hubert howe bancroft - Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History ...

CHANGES AND ENGAGEMENTS. 469
can, when Columbus Sims became col of the regiment, holding the position
for little over one year. George S. Evans was then promoted to the colonelcy,
but resigned in May 1863 and was succeeded first by William Jones, and
second by Edward McGarry. Jones's commission was revoked in 1864. The
regiment marched thousands of miles, and skirmished with Indians from
New Mexico to Oregon. Col Evans fought a battle near Camp Independence
in Owen river valley in the spring of 1802 for which he received particular
commendation from his superiors. On the 29th of Jan. 1863, companies A
H, K, and M., 2d cavalry, under Maj. Edward McGarry, and K company
of the 3d CaL inf., all under command of Col P. E. Conner, fought the
Shoshones, under Chief Pocatello, who had killed many immigrants on the
road to CaL, Idaho, and Montana, making a great slaughter.
The 3d infantry regiment of CaL vol's, numbering 1,634 members, whose
col was Patrick E. Connor, renowned for his fighting qualities, was organized
at Stockton and Benicia, and was employed in protecting the Central overland
route from Nevada, eastward, having a rough, ungrateful service.
Connor was promoted brig, gen. March 29, 1863, when Robert Pollock became
coL On the expiration of the term of the original members of the regiment,
organized into a battalion under Lieut-col William M. Johns, and finally
mustered out in July 1866. It was known as the 3d bat. of inf. The
2d inf. reg., consisting of 1,980 men, which should have been the 1st, was
organized at Camp Suinner in Sept. 1861, and employed in defending the
frontier of California, Washington, and Idaho, about half the reg. being sent
to the north, and marching from Puget Sound to Fort Boise, which they established,
and from Fort Walla WaUa to Fort ColviUe. The remainder
served in the Humboldt country against the Indians, until the expiration of
the term of enlistment of most of the men, when in 1864 they were re-organized
by col T. F. Wright, and ordered to Arizona by McDowell in 1865.
The other volunteer organizations of 1861 were the 1st cav., and 3d, 4th and
5th inf. regiments. The 1st Cavalry organization was effected by Lieut-col
B. F. Davis of the regular army, who was killed at Gravelly Ford. It consisted
until 1863 of but five companies, whose first rendezvous was at Camp
Merchant, in Oakland. It went by steamer to Los Angeles, and marched
thence to San Bernardino, where it was mounted. Davis being ordered to
join his regiment in the east in Nov., the command devolved upon Maj. E.
E. Eyre. In Feb. 1862 the battalion was ordered to Fort Yuma, on its way
to the Rio Grande to relieve Canby, and to join the column from CaL in
New Mexico. A second battalion of seven companies was raised in 1863
and sent to join the regiment, of which David Ferguson was commissioned
col, Eyre having resigned in Nov. 1862. Ferguson was dismissed for leaving
his post, and Oscar M. Brown succeeded him. The regiment took part
in the campaign against the Navajoes, who were subdued, and placed on the
reservation at Fort Sumner. A part of the reg. also fought the Comanches,
and had altogether perhaps one hundred engagements with Indians during
the several years it occupied New Mexico and Texas. William McCleave
became col in 1866, and the regiment was mustered out at the end of that
year, at the presidio of S. F. This regiment numbered 1,830 members. The
4th infantry regiment was organized in Sep. 1861 by Col Henry M. Judah, of
the regular army, who resigned in Nov. and was succeeded by Ferris Foreman
who commanded until August 1862, when he was succeeded by James
P. Curtis. The reg. served in southern CaL and Arizona. On the expiration
of the term of service of the earlier members it was re-organized with
five companies under Lieut Col E. W. Hilliyer, and was used to garrison
posts until 1866, when it was mustered out. The men of this reg. volunteered
in Placerville, Shasta, Auburn, Sac, and San Diego, and numbered
1,639 exclusive of one company, which preserved no register. The 5th inf.
reg. was also drawn from the northern part of the state, and composed of
young and vigorous men. It was organized at Camp Union, two miles below
Sac, by Col John Kellogg of the regular army, who resigned to go east
in October, where George YV, Bowie accepted the commission tendered him