"On a cold December day on a mountainside in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, Mexican War veteran Jonathan Davis faced 14 seasoned murders. In a matter of minutes, he killed 11 of them with handgun and knife in what writer John Boessenecker called "the single most extraordinary feat of self-defence by an American civilian in the annals of the Frontier.
This all brings us back to Jonathan Davis, who carried the honorary title of captain, and certainly earned it. Davis enlisted in South Carolina's Palmetto Regiment of volunteers in December 1846, quickly becoming a lieutenant.
Fighting with distinction in several key battles, he was wounded in action at Churubusco on August 20, 1847. One of the wars hardest-fought engagements, it cost the Americans more than 1000 casualties. Discharged in 1848, Davis headed for what would become the Golden State.
On December 19, 1854, he and two fellow prospectors, James McDonald and Dr. Bolivar Sparks, were passing through Rocky Canyon near Todd Valley on the middle fork of the American River not far from Sacramento.
Without warning, 14 banditos opened fire, killing McDonald instantly and mortally wounding Sparks, who only discharged two rounds before hitting the ground. [Sparks died of his wounds a week later on December 26.]. Davis stood his ground, grasped 'in a fever of excitement.' Unlumbered two colt revolvers, he methodically picked off seven bandits with lethal accuracy. Ammo rapidly depleted on both sides.
Four of the would-be robbers came after Davis with knives and a cutlass. Wielding his Bowie knife, he engaged them hand-to-hand, mortally wounding three by cold steel. The fourth fled the field of battle , minus a nose; he died the next day. The three other desperadoes hightailed it out of the blood-stained canyon."
Thanks to the VFW magazine
John Boessenecker's book, Gold Dust and Gunsmoke 1999
Sculpture Michael Trcic, One Man with Courage is a Majority
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