California Rangers

Citizens of the state petitioned Governor of California John Bigler to organize a military company to capture them.

Appointed Captain Harry S. Love was authorized to raise a Ranger Company of 20 men to kill or capture Murrieta and his gang and recover any stolen property found.

On May 28, 1853, Captain Love raised his company of experienced Mexican War veterans, including Lieutenant Patrick Edward Connor and Capt.

Love and his Rangers captured many minor outlaws and horse thieves during the next two months of searching but found no trace of the Five Joaquins.

On July 25, 1853, the State Rangers encountered Murrieta and part of his band at a spring on the Arroyo Cantua near the Coast Ranges on the Tulare plains.