California Civil War Rosters
From the book “Records of California Men in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 to 1867”
by Brig.-Gen. Richard H. Orton, pub. 1890
Transcribed by © Kathy Sedler, pp 668-975.
FIFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY
This regiment was organized at Sacramento, under the President’s second call for troops from the State of California, in September and October, 1861.
Its first Colonel was John Kellogg, an officer of the Third Artillery, regular army. He resigned November 8, 1861, to accept the position of Captain and Commissary of Subsistence, in which capacity he served during the war. He died April 25, 1865, just after receiving his promotion to the rank of Major.
He was succeeded by Colonel George W. Bowie, who commanded the regiment during the balance of the time it was in the service, and was made Brevet Brigadier-General for faithful service during the war. The regiment, after its organization, joined Carleton’s command, and became part of the “California Column,” the history of which will be found herein (pages 32 to 68).
The regiment was finally mustered out in New Mexico and Texas, during the months of November and December, 1864, except such of the enlisted men whose terms had not expired; they were transferred to the First Veteran Infantry, California Volunteers.
The following correspondence and remarks, copied from monthly returns, muster rolls, and general orders, will show the nature of the work performed by the regiment.
It is to be regretted that the officers did not make fuller reports of their campaigns, and thus have enabled the history of the regiment to have been more complete:
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HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., December 31, 1861
Brig.-Gen. L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.:
GENERAL: Since my communications of the nineteenth and twentieth instants nothing of importance has occurred in the department. I am throwing forward supplies to Fort Yuma as rapidly as possible. To-morrow a steamer will leave here for the mouth of the Colorado River laden with subsistence and other stores required for the movement of Colonel Carleton’s expedition. It is two thousand miles to the mouth of the Colorado, at which point the stores must be reshipped on small river steamers for Fort Yuma. I have also embarked on the steamer a guard of one company of the Fifth California Volunteer Infantry, eighty-eight strong, commanded by a reliable officer, who has received special instructions. Additional supplies and means of transportation are also being forwarded to San Pedro, the port of Los Angeles, Southern California, four hundred and fifty miles from this place, from thence to be sent by land to Fort Yuma, three hundred miles. I am gradually moving a portion of the Second Cavalry and the whole of the Fifth California Volunteer Infantry to Southern California, to replace the troops designated for Carleton’s expedition. The latter will not advance to Fort Yuma until advices are received of the arrival at that place of the stores shipped by sea. The expedition of Colonel Carleton is one of considerable magnitude; and, operating on a long line remote from its source of supplies, cannot with propriety advance from Yuma until fully prepared for the campaign. Fort Yuma is being fortified and will be securely held by a strong reserve. Under the command of Colonel Carleton, an officer of skill, experience, and sound judgment, we have the strongest assurance that the expedition will be successful.
The weather for many days past has been tempestuous in the extreme. The floods east and north of this city have destroyed a vast amount of property and almost entirely suspended our mail communications. The telegraph has not been in operation for several days.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. WRIGHT,
Brigadier-General, U.S. Army, Commanding.
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HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
SAN FRANCISCO, February 10, 1862.
GENERAL: For a few days past the weather has moderated, and we have a fair prospect of being able to move over the roads in the interior by the end of the month. By the steamer from San Pedro, which arrived here yesterday, I have advices from Colonel Carleton; he is making every preparation to advance to Fort Yuma as soon as the roads are passable. This week I send down the Light Battery, Company A, Third Artillery, and one company of the Fifth Infantry. I shall then have but two more companies, and the headquarters of the Fifth Infantry California Volunteers, to send to the southern district. It is reported that a force of eight hundred men (Rebels) are at, or in the vicinity of Tucson; such a force could not for a moment arrest the advance of Carleton. The Columbia River being closed by ice, I have no very late intelligence from the District of Oregon; when I last heard from that quarter everything was quiet.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. WRIGHT,
Brigadier-General, U.S. Army, Commanding.
Brig.-Gen. L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.
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HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
SAN FRANCISCO, April 30, 1862.
GENERAL: Major Drum is still absent inspecting the troops at and near Fort Yuma. My latest dates from him are of the fourteenth instant. It is probable that Colonel Carleton is now at or in advance of Fort Yuma. Colonel Bowie’s Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, is concentrating at Fort Yuma as a reserve. Carleton’s movement will sweep the predatory bands of Baylor and Riley out of Arizona, and break up their plan of obtaining a foothold in Sonora, and then, with the well appointed force under his command, strengthened, if necessary, by the fine reserve regiment of Bowie, I have no apprehensions as to the result in any conflict with the Rebels this side of the Rio Grande.
Outwardly everything is quiet in this country, but I know that there are many men on this coast who are traitors at heart, and who are at this moment writhing under the defeats of the Rebels. They are harmless now, however, because so greatly in the minority, but such men require close surveillance.
In the southern portion of this State there are more sympathizers with the Rebels than anywhere else, and I have now ordered Colonel Forman, of the Fourth Infantry, California Volunteers, now in camp at Sacramento, to proceed by the next steamer to San Pedro with his headquarters and three companies. The Colonel will take post at Camp Latham, near Los Angeles, where we have already four companies of the Second Cavalry.
It has been my aim not to create any unnecessary alarm in the public mind on this coast, but to watch closely the progress of events, and be ever ready to crush any attempt to raise the standard of rebellion on the Pacific.
You will observe by my General Orders No. 17 that I am gradually drawing the cords a little closer around treason.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. WRIGHT,
Brigadier-General, U.S. Army, Commanding.
Brig.-Gen. L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.
Remarks on Return of Company K, for May, 1863. – Fifteen enlisted men of Company K composed part of the expedition sent under command of Captain T.T. Tidball against Apache Indians in Canon de Arivaypi, A.T. The expedition left Tucson, A.T., May second, at dusk; made five successive night marches; built no fires; hid during the day. Surprised and attacked an Apache rancheria in the Canon de Arivaypi, A.T., on the morning of the seventh instant. Killed forty-seven Indians; took ten children prisoners; captured sixty-six head of stock, with the loss of one man – a citizen of Arizona. Returned to Tucson on the eleventh, having marched one hundred and eighty miles in five days.
Remarks on Return of Company D, for June, 1863. – Captain Tuttle, with a detachment of twenty men, and a spy party of Mexicans and Indians, proceeded in pursuit of a party of Secessionists, through a portion of Sonora and western Arizona, and along the borders of Sonora, effectually breaking up and dispersing the party, and preventing them from proceeding to Texas to join the Rebel Army, arresting a portion of them, and recovering seven horses. The march was made from Tucson, A.T., on May twenty-eighth. Returned June twenty-third. The Secessionists were apprehended at Altar, Sonora.
Remarks on Return of Company F, for September, 1863. – On the fourth instant left Camp Miembres on an Indian scout. September fifth captured and burned an Indian campoody; brought away two mules and some other property. September eighth had a very spirited engagement with the Indians, which lasted about one half hour. Had one man seriously wounded; our guide was also seriously wounded and his horse killed.
January 29, 1864. – On the twenty-ninth of January the Indians attacked two hunting parties of Company A, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, at Pinos Altos Mines, killing private Hussey and wounding Sergeant Sitton. The Indians were driven off with a loss of twenty killed and fifteen wounded. Sergeant Sitton behaved gallantly in this affair.
January 26, 1864. – Lieutenant Thomas A. Young, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, with one Sergeant and eleven privates of the California Volunteers, started at Fort Craig, N.M., on a scout after Indians. On the twenty-eighth instant the party was attacked by about sixty Indians, who wounded Lieutenant Young, Sergeant Thomas Richards, and privates Harvey McConkey, Thomas Clark, and Louis Mann, of Company D, First California Cavalry. In this affair seven Indians were killed. The party not being strong enough to continue the fight, returned to Fort Craig on the thirtieth instant.
February 24, 1864. – Captain James H. Whitlock, with twenty-one men of Company F, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, left camp on the Miembres, N.M., on the twenty-fourth day of February, on a scout after Apache Indians. At about 5 o’clock P.M. on the twenty-fifth, he came up to a party of nineteen Indians, attacked and killed thirteen of them and wounded the others, and captured one Indian pony. The command returned to camp on the twenty-ninth without the slightest accident of any kind.
Remarks on Return of Company F, for February, 1864. – On twelfth instant Captain Whitlock and twenty-four enlisted men had a fight with the Apache Indians at Pinos Altos. Killed thirteen Indians, and captured a Mexican woman form them whom they had prisoner fifteen years. Returned the woman to her family.
April 25, 1864. – Captain Benjamin T. Harrover, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, reports that he attacked, at Apache Pass, a band of Apache Indians, numbering about two hundred, thirty of them mounted, and several of them armed with guns. At the first fire the Indians fell back, but kept up the fight for nearly two hours. In this affair private Wilcox, of Company E, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, was wounded. Indian loss, three killed; troops, one private wounded.
April 7, 1864. – Captain James H. Whitlock, Company F, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, with a command consisting of twenty-six enlisted men of Company F, and twenty enlisted men of Company I, under Lieutenant Burkett, and ten enlisted men of Company C, First Cavalry, California Volunteers, attacked about two hundred and fifty Indians near Mount Grey, or Sierra Bonita, Arizona, and, after a spirited fight of over one hour, routed the Indians, killing twenty-one of them (left on the ground), and wounding a large number. Forty-five head of horses and mules were captured from the Indians, and all their provisions and camp equipage destroyed.
Remarks on Return of Company I, for May, 1864. – On the thirtieth of April, 1864, the company left Fort Cummings, N.M., en route for Fort Bowie, A.T. On the fourth of May, when entering Doubtful Canon, near Steins Peak, N.M., were attacked by one hundred Apache Indians. The company routed them, killing ten, and passed through the canon. Found, on calling the roll, that private Henry Dosher was missing, and that Sergeant C.E. Tobias and privates Abbott, Nelson, Stone, and Webb were wounded. Arrived at Fort Bowie, A.T., on May fifth. Left that post under command of Colonel U.H. Davis, U.S.A., and with Company K, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, started on an expedition to the Gila River. Arriving on the thirtieth of May, 1864, on the Mescal River, Companies I and K surprised two Indian rancherias, killing fifty-one, and taking prisoners sixteen women and children.
May --, 1864. – Captain T.T. Tidball, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, with twenty-five men of his company and a small party of citizens, attacked a rancheria in Canon de Arivaypi, killing over fifty Indians, wounding as many more, taking ten prisoners, and capturing sixty head of stock, with the loss of only one man, Thomas McClelland. The party marched five days without lighting a fire, maintaining silence, hiding by day and traveling by night, over a country hitherto untrod by white men.
Remarks on Return of Co. K, for June, 1864. – On the ninth of May Lieutenant Dutton and thirty-five enlisted men of this company marched from this post with Lieutenant-Colonel N.H. Davis, Assistant Inspector-General, U.S.A., and on the thirteenth were joined by Captain Tidball. On the twenty-seventh of May the detachment had a skirmish with Apache Indians on the San Carlos River, A.T., in which they killed one Indian and took one prisoner. Sergeant Foster was wounded in this skirmish. On the morning of the twenty-ninth instant the detachment, under command of Captain Tidball, surprised a rancheria of Apache Indians in Mescal Canon, A.T., killed thirty-six Indians, wounded four, and took two prisoners. Captured $660 in gold coin, one Sharp’s carbine, one Colt’s revolver, one double-barreled shotgun, one California saddle, two boxes caps, two powder horns, and a quantity of bullets. Also captured a large number of bows and arrows, mescal, and other property valuable to Indians, which, with their huts, were destroyed.
Remarks on Return of Co. F, for June, 1864. – Captain Whitlock and twenty-three enlisted men of the company left the post on a scout, going southward. On the twenty-first had a slight skirmish. On the morning of the twenty-second killed two Indians and captured one. Returned on twenty-eighth instant without accident of any kind.
May 29, 1864. – Captain Geo. A. Burkett, with thirty-three enlisted men of Company I, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, surprised an Indian rancheria on the Rio del Mescal, and killed thirteen Indians, wounded thirteen, and took three prisoners; captured one mule, three horses, one Sharp’s carbine, one saddle and saddle-bags, one ton of mescal, and a small quantity of powder. The command destroyed some fields of corn and wheat. A portion of the mescal was kept to fee the prisoners; the balance was destroyed.
July 24, 1864. – Lieutenant John Lambert, Company F, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, reports that the Indians attacked a detachment under his command in Cooks Canon. At the first fire Sergeant Hance, of Company H, Fifth Infantry, was wounded in his shoulder and hand; soon after, private Queen, of Company F, was mortally wounded. Two wagons were abandoned to the Indians; also twelve mules. Private Queen died before the fight ended.
Remarks on Return of Company K, for August, 1864. – Captain Tidball, with thirty-two men of Company K, left Fort Bowie, July 10, 1864, and scouted in a southeasterly direction through Chihuahua Mountains. On the sixteenth, had a skirmish with Apache Indians, and killed a chief named “Old Plume.”
August 7, 1864. – Sergeant B.F. Fergusson, of Company E, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, with a party, attacked fifteen Apaches, who were seen approaching the camp on the Rio Carlos, and killed five of them.
August --, 1864. – The command which left Fort Cummings on the fifth day of August, on a scout to Lake Guzman, killed one Indian near the Florida Mountains. Very few Indians were seen, they having evidently deserted the country on the approach of the troops, who, on this scout, marched twelve hundred miles.
August --, 1864. – Captain John S. Thayer, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, left Fort Goodwin, A.T., with his company, on a scout after Indians. On the fourth day out the company destroyed about seventy acres of corn, also several small fields of beans and pumpkins. On the sixth day came upon a party of Indians; wounded several and captured one, who was afterwards shot while attempting to escape. A Mexican captive was also rescued from these Indians. On the eighth day out attacked a party of Indians and killed six and wounded two.
September 5, 1864. – Captain J.H. Whitlock, Company F, Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, reports that he found an Indian camp, surprised it, and captured two mules, one Sharp’s carbine, one United States blanket, and one thousand pounds of mescal; burned the camp, including all that pertained to it. On the eighth of September found Indians in force and had a spirited fight with them for fifteen minutes. One man and the guide severely wounded, and one horse killed. Indian loss unknown. Our loss, one soldier and one citizen wounded, and one horse killed.
The following are the stations occupied by the headquarters and various companies of this regiment:
HEADQUARTERS
At Camp Union, near Sacramento, from date of organization, in September, 1861, to March, 1862. It was then moved to Camp Wright, near Warner’s Ranch, in San Diego County. It was for a short time at Drum Barracks, and then at various places en route to Texas. It was at Franklin (now El Paso), Texas, from August, 1863, until the muster out of the regiment, in December, 1864.
COMPANY A
Was enrolled at Yreka by Captain Joseph Smith. It was mustered into the United States service at Camp Union, October 2, 1861. It was sent to the southern part of the State in January, 1862, arriving at Fort Yuma during the month of February. During the month of March, 1862, it started for New Mexico, arriving at Tucson in July, and at Fort Fillmore, N.M., in August. It was stationed at Fort Fillmore and Mesilla, six miles above, until January, 1863; then at Pinos Altos until March, 1863; then at Fort Stanton, N.M., to May, 1864. It then formed part of an expedition to the headwaters of the Gila River, and was stationed at Fort Goodwin, Arizona, until it was ordered in to be finally mustered out, which took place at Mesilla, N.M., November 30, 1864.
COMPANY B
Was mustered into the United States service at Camp Union, October 18, 1861. It remained at that post until the latter part of February, 1862, when it was sent to join the “California Column.” It was on the steamer “Senator” en route to San Pedro, February 28, 1862; at Camp Wright, March 31, 1862; at Pimos Villages, April 30, 1862; at Tucson during May and June; at Cienega de Sauz, July 31, 1862; at Fort Fillmore, August 31, 1862; en route to Fort Craig, Sept. 30, 1862; stationed at Fort Craig from October, 1862, to September, 1863; scouting on Rio de los Animas and the Gila during September, October, and November, 1863; at Fort Craig, December, 1863, and January, 1864; and at Franklin, Texas, from February, 1864, to December 12, 1864, on which date the company was finally mustered out.
COMPANY C
Was raised in Grass Valley by Captain John S. Thayer. It was mustered into the United States service at Camp Union, October 7, 1861. There is no record of the stations occupied by this company from date of organization to April, 1863. The company was at Las Cruces, N.M., from April, 1863, to June, 1863; at Franklin, Texas, June 30, 1863; at Las Cruces, N.M., during July, August, and September, 1863; at La Mesilla from October, 1863, to February, 1864; at Las Cruces to May, 1864; at Fort Goodwin until ordered in to be mustered out, which event took place at Mesilla, November 30, 1864.
COMPANY D
Was organized in Sacramento, and was mustered into the United States service at same place September 17, 1861. It was soon sent south and joined the “California Column.” There is no record of the stations it occupied until April 30, 1863, when it was at Mission Camp, on the Gila River, en route for Tucson. It was stationed at Tucson during nearly all the balance of its term of service, and was finally mustered out at Las Cruces, N.M., November 27, 1864, the officers and members whose terms of service had not expired going into Company D, First Veteran Infantry.
COMPANY E
This company was raised in Sacramento by Captain S.P. Ford. The exact date of the muster in of the company cannot be found. The Captain and a large number of the men were mustered in October 30, 1861, and that is probably the date of the muster in of the company. The company was stationed at Camp Union, near Sacramento, until January, 1862. It was at Camp Latham, near Los Angeles, until March, 1862; at Camp Wright, San Diego County, March 31, 1862; at Fort Yuma, April 30, 1862; at Grassy Camp, Arizona, May 31, 1862; at Fort Barrett (Pimos Villages), June 30, 1862; and at Tucson from July until December, 1862. It was at San Pedro River, December 31, 1862; and at Fort Bowie, Arizona, in January, 1863, where it remained until May, 1863. It was then at Franklin, Texas, until August, 1863; at Rio Miembres, N.M., August 31, 1863; at Las Cruces, September 30, 1863, to May, 1864. It then went on the Gila River expedition, and was at Fort Goodwin until November, 1864, when it marched back to Mesilla, where it was finally mustered out November 30, 1864.
COMPANY F
This company was raised in Quincy, Plumas County, by Captain James H. Whitlock, and was mustered into the United States service at Camp Union, October 23, 1861. The company was stationed at Camp Union until January, 1862; then at Camp Kellogg until March; at Camp Wright during the months of April and May; at Fort Yuma, June 30, 1862; at Maricopa Wells, July and August; en route to Tucson, September 30, 1862; at Tucson until April, 1863; at Las Cruces, N.M., May 31, and June 30, 1863; in the field near Cooks Canon, N.M., July 31, 1863; in camp on Rio Miembres, N.M., August 31, 1863; at Fort West, N.M., from September, 1863, to January, 1864; then on Rio Miembres until September, 1864; at Fort Cummings, N.M., during the months of September, October, and November, 1864. Mustered out at Las Cruces, November 30, 1864.
COMPANY G
This company was raised by Captain Hugh L. Hinds in Placerville. It was mustered into the United States service at Camp Union, October 30, 1861, where it was stationed until February, 1862. En route to Camp Latham, February 28, 1862; at Camp Wright, March 31, 1862; at Tucson from April to August, 1862; at Fort Bowie, Arizona, from August, 1862, to January, 1863; en route to Fort Craig, N.M., January 31, 1863; at Fort Craig from January to June, 1863; then at Franklin, Texas, to July, 1864; at Las Cruces from July, 1864, to date of muster out, November 27, 1864.
COMPANY H
Was raised by Captain Sylvester Soper at Placerville, and mustered in at Camp Union. The exact date of muster in cannot be found, but it was probably November 14, 1861, as most of the men were mustered in on that day. The company was at San Diego, February 28 and March 31, 1862; at Camp Wright, April 30, 1862; at Fort Yuma, from May, 1862, to January, 1863; en route to Tucson, January 31, 1863; at Tucson until May, 1863; at Cook’s Springs, N.M., May 31, 1863; at Franklin, Texas, June 30, 1863; at Las Cruces, July, 1863, to February, 1864; and at Franklin from February, 1864, to date of muster out, December 12, 1864.
COMPANY I
Was organized in Benicia by Captain Joseph Tuttle. It was mustered into the service at Camp Union, November 11, 1861, where it remained until January, 1862. It was at Drum Barracks, January 31, 1862; at Camp Kellogg, February 28 and March 31, 1862; at Camp Wright, April 30, 1862; at Fort Yuma from May to October, 1862; at Drum Barracks, October 31, 1862, where the company remained until February, 1863; at Gifthaler Ranch, February 28, 1863; at Fort Yuma, March 31, 1863; at Tucson from April, 1863, to March, 1864; at Camp Miembres, N.M., March 31, 1864; at Fort Cummings, N.M., from April to November, 1864. Mustered out at Mesilla, November 30, 1864.
COMPANY K
Was organized at Santa Cruz by Captain Thomas T. Tidball, and was mustered into the service at Camp Union, November 22, 1861. There is no record of the stations occupied by the company until March 31, 1863, at which time it was at Casa Blanco, Arizona. It was at Tucson, April 30, 1863, and at Fort Bowie, A.T., from May, 1863, to September, 1864; then at Las Cruces, N.M., to date of muster out, November 27, 1864.