Camp Low facts for kids

Camp Low, also known as San Juan Bautista Post, was a military camp set up in December 1864. It was located in San Juan Bautista. Soldiers called California Volunteers established the camp. They did this to protect the area from attacks by the Mason Henry Gang during the American Civil War. The camp was named after Frederick F. Low, who was the Governor of California at that time.

Why Was Camp Low Built?

In December 1864, a military leader named Major John C. Cremony led three groups of California Volunteers into San Juan Bautista. Two groups were infantry (soldiers who fight on foot), and one was cavalry (soldiers who fight on horseback).

They first camped in the town square. Soon after, they used the National Hotel in the square as their living quarters, or barracks.

More Soldiers Arrive

In February 1865, another group of soldiers arrived at Camp Low. This was Company B of the Native Cavalry, California Volunteers. They came from San Francisco and were led by Captain Porfirio Jimeno.

The Hunt for John Mason

On April 12, 1865, a soldier named Lieutenant John Lafferty and his cavalry group were far southwest of Camp Low. They found the outlaw John Mason near the Great Panoche Valley.

Mason tried hard to escape, even though Lafferty shot him in the hip. Mason also lost his horse. Lieutenant Lafferty returned to Camp Low the next day, April 13, with Mason's captured horse. Captain Jimeno immediately sent another group of soldiers to continue searching for Mason.

Why Camp Low Closed

The Mason Henry Gang was forced out of central California by May 1865. Because of this, Camp Low was no longer needed. The camp was closed in June 1865. The Native Cavalry soldiers left Camp Low to go to Arizona Territory.