1st California Infantry Battalion (Veteran) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 1st Battalion of Veteran Infantry |
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California flag
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| Active | November 1864 to September, 1866, December 31, 1866 |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | Union |
| Branch | Infantry |
The 1st Battalion of California Veteran Infantry was a special group of soldiers from California. They were volunteers who joined the Union Army during the American Civil War. This battalion was made up of foot soldiers, also known as infantry. They spent all their time serving in the western parts of the United States.
About the 1st California Veteran Infantry
This group of soldiers was formed in Franklin, Texas, between November and December of 1864. Major Joseph Smith was in charge. He used to be with the 5th Regiment California Volunteer Infantry.
The battalion was created by combining experienced soldiers from two different groups. Veterans from the 1st Regiment California Volunteer Infantry formed two new companies, called Company A and Company B. Soldiers from the 5th Regiment California Volunteer Infantry formed five more companies: C, D, E, F, and G.
On March 16, 1865, Company F was broken up. Its soldiers were moved to other companies. This happened because it was hard to find enough new recruits to keep all the companies at their full size. At the same time, Colonel Rigg, who was also from the 1st California Infantry, took command. He became a Lieutenant-Colonel and set up his main office at Fort Craig. The battalion finished its service in September 1866.
When the battalion was officially ended in September 1866, some officers and soldiers wanted to go back to California. They formed a special company led by Captain William F. French. They marched to the Presidio in San Francisco. They arrived there on December 28 and were officially released from service on December 31, 1866. Their records show they were "discharged at San Francisco" on that date.
Who Led the Battalion?
- Major Joseph Smith was the commander from November 1864 to March 16, 1865.
- Lieutenant Colonel Edwin A. Rigg took over from March 16, 1865, until September 20, 1866.
Where the Companies Were Stationed
Here's where the different parts of the battalion were located:
- Headquarters: This was the main office. It was in Franklin, Texas, from November 1864 to February 1866. The headquarters officially finished its service at Los Pinos, New Mexico, on September 20, 1866.
- Company A: This company finished its service at Fort Union, New Mexico, on September 9, 1866.
- Company B: This company was stationed at Fort Cummings from April 1865 to August 1866. It finished its service at Los Pinos, New Mexico, on September 15, 1866.
- Company C: This company finished its service at Santa Fe, New Mexico, on September 17, 1866.
- Company D: This company finished its service at Los Pinos, New Mexico, on September 15, 1866.
- Company E: This company finished its service at Los Pinos, New Mexico, on September 15, 1866.
- Company F: This company was formed in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on November 30, 1864. It was later broken up at Fort Cummings on March 16, 1865. Its soldiers were then moved to other companies.
- Company G: This company finished its service at Los Pinos, New Mexico, on September 15, 1866.
- In January 1866, six men from Company G were cutting wood about five miles away from their camp. They were suddenly attacked by Apache Native Americans. There were about forty or more Apache warriors. Four of the soldiers were killed, but two managed to escape. These two were Privates John H. Matthews and Nathaniel B. Goldsberry. Private Goldsberry was hurt with an arrow in his hip. Private Matthews showed great bravery by defending himself and helping to save Goldsberry's life, as Goldsberry was not able to defend himself well. One Apache warrior was killed, and it looked like others were wounded.
