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, June 2004,  pp 5-14.

RECORD OF CALIFORNIA MEN

IN THE

WAR OF THE REBELLION, 1861 TO 1867.

            The State of California, being located far away from the more active scenes of the war, was not called upon to furnish troops for immediate service against Confederate soldiers, and no quota was assigned it; yet during the war calls were made upon it for several regiments and battalions, aggregating more than sixteen thousand men, besides five hundred who were enlisted within its borders and became part of the quota of the State of Massachusetts, and eight companies raised for Washington Territory.  With the exception of those enlisted for Massachusetts, the California forces took no part in any of the great battles of the war; yet the service they rendered was of as great importance as that rendered by those from other States.  It was as severe, entailing long and fatiguing marches across burning deserts and among almost inaccessible mountains.  They were engaged in hundreds of fights with Indians and small forces of Confederate troops on the frontiers, in Texas and Mexico, and they never knew defeat.  It was a constant source of regret among them that they were never ordered East, and the question was continually asked:  “When are we to be ordered to the seat of the war?”  The Government deemed it wisest to keep them on the Pacific Coast and in the Territories.  They occupied nearly all the posts from Puget Sound to San Elizario, Texas, and they did their duty faithfully, notwithstanding their disappointment.  By their loyalty they preserved peace in these western States and Territories, and the flag of rebellion was soon driven beyond the Rio Grande.

            The “War Governors” of California were John G. Downey, Leland Stanford, and F.F. Low, and to their loyalty, zeal, and patriotism, and their readiness to respond to every call of the Government, is due the promptness with which the different regiments and battalions were organized.

            During the exciting and tumultuous times existing upon the outbreak of the war the Legislature was loyal to the Government, and the following concurrent resolution was adopted:

No. IVIII – CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

[Adopted MAY 17, 1861.]

                Resolved by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That the people of California are devoted to the Constitution and the 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.

            When the war commenced the United States forces on the Pacific Coast were under the command of Brevet Brigadier-General Albert Sidney Johnston.  It is supposed that there was some doubt as to General Johnston’s loyalty, as he was a Southern man, and General Sumner was sent to relieve him of the command.  The following are the orders and correspondence relating to the matter:

MARCH 22, 1861

Brig.-Gen. E.V. SUMNER:

                DEAR GENERAL:  Prepare to sail from New York the first of the next month to relieve Bvt. Brig.-Gen. [A.S.] Johnston, in the command of the Pacific Department, say for a tour of some years.

                The order to sail, etc., will reach you by the next mail, but remain unpublished till you are on the Pacific Ocean, for confidential reasons.

                                In haste, yours truly,

WINFIELD SCOTT.

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HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,

SAN FRANCISCO, April 25, 1861

ORDERS,

No. 5.

                In compliance with Special Orders No. 86, dated War Department, Adjutant-General’s Office, Washington, March 23, 1861, I hereby assume command on this department.

                All concerned will govern themselves accordingly.

E.V. SUMNER.

Brigadier-General, U.S. Army.

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HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,

SAN FRANCISCO, April 28, 1861.

Lieut.-Col. E.D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters Army:

                COLONEL:  I have the honor to report that I arrived her on the twenty-fourth instant, and on the twenty-fifth relieved General [A.S.] Johnston in the command of this department.  My departure from New York was not known here till the night before my arrival.  It gives me pleasure to state that the command was turned over to me in good order.

                General Johnston had forwarded his resignation before I arrived, but he continued to hold the command, and was carrying out the orders of the Government.

                I have determined to reinforce immediately and strongly the forts in this harbor, and have ordered down three companies of artillery (including the battery) from Fort Vancouver.

                I have also taken the liberty to detain the detachment of twenty-nine sappers and miners.  I trust the General-in-Chief will not disapprove of this.  My intention is to put four hundred men on Alcatraz Island, one hundred and fifty at Fort Point, and place the battery at the depot at Benicia, in addition to the two infantry companies now there.

                These troops will all be supplied with six months’ provisions, and additional arrangements will be made for water where it is necessary, so that they will be independent and secure for six months, and will hold the entire control of the entrance to the harbor.  I think this disposition of the troops will not only secure the Government property, but will have the effect to foreclose at once all hopes on the part of the disaffected of their ever being able to precipitate matters here by seizing forts and arsenals.

                There is a strong Union feeling with the majority of the people of this State, but the Secessionists are much the most active and zealous party, which gives them more influence than they ought to have from their numbers.

                I have no doubt but there is some deep scheming to draw California into the secession movement; in the first place as the “Republic of the Pacific,” expecting afterwards to induce her to join the Southern Confederacy.

                The troops now here will hold their positions and all the Government property, but if there should be a general uprising of the people, they could not, of course, put it down.

                I think the course of events at the East will control events here.  So long as the General Government is sustained and hold the capital the Secessionists cannot carry this State out of the Union.

                I would respectfully say to the General-in-Chief that after my arrangements are completed – and they will be in two weeks – if he should think proper to authorize me to place Colonel Wright here in command of the department, everything will be secure; and if my services should be wanted elsewhere, I could be withdrawn from this department without detriment to the public service.

                                Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E.V. SUMNER,

Brigadier-General, U.S. Army, Commanding.

            In this connection an extract from a short sketch of General Johnston’s life, written by Captain Geo. F. Price, late of Second California Cavalry, afterwards Captain of Fifth Cavalry, U.S.A., is given:

                The beginning of the war of the Rebellion found Colonel Johnston (assigned on his brevet rank) in command of the Pacific States.  While he was not a politician, he was committed to the doctrine of State allegiance.  He declined the command of the South-western Department, because he held, if Texas should secede, that he would be bound in honor to surrender the public property intrusted to his care to the national authorities.  He was incapable of betraying a trust; but, being persuaded that his adopted State had a permanent claim upon him, he would not consent to be placed in a position where he might be compelled to antagonize it.

                The letters written by him about this time showed that he viewed with alarm the threatening dissolution of the national Union.  It is believed by many who are familiar with his views, that he asked for an assignment to the Department of the Pacific so as to be removed from any participation in the impending issue.  It was his openly avowed judgment that the sword was not the remedy for the existing difficulties, and he always congratulated himself that he had never contributed in any way to bring on the conflict.  When he learned that Texas had seceded he tendered his resignation, April 9, 1861, and it was accepted May 3, 1861.  He was relieved from command by Brigadier-General Edwin V. Sumner, April 25, 1861, and thus was severed forever his connection with the United States Army.  A dictionary of American biography charges him with having engaged in a conspiracy to surrender the State of California to the Confederates, the consummation of which was only frustrated by the timely arrival of his successor in command.  No statement could be farther from the truth.  When he was informed that a plot existed to seize Alcatraz, he removed several thousand muskets from the Benicia arsenal, where they were greatly exposed, to the island, and then informed the Governor that they could be used, if necessary, by the State militia to suppress insurrection.

                His integrity was so universally recognized that he was not approached upon the subject of establishing a Pacific republic, which was favored by many in the event of a dissolution of the national Union.  His resignation was withheld from the newspapers until after he had been relieved from command, to guard against any bad effect which his act might have upon others, and he declared that so long as he held his commission he would maintain the authority of the Government to the last extremity.  He informed the Governor of California that he had devoted the greater part of his life to the service of the country, and that while he held his commission he would serve her honorably and faithfully; and he afterwards said to his friends, referring to the command he had held, “If I had proved faithless here, how could my own people ever trust me?”

                The order directing General Sumner to relieve Colonel Johnston also ordered him to report in Washington.  He was advised by letter that he enjoyed the confidence of the Secretary of War, and that upon arrival he would be assigned to an important command.  When General Sumner was informed of his resignation he urged him to recall it, and conveyed to him the message of General Scott, “that he desired his presence for active service;” and in a report to the Adjutant-General of the Army, dated April 28, 1861, he said: “ It gives me great pleasure to state that the command was turned over to me in good order.  General Johnston had forwarded his resignation before I arrived, but he continued to hold the command, and was carrying out the orders of the Government.”

                When the President (Lincoln) was made acquainted with these facts, he executed a Major-General’s commission for Colonel Johnston, but having been informed that he had already started for Texas the commission was canceled.

            General Johnston accepted a General’s commission in the Confederate Army, and was killed while in command at the battle of Shiloh.

            The State of California 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, besides several companies of volunteers to Massachusetts and Washington Territory, a list of which is give below:

FIRST BATTALION NATIVE CALIFORNIA CAVALRY

FIRST CALIFORNIA CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS

*No muster in roll on file.

SECOND CALIFORNIA CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS

FIRST CALIFORNIA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS

*No muster in roll on file.

NOTE: Regiment was consolidated into a battalion of seven companies in November, 1864.

SECOND CALIFORNIA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS

*No muster in roll on file.

THIRD CALIFORNIA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS

*No muster in roll on file.

NOTE:  Regiment was consolidated into a battalion of four companies in November, 1864.

FOURTH CALIFORNIA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS

NOTE: The regiment was consolidated into a battalion of five companies, November 30, 1865.

FIFTH CALIFORNIA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS

*No muster in roll on file.

SIXTH CALIFORNIA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS

+ Raised in Washington Territory and assigned to this regiment.

SEVENTH CALIFORNIA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS

EIGHTH CALIFORNIA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS

FIRST BATTALION CALIFORNIA MOUTAINEERS (INFANTRY)

NOTE: The State of California is credited with having furnished 15,725 volunteers during the late war.

            In addition to the organizations named in the foregoing list, it appears that five companies of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry Volunteers were enrolled and mustered into service in California, and credited to the State of Massachusetts, viz.:

            Company A, enrolled from October 28 to December 10, 1862, at San Francisco, Cal., and mustered into service December 10, 1862, at same place.  Mustered out July 20, 1865, at Fairfax Court House, Va.

            Company E, enrolled from January 26 to March 17, 1863, at San Francisco, Cal., and mustered in March 20, 1863, at same place.  Mustered out July 20, 1865, at Fairfax Court House, Va.

            Company F, enrolled from March 27 to April 23, 1863, at San Francisco, Cal., and part of company mustered in April 22, 1863, at San Francisco, Cal., and part May 10, 1863, at Boston, Mass.   Mustered out July 20, 1865, at Fairfax Court House, Va.

            Company L, enrolled from January 26 to March 21, 1863, at San Francisco, Cal., and mustered in March 21, 1863, at same place.  Mustered out July 20, 1865, at Fairfax Court House, Va.

            Company M, enrolled from February 3 to March 21, 1863, at San Francisco, Cal., and mustered in March 21, 1863, at same place.  Mustered out July 20, 1865, at Fairfax Court House, Va.

            It further appears that eight companies of the First Regiment, Washington Territory Infantry Volunteers, were recruited in the State of California, viz.:

            Company A, mustered in March 12, 1862, and mustered out March 25, 1865.

            Company B, mustered in April 1, 1862, and mustered out April 1, 1865.

            Company C, mustered in April 7, 1862, and mustered out May 12, 1865.

            Company D, mustered in April 12, 1862, and mustered out April 12, 1865.

            Company E, mustered in June 19, 1862, and original members mustered out October 24, 1865, to date June 19, 1865.<?>

            Company G, mustered in August 31, 1862, and transferred to Company I in March, 1865.

            Company H, mustered in October 2, 1862, and mustered out September 22, 1865.

            Company I, mustered in October 21, 1862, and mustered out November 20, 1865.

            The above named companies were mustered in at Alcatraz Island, California, and mustered out at Fort Vancouver, Washington.

            Making altogether nearly seventeen thousand volunteers enlisted in California.

            The first call for troops from California was as follows:

[By telegram to farthest point west, and thence by pony express to California.]

WAR DEPARTMENT,

July 24, 1861 – 8:30 P.M.

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.

SIMON CAMERON,

Secretary of War.

L. THOMAS,

Adjutant-General.

[True copy.]

            Under that call one full regiment of ten companies of infantry was raised, which became the First California Infantry, and five companies of cavalry, which became the First Battalion of the First California Cavalry.  In 1863 seven more companies of cavalry were raised, making the First Cavalry a full regiment of twelve companies.

            Soon after the second call was received by the Governor, as follows:

[By telegraph to Fort Kearney, and thence by pony express and telegraph.]

WASHINGTON, August 14, 1861

To JOHN G. DOWNEY, Governor of California:

                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.

SIMON CAMERON,

Secretary of War.

            Under this second call the Second Cavalry and the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Regiments of Infantry were formed.  In this connection the following dispatch is interesting:

WAR DEPARTMENT,

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 15, 1861.

To his Excellency, JOHN G. DOWNEY, Governor of State of California, Sacramento City, Cal.:

                SIR:  I have this day forwarded to your address a dispatch by telegraph and by pony express, to the effect that in filling the requisition given you August fourteenth for five regiments you will please make General D.D. Colton, of San Francisco, Colonel of a cavalry regiment, and give him the proper authority to organize as promptly as possible.

                                Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

SIMON CAMERON,

Secretary of War.

            The commission was offered to General Colton and accepted, but he never completed the organization of the regiment and he was never mustered into the United States service.

            Immediately upon receipt of the dispatches quoted above, Governor Downey issued the following:

[Proclamations.]

STATE OF CALIFORNIA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

SACRAMENTO, August 12, 1861.

                In pursuance of a communication from the Secretary of War, dated July 24, A.D. 1861, “accepting 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.”  I, John G. Downey, Governor of the State of California, do hereby call for volunteers for the above mentioned services.  The forces will be organized in accordance with the laws and regulations of the United States, and will be mustered into service at such times and places as may be directed by the commanding officer of the United States on this coast.

JOHN G. DOWNEY,

Governor.

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STATE OF CALIFORNIA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

SACRAMENTO, August 23, 1861.

                Whereas, by an additional communication from the Secretary of War, bearing date August 14, A.D. 1861, to the Executive of this State directed, the President of the United States has called for four regiments of infantry and one of cavalry, to be placed at the disposal of Brig.-Gen. E.V. Sumner, U.S. Army, “organized, equipped, and mustered into service by the State of California, such call being made in pursuance of the Act of Congress passed July 19, 1861, entitled ‘An Act to authorize the employment of volunteers to aid in enforcing the laws and protecting the public property.’”

                Now, therefore, I, John G. Downey, Governor of the State of California and Commander-in-Chief of the militia, etc., of the same, do hereby authorize and call upon the citizens, as many as shall be necessary to fill up the preceding requisition, to immediately form and organize themselves into “volunteer companies,” in accordance with the directions and requirements stated in Sections 17, 18, and 19 of the Statutes of this State, entitled “An Act in relation to the militia of this State,” approved May 9, 1861.

                Said companies will be accepted and mustered into service according to the reception, by the Adjutant-General of the State, of the certificate of organization mentioned in Section 18 of said Act, and reported by that officer to the Commander-in-Chief, the infantry companies to consist of any number between eighty-three and one hundred and one, and the cavalry companies of any number between seventy-nine and ninety-five, officers inclusive; the commissioned officers of each company to consist of one Captain, one First Lieutenant, and one Second Lieutenant.

                The Commander-in-Chief will proceed forthwith to organize the regiments aforesaid out of said companies according to their priority and in conformity to law.  While the Act of Congress aforesaid requires the “Governors of States furnishing volunteers to commission the field, staff, and company officers requisite,” the Commander-in-Chief will in all cases give preference to the officers elected by the respective companies, provided that they are competent and pass examination before the Military Board already appointed by the United States officer commanding Pacific Division, San Francisco.

                Volunteer companies already organized and commissioned are expected to report forthwith to the Adjutant-General, tendering their services to meet the requirements of this proclamation.  Companies tendering their services will expressly state whether they are infantry or cavalry.

                In witness whereof, I have set my hand and caused the great seal of the State to be affixed.

                Done at Sacramento, California, this twenty-third day of August, in the year of our Lord 1861.

JOHN G. DOWNEY,

Governor

Attest:  JOHNSON PRICE, Secretary of State.

            The Governor, in his message to the Legislature, said as follows regarding the requisitions made upon him:

THE STATE’S CONTINGENT

                Two requisitions were made upon me by the Secretary of War for troops for the service of the General Government, the first bearing date of July 24, 1861, for one regiment of infantry and five companies of cavalry, and the other dated August 14, 1861, for four regiments of infantry and one regiment of cavalry.

                The Legislature having adjourned without placing any funds at the disposal of the Executive to meet such contingency, and the language of these requisitions urging all possible dispatch, I at once issued my proclamations calling out the required force.  It entailed much labor upon this department, for which it feels fully compensated by the character of the officers selected and the soldierly bearing and character of the men who compose the rank and file.

                The whole contingent as organized is composed of our best citizens – men of character and means from all ranks and pursuits 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 Fourth and Fifth Regiments of Volunteers, at great expense and trouble to themselves, without being permitted to enjoy the honors or 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.  I would recommend that appropriations be made to compensate the officers mentioned for the personal expenses necessarily incurred by them and the important services they have rendered the State – say $2,500.

                A large amount of business has been entailed upon the Adjutant-General in clerical labor and services attendant upon the extraordinary duty connected with and occasioned by the raising of our contingent, and I would recommend an appropriation of $1,500 as a just compensation therefor.

                The militia law of last year is found to work well, and meets the expectations of its advocates.  It declares that all necessary expenses arising under 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 for 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 rent of armories and the purchase of arms.  We should, therefore, have at least a hundred thousand stands of arms distributed among our militia; instead of this there are not three thousand, and many of these are of antique style and character, of but little use for modern warfare.

            Extract from Governor Stanford’s 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.

                Our Government is emphatically one of the people, possessing the power of the people for their protection and defense, but powerless for their oppression.  It is not only the best, but it is the strongest form of government the world has ever known.  Let it remain unchanged.

                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 recently 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.

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