Gillespie was born in 1812; as a lieutenant in the US Marine Corps he was detached as a special messenger (Nov. 1845) and sent to California to deliver dispatches from Pres. Polk to John C. Fremont concerning the possible annexation of CA by the US in the event of war with Mexico; he served thereafter in various capacities until his resignation from the Marine Corps in 1854; died in San Francisco in 1873.
From the description of Papers, 1845-1860. (University of California, Los Angeles). WorldCat record id: 40077588
Biography
Gillespie was born in 1812; as a lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps he was detached as a special messenger (November 1845) and sent to California to deliver dispatches from President Polk to John C. Fremont concerning the possible annexation of California by the United States in the event of war with Mexico; he served thereafter in various capacities until his resignation from the Marine Corps in 1854; died in San Francisco in 1873.
Section 1: A Brief History
THE AMERICAN CONQUEST OF CALIFORNIA
Being the private and public papers of Archibald Hamilton Gillespie, special messenger from the President of the United States to Fremont, Captain and Brevet Major of the California Battalion of Mounted Riflemen, and Commandant of the Southern Department of the territory of California during the conquest.
A magnificent collection of almost five hundred documents concerned with the Conquest of California and its aftermath, and over five hundred papers concerned with Gillespie's private life. Neither Bancroft nor Hittell had access to these documents nor have they been used by any historian. Included are many of the original basic documents of the period, but of the foremost interest are several hitherto unknown papers which should serve to establish definitely certain important dates as well as to clarify and illuminate some of the more obscure and controversial questions with which historians have concerned themselves.
No life of Archibald Gillespie, one of the most important figures in the Conquest of California, has ever been written. This collection contains almost all the necessary material, covering the most important years of his career, for the writing of such a life....
In November 1845 Lt. Archibald Hamilton Gillespie was detached for special service by the Secretary of the Navy, George Bancroft, and was instructed to proceed through Mexico, in the guise of an invalid merchant, to California, where he was to transmit to Fremont the wishes of the government in regard to California.
Arriving in Monterey in April 1846, he discovered that Fremont had already started up the valley of the Sacramento. After conferring with Larkin, Gillespie hastened after him and overtook him near Klamath Lake in Oregon where he delivered his dispatches.
On the following morning the party proceeded toward California, with Gillespie going on to Yerba Buena where he picked up stores and supplies from Captain Montgomery. He then rejoined Fremont at the American Fork.
He was active in connection with the Bear Flag movement and raised the American Flag at Fort Sutter.
Taking commission under Stockton, Gillespie was placed at Los Angeles as Commandant of the Southern Department where he was attacked by an overwhelming force under Flores and Pico. He then sent Juan Flaco to Monterey to ask aid of Stockton, but before help could come he was forced to evacuate the city and move on to San Pedro where he was joined, shortly after, by Captain Mervine whom Stockton had sent to reinforce him. Together they made an attempt to retake the city, but as it was unsuccessful, they retired to San Diego.
A little later, Gillespie, with a small party, advanced to join Kearny and the combined forces fought a battle at San Pasqual in which he was wounded. He also fought in the battle of San Gabriel.
After the treaty was signed at Cauenga, Gillespie closed up the affairs of the California Battalion and returned east with Stockton.
For the next five years he was engaged in settling California Claims. During this period he also testified at Fremont's court material and sent the Russell party back to California.
In 1855 he returned to California, became a Notary Public, wrote some vitriolic letters to the newspapers during the Fremont for President campaign, and finally drifted into an obscurity which ended with his death in San Francisco in 1873.
From the guide to the Archibald H. Gillespie Papers, 1845-1860, (University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.)
