Union Regiments by State

California

Source: The Union Army, Vol. IV. Madison, Wisconsin: Federal Publishing Company, 1908.


Military Affairs in California
1861-65

It has been sometimes stated that California, by reason of her geographical location far away from the more active scenes of the war, and possessed of only a sparse population, exerted little or no influence in the War of the Rebellion. It is proposed in the following pages to set forth the essential falsehood of such assertions and to show that the rich, young state of the West was second to none of the loyal states in her patriotic offerings and her generous self-sacrifice to the cause of the Union. If few California volunteers were represented on the principal battlefields of the war, it was due to no fault of the state, as men were freely offered for the eastern service, only to be refused by the general government. That they were never ordered east was a constant source of regret to California's volunteers, who continually asked: "When are we to be ordered to the seat of war?" A wise government policy deemed it expedient to keep them on the Pacific coast and in the territories, and to them was entrusted the important tasks of occupying most of the posts from Puget Sound to San Elizario, Texas; of keeping in subjection the large number of hostile Indian tribes throughout this vast region; of warding off foreign interference along the great Pacific coast line; and of overawing the elements of disunion and secession at home. California's soldiers performed these duties faithfully, despite their disappointment at being unable to share in the more stirring events of the great contest for freedom and the perpetuity of the nation. They maintained peace in these western states and territories, soon drove the flag of rebellion beyond the Rio Grande, and prevented the establishment of an empire for the perpetuation of slavery on the western coast of the continent. Nor should it be forgotten that the entire population of the Pacific coast, including Utah and Colorado, numbered less than one-fourth of the population of the single state of Pennsylvania. Of the state's more than generous contributions to the sanitary fund, and of her readiness to meet the war taxes, later allusion will be made. Her legislatures gave frequent expression to loyal sentiments and her three war governors could always be relied upon to further the Union cause in every possible way. The early hopes of the Southern states that California would espouse the pro-slavery cause, or would at least remain neutral during the struggle, found no encouragement with the state authorities; nor did the dream of an independent Western republic. California's gold and other mineral treasures poured a welcome stream into the Federal treasury, aided to ward off government bankruptcy and to prevent an almost unlimited depreciation of the nation's paper promises to pay. Such are some of the state's claims to a share in that glory which sustained the nation in the hour of its peril.

No quotas were assigned to the state under the several calls for troops during the war, though she was asked to furnish several regiments and battalions, aggregating more than 16,000 men, besides 500 who were enlisted within her borders and became part of the quota of the state of Massachusetts, and eight companies raised for Washington Territory. She furnished to the Union armies during the war two full regiments of cavalry, eight full regiments of infantry, one battalion of native California cavalry, and one battalion of infantry, called mountaineers, in addition to the above-mentioned companies of volunteers supplied to Massachusetts and Washington Territory. Altogether nearly 17,000 volunteers were enlisted in the state.

Democratic political ascendancy in the state received its first serious setback in the presidential election of 1860, when four sets of presidential electors were placed in nomination, Lincoln and Hamlin, Bell and Everett, Douglas and Johnson, and Breckenridge and Lane. The two last named tickets represented the radical split in the Democratic party brought about by the aggressive pro-slavery wing of the party. The two U. S. senators from California, Gwin and Latham, both Democrats, as well as her two representatives, Scott and Burch, had taken an unpopular course in Congress by their subserviency to Lecomptonism and the pro-slavery element, and had run counter to the prevailing sentiment of the people of California, only the Lecompton faction of the Democrats being pleased. The Congressional delegation was accused during the campaign of 1860 of dragging the state into the quarrel between the North and South, in opposition to the desires of a majority of their constituents, and of grossly neglecting the measures on which California sought favorable action by Congress, while giving aid and comfort to the disunion agitators. The Republicans, during the campaign, made effective use of this opposition, with the result that the state gave Lincoln a plurality of 700 over Douglas, who in turn received 3,000 more votes than the Breckenridge ticket. Bell, the candidate of the so-called Union party, received a paltry 6,049 votes. The legislature chosen at the same time was still strongly Democratic, though, as the event proved, it contained a large loyal majority. Of the hold-over senators 18 were Douglas Democrats, 6 Breckenridge Democrats, and only 1 Republican. The senators elect were divided as follows: Douglas Democrats 8, Breckenridge Democrats 5, Republicans 4. In the assembly there were 38 Douglas Democrats, 22 Breckenridge Democrats, 1 Union, and 19 Republicans. News of the critical events of the winter of 1860-61 filtered through to California all too slowly by means of the slow pony express, but as the people became gradually aware of the disloyal acts of the Southern states, and of the actions of their representatives in Congress, the sentiment of loyalty to the Union grew apace and disunion talk found little favor. Nor did the project of a Pacific republic, so dear to the heart of Southern and other disloyal orators, proclaimed by Senators Gwin and Latham in 1860, find open support in California. In the far western state, as elsewhere, the sole issue which divided people was fast becoming one of loyalty or disloyalty, and on this issue chiefly the new legislature chose James A. McDougall, a Douglas Democrat, but professing loyal sentiments, to succeed the discredited Gwin in the Federal senate. Still, the press of the state hesitated for a time as to what course to pursue, and the legislature was reluctant to pass resolutions of loyalty and support to the Federal government, lest it be beforehand with its duty. Timid people declared that California could do little to influence the result of the great national controversy and counseled neutrality as the safest and easiest course. Others hinted at union meetings and said the cotton states should be disillusioned of their belief that their secession would be followed by the formation of a Pacific republic. This class further pointed out that self-interest warned against the secession idea, lest California's great desire for a Pacific railroad should never be fulfilled.

Finally, a mass meeting was arranged for in San Francisco on February 22, 1861, which was attended by over 14,000 people. Union bunting was everywhere in evidence and the innate loyalty of the people was enthusiastically expressed. Ringing Union speeches were delivered by Edward Stanley, James Shields, Thomas Starr King, the Unitarian preacher patriot, Delos Lake and J. B. Crockett, and Union clubs and Union sentiment grew rapidly from this time on. When the first overt act of rebellion took place and Fort Sumter was fired upon, news of which was received in San Francisco April 24, the indignation of California's loyal people was at once made manifest by the formation of administration Union clubs on the 27th. These were the outgrowth of the Republican campaign clubs of 1860. Four companies, properly officered, were formed from the clubs in the several districts, and during the four years of the war constituted a well organized military police whose vigilance rivalled that of the famous committee of 1856. William T. Sherman presided over the meeting of the 27th in San Francisco and appointed an executive committee of 12, one from each district, with powers of general supervision and authority to appoint such general officers as were deemed proper. On May 11 the city of San Francisco suspended all business in order to carry out a loyal demonstration. The Stars and Stripes were everywhere displayed, while a lone palmetto flag, raised by a disunion^ ist named Nash, was promptly lowered amid the denunciations of an aroused populace. Prominent citizens and business men of doubtful loyalty found it to their interest to come out squarely for the Federal government, and Union speeches were made by Senators Latham and McDougall, General Shields, General E. V. Sumner and others, in which the doctrine of coercion was boldly proclaimed. Lieut.-Governor John G. Downey had now succeeded to the executive office, made vacant when Governor Latham took his seat in the Federal senate. Like the succeeding "War Governors" of California, Leland Stanford and F. F. Low, Downey gave cordial support to the government and the state was fortunate throughout the war in having men at the helm, who gave a loyal, zealous and patriotic response to every call for assistance from Washington. This was especially shown in the promptness with which the state supplied the different regiments and battalions asked for by the Federal authorities.

The legislature also gave emphatic utterance to the feeling of patriotism which now swept over the state and on May 17 passed resolutions pledging its support to the government in no uncertain terms. The following concurrent resolution was adopted: "That the people of California are devoted to the constitution and Union of the United States, and will not fail in fidelity and fealty to that constitution and Union now in the hour of trial and peril; that California is ready to maintain the rights and honor of the national government at home and abroad, and at all times to respond to any requisition that may be made upon her to defend the republic against foreign or domestic foes." Prior to this it had taken steps to thoroughly revise the militia laws of the state and had organized the militia into six divisions of twelve brigades, with proper officers; also into regiments and battalions, with suitable provision for their equipment and discipline, and for calling them into service. At the beginning of hostilities 3,650 U. S. troops were stationed in the department of the Pacific, of whom 1,725 were in California and 1,925 in Oregon and Washington. In the immediate neighborhood of San Francisco were about 500 troops, stationed at Fort Point, Alcatraz island and the Presidio. At the beginning of 1861, General Albert Sidney Johnston was assigned to the command of the Department of the Pacific. As he was a Kentuckian and committed to the doctrine of state rights, many have doubted his loyalty at this time, and his motives in accepting the assignment have been often maligned. It was known at Washington that a conspiracy of wide ramifications existed to establish an independent Republic of the Pacific and thereby draw California into the secession movement, and the state was expected later to join the Southern Confederacy. The secession element in the state at this time was active and zealous, though it formed only a minority of the population. For these and other reasons, the authorities at Washington, with every effort at secrecy, despatched General Edwin V. Sumner to the Pacific coast to relieve Johnston of the command. Says the historian Bancroft: "But with all the caution observed in this transaction, Johnston received information by pony express in time to resign before Sumner arrived. Not an hour was lost when the general landed before taking command, but Johnston was evidently not surprised. He yielded gracefully, no doubt gladly, and was soon on his way overland, via Texas, with other officers and volunteers for the Southern Confederacy. * * * He gave his sword to the 'lost cause,' and laid down his life at Shiloh as a proof of his loyalty to an idea." Sumner arrived at San Francisco April 24, and relieved Johnston on the 25th. His announcement of his assumption of the command was accompanied by the laconic, but pointed statement, "All concerned will govern themselves accordingly." In reporting to headquarters Sumner stated that the command was turned over to him in good order, and that, while General Johnston had already forwarded his resignation before his (Sumner's) arrival, he continued to hold the command, and was carrying out the orders of the government. "I think the course of events at the East will control events here," wrote Sumner. "So long as the general government is sustained and holds the capital the secessionists cannot carry this state out of the Union." He then suggested that he could be safely withdrawn after two weeks, in case his services were required elsewhere, leaving Colonel George Wright in command of the department. For a warm defense of General Johnston's conduct at this time, the reader is referred to the sketch of Johnston's life, written by Captain George F. Price, late of the 2nd California cavalry, afterwards captain in the 5th U. S. cavalry, an extract from the same appearing in the Records of California Men in the War of the Rebellion, by Brigadier-General Richard H. Orton, 1890, p. 7.

Until the completion of the overland telegraph across the continent in October, 1861, news from the east reached California -every 10 days by pony express. News arriving by way of the southern, or Butterfield route, took twice as long. Steamship mails were from three to four weeks old when they arrived. By means of the flying pony express, by which for nearly two years a light letter mail was carried across the continent by solitary riders, letters from New York arrived in San Francisco in 13 days, of which period the actual ride took over 10 days. Telegraph stations shortened message time to less than 10 days, despatches being sent from New York to St. Louis, thence to Fort Kearny, whence they were carried by pony to Sacramento, and from there by wire to San Francisco. By the act of March 2, 1861, the southern route was discontinued and a daily service was arranged for by the central route, which delivered mail at least 18 days old at the shortest. Indian troubles interrupted the service more or less and high charges prevented the line from being well patronized. Nevertheless, the St. Joseph Co., from patriotic motives, continued the service in 1861, at a loss until the telegraph line was put in operation in November.

The first call for troops from California was as follows: "War Department, July 24, 1861. To the Governor of California: The War Department accepts for three years one regiment of infantry and five companies of cavalry to guard the overland mail route from Carson Valley to Salt Lake and Fort Laramie. Colonel Waite will be put in command of department at Salt Lake City. General Sumner will detail mustering officers to muster in the men."

Under this call the 1st California infantry, and the 1st battalion of the 1st California cavalry were raised. In 1863 seven more companies of cavalry were raised, completing the organization of the 1st cavalry. A little later, a second call, under date of August 14, 1861, was received by Governor Downey, as follows: "Please organize, equip, and have mustered into service at the earliest date possible, four regiments of infantry and one regiment of cavalry, to be placed at the disposal of General Sumner." Under this second call the 2nd cavalry and the 2nd, 3d, 4th and 5th infantry were formed. Early in May, after receipt of the news that President Lincoln had called for 75,000 volunteers, though no quota had been assigned to the state, volunteering began and numerous volunteer organizations were formed. Military enthusiasm was at a high point and General Sumner detailed regular army officers to drill the militia, Lieut. John Hamilton, 3d artillery, being made military instructor of the 2nd division of state troops. August 12 and 23, 1861. Governor Downey issued proclamations calling for volunteers to fill up the requisitions for troops in conformity to the telegrams of July 24 and August 14, and there was a cordial and enthusiastic response. Later, in his message to the legislature, he stated: "The whole contingent as organized is composed of our best citizens—men of character and means from all pursuits and ranks of life—and will achieve an honorable fame for our state and render good service to the nation when called into active duty. In organizing this force commissions were conferred upon officers in the regular army of the United States as colonels, in order to give efficiency and discipline to our raw recruits. By an order from the war department I was notified that these officers could not be permitted to retain position in the volunteer service, as they were ordered to the scene of hostilities to join their respective regiments. Two of these officers, Colonels Kellogg and Judah, rendered much aid in raising and organizing the 4th and 5th regiments of volunteers, at great expense and trouble to themselves, without being permitted to enjoy the honors and emoluments arising therefrom. The cavalry regiment was raised before Colonel Smith arrived to take command of the volunteers; he now has charge of the troops of the state along our southern frontier. * * * The militia law of last year is found to work well and meets the expectation of its advocates. It declares that all necessary expenses arising from its operation shall be defrayed out of the general fund, but the legislature failed to make any appropriation. It is hoped that a small appropriation will be made to meet the inconsiderable amounts already audited, as well as the future contingent expenses of the year. Too much importance cannot be placed upon the organization of our militia, in order that efficiency may be attained and that a military spirit may be infused into our citizens. It cannot be expected that volunteers will drill and parade without arms. For these reasons I recommended last year a military tax for the rent of armories and the purchase of arms. We should, therefore, have at least 100,000 stands of arms distributed among our militia; instead of this there are not 3,000 and many of these are of antique style and character, of but little use for modern warfare."

During the early period of the war the Confederate government made a strong effort to secure New Mexico, and also sought to obtain a foothold in California, where it expected to obtain large supplies of men, horses, money, etc. A Confederate expedition came through Texas, captured New Mexico, and advanced almost to the Colorado river. Sympathy with the rebellion found its chief support in the southern counties of the state, where the native population was large, and where the agricultural element predominated. It was deemed necessary to station some of the volunteer companies in that region, which probably added fuel to the fire. The chief organ of the secession element was the Tulare Post, whose diatribes kept the Union men stirred up. The disloyal element in Tulare county was strong enough to place men in the county offices, as well as to elect a member of the legislature. Frequent quarrels ensued between the citizens and the volunteers, in which blood was shed and some lives were lost. Eventually, the Post, then named the Equal Rights Expositor, was destroyed by the troops at Camp Babbitt. The advocates of secession and anti-coercion continued to cause the state authorities trouble throughout the war. Though Congress required emigrants from the east bound for California to have passports, it was no difficult matter for men to proceed overland from California into the secession states, and many southern sympathizers took this course during the early months of the war. This was true of Terry, Daniel Showalter, and other noted secessionists. Showalter organized a large party in the state, which was captured near Warner's ranch on the road to Fort Yuma by detachments of the ist cavalry and 1st infantry. They were found to be loaded down with arms and ammunition and were armed with repeating rifles, while despatches on their persons disclosed the fact that several of them were commissioned officers in the Confederate service. General Wright had made Fort Yuma a strong post and military prison in order to check these seditious movements, and Showalter and his associates were held as prisoners of war there until exchanged. Showalter, at least, later joined the Confederate army.

It was stated that the first troops called for by the government would be used to guard the overland mail route via Salt Lake. It was afterwards decided to use them for an invasion of the state of Texas by way of the Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua, landing at Mazatlan or Guaymas in Sonora. The Mexican states and government had given their permission, and General Sumner was assigned to the command of the expedition. Sumner stated that he believed the difficulties of such an expedition to be almost insuperable, but was nevertheless willing to undertake it. Much to his relief he was ordered in September. 1861, to suspend preparations for the expedition. This was brought about in the following way. The proposition to send the California troops out of the state had caused a great deal of excitement and feeling, and 65 business men and firms of San Francisco united in an earnest appeal to the secretary of war to keep the state troops at home, stating among other things: "A majority of our present state officers are undisguised and avowed secessionists, and the balance, being utterly hostile to the administration, are advocates of a peace policy at any sacrifice, upon terms that would not be rejected even by South Carolina. Every appointment made by our governor within the past three months unmistakably indicates his entire sympathy and cooperation with those plotting to sever California from her allegiance to the Union, and that, too, at the hazard of civil war. About three-eighths of our citizens are natives of slaveholding states, and almost a unit in this crisis. The hatred and bitterness towards the Union and Union men, manifested so pointedly in the South and so strongly evinced on the field of battle, is no more intense there than here. These men are never without arms, having wholly laid aside their business, and are devoting their time to plotting, scheming and organizing. Our advices, obtained with great prudence and care, show us that there are upwards of 16,000 'Knights of the Golden Circle' in this state, and that they are still organizing, even in our most loyal districts. The fruits of so much devotion to the cause of secession and intriguing for its promotion are manifested in the securing of certain timid and ease-loving classes, hailing from free states, styling themselves Union men, but opposed to the war. Thus is secession consummated. Another class, by no means small, powerful through its wealth, has affiliated with the disunionists to avoid and oppose paying a pittance towards maintaining the integrity of the government in its hour of trial. The native Spanish race have been persuaded that all real estate complications will meet prompt adjustment at the hands of another organization; and the unwarranted doubts, difficulties and delays that have characterized the administrative branch of the government in the final adjustment of titles under Mexican grants furnish an argument to ignorant men that human ingenuity cannot answer. * * * The special object of this extraordinary effort is to carry the state election, which takes place one week from to-day, September 4. In this campaign the Union voters are unfortunately divided, and the best devised plans have failed to unite them. The secessionists, the Douglas party, and the Republicans have each a full ticket in the field, and we are overwhelmed with apprehensions lest the enemies of our country may triumph. Should such be the case, civil strife would be forced upon our loyal population, and the most prosperous state in the Union would be desolated and destroyed. * * * We need not remind you of the vast importance of preserving California to the Union. Its great geographical extent, its mineral and agricultural wealth, the fact that it is our chief seat of empire upon the Pacific, and that its political action will exercise a powerful, if not controlling influence upon its neighbors at the North, imperatively demand that no precaution should be neglected to insure its fidelity. We need only appeal to the examples furnished by Missouri, and even Virginia, to show that the efforts of a comparatively small number of audacious and unscrupulous men are sufficient to precipitate an unwilling population into disunion, or at least to inaugurate civil war. If, unfortunately, from the causes we have mentioned, the secession minority in this state should obtain control, you will at once perceive with what power for mischief it would be armed, and how imminent is our danger. To retain a state in its allegiance is a thousand-fold more easy than to overcome disloyalty affecting to act under state authority. Nothing will more certainly check treasonable attempts than a conviction of their hopelessness. To deprive us of the military support of the government at this time is to hold out a direct encouragement to traitors. We beg most earnestly to remind you that in our case an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

This letter had the desired effect, and the expedition against Texas was abandoned. Conditions in California were doubtless somewhat exaggerated in the above appeal, but there was a good deal of basis for much that was contained in the letter. The reflection on the governor's loyalty, however, was quite uncalled for, as Governor Downey seems to have done his full duty and gave no evidence of sympathy with the southern cause. The officers appointed and commissioned by him in the volunteer service of the state were loyal to the government and remained faithful in every position in which they were placed.

After the abandonment of the Texas expedition, Sumner, much to the regret of all loyal men, was ordered east, being succeeded by Brigadier-General George Wright, colonel of the 9th U. S. infantry. The California troops were distributed at various points over the state. The regulars, with the exception of the 9th infantry and four companies of the 3d artillery, were ordered east. After the conquest of New Mexico in 1861 by the enemy under General H. H. Sibley, the California column, so called, consisting of the 1st cavalry (five cos.), 1st infantry, 5th infantry, and a light battery of the 3d artillery, all under command of Brig-General James H. Carleton, was formed to reinforce the Union troops in New Mexico. The region now known as Arizona was included at that time in New Mexico, and the California authorities feared that if the enemy became permanently established there they would use the region as a base from which to organize an expedition for the invasion of California. Consequently the California column assembled at Fort Yuma in April, 1862, and marched across the desert as far as the Rio Grande, the enemy fleeing before its advance into Texas. Carleton's column reopened the southern overland mail route and reoccupied the military posts in Arizona, southern New Mexico and northwestern Texas. On June 8, 1862, in conformity with the action Of Congress, Carleton issued a proclamation organizing the Territory of Arizona from a portion of New Mexico.

During the early months of the war there was much discussion in the public prints concerning the propriety of maintain the fortifications at Alcatraz and Fort Point were inadequate to defend the harbor of San Francisco, that one of the enemy's privateers might easily pass them and work irreparable damage to the city. Temporary water batteries and fortifications were suggested to the legislature, but nothing came of the discussion. The presence of an occasional armed vessel of the United States in the Pacific afforded some protection. Later the government sent out two cruisers for the protection of the coast and also despatched to San Francisco an iron monitor in sections, to be put together by a local firm, but such a long delay ensued before the monitor was put in commission she was never of any service to the state or to the coast. During the progress of the war several plots to fit out armed cruisers, such as the Chapman affair in 1863, were frustrated by discovery, as were various schemes to surprise and capture the arsenal at Benicia, the forts at Fort Point and Alcatraz, and the Mare island navy-yard.

Leland Stanford, one of the founders of the Republican party in California, was elected governor in September, 1861, by a plurality of 23,285, over his opponents, John Conness, the nominee of the Union Democrats, John R. McConnell, the candidate of the Breckenridge Democrats, and a full Republican state ticket was chosen at the same time. Union Democrats rallied to the support of the Republican ticket, as the people wanted to make sure of a Union governor and prevent any attempts at revolution in the state. In 1862 the Republican party came out as the Union party and invited all loyal men to join its ranks. The Congressmen elected by the Republicans in 1861 were Aaron A. Sargent, Timothy G. Phelps and Frederick F. Low, the first named being one of the founders of Republicanism in California. Said Governor Stanford in his inaugural message: "California has nobly and wisely pronounced in favor of the cause of the people. Let her prove her devotion to the Union and to civil liberty by doing all in her power to maintain both. Let her part of the national tax be cheerfully assumed and provision be made for its payment out of the state treasury. Every one of us should feel that we are but guardians, holding our lives and our fortunes in trust for the protection of the government, around which cluster the anxious hopes and fears of millions who have grown with its growth and strengthened with its strength. The citizens of California are, by birth, the representatives of all parts of the Union, and are naturally imbued with more or less of local sympathies. Let us be as tolerant and charitable of opinion as possible, but none should ever forget that California is one of the United States; that she is loyal to the Union; that her citizens have quite unmistakably declared their devotion to our national unity, their recognition of the supremacy of the national government, and their determination to maintain both inviolate. Every citizen of California must remember his duty, and, remembering, discharge it faithfully. His fellow-citizens are now in the field, armed against traitors and treason, and for the preservation of the Union and the national government. The whole power of the state should, if necessary, be wielded to encourage, support, and sustain these patriotic citizens and their compatriots. Let treason meet a just and speedy punishment, and may we soon, as I doubt not we shall, see peace restored to our beloved Union, our institutions more firmly implanted than ever, and sustained by a national sentiment that shall pervade every section of our country. The new administration enters upon the discharge of its duties at a momentous period of our nation's history. I confidently trust there will be concert of action in all the departments of our state government to strengthen the arm of the Federal power, and also in whatever will tend to advance the interests of our state."

The legislative session of 1861-62 was a long one. Among the concurrent resolutions passed was one renewing California's pledge of loyalty, and another authorizing the governor to notify by telegraph the secretary of the United States treasury of the state's intention to pay at once the direct tax of $254,538, apportioned to the state by Congress, as her share of the interest on the public debt. It further authorized the payment out of the state treasury of large sums to meet the cost of recruiting, maintaining and equipping the state's volunteers. Party lines were practically abolished in 1862, Republicans and loyal Democrats uniting under the name of Unionists. In the legislature chosen this year the supporters of the government had an overwhelming majority. Constitutional amendments were also adopted by the people, increasing the governor's term of office to four years, making the legislative sessions biennial, and changing the state's judicial system, all of which were confirmed by the legislature of 1863. In his message to the legislature January 5, 1863, Governor Stanford reviewed the financial condition of the state; recommended the organization, arming and equipment of an efficient militia force; and the adoption of a provision allowing volunteers in the field to vote. In conformity to the last recommendation the legislature passed an act requiring the adjutant-general of the state to make out a list of the names of volunteers in the U. S. service, from which separate lists should be sent to the commander of each regiment in camp, with ballot-boxes, to enable the soldiers to vote in the elections of 1863. The law was reviewed by the courts and declared unconstitutional, but the legislature renewed the act in 1864, and it was not again questioned. Among the military measures enacted by the legislature of 1863 were the following: Appropriating $24,260, saved to the state treasury by paying the federal tax in legal tender notes instead of the gold collected, to aid in filling the volunteer regiments with recruits; appropriating $5,000 out of the general fund for the relief of Colonel Roderick Matheson, killed at Crampton's gap in the fall of 1862; appropriating $100,000 to provide more efficient coast defenses; setting aside a fund of $600,000, to be known as the Soldiers' Relief Fund, to be used as an additional compensation to volunteers in the U. S. service over and above their regular pay; a law to permit soldiers in the field to vote, already mentioned; an act declaring secession flags and insignia a nuisance, to be abated by the sheriff and destroyed; making the arming and equipping of vessels for piratical purposes a felony; excluding secessionists and alien enemies from courts of justice; requiring attorneys to take an oath to support the constitution of the United States and the state of California, and making denunciation of the government or wishing evil to it a criminal abuse of the freedom of speech. Resolutions were also passed thanking Colonel Connor and the volunteers of the 2nd California cavalry for their gallant action at Bear river, Utah. It renewed its pledge of loyalty once more; expressed regret at the death of Sumner, "by whose prompt and decisive action the state was saved from anarchy, and the horrors of civil war;" and finally, it approved the emancipation proclamation of President Lincoln and pledged the state in its support. In only one thing was the state recalcitrant, and that was in its refusal to accept U. S. legal tender as money. In common with the states of Oregon and Nevada, it passed specific-contract laws, which were finally upheld by the Federal courts, and the rule of law was laid down that a contract to pay in any kind of legal tender was valid, whether written or not. The people of the state also took exception to the tax upon the products of the mines, despite the fact that the mineral lands belonged to the government, asserting that the state furnished the gold to sustain the nation's credit and that the tax must necessarily prove embarrassing. Nevertheless, they promptly paid the tax of one-half of one per cent, upon gold and silver bullion levied in 1864, out of motives of loyalty.

The patriotism of the people was displayed in various ways. For instance when a member of the legislature introduced a bill to exclude colored persons from the state by constitutional amendment, the chairman of the committee to which it was referred reported it back with an amendment excluding traitors, the report stating, "It is self-evident that if it is necessary or proper to exclude any class of people from the state, it is, first and above all, those entirely overlooked in the bill, but described in the amendment—those of bloody hands and black hearts, and therefore your committee recommends its passage as amended."

The legislature of 1863 elected John Conness, Union Democrat, to the United States senate to succeed Latham, who was charged with failure to support the administration and no longer truly represented his state. Under the provisions of the amended constitution the state election of 1863 was regarded as highly important. The governor was to be chosen for four years, an entire corps of state officers, a new bench of supreme justices to hold office for ten years, and a legislature were to be elected. The sessions of the new legislature were to be biennial, the term of the senators elect to be four years, of the assemblymen two years, and the legislature was to meet in December of the odd years, 1863, 1865, etc. It was certain that those opposed to the vigorous prosecution of the war, called by their more loyal opponents "copperheads," would make a strong effort to carry the state election. In view of the length of the war, the necessity for a draft, the Union reverses, and the tremendous strain on the resources of the country resulting from the gigantic military operations, there was much to justify the fear of the administration element in the state that the lukewarm element might control the situation, which would give them an advantage the following year in the presidential campaign, with the momentous issues involved. Fortunately these fears were not realized and were really never justified, as the copperhead faction in California never attained to the strength it displayed in many of the older states. Frederick F. Low, Union candidate for governor, received a majority of 19,831 over John G. Downey, his Democratic opponent, and the rest of the Union state ticket received majorities of about 20,000. The legislature chosen at the same time had a Union majority on joint ballot of 94. The state election occurred September 3, and on October 25, the special election of the judiciary took place, resulting in another overwhelming victory for the Union candidates. All the public servants of the state were now of recognized loyal tendencies and could be relied upon to support the national government in every emergency. Governor Low was a native of Maine, an ex-Congressman, and when elected was holding the position of collector of the port of San Francisco.

When the legislature met December 7, 1863, it passed a number of important military measures. An investigation was held to ascertain the cause of the destruction by fire of the carriages of 7 guns furnished the state by the Federal authorities, and an appropriation of $3,000 was made to remount the guns. Increased defenses were asked of the Federal government for the harbor of Monterey. It remitted the poll-tax of $2 each to volunteers, granted a bounty of $160 to all who enlisted thereafter for three years or during the war, and an additional sum of $140 to reenlisted veterans. State bonds to the amount of $2,000,000 were authorized to meet these obligations and provision was made for their redemption by a tax of 12 cents levied on each $100 of valuation of real and personal property in the state, estimated at $174,000,000. The generosity of the people at this time will be recognized in view of the fact that the state was then paying two per cent, monthly on a large part of its current expenditures. In a message on the finances of the state, Governor Low estimated the total debt of the state on January 1, 1864, at $5,365,640.71. This included the soldiers' bounty bonds, but did not embrace the debt on the Indian war bonds and the donation to the Pacific railroad. Adding these, the whole debt was $6,084,509.25.

During the latter part of the war, when the government freely resorted to the draft in order to secure the necessary quotas for the Union armies, there was much bitter opposition and harsh criticism of the dominant party's conduct of the war. The copperheads gained strength in politics rapidly in the Eastern states, and even in California, where there was no draft, as the state's volunteers were in excess of all demands, the peace-on-any-terms party was much in evidence. The presidential campaign developed into one of considerable bitterness and the disloyal elements in the state were never more outspoken than in 1864. They were encouraged by the disloyal, anti-administration representatives of the press, such as the Democratic Press of San Francisco, conducted by Beriah Brown, a Vermonter, the Marysville Express, Stockton Beacon, Merced Democrat, Napa Pacific Echo, Tulare Post, Equal Rights Expositor, and several other papers secretly engaged in aiding the Confederate cause. In the southern counties of the state the copperheads completely controlled the primaries and resorted to numerous unfair devices to elect their delegates. Another important factor, especially in the rural districts, was the Methodist church, south. This church, while nominally a religious organization pure and simple, was almost completely made up of those opposed to the war and the administration, and was strong in its pro-slavery leanings. When one of its prominent officials, Bishop Kavanaugh of Georgia, entered California armed with a pass from the Confederate authorities, he was arrested on suspicion, but was soon released on his assertion that he came only on church business and would gladly take the oath of loyalty.

The Union party held its convention in March, 1864, and chose as delegates to the national Republican convention at Baltimore, Thompson Campbell, M. C. Briggs, John Bidwell and Phineas Banning, as delegates at large; Robert Gardiner, Nathan Coombs, William Ritter, O. H. Bradbury, James Otis, and William S. McMurty, as district delegates. The delegation was instructed to cast its vote for Abraham Lincoln. The Democratic convention met in May and elected as delegates at large to the convention at Chicago four ex-governors—John B. Weller, John G. Downey, John McDougall and H. W. Bigler. McDougall declined and Thomas Hayes was substituted. The district delegates were C. L. Weller, William J. Whipple, J. B. Stevens, Clayton Wetherill, J. J. Berry and C. D. Semple. The news that Lincoln was nominated awakened great enthusiasm, and when, after a memorable campaign, the people learned of his great majority in the state over McClellan, followed by the news of a sweeping Republican victory throughout the Union, there was widespread rejoicing. In the city of San Francisco a great procession of 4,000 citizens moved through the principal streets, singing patriotic songs, while windows and balconies were filled with women, waving flags and handkerchiefs. Similar scenes were enacted elsewhere in the state. California elected three members of Congress at this time—Donald C. McRuer, William Higby and John Bidwell—all Union Republicans.

After the close of the war a part of the California troops remained in the service performing garrison duty at various posts and guarding routes of travel until January 4, 1867, when the last of the volunteer troops were mustered out. With the exception of those enlisted for Massachusetts, none of the California forces were able to participate in any of the great battles of the war, though it may be truly said that they rendered services equal in importance to those rendered by the soldiers from the other states. They had been engaged in numerous fights with Indians and small forces of Confederate troops on the frontiers, in Texas and Mexico, and they were uniformly victorious. A grateful people will ever hold their citizen soldiers in cherished remembrance. When the volunteers in the service of the United States were mustered out, some eighty odd militia companies formed to serve in their localities as required, or to respond to a call from the governor, were disbanded. In 1866 the legislature designated all the organized uniformed troops in the state as the national guard of the state of California.

That rebellion never gained a sure foothold in California, and that civil war was never inaugurated within its limits, was due in great measure to the generals in command of the Department of the Pacific—Sumner, Wright and McDowell. When in the early months of the war the government was withdrawing from the Pacific coast regiment after regiment of regular troops, Sumner and Wright raised up others from the people, inspired them with the training and discipline of the regular forces they displaced, and intrusted them with the protection of half the public domain, together with its inhabitants. From the volunteer ranks in California a number of appointments were made to the regular army, notably Stephen G. Whipple, Thomas F. Wright, Robert Pollock, Ambrose E. Hooker, Samuel Smith, A. Starr, and several others. General Irwin McDowell superseded General Wright in June, 1864, and displayed the same admirable tact and soldierly qualities as his predecessors. All seditious uprisings and utterances were repressed by him with a stern hand, while his voice was also raised in reproof and warning to check the righteous and natural, but disorderly and illegal acts of the people, when the news of Lincoln's assassination was received.

The city of San Francisco was rejoicing in common with all loyal people over the Union victories on that memorable 15th of April, 1865, when the intelligence of Lincoln's assassination was received. From a city of joy and gladness it was suddenly transformed into one of gloom and unutterable sadness. The nation's chief had been stricken down by traitor hands in the hour of victory. Says Bancroft: "But soon hot blood began to stir. Terrible denunciations and threats of retribution passed from quivering lip to lip. Nothing more fitting could be thought of than that those newspapers which had encouraged treason should be destroyed, and to this work the people lent themselves with a will. Four years of patient tolerance of too great freedom of speech was revenged by demolishing a number of newspaper offices. It was a spontaneous expression which was not checked until the Democratic Press, owned by Beriah Brown; the Occidental, owned by Zachariah Montgomery; the Monitor, a disloyal, Catholic journal, owned by T. A. Brady; the Franco-Americaine, and the News Letter, were destroyed. The Echo du Pacifique would have received the same treatment but for the fact of its press being in the Alta building, which would have shared in the loss. As soon as possible the military were called out to assist the police in suppressing the riot, but only a few arrests were made. Public feeling would not condemn the demonstration, although to prevent bloodshed it was necessary to check the proceedings. Addresses were made by McDowell and others, and 5,000 men were placed under arms to patrol the streets. By the next morning quiet was restored. But public confidence was much shaken. It was feared that the war would be reopened in the east, where it was confidently expected the loyal troops would avenge the president's death by the slaughter of Confederates. Greenback currency, the national barometer, went down to thirty-three. Before the 20th, however, when the obsequies of the president were to be celebrated, the people had been brought back from their implicit reliance on one man to realize that the government was not of men, but of laws, and that irreparable as was their loss, the nation remained, and the laws would be executed. Then they paid their last sad tribute of respect and love in a grand funeral pageant, in which the whole city participated amid the tolling of bells, the booming of guns, the measured beating of muffled drums, and the music of bands playing solemn marches. Fourteen thousand people were said to have been in the procession which followed the catafalque to the Mechanics' pavilion, where the literary services were conducted. Among these were the reading of Lincoln's second inaugural address, the devotional tenor of which made it peculiarly appropriate to the time and scene; Horatio Stebbins, Starr King's successor in the Unitarian pulpit, delivered the address; Frank Soule read an original poem; the Bianchi opera troupe rendered an anthem; but the most thrilling effect was produced when all the thousands present sang in chorus the Battle Cry of Freedom, as it had not been sung since that night in November when it celebrated the triumph of the nation's chief at the polls. It was a happy augury then; it was the revival of hope now."

The splendid work undertaken by the United States sanitary commission received cordial recognition and liberal financial support from the people of California throughout the war. The total sum of their contributions from first to last amounted to $1,234,257. The first steps taken in aid of the commission were in 1862, when a few persons in San Francisco subscribed $6,600 in one evening, and arrangements were made to systematize the work of collecting funds. The board of supervisors took hold of the matter and at a public meeting held on September 10, 1862, a committee of 5 citizens, M. C. Blake, Eugene Casserly, R. G. Sneath, D. C. McRuer, and S. G. Washburn, was appointed. This committee was later enlarged to 13. By the middle of the month it had collected and remitted in one bill of exchange the sum of $160,000. By the end of the month another $100,000 was sent, and this sum was duplicated before the close of the year. The liberal spirit displayed by the people on the Pacific coast gave a great impetus to the work of the commission, which soon developed into a great institution, whose labors were of the utmost assistance to the government in the prosecution of the war. The generosity of California, thus early displayed, continued during the war and was exceeded by no other state in the Union. When the president of the commission, W. Bellows, visited San Francisco in 1864 and addressed the people the great sum of $200,000 was subscribed and paid to him.

Page 410


RECORD OF CALIFORNIA REGIMENTS

First Infantry.—Colonels, James H. Carleton, Joseph R. West, Edwin A. Rigg; Lieut.-Colonels, Joseph R West, Edwin A. Rigg, William McMullen; Majors, Robert Pollock, Edwin A. Rigg, William McMullen, Edward B. Willis. This regiment was organized in pursuance of the president's first call upon California for troops. On July 24, 1861, the war department telegraphed Brigadier-General Sumner, commanding the Department of the Pacific: "One regiment of infantry and five companies of cavalry have been accepted from California to aid in protecting the overland mail route via Salt Lake. Please detail officers to muster these troops into service." The 1st rendezvoused at Camp Downey, Oakland, and was there mustered into the U. S. service between August 26, 1861, and January 10, 1862, for three years. In compliance with the request of the war department, James H. Carleton, then a captain in the 6th U. S. infantry, was made colonel of the regiment, the other field officers being distinguished officers of the state militia. On the completion of the regimental organization at Camp Downey, the 1st moved to Camp Latham, between Los Angeles and Santa Monica. In the spring of 1862 it became part of the California column, under command of General Carleton, which marched from San Pedro to the Rio Grande, and assisted in the recapture of New Mexico and Arizona. Carleton was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general and Lieut.-Colonel West became colonel. After the enemy was driven across the Rio Grande into Texas, the 1st regiment served by detachments at various posts in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas, and took part in a large number of Indian battles chiefly with the Apache, Comanche and Kiowa tribes. A detachment of 25 men, under Lieut. George M. Pettis, formed part of the Comanche and Kiowa expedition, under command of Colonel "Kit" Carson, and took part in the action at Bent's old fort on the Canadian river, known as the battle of Adobe Walls. The various companies were mustered out of service as follows: Cos. A and I at Fort Union, New Mexico, August 31, 1864; B and G at Fort Craig, New Mexico, August 31, 1864; C at Fort Whipple, Arizona T., and Los Pinos, New Mexico, August 26 and August 31, respectively; D became Co. D of the 1st veteran infantry (q. v.); E and F at Los Pinos, August 31, 1864; H at Las Cruces, New Mexico, August 31, 1864; K at Fort Union, New Mexico, November 29, 1864. Upon the muster out of the regiment, those whose terms had not expired, together with those of the 5th infantry, were consolidated into a battalion of seven companies, known as the 1st veteran infantry.

First Veteran Infantry.—Lieut.-Colonel, Edwin A. Rigg; Majors, Joseph Smith, James H. Whitlock. This battalion was organized during November and December, 1864, by consolidating the veterans of the 1st infantry, which became companies A and D, and those of the 5th infantry, which became companies B, C, E, F and G, of the battalion. Colonel Rigg of the 1st became lieutenant-colonel, and Major Smith of the 5th, major of the veteran organization. On March 16, 1865, Co. F was broken up and the men transferred to the other companies. The battalion was stationed by detachments at Franklin, Texas, Fort Craig, Los Pinos, Fort Union, Fort Wingate, Las Cruces, Fort Garland, Fort Sumner, Fort McRae and Fort Cummings, New Mexico, until it was mustered out in September, 1866.

Second Infantry.—Colonels, Francis J. Lippitt, Thomas F. Wright; Lieut.-Colonels, James N. Olney, Thomas F. Wright, Robert Pollock; Majors, James F. Curtis, Thomas F. Wright, John C. Schmidt. This regiment was organized at San Francisco from September to December 1861, except Co. F, which was organized at Carson City, Nev. It was mustered into the U. S. service at San Francisco October 2-December 31, 1861, for three years. Colonel Lippitt was promoted brevet brigadier-general, March 13, 1865, for faithful service during the war. Colonel Wright, a son of Brigadier-General Wright, commanding the Department of the Pacific, was also made brevet brigadier-general, March 13, 1865, for faithful service during the war. The regiment was first assembled at the Presidio, San Francisco, and on the completion of its organization, five companies were sent to Oregon and Washington Territory, to relieve the regular troops ordered east, and two were sent to Santa Barbara. In the summer of 1862, the companies sent to Oregon were returned to California. At the beginning of 1862, Colonel Lippitt was placed in command of the Humboldt Military District, and the 2nd served in this district, on outpost and scouting duty against Indians. In the summer of 1863 a portion of the regiment, including the headquarters, was ordered to Benicia barracks, whence it was ordered to Fort Miller, Fresno county, in August, 1863, and served by detachments at various posts in California until October, 1864, when it was ordered to the Presidio, San Francisco. Here the original members, not reenlisted, were mustered out on the expiration of their term of service, and the regiment, composed of veterans and recruits, continued in service. In August, 1865, it was ordered to Arizona, and during the remainder of its term of service occupied stations as follows: Camp on San Pedro river, Fort Grant, and Fort Goodwin, A. T., and Drum barracks, Fort Gaston, Fort Humboldt, and Fort Yuma, California. It was mustered out at the Presidio, San Francisco, April 16 to June 30, 1866.

Third Infantry.—Colonels, Patrick E. Connor, Robert Pollock; Lieut.-Colonels, George P. Ihrie, Robert Pollock, Jeremiah B. Moore, William M. Johns; Majors, Robert Pollock, Patrick A. Gallagher. This regiment was organized at Stockton and Benicia barracks and was mustered into the U. S. service from October 31 to December 31, 1861, for three years. On the expiration of its term the original members (except veterans) were mustered out and the veterans and recruits consolidated into a battalion of four companies on October 29, 1864, pursuant to Special Orders No. 87, District of Utah. It was afterwards known as the 3d battalion of infantry. On December 9, 1865, Cos. C and D were consolidated, leaving but three companies in the battalion, which was finally mustered out July 27, 1866. After the formation of the regiment at Stockton, four companies were sent to Humboldt county during the month of November, 1861. In July, 1862, Colonel Connor was ordered with his regiment to Salt Lake City. The regiment served by detachments at Camp Douglas, Utah, Denver, Colonel, Fort Ruby and Fort Churchill, Nevada, and Camp Connor, Id. Ter., during the remainder of its term. The headquarters of the regiment were established at Salt Lake City, where Colonel Connor—promoted brigadier-general of volunteers, March 30, 1863—was placed in command of the District of Utah and charged with the protection of the overland mail route. In addition to his own regiment, his command embraced several companies of cavalry and a field battery of 4 guns. In June, 1862, while the 3d was encamped at Stockton, preparatory to crossing the Sierra Nevada mountains, en route to Camp Douglas, it was inspected by General Wright, who reported: "The regiment made a very fine appearance; the arms, clothing and equipments were in high order. The industry and untiring zeal and energy of Colonel Connor is manifest throughout. He has a regiment that the state may well be proud of." In addition to the rough, ungrateful service entailed upon the regiment in the protection of the central overland mail route, Colonel Connor had an exceedingly difficult and delicate task to prevent a clash with the hostile Mormon leaders. The establishment of the 3d at Camp Douglas, some, 2 miles from the city of Salt Lake, where the city was at the mercy of its guns, aroused the bitter ire of Brigham Young and the other leaders of the Mormon church, and it is much to the credit of the gallant Connor and his brave troops, that they were able to maintain themselves amid the fanatical Mormon population, who were constantly incited to deeds of violence by the hostile and traitorous heads of the church. On January 29, 1863, Co. K participated in the battle of Bear river. In this engagement the Shoshones, under Chief Pocatello, who had killed many emigrants on the road to California, Idaho and Montana, were severely punished and a great slaughter was made. The aggregate enrollment of the regiment during service was 1,634.

Fourth Infantry.—Colonels, Henry M. Judah, Ferris Forman, James F. Curtis; Lieut.-Colonels, Harvey Lee, James F. Curtis, Edgar W. Hillyer; Majors, Henry Hancock, Henry M. Benson. This regiment, recruited from Placerville, Shasta, Auburn, Sacramento and San Diego, was mustered into the U. S. service at Sacramento, Placerville and Auburn from September 21, 1861, to February 1, 1862, for three years. Colonel Judah, an officer of the regular army, resigned in November, 1861, and was succeeded by Colonel Forman, who commanded until August 20, 1863, when he resigned and was succeeded by Colonel Curtis. The latter was a prominent militia officer before the war, and had also been chief of police of San Francisco. On March 13, 1865, he was made brevet brigadier-general for meritorious conduct during the war. The headquarters of the regiment was first located at Auburn, Placer county. While stationed there five companies were sent to Oregon to relieve the regulars in that state. From February to May, 1862, headquarters and five companies were at Camp Union, near Sacramento. In the latter month headquarters were moved to Camp Latham, near Los Angeles, where it remained until September, 1862, when they were transferred to Drum barracks, at which place they remained during the remainder of the regiment's term of service. The regiment served principally in Oregon, Washington Ter., and the southern part of California, small detachments being also stationed for a time in Arizona. At the expiration of their term of service, the original members (except veterans) were discharged, and the regiment, composed of reenlisted veterans and recruits, was retained in service. It was finally mustered out by detachments at the Presidio, from November 30, 1865, to April 18, 1866. The total enrollment of the regiment, exclusive of one company which preserved no register, was 1,639 officers and men.

Fifth Infantry.—Colonels, John Kellogg, George W. Bowie; Lieut.-Colonels, Marcus D. Dobbins, Theodore A. Coult; Majors, Theodore A. Coult, Joseph Smith. This regiment, like the 4th, was recruited from the northern part of the state and was composed of young and vigorous men. The several companies rendezvoused at Camp Union, near Sacramento, and were there mustered into the U. S. service from September 17 to November 22, 1861, for three years. Its first colonel, John Kellogg, when commissioned by Governor Downey, was an officer of the 3d U. S. artillery, and was not allowed to retain his commission in the volunteer service, but was ordered east with the other regular army officers. On his resignation November 8, 1861, he was succeeded by Colonel Bowie, who remained in command during the remainder of the regiment's term of service and was made brevet brigadier-general for faithful service during the war. The regiment, numbering nearly 1,000 men, was ordered to southern California in the spring of 1862, where it became a part of the "California column," commanded by General Carleton, and assisted in driving the enemy from Arizona and New Mexico, beyond the Rio Grande. The regiment then served by detachments at various posts in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, engaged in severe scouting and outpost duty, and in numerous skirmishes with hostile Indians. The regiment was finally mustered out in New Mexico and Texas, during the months of November and December, 1864, except veterans reenlisted and recruits whose terms had not expired. These were consolidated into five companies, which, with two companies of the 1st infantry, united to form the 1st battalion of veteran infantry (q. v.). It is to be regretted that the officers of this regiment did not make fuller reports of their campaigns, as the meager returns of the different companies show that they saw much hard service against the Apaches and other hostile tribes of Indians. As a sample of the arduous service they were engaged in, the remarks on return of Co. I, for May, 1864, show that the company left Fort Cummings, New Mexico, April 30, 1864, en route for Fort Bowie, A. T. On May 4, when entering Doubtful canon, near Stein's peak, New Mexico, they were attacked by 100 Apache Indians. The company routed them, killing 10, and passed through the canon. Their loss was 1 missing and 5 wounded. The company arrived at Fort Bowie, May 5; left that post under command of Colonel U. H. Davis, and with Co. K, 5th infantry, started on an expedition to the Gila river; arrived on May 30, 1864, on the Mescal river, where they surprised two Indian rancherias, killing 51 and taking 16 women and children prisoners.

Sixth Infantry.—Colonel, Henry M. Black; Lieut.-Colonel, Ambrose E. Hooker; Majors, Thomas F. Wright, Michael O'Brien. The authority to recruit this regiment was contained in the following telegram from the war department to General Wright, commanding the Department of the Pacific: "You are authorized by the secretary of war to raise the regiment of infantry and the seven companies of cavalry mentioned in your letter of October 30." The officers were commissioned by Governor Stanford on the recommendation of a board of experienced army officers at General Wright's headquarters. Henry M. Black, then a captain in the 9th U. S. infantry, was appointed colonel. The regiment was organized by him in 1863 at Benicia, where the various companies rendezvoused as they completed their organization. Co. A was mustered in at Alcatraz island October 21, 1862, for three years, by Captain Winder, 3d U. S. artillery, and remained unattached until February 9, 1863, when it was designated Co. A, 6th infantry and ordered to Benicia barracks March 28, 1863. The field and staff officers were mustered in March 14, 1863; Co. B, May 11, 1864; C, October 20, 1863; D, September 12, 1864; E, July 11, 1863; F, August 17, 1864; G, February 2, 1864; H, March 4, 1864; I, September 5, 1864; K, February 3, 1864. On February 8, 1864, Colonel Black, Major Wright, and Cos. C, E and G went to Humboldt county for the purpose of putting an end to the Indian war in that district. Concerning their service there, General Wright reported as follows, May 9, 1864: "Tranquillity prevails throughout the department except in the district of Humboldt, where the Indian war is being prosecuted vigorously and successfully. Colonel H. M. Black, 6th infantry, California volunteers, has been zealous and indefatigable in pursuing the enemy, and his officers and men have endured the hardships and exposures of that inhospitable region, amidst the snows and rains, with the greatest cheerfulness. The whole country is covered with our scouting parties, and already between 30 and 40 of the hostile Indians have been killed and many wounded, with but trifling loss on our side. Some of the principal chiefs have surrendered, and Colonel Black expresses the opinion that the war will soon cease." The other companies were stationed chiefly at Benicia barracks during their term of service, though a detachment served for a few months in Nevada during the summer and fall of 1865, and Co. K was on duty in San Francisco as provost guard from September, 1864, to July, 1865. If was mustered out at Benicia barracks and the Presidio, October 25 to December 20, 1865. Its total enrollment during service was 1,243 officers and men.

Seventh Infantry.—Colonel, Charles W. Lewis; Lieut.-Colonel, Madison Bulware; Major, Alfred Morton. This regiment, recruited from the state at large, was mustered into the U. S. service from October 27, 1864, to January 28, 1865, for three years. On March 13, 1865, Colonel Lewis was made brevet brigadier-general for faithful and meritorious service. The regiment served by detachments at different posts in Arizona Territory during most of its term of service. In July, 1865, a detachment under Captain Messenger, was surrounded and attacked while on a scout in the Guachuca mountains by between 100 and 200 Indians. After an engagement of about an hour, the Indians were driven off with considerable loss. The loss of the detachment was 2 killed and 1 wounded. In the spring of 1866 it was ordered to the Presidio, San Francisco, where it was mustered out March 31 to June 28, 1866. Co. H was stationed at Fort Yuma during most of its term, and was mustered out at Drum barracks, March 1, 1866.

Eighth Infantry.—Colonel, Allen L. Anderson; Lieut.-Colonel, Charles O. Wood; Major, William H. Jordan. This regiment, recruited from the counties of San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Calaveras, Sacramento, Yuba, Sierra, El Dorado' and Santa Clara, rendezvoused at San Francisco, and was mustered into the U. S. service between November 17, 1864, and March 31, 1865, for three years. It was the last California regiment raised under the Congressional act of July, 1864, and had a total enrollment of 960 officers and men. Headquarters of the regiment were stationed at Alcatraz island until April, 1865, and then at Fort Point during the remainder of its term of service. Co. A served at Fort Point until February, 1865, and was then transferred to Washington Territory and Oregon for the remainder of its term. Co. B was sent to Fort Stevens, Oregon, about the same time. The other companies were stationed at Fort Point, Alcatraz and Angel islands and Benicia barracks. The regiment was mustered out at Fort Point October 24, 1865.

First Battalion Mountaineers.—Lieut.-Colonel, Stephen G. Whipple; Majors, William S. R. Taylor, Charles W. Long. This battalion was raised during the year 1863 under a special call by General Wright, commanding the department of the Pacific, for service against the Indians in Humboldt county and the northwestern portions of the state. It was recruited in the counties of Humboldt, Trinity, Mendocino and Siskiyou, and was mustered into the U. S. service from May 30, 1863, to March 16, 1864, for three years. Cos. A, B, C and E were mustered in at Fort Humboldt, D at Fort Gaston, Humboldt county, and F at San Francisco. Though the battalion was raised for special service, as soon as it was organized, it was put upon the same footing as other volunteers. The Indians in the northwestern part of the state had taken advantage of the war to indulge in serious outbreaks against the settlers of the region, pillaging, murdering and robbing. The battalion was mounted and served throughout its term in the Humboldt District, performing excellent service and reducing the Indians to thorough subjection. It lost a considerable number of men in its numerous skirmishes with the Indians and was mustered out from April 25 to June 15, 1865.

First Cavalry.—Colonels, David Ferguson, Oscar M. Brown; Lieut.-Colonels, Benjamin F. Davis, Edward E. Eyre, Oscar M. Brown, Clarence E. Bennett; Majors, Edward E. Eyre, David Fergusson, Clarence E. Bennett, William McCleave, Thomas J. Blakeny, James Gorman, Emil Fritz. Under the first call for troops from California the state was asked to furnish one regiment of infantry and five companies of cavalry to guard the overland mail route from Carson Valley to Salt Lake and Fort Laramie. The five cavalry companies organized under this call became the 1st battalion of the 1st cavalry. The men rendezvoused at a camp called Camp Merchant, near Lake Merritt, Oakland, and the companies were there mustered into the U. S. service for three years on various dates, between August i5 and Oct 31, 1861. Charles S. Thompson, who enlisted in Co. B at Folsom, August 10, 1861, was the first man enlisted in the regiment. Its first commanding officer was Lieut.-Colonel Davis, serving as captain in the 1st U. S. cavalry at the time he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. He resigned as such November 1, 1861, and returned to duty in his old regiment. During the year 1863 the battalion was made a full regiment of twelve companies and Major Fergusson was promoted to colonel. The seven companies organized in 1853 were mustered in between May 16 and December 31 for three years. As soon as the first battalion was organized it was sent to the southern part of the state, three companies being stationed at Camp Latham, near Los Angeles, and two at Camp Carleton, near San Bernardino. The battalion remained in the southern part of the state until the spring of 1862, when it became part of the "California column," and formed the advance of Carleton's expedition to New Mexico and Texas. A detachment of the regiment was engaged with some of Baylor's Texan Rangers, under Captain Hunter, at Picacho pass, April 15, 1862, losing 2 killed and 1 wounded, Lieut. Barrett being one of the 2 killed. On May 24, 1862, Lieut.-Colonel Eyre, commanding the battalion, was ordered to reoccupy old Fort Breckenridge, near the confluence of the Gila and San Pedro rivers, the name of which was changed to Fort Stanford, in honor of the governor of California. Says the official report of General Carleton: "The energy, enterprise and resources. of Colonel Eyre, as exhibited in his rapid march from Tucson to the Rio Grande, his crossing of that river, and his unlooked-for presence directly upon the heels of the retreating rebels, cannot be too highly appreciated. He exhibited some of the finest qualities of a soldier, and had he not been fettered by orders from higher authority than himself, he would without doubt have achieved advantages over the enemy creditable to himself and to the column from California. But for his timely arrival upon the Rio Grande, Las Cruces and Mesilla would both have been laid in ashes by the enemy. Hampered_ as he was by orders, he nevertheless managed to hoist the stars and stripes upon Fort Thorn, Fort Fillmore, Mesilla and Fort Bliss, in Texas." In August, 1862, Captain Shirland, Co. C, proceeded still farther into Texas and hoisted the national colors over Fort Davis, participating in a severe skirmish with Indians on the 30th, near Dead Man's hole, on his return to the Rio Grande. In October, 1862, Cos. A and D cooperated in an expedition to Dog canon, New Mexico, against the Mescalero Apache Indians, the expedition being under the command of Colonel Kit Carson, of the 1st New Mexico cavalry. The Apaches were completely subdued, and 400 of them were taken prisoners. During practically the whole of their term of service the various companies of the regiment were stationed at different posts in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, engaged in scouting, patrol and picket duty. They were repeatedly engaged with the hostile Apaches and other Indians, sustaining numerous losses, and marching thousands of miles through the mountains and deserts. In January, 1863, Captain Shirland, Co. C, captured Mangus Colorado, an Apache chief, and brought him prisoner into Fort McLean. In March of the same year, a detachment, under Major McCleave, went in pursuit of a band of Gila Apaches, who had succeeded in running off some 60 horses of the public herd at Fort West, New Mexico. The Indians were completely routed with a loss of 28, and most of the horses were recaptured, together with many Indian horses. The loss of the troops was only 1 killed and 2 or 3 wounded. In April, 1864, a detachment under Cap! French surprised and routed a party of the enemy at Spencer's ranch, opposite Presidio del Norte, and marched 499 miles to San Elizario, Texas, in 20 days without losing a man. In April of the same year, another detachment, under Captain Whitlock, consisting of about 60 men, attacked 250 Indians near Mount Grey, Arizona, and after a sharp fight of an hour's duration, routed the enemy, killing 21, and wounding a large number. In November, 1864, Cos. B, K and M formed part of an expedition under command of Colonel Kit Carson, sent against the Kiowa and Comanche Indians, and participated in the battle near the old adobe fort on the Canadian river in northern Texas. The engagement, which lasted all day, resulted in the destruction of the Kiowa village of 150 lodges and the rout of the Indians with a loss of 60 killed and wounded. The loss of the 1st cavalry was 2 killed and 7 wounded. In May, 1865, Co. F was attached to an expedition under Colonel Carson, which proceeded to the Comanche country and built a stone fort, known as Fort Nichols, at Cedar bluffs, Ind. Ter. The following month, while Co. F was escorting a train from Fort Nichols to Fort Larned, Kan., it repulsed an attack by about 50 Comanche warriors, sustaining no loss, but killing or wounding several of the Indians. The company continued to perform escort duty on this station until October, 1865. Other Indian fights in which portions of the regiment were engaged were, with a band of Navajoes, near Sacramento mountains, New Mexico; near San Andreas pass; near White Mountains; La Monica Springs. A detachment of Co. M formed part of an expedition under Colonel Willis, which proceeded from Fort Selden, New Mexico, to the town of Janos, Mex., where a band of Apaches had taken possession of the town. In 1864 the original members of the regiment, except veterans reenlisted, were mustered out at Las Cruces and Fort Union, New Mexico. New companies, A, C and E, composed of veterans and recruits, were formed to take the places of the companies of the corresponding designations. Co. B was entirely reorganized from reenlisted veterans and recruits. Co. E was mustered out March 6, 1866; A and I, May 22, 1866; L, June, 1866; the remaining companies, B, C, F, G, H, K and M, then stationed in New Mexico and Texas, were ordered to assemble at Baird's ranch, near Albuquerque, for the purpose of being mustered out during September, 1866. Co. M was mustered out on the 30th, and was the last company organization of California volunteers in the U. S. service, but was not the last of the California volunteers to be mustered out, as those who wished to be returned to the state were consolidated into two companies, one of cavalry and one of infantry, the former under the command of Captain Thomas A. Stombs. This column arrived in San Francisco December 28, 1866, where all were mustered out at the Presidio December 31, except Captain R. H. Orton, of Co. M, who was mustered out January 4, 1867—the last of the California volunteers.

Second Cavalry.—Colonels, Andrew J. Smith, Columbus Sims, George S. Evans, Edward McGarry; Lieut.-Colonels, Columbus Sims, George S. Evans, William Jones, Albert Brown, Edward McGarry, Franklin Haven, Charles McDermit, Ambrose E. Hooker; Majors, E. V. Sumner, Edward McGarry, George S. Evans, Charles McDermit, John M. O'Neil, Samuel P. Smith, Henry B. Miller, John C. Cremony. This regiment, principally recruited from San Francisco, Sacramento and Santa Cruz, rendezvoused at Camp Alert, San Francisco, where the several companies were mustered into the U. S. service from October 2 to 30, 1861, for three years. It was organized under the president's second call upon the state for troops, which authorized Governor Downey to raise a regiment of cavalry and four regiments of infantry. Its first colonel was the experienced cavalry officer Andrew J. Smith, then serving as major, 1st U. S. cavalry, but like the other regular army officers assigned to the command of California volunteer regiments in 1861 was not permitted by the war department to retain his command. He resigned November 13, 1861, and was succeeded by Colonel Sims. After the completion of its organization and a short period at Camp Alert for drill and discipline, the regiment was stationed by companies at various posts in California, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico. During its long term of service this regiment marched thousands of miles, and skirmished with Indians from New Mexico to Oregon. It saw hard service in California, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming. During the month of January, 1863, Cos. A, H, K and M, under Major McGarry, constituted the larger part of a force under the general command of Colonel Connor of the 3d California infantry, which moved on an expedition against the Snake and Shoshone Indians on Bear river, in northern Utah and southern Idaho. These Indians had murdered and plundered many emigrants on the route to California, and more recently had been murdering miners passing to and from Salt Lake City to the new gold mines in Washington and Dakota Territories. On the 29th the Indians were found admirably posted in a ravine north of Bear river, but after a severe engagement lasting several hours, they were finally dislodged from their natural fortress and almost annihilated. The loss of the 2nd cavalry was 12 killed and 45 wounded, several of the latter mortally, among them Lieut. Darwin Chase, of Co. K. The command suffered severely from exposure incident to the winter campaign and over 50 of the men were in hospital with frosted feet. Colonel Connor warmly congratulated his officers and men for their bravery in this desperate action, saying: "After a rapid march of four nights in intensely cold weather, through deep snow and drifts, which you endured without murmur or complaint, even when some of your numbers were frozen with cold and faint with hunger and fatigue, you met an enemy who have heretofore, on two occasions, defied and defeated regular troops, and who have for the last 15 years been the terror of the emigrants—men, women and children— and citizens of those valleys, murdering and robbing them without fear of punishment. * * * You encountered the enemy, greatly your superior in numbers, and had a desperate battle. Continuing with unflinching courage for over 4 hours you completely cut him to pieces, captured his property and arms, destroyed his stronghold, and burned his lodges." The following remarks on return of Co. M, for April, 1863, are typical of the kind of service in which the various companies of the regiment were engaged: "The company has traveled 425 miles in the saddle during the past month. Had three engagements with the Indians during the month, winning each fight. Left Camp Douglas (Utah Ter.) on the 20th instant, and arrived at the post on the 26th. During the year just ended, in which this company has performed duty in Nevada and Utah Territories, it has traveled over 2,600 miles of a direct march, had four Indian battles (Bear river, U. T., among the number), and made treaty with Winnemucca, chief of the Piute tribe, on Truckee river, near Pyramid butte." Says the return of Co. B, for November, 1865: "In accordance with P. O. No. 35, dated November 12, 1865, First Lieut. R. A. Osmer, 2nd cavalry, and 60 enlisted men of Co. B, proceeded to the Black Rock mountains on November 13, 1865, taking with them 1 mountain howitzer. At Willow Creek Station, 35 miles from this post (Dun Glen, Nev.), 7 enlisted men, who were on detached service, joined company; also 2 citizens, and 10 Indian warriors under command of Captain 'Sou' (friendly Piute). On Friday, at daybreak, attacked the Indian camp 5 miles from Black Rock mountains, and 105 miles northwest of this post. Killed about 120 Indians in all; of these about 80 were bucks, but the Indian allies could not be restrained from a general slaughter, neither could a squaw be distinguished from a buck in the general fight, and but 1 Indian is supposed to have escaped. Captured a quantity of ammunition, several guns, S Indian ponies, and destroyed a large lot of provisions. These were the same Indians who killed and robbed the teamster two weeks ago, as some of his load was found in camp. The loss was private David W. O'Connell, killed; and Sergeant Lansdon and private Moon, wounded. Detachment returned to this post November 29, 1865. Distance traveled,  250 miles." This company, after its organization, commanded by Captain Cremony, was ordered to the southern part of the state, became a part of General Carleton's "California column," and marched with that command to New Mexico. On the expiration of their terms of service the original members of the 2nd were mustered out in the autumn of 1864, and the regiment, composed of reenlisted veterans and recruits, was continued in service. It was mustered out by companies from February 1 to July 31, 1866. This regiment furnished a considerable number of officers for other California regiments and was exceeded by none of the other state organizations in the quality and character of the services rendered the state and government.

First Cavalry Battalion.—Majors, Andreas Pico, Salvador Vallejo, John C. Cremony. The native Californians were noted for their expert horsemanship and it was believed that a battalion, entirely recruited from this element of the population, would render excellent service in Arizona. General Wright, commanding the Department of the Pacific, accordingly asked and received permission to raise four companies of native cavalry in the Los Angeles district, during the winter of 1862-63. A good deal of delay was experienced in raising the men for the battalion. Recruiting began in February, 1863, but the first company was not filled and mustered into the U. S. service until September 7, same year. The remaining three companies were mustered in during the spring and summer of 1864; Co. B, March 29, C, July 28, and D, March 3. Don Andreas Pico, of Los Angeles, then brigadier-general of the 1st brigade of California militia, who was first commissioned major, declined the commission, whereupon Salvador Vallejo was commissioned major, but was not mustered until August 13, 1864. Upon his resignation in February, 1865, Captain John C. Cremony, of the 2nd California cavalry, who had rendered distinguished service with his company as a part of the California column, was commissioned major. The battalion was stationed at various posts in California until the summer of 1865, when it was taken by Major Cremony to Arizona and stationed at Fort Mason and Tubac in the southern part of that territory. The record of the battalion is somewhat impaired by reason of the unusually large number of desertions. More than 50 deserted from one company, and about 80 from another. Cos. A and D were mustered out at Drum barracks, California, March 20, 1866, and B at the same place March 15, 1866. C was mustered out at the Presidio, San Francisco, July 28, 1866, and the field and staff officers, August 25.

The California Hundred and Battalion.—Major, DeWitt C. Thompson; Captains, J. Sewell Reed, Charles S. Eigenbrodt, David A. De Merritt, Zebdiel B. Adams, George A. Manning. The policy of the general government in keeping the California volunteers on the Pacific coast, or at least west of the enemy's frontier, caused considerable dissatisfaction and led directly to the formation of the organizations above named. Many patriotic young men in the state were exceedingly anxious to participate in the more stirring scenes of the war at the east, and a proposition was made to the state of Massachusetts to raise a company in California, take it east, and credit it to the quota of the former state, if the expenses of organization and transportation were guaranteed. Massachusetts was paying large bounties for volunteers, and it was decided to use this bounty in payment of the expenses of the company. On receipt of the necessary authority from Governor Andrew of Massachusetts October 27, 1862, Captain Reed at once commenced the work of the company, and headquarters were established at assembly hall, on the northwest corner of Kearny and Post Streets. The first man, H. H. Fillebrown, was enrolled October 28, 1862, and within three weeks over 500 men had offered their services. Out of this number, 100 were selected, who were mustered into the U. S. service by Lieut.-Colonel George H. Ringgold, at Piatt's hall, December 10, 1862. They formed an exceptionally fine body of young men, all expert equestrians. The next day the company sailed for the East on the steamer Golden Age. The company defrayed its own expenses from the date of its organization until accepted into service in the east. On its arrival at Readville, Mass., January 4, 1863, it was made Co. A of the 2nd Mass. cavalry, then only a battalion of four companies. It was soon after mounted and left the state with the battalion February 12, 1863, going into camp at Gloucester point, opposite Yorktown, Virginia. The battalion was under the command of Major Caspar Crowninshield. Co. A was engaged for a time in picket and scouting duty, and also took part in several raids and reconnoissances, during one of which the command moved within 13 miles of the Confederate capital. It engaged in its first battle at South Anna bridge, where 70 Californians and 20 Massachusetts men captured 123 members of the 44th N. C. infantry in a dismounted charge upon earthworks. It lost 1 killed and 2 seriously wounded in this fight. Such was the success attending the raising of the "California Hundred," arrangements were made with the authorities in Washington and Massachusetts by Major Thompson to raise a battalion of four companies under the same conditions. The battalion was rapidly recruited during January and February, 1863, and after being mustered into the service of the United States, was reviewed and inspected by Brigadier-General Wright. On March 21, 1863, the battalion, numbering 13 officers and 387 enlisted men, embarked for New York on the steamer Constitution, arriving at their destination April 14. The next day it proceeded to Readville, Mass., where it was mounted, armed, and equipped for the field, and was also attached to the 2nd Mass. cavalry, becoming Cos. E, F, L and M of that regiment . With the rest of the regiment it moved to Washington May 11, where it was attached to the 22nd corps, and performed picket and outpost duty in front of the forts defending the city. On June 23 it moved to Poolesville, Md., and was employed in scouting along the upper Potomac, making its first raid across the Potomac at White's ford into Virginia in search of Mosby's guerrillas. Late in June it joined the Army of the Potomac, and marched with the 12th corps toward Gettysburg. It was detached to go in pursuit of Stuart's cavalry, engaging his rear guard at Brookfield, Md., and following him into Pennsylvania. After the battle of Gettysburg it moved in pursuit of Lee's retreating army and followed the enemy up the Shenandoah Valley. It was sharply engaged at Ashby's gap, where it lost severely in killed, wounded and captured. The battalion was now attached to a mixed command of cavalry, infantry and artillery, detailed to guard the line of communications between Washington and the Army of the Potomac, then concentrating near Culpeper, and to operate against the partisan troops east of the Blue ridge. It was successively stationed at Falls Church, Vienna, Fairfax Court House and Centerville, and scouted over the country between the Blue Ridge mountains and the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers. Early in August, 1863, the detachment under Major Crowninshield, to which the California Hundred was assigned, joined the main body of the regiment at Centerville. For the succeeding year the California men were repeatedly engaged with the enemy's partisan troops, under Mosby, White, Imboden and Gilmore, and suffered severely in some of these skirmishes with their wily enemy, but were never beaten in a fair, square fight. In the fight at Coyle's tavern with Mosby's command, the Californians lost several killed, wounded and captured, and again lost heavily at Dranesville, where Captain Reed, of the California Hundred, was among the killed, and Captain Manning was among the captured. The battalion sustained another severe loss near Aldie, when a part of it, while on a scout, was surprised by a superior force under Mosby and badly routed. In 1864 during the famous raid of the Confederate General Early, which threatened Washington, the California Hundred and battalion were called to the defense of the capital, and took part in Sheridan's subsequent brilliant campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. The 2nd Mass. cavalry, during this campaign, formed part of Lowell's 3d brigade, Merritt's 1st division, until September 9, when it was transferred to the reserve brigade, still commanded by Colonel Lowell, of the 1st division, largely composed of regulars. The Californians were active at Shepherdstown, Whitepost, Strasburg, Kernstown, Winchester, Berryville pike, Berryville, Charlestown, Halltown, Summit Point, Smithfield, Opequan creek, Knox's ford, Front Royal, Snake mountain, Mills' ford, Luray Court House, Waynesboro, Mount Crawford, Tom's brook, and Cedar creek. Among the slain at the battle of Halltown was the gallant Captain Eigenbrodt, who fell as he was leading his squadron in a charge. After the close of this campaign the battalion was stationed near Strasburg for several weeks, and in November moved on a raid through Ashby's gap with Merritt's division. In the early part of December it was encamped near Winchester, and on the 19th, marched with Torbert's cavalry on a raid towards Charlottesville and Gordonsville. On February 27, 1865, the Californians moved on their final campaign as a part of Sheridan's cavalry. They arrived before Petersburg March 29 and took an active part in the closing battles of the war leading up to the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox Court House, engaging at Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks, South Side railroad, Devil's ford, Sailor's creek and Appomattox Court House, where they witnessed the final surrender of General Lee. They took part in the grand review at Washington May 23, and were finally mustered out at Fairfax Court House, Virginia, July 20, 1865. Of the 500 officers and men mustered in at San Francisco, only 182 remained to be mustered out at the close of the war. They had seen nearly two and a half years of hard service in the field, and had taken part in over 50 engagements. The rank and file of the California organizations were composed of such excellent material that some 56 of the enlisted men were promoted to commissioned officers in various regiments. As hard fighters the California Hundred and Battalion had no superiors in either the northern or Southern armies.

First Washington Infantry.—Eight companies of this regiment, viz.; Cos. A, B, C, D, E, G, H and I, were recruited in the state of California and were mustered into the U. S. service at Alcatraz island for a term of three years. They were credited, however, to the territory of Washington (q. v.).