District of California facts for kids
The District of California was like a special military area set up by the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was part of a bigger command called the Department of the Pacific. The person in charge of the Department of the Pacific was also usually the commander of the District of California.
This district was officially created on July 1, 1864. It covered the state of California and parts of southern Oregon, specifically around the Rogue River and Umpqua River. The main office for the District of California was in San Francisco, which was also where the Department of the Pacific had its headquarters. Later, on March 14, 1865, the District of Oregon grew to include all of Oregon, so the Rogue River and Umpqua River areas were no longer part of the District of California.
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Leaders of the District of California
Here are some of the important generals who led the District of California:
- Albert Sidney Johnston, from January to March 1861
- Edwin Vose Sumner, from March to October 1861
- George Wright, from October 1861 to June 27, 1865
After the war, on July 27, 1865, a new, even bigger command was formed called the Military Division of the Pacific. This new division took the place of the Department of the Pacific. It included two main parts: the Department of the Columbia (which replaced the District of Oregon) and the new Department of California. General George Wright, who had been leading the District of California, then went on to command the Department of the Columbia.
Military Posts in Oregon (1861-1865)
While it was part of the District of California, these were some of the military posts in Oregon:
- Fort Umpqua, active from 1856 to 1862
- Camp Baker, active from 1862 to 1865
- Fort Klamath, active from 1863 to 1865
Military Posts in California
The District of California had many military posts across the state. These posts were important for keeping order, protecting settlers, and supporting Union efforts during the Civil War. Some of these posts included:
- Benicia Arsenal, a place where weapons and supplies were stored.
- Post of Alcatraz Island or Fort Alcatraz, a famous island fort in San Francisco Bay.
- Fort Point, another important fort in San Francisco.
- Fort Crook
- Camp Cady, located east of Barstow.
- Camp Halleck, near Stockton.
- Camp Fitzgerald, in Los Angeles.
- Fort on Pine Creek, near Independence.
- Camp Union, near Sutterville.
- Camp Alert, in San Francisco.
- Camp Reynolds on Angel Island, located on Angel Island.
- Camp Bidwell, near Chico.
- Fort Miller.
- Camp Bidwell (later Fort Bidwell).
Key Events and Changes
Here are some important dates and events that happened in the District of California:
- January 15, 1861: The Departments of California and Oregon joined together to form the Department of the Pacific.
- March 23, 1861: Brigadier General Edwin V. Sumner was put in charge of the Department of the Pacific.
- April 25, 1861: General Sumner officially took command, replacing Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston.
- September 14, 1861: Colonel George Wright was assigned to lead all troops in Southern California.
- September 25, 1861: The District of Southern California was created. It included several counties like San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Colonel George Wright was put in command of this new district.
- October 20, 1861: General Sumner handed over command of the Department of the Pacific to Colonel George Wright.
- November 19, 1861: General George Wright was officially assigned to lead the Department of the Pacific.
- December 12, 1861: The Humboldt Military District was created to deal with the Bald Hills War in Northern California.
- July 1, 1864: Major General Irvin McDowell took over command of the Department of the Pacific, but General George Wright stayed in charge of the District of California.
- June 27, 1865: The Military Division of the Pacific was formed. It included the Department of California (covering California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona) and the Department of the Columbia. Major General Irvin McDowell was assigned to lead the Department of California.
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