I Don't Think So...

Fremont responded to Catro's demand by taking 60 of his men to the top of Hawk's Peak in the Gabilan Mountain overlooking Santa Clara Valley and erected a statue of himself along with the United States flag.   (I told you that you would come to look at Fremont differently!)  From there, he proceeded to taunt the Mexicans with boasts of military might.  He saw California as his, the way Jackson saw Florida and Houston saw Texas as their own.

Without orders, and as an active military officer, Fremont had entered a foreign country at that time, and committed what amounted to an act of war.  Fremont remained on Hawk's Peak for 3 days until the flag fell to the ground causing Fremont to abandon the position because he saw that as a "bad omen".

Hightailing it to Oregon without interference and in a towering rage, Captain Walker severed all ties with Fremont on the spot. and was later to say "Fremont, morally and physically was the most complete coward I ever knew.  I would say that he was as timid as a woman if I were not casting an unmerited reproach on that sex."

Next time...Fremont Finally Gets His

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This Day in History: On Nov.17, 1856, the United States gained control over the Gadsden Purchase with the establishment of Fort Buchanan. Named for the recently elected President, Fort Buchanan was located on the Sonoita River in present-day southern Arizona.