SHP for the Fourth of July. We will be at the San Diego County Fair in June on Kids Day Tuesdays in the San Diego Pavilion.
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Mar/Apr 2013

SPBVA 2013 BOARD MEMBERS

Shirley Buskirk Jim Caldwell Cliff Clifford Royce Clifford Donald Coates Tom Cook Randall Hamud Darlene Hansen Ron Hinrichs Gisela Koestner Richard Meyer Leroy Ross, Jr. Ellen Sweet Tom Vilicich Bob Wohl President: Tom Vilicich Vice-President: Don Coates President Emeritus: Leroy Ross, Jr. Treasurer: Gisela Koestner Recording Secy: Ellen Sweet Corporate Secy: Ron Hinrichs

Presidents
(Continued from page 1)

I want to give a big THANK YOU to the Kearny High School JROTC. On February 23 they cleared brush and weeds at the park. They almost filled a large green waste container. Many of these students did the flag raising ceremony for Battle Day. Due to increased printing costs and

new postal regulations, we are considering a change over to email newsletters, except for those of you without email. Some of you are already receiving the color version of Battlelines by email. In any case, we need to update our records. Please send your email address to Battlelines editor Ellen Sweet at ELSweet@gmail.com.

History Discussions
John Sutter History Discussion: John Sutter, a man who professed to be a Swiss Army captain, merchant and trader, was the subject of the January discussion led by Shirley Buskirk. Leaving his wife and children, Sutter emigrated to America and eventually landed in Oregon. Trying to get to California, he sailed to Hawaii, then Sitka, and finally California. Meeting Gov. Juan B. Alvarado, he obtained a land grant in the Sacramento Valley and built a fort/trading post. Initially he had trouble with Indians, but soon organized them into a militia. He purchased the Russian Fort Ross in 1842. He was appointed captain in the California Militia and, as such, supported Gov. Manuel Micheltorena in a battle at Cahuenga. He was captured along with a cannon obtained from Fort Ross. Returned to his fort, he attempted to improve his holdings and hired James W. Marshall to build

by Ron Hinrichs a sawmill. This led to the discovery of gold and created a great inundation of people who overran Sutters property. He tried several business deals, but was not successful. His son founded Sacramento. The senior Sutter was a member of the state constitutional convention, became a California Militia major general, and applied for and received a U.S. grant for his losses during the Gold Rush. A son living in Acapulco, Mexico, sent his children to live with Sutter on his Hock Farm. He lost the farm in a fire. Then he moved to Washington, D.C., to petition Congress for a grant, but did not receive one. He moved to Pennsylvania to a house built by his son for him. He died June 18, 1880. Coming attractions: Tuesday, March 19, California Robber Barons, led by Ron Hinrichs. No April meeting. Tuesday, May 21, Rancho Los Alamitos, led by Richard Meyer

Dragoon Level Members ($100 or more this year)

Agnew, Anstes Bowman, Bob & Judy Coates, Donald Cowgill, Jane Stokes Enriquez Family Foucar, Allen & Barbara
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Hill, Greg Key, Robert S. Lobdell, Kym Pique, Michael Sweet, Melvin & Ellen Vilicich, Thomas M.

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Mar/Apr 2013

Park Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. Park Phone Number:

(760) 737-2201

First Sergeants Corner

School of the Platoon, Mounted Wheelings wheels: the wheel on a fixed pivot, and the wheel on a movable pivot. The wheel is always on a fixed pivot except when the command is right (or left) TURN. The troopers should execute this movement without disuniting, and without ceasing to observe the alignment. In every kind of wheel, the conductor of the marching flank should measure with his eye the arc of the circle he is to pass over, so that it may not be necessary for the files either to open or close. He turns his head occasionally towards the pivot; if he perceives that the troopers are too much crowded, or too open, he increases or diminishes gradually the extent of his circle, in gaining more ground to the front than to the side. Each trooper of the front rank should describe his circle, in the ratio of the distance at which he may form the pivot. As these different arcs are all passed over in the same time, it is necessary that each trooper should slacken his pace in proportion to the distance from the marching flank. During the wheel, the troopers should turn the head slightly towards the marching flank, to regulate the rapidity of their march, and to keep themselves aligned; they should also feel lightly the boot on the side of the

from Tom Vilicich pivot, in order to remain closed to that side. They should nevertheless yield to the pressure coming from the pivot, and resist that from the opposite direction. The horses are slightly turned towards the pivot, in order to keep them upon the circular line they have to pass over. When the troopers have opened, they should approach the pivot insensibly, diminishing the circle by degrees, in gaining more ground to the front than the side. In this case, they give alternately a glance to the pivot and to the marching flank, taking care not to force the pivot. When the troopers have closed too much, they should endeavor to correct the fault gradually, in increasing their circle by degrees, and gaining more ground to the front than to the side. For this purpose, they give alternately a glance to the marching flank and to the pivot, taking care to feel lightly the boot towards the side of the pivot. In every kind of wheel, the troopers should cease wheeling and retake the direct march at the command FORWARD, at whatever point of the wheel they may be; it is necessary to observe, also, that the flanks which become pivots, or marching flanks, do not slacken or augment the pace before the command of execution. Next time, how to execute the wheels.

SPBVA Info:
Tom Vilicich (951) 674-0185 or
Trooper284@aol.com

School

& Adult

Tours Contact: Darlene Hansen (760) 480-6320 BATTLELINES Contributions Deadline : Apr 26, 2013 Contact editor, Ellen Sweet,
ELSweet@gmail.com

WATCH OUR NEW WEBSITE GROW! www.SPBVA.org

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Please send your email address to Battlelines editor, Ellen Sweet, so that you can receive the newsletter in color format. ELSweet@gmail.com

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Mar/Apr 2013

WE APPRECIATE OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS and ENCOURAGE YOUR PATRONAGE

Randall B. Hamud, Attorney at Law 1200-Third Ave, Ste 1321, San Diego 92101 619 696-0815

1919 & 1920s: San Pasqual

The San Diego Union of May 12, 1919 (with dateline Sacramento, May 11) announced San Pasqual Battlefield Bill Signed by Governor. The assembly bill, which originated with San Diego attorney and assemblyman Fred Lindley, passed the state senate and was signed by Gov. William D. Stephens. According to the newspaper, the bill accepts for the state a portion of the San Pasqual battlefield in San Diego county, where Americans and Mexicans clashed in 1846. The donors are William G. Henshaw and Ed Fletcher. The California historical commission is authorized to collect data on the battle and propose a memorial. Retired ranger and SPBVA board member Bob Wohl recently brought

Information gathered by Bob Wohl & Ellen Sweet

Milo Johnson Automotive Service 535 N. Quince Escondido 92025 760 745-3841 San Diego Archaeological Center
preserving pieces of the past

to the attention of the SPBVA board members information in the Statutes of California, 47th Session, 1927, chapter 128 regarding the formation of the Department of Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources was organized under a director appointed by the governor. Salary was to set at $6,000 yearly. The department was to be divided into at least four divisions: mines and mining, forestry, parks, and fish and game. Under article 373d, The division of parks shall be administered through a chief of division who shall be appointed by the director of natural resources upon nomination by the state park commission hereinafter provided. General policies
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16666 San Pasqual Valley Rd Escondido 92027 760 291-0370

US Seagoing Marine Assn Lt. Col. Stan Smith, ret. Escondido, 92027 Www.seagoingmarines.com

Valley Camper Sales 450 West 13th Ave Centre City Pkwy at 13th Ave, Escondido 92025 760 745-2463

San Diego Union May 12, 1919, page 1

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Mar/Apr 2013

1919 & 1920s

(Continued from page 4)

for the administration of the state park system shall be determined by the state park commission which is hereby created to consist of five members appointed by the governor and holding office at his pleasure. Furthermore, under article 373g, San Pasqual was specifically mentioned. Among other duties, powers, and purposes, the department of natural resources had responsibility for the California redwood park commission, San Pasqual battlefield commission, Mount Diablo park commission, . . . Article 373h repeated the information mentioned earlier in the San Diego Union of 1919: The management and control of the property acquired by the State of California under or pursuant to the provisions of the act entitled An act to accept the gift to the state of San Pasqual battlefield in San Diego county, to provide for collecting and systematizing the history of said battle, for determining the exact location thereof, and to report a suitable method of marking said battlefield and commemorating the heroism of those Americans who fought and died there. approved May 11, 1919, is hereby transferred to and vested in the department of natural resources. And importantly, article 373i provided for the expenditure of funds by the department of natural resources for carrying out the purposes for which such appropriations were made or such special funds created.

Efforts by local leaders to mark the site began as early as 1912. After the land was donated by Henshaw and Fletcher, meetings were held and plans were made for an appropriate memorial. Commissioners appointed by Gov. Stephens to handle the project included W.L. Ramey of Escondido, Fred E. Judson of San Pasqual (former assemblyman), and F. M. White of San Diego. The state set aside $5,000 toward the project and local citizens hoped to match that amount. In 1922, a design for a concrete building with an auditorium, two rooms opening off it, and a basement were shown to the public. Architect W. H. Wheeler submitted the design. However, it wasnt until December 6, 1925, the seventy-ninth anniversary of the Battle of San Pasqual, that a celebration was held for the nearly completed monument. No building was built. Decorative walls, columns, seats, etc. were constructed. The monument itself was a boulder ten and one-half feet high and weighing approximately 30 tons. Bob Wohl calls our attention to 2014 as the 150th anniversary of California State Parks. He writes that by 1924, there were six state parks and 11 state monuments. San Pasqual was one of those monuments. He points out that with the ending of World War I and the flu epidemic of 1918-1919, memorial commemorations were very strongly felt during the years afterward. Now our park system consists mostly of historic sites and parks.

Historic photos of San Pasqual Monument

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Mar/Apr 2013

On January 17, 2013, former SPBVA board member Dan Winne passed away. He hosted BBQs for us and his Happy Trails Horse Rentals provided most of the horses for our Battle Day re-enactments, even after he moved to south county. He frequently provided the horses or wagons or stage coach for Old Town State Historic Park. Dans good friend and fellow board member Randy Hamud wrote this tribute.

ODE TO DAN WINNE By Randy Hamud How deep a mark he etched in us. His loss we weep; but we must ask, What made this man who wore no mask. And once purloined a bus?! To San Pascual he came to help To plan a fight from histrys lore. And hoped to teach to those who came, That histry lives when histrys felt, From pounding hoof to cannons roar. In us we host this cowboys fame. His Dad was Quinn, but raised by Winne, He took his name, cause he loved him dearly. Irish was he, and wine was divine. And to excess he lived, just like in ole Erie. But then came Garret, a grandson in need, Only three, but a future most guarded. Dan charged a house, and the boy was free. The court gave credit for the noble deed. Adoption was granted, and Dan lorded. The bottle hed quit and he was aglee. To us he came years later. Sober, successful, and proud. He met our words with banter, And often he laughed, but not too loud. A Navy vet, a Seal no less, he even hired Marines. Opinions he had, and stubborn was he, And generous to a fault. But now hes left the scene, And life has lost its sheen. But live we must, so lets not pout, And give him one last shout: HAPPY TRAILS, DEAR FRIEND, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.

Dan Winne with Cliff and Royce Clifford at grandson Garrets wedding, 2012.

Dan hosting SPBVA members at Happy Trails in Peasquitos, 2001.

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Mar/Apr 2013

JOIN NOW! Our non-profit organization supports the activities of the San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park. All members receive a subscription to BATTLELINES, a 10% discount on all bookstore items, special programs, field trips, history discussions, and opportunities to participate in our Living History Sundays and in our annual December re-enactment of the Battle. SAN PASQUAL BATTLEFIELD VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION P.O. Box 300816, Escondido, CA 92030-0816 (760) 737-2201
This is my/our membership application & dues for the following category: ____Student ($5) ____Individual ($15) ____Family ($20) ____ Sustaining ($50) ____Organization ($25) ____Corporate ($100) ____Dragoon ($100 or more) ____Benefactor ($1,000 or more) Please make checks payable to: SPBVA

NAME(S)_______________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY _______________________________________________________ STATE _______________ZIP _________________ PHONE_____________________________________________ EMAIL________________________________________ OCCUPATION_________________________INTEREST/SKILLS_____________________________________________

HISTORY DISCUSSIONS FOR 2013

Tuesday, March 19 3:305:30 pm
led by Ron Hinrichs

Tuesday, May 21
led by Richard Meyer
[Note: There is no April discussion] Please call Ron Hinrichs 760 746-8380 for informaJohn D. Spreckles tion. Escondido Public Library, 239 S. Kalmia, 2nd floor conference room.
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SAN PASQUAL BATTLEFIELD VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 300816 Escondido, CA 92030-0816

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Escondido, CA 92025 Permit No. 414

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

BATTLELINES

Mar/Apr 2013

Off the

Shelf...

by Shirley Buskirk sion, 1846 was first published in 1943. A visitor alerted me to the fact that it had been reprinted in 2000. The publisher, who prints on demand, says our copies will be here in two weeks. For those of you interested in history, this is a must read. It tells the stories of the explorers who set out from the Mississippi: the Mormons, the Donner Party, Fremonts exploration group, General Kearnys Army of the West who fought in the battle at San Pasqual, and the Native Americans. The other new book is for children, My Ancestors Village. Written and illustrated by Roberta Labastida, a grade school teacher, the story is told from the point of view of a young Indian girl, Dove, who describes the traditional way her family lives in early San Diego County. BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO CHECK OUT SHIRLEYS RESTORED, REVITALIZED BOOKSTORE.
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The trucks are rolling and almost daily I find a the carport. So far 228 books have been unpacked and price-stickered and theres 75 more on the way. Today these early arrivals will take their place on the shelves at the Visitor Center. It has been two years since sold-out books were replaced or new titles added. Some have gone out of print in the meantime and almost all have gone up in price. When rummaging around on our shelves, you may notice that some books have two different prices. The higher price is on the new books just received. So, if you are looking for a you may save anywhere from $2 to $6. Also, adding to the new prices is the fact that sales tax has gone up to 8%. inventory. Bernard DeVotos The Year of Deci-