Following close upon this election of officers, the First Battalion was organized, which consisted of all three arms of the service, namely, infantry, artillery, and cavalry. This organization was completed on June 15, 1860, the companies comprising same being the “City Guard,” “California Guard,” “Black Hussars,” “Light Guard,” “Fusileers,” and “French Guard.” All of the members comprising these six companies participated in the election for field officers, which was by ballot, there being over two hundred votes cast. Captain Doane was duly elected lieutenant colonel, commanding the battalion, and First Lieutenant McKenzie was raised to the rank of major. The result of this election gives to the “City Guard” the honor of furnishing the only two field officers of an organization which afterwards became the nucleus for our present First Regiment; the “National Guard” and “California Rifles” being added later, in order to make the eight-company regiment.
In consequence of the above, another company election was necessarily held for officers to fill vacancies. John A. Clark was again made captain, vice Doane; Asa L. Loring, first lieutenant, vice McKenzie; Little and Freeman retaining their former positions, while George J. Griffing was advanced to brevet second lieutenant, vice Hill resigned.
We now come upon the eve of the War of the Rebellion. Fort Sumter had been fired upon, and opportunities became numerous for able generals, and brave men to show their mettle and loyalty to preserve our glorious Union. In California, although far removed from the seat of conflict, everyone took a lively interest in the progress of hostilities. This state furnished many thousands of volunteers for the strife, the proportion being very large for the then population; in fact, California furnished many soldiers who were accredited to other states, as history will plainly show. The “City Guard” furnished a long list of fighters, among whom were the following: J. M. McNulty, M. D., brigadier surgeon, California Volunteers; John Hill, lieutenant with Colonel Baker, California Volunteers; J. P. Hackett, captain Sixth Infantry, California Volunteers; Nat M. Ford quartermaster’s department; Asa L. Loring; Robert S. La Motte, captain Thirteenth New York, afterwards lieutenant-colonel United States Army; H. B. Mellon, now retired, major United States army; William Bryan, Seventh New York; George F. Watson, captain 180th New York Volunteers; W. C. Allen, captain 101st New York Volunteers; Joseph Hilton, captain Twelfth New York Volunteers; Joseph Henriques, captain Fourth New York Volunteers; William Barstow, assistant adjutant general, General Dix’s staff; E. G. Hilton, quartermaster’s department, and L. Parks, with California Hundred. There are others, but the writer is unable at the present time to name them. Many of these gentlemen rose to higher rank in the service during the progress of the war.
The vast majority of people on this coast elected to maintain these United States one and inseparable, still there were those who warmly supported the secession, and conditions threatened at times to become more serious in California than would have been agreeable to peace-loving people. This would be particularly the case when any news came of the defeat of the northern arms.
The provost marshal, who was on duty at all times, made many arrests of those who were too outspoken, and the militia were constantly on the alert, although they were but occasionally under arms. Armories had to be guarded, however, and the “City Guard” did full well its share of duty.
Throughout the period covered by this chapter the members of the “City Guard” continued with their regular routine duties as required, with occasional battalion drills and military ceremonies, parades and escort duties, the latter being quite numerous. This company had no difficulty whatever in keeping its ranks full of enthusiastic members, who made the corps a truly crack organization.
The writer can give no better evidence or proof of the condition of the “City Guard” than that offered in the adjutant general’s report for the year 1861. In this report, speaking of the company, he says:
“This is one of the oldest and best drilled companies of the state, is well officered and equipped, and composed of men who take much pride in the military art—numbering eighty-eight men. Has had upon its roll this year one hundred and forty-three members; has furnished from its ranks during this year one brigadier general,[8] one surgeon, and one captain of volunteers in the United States service, and three general staff officers. Much praise is due the members of this company for the military enterprise at all times displayed, and authorities of the state can rely upon its efficiency for active service.”
[8] Lieutenant Colonel Charles Doane promoted brigadier general, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, C. S. M.
The “First Regiment of Infantry, California Militia,” was organized on May 28, 1861, with the previously named companies composing same. John S. Ellis was elected colonel, J. W. McKenzie as lieutenant colonel and Robert Pollock major. The companies taking the letters in accordance with the dates of their original organization, as follows: “California Guard, Company A,” “City Guard, Company B,” “National Guard, Company C,” “Black Hussars, Company D,” “California Fusileers, Company E,” “Light Guard, Company F,” “French Guard, Company G,” and “California Rifles, Company H.” Many changes have since taken place in the regimental organization, and now, July, 1894, of the original companies there remain but three, namely, “City Guard, Company B,” “National Guard, Company C,” and “Light Guard, Company F.”