On July 10th the troops reinforced by Company C of the Naval Reserve, under command of Lieutenant Douglass, were ordered to the depot and guards were posted about the round-house and a portion of the yards of the Southern Pacific Company. The strikers were evidently overawed by the presence of the troops, as they made no demonstrations of hostility and, though the militia came to no actual conflict with the strikers, their presence there was of untold value in keep the riotous element in check. Both the railroad officials and the sheriff were of the opinion that were the troops dismissed there was great danger of a new outbreak.
San Francisco was not troubled directly to any extent by the strikers. Still precautions were taken to prevent them from doing any harm. To avert the possibility of the strikers securing arms by raiding the different armories of the National Guard in the city the arms were either removed to a safe place, or else the armory was guarded by a strong force, both night and day. And further it was deemed advisable to keep the Second Artillery Regiment in the city, to guard against the possible massing of the strikers. So it was not until later in the campaign—July 13th, that they were ordered into the field.
The southern part of the state now demanded attention. So on July 12th Brigadier General Muller, commanding the Third Brigade was ordered to proceed with Companies E, F, and G of his command to Sumner, and from thence to guard the disputed points on the Southern Pacific Railroad, between Sumner and Tehachipi, and also to furnish train guards for trains running north. Brigadier General Muller arrived with his command at Sumner on the 13th. In preparing his men for active service he met with the same annoyances, but in a far greater degree than did the other commands of the National Guard. Many rifles were unfit for use, firing pins and ejectors being broken, a few old canteens and knapsacks were all they could boast off. As for blankets and shoes the brigade was poverty stricken. The men were compelled to fit themselves the best they could.
To sum up, the following troops were in active service July 12th: At Sacramento, the First and Third Regiments, Infantry; part of the Signal Corp and a section of Light Battery A of the Second Brigade; Companies A, E, G, Second Infantry Regiment; Light Battery B; Signal Corp of the Fourth Brigade and Companies A and B of the Third Brigade. At Oakland, Companies C and E, Fifth Infantry Regiment, Second Brigade. At San Jose, Companies B and D, Fifth Infantry Regiment, Second Brigade and Company C of the Naval Battalion. At Sumner, Companies C, F, G, Sixth Regiment, Infantry, Third Brigade. Besides these there were six companies of regulars at Los Angeles, one company at Oakland, together with two hundred sailors and fifty marines, while at Sacramento there were four companies of artillery, two companies of cavalry and one of infantry.
CHAPTER VII.
THE APPEARANCE OF THE REGULARS AND ITS EFFECT UPON
THE SITUATION.
THE second week, that opened up at the Capitol, found the men somewhat discontented. There is no rest for the wicked; if the reverse of this be true, that one who does not rest is wicked, then all the members of Company B are wicked. The conditions were perfect for resting; lying awake during the daytime and lying asleep during the night-time made up practically the twenty-four hours of each day, of most of the members of the company. And still they were weary. There was no rest for them; amidst this almost perfect inactivity they yearned to be again at their daily and peaceful callings: