Mexican War of Independence first official document of independence, known as the Solemn Act of the Declaration of Independence of Northern America. A long period of war followed in the Siege of Cuautla. In 1815, Morelos was captured by Spanish colonial authorities, tried and executed for treason. From 1815 to 1821 most of the fighting for independence from Spain was done by small and isolated guerrilla bands. From these, two leaders arose: Guadalupe Victoria (born José Miguel Fernández y Félix) in Puebla and Vicente Guerrero in Oaxaca, both of whom gained allegiance and respect from their followers. Believing the situation under control, the Spanish
Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana County given under Spanish Rule which were rare during this time. This was only two and a half months before the start of the war for Mexican Independence (1810-1821). The surrounding land grants or ranchos were granted by the Mexican government after Mexican independence in 1821. José Antonio Yorba built an elaborate adobe hacienda, El Refugio (the Refuge), located near present-day First and Sullivan Streets in western Santa Ana. With the Mexican Cession of California to the United States following the Mexican-American War, the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo provided that the land grants would be honored. As required by