List of California State Militia civil war units facts for kids

The following are California State Militia units that were active between 1861 and 1865 during the American Civil War.

Volunteer Companies of the California State Militia 1860–1866

Alameda County

• Alvarado Guard, Company F, 5th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, Alvarado, 1863–1866
• Brooklyn Guard, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. San Leandro, 1865–1866
• Hayward Guard, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. Hayward, 1864–1868
• Jackson Guard, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. Oakland, 1865–1866
• Oakland Home Guard, Oakland, (1861–1863)
  • Oakland Guard, Company C, 1st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. Oakland, (1863–1866)

Alpine County

• Markleville Guard, changed to Alpine Rifles, Unattached Company, 4th Brigade. Markleville, 1864–1866

Amador County

• Amador Hussars, Unattached Company, 4th Brigade. Jackson, 1861–1862
• Amador Mountaineers, Jackson 1861, became Company C, 1st Regiment California Volunteer Infantry
• Ione City Guard, Unattached Company, 4th Brigade. Ione 1863–1866
• Jackson Guard, Unattached Company, 4th Brigade. Jackson 1863-1866
• Sutter Creek Volunteers, Unattached Company, 4th Brigade. Sutter Creek 1861-1862
• Sutter Creek Guard, Unattached Company C, 4th Brigade. Sutter Creek, 1864–1866
• Volcano Blues, Company C, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade. Volcano 1861–1866
• Volcano Guard, Volcano, 1858–1861

Butte County

• Bangor Guard, Unattached Company, 5th Brigade. Bangor, 1864–1866
• Butte County Dragoons, Oroville 1861
• Butte Mounted Rifles, Oroville, 1861
  • Chico Light Infantry, Chico, 1863–1866
• California Volunteers, Oroville, 1861 became part of 1st Regiment California Volunteer Infantry
• Oroville Guard, Oroville, 1856–1857, 1861–1868

Calaveras County

• Angels Guard, Company H, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade. Angel's Camp, 1862–1868
• Mokelumne Hill Rifles, Unattached Company, 3rd Brigade. Mokelumne Hill, 1863–1866
• Union Guard, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade. Poverty Bar, 1861–1866
• Union Guard, Unattached Company, 3rd Brigade. Copperopolis, 1864–66

Contra Costa County

• Contra Costa Guard, Company G, 1st Cavalry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. San Pablo, 1863–1866

Del Norte County

• Crescent City Guard, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade, 6th Division. Crescent City, 1861-1864

El Dorado County

• Banks Guard, Company E, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. Smith's Flat, 1863–1866
• Coloma Greys, Coloma, 1857–1862, disbanded after most of its men joined the Second and Fourth Regiments of California Volunteers.
• El Dorado Mountaineers, Company G, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. El Dorado 1863-1866
• Georgetown Union Guard, Company A, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. Georgetown, 1863–1868
• National Guard, Company D, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. Placerville, 1863–1866
• Placerville City Guard, Company B, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. Placerville, 1863–1866
• Placerville Guard, 4th Brigade, 1st Division. Placerville, 1862

Fresno County

• None

Humboldt County

• Arcata Guard, Company B, 6th Brigade. Arcata, 1862-1867
• Eureka Rifles, Attached to 6th Brigade. Eureka, 1862–1864
• Humboldt Volunteers, Attached to 2nd Brigade. Hydesville, 1860
• Mounted Volunteers, Attached to 2nd Brigade. Humboldt County, 1861

Lake County

• None

Lassen County

• Honey Lake Rangers, Unattached Cavalry Company, 5th Brigade. Susanville, 1864–1866

Los Angeles County

• Los Angeles Greys, attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Division. Los Angeles, 1861
• Los Angeles Guard, Attached to 1st Brigade. Los Angeles, 1853-1881
• Los Angeles Mounted Rifles, Attached to 1st Brigade. Los Angeles, 1861
• Monte Mounted Rifles, El Monte, 1861

Marin County

• Lincoln Cavalry, Company M, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. Tomales, 1864–1866
• Washington Rifles, Tomales, 1864

Mariposa County

• Coulterville Rifles, Unattached Company, 3rd Brigade. Coulterville, 1864–1866

Mendocino County

• None

Merced County

• None

Mono County

• Esmerelda Rifles, Attached to 3rd Brigade. Aurora, 1862
• Hooker Light Infantry, Attached to 3rd Brigade. Aurora, 1863

Monterey County

• Conner Guard, Attached to First Brigade. Monterey, 1863–1866

Napa County

• Napa Guard, Unattached company, 2nd Brigade. Napa City & County, 1861–1868
• Napa Rangers, Company L, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. Napa City & County, 1864–1868
• Washington Light Artillery, Unattached Co., 2nd Brigade. Napa City & County, 1863–1866

Nevada County

• Company "H", Nevada City, 1861 It became Company G, 1st Regiment California Volunteer Infantry
• Eureka Rangers, Unattached Company, of the Fourth Brigade. Moores Flat, 1863–1866
• Grass Valley Union Guard, Company A, 5th Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. Grass Valley, 1863–1865
  • Howell Zouaves, Company E, 5th Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. Grass Valley, 1865–1872
• Little York Union Guard, Company C, 5th Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. You Bet, 1863–1867
• Nevada Light Guard, Unattached Company, 4th Brigade. Nevada City, 1863–1878
• Nevada Rifles, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade, 4th Division. Nevada City, 1858–1863
• San Juan Guard or Bridgeport Union Guard, Unattached Company, 4th Brigade. North San Juan, 1863–1866

Placer County

• Auburn Greys, Company A, 1st Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. Auburn, 1861–1868
• Forest Hill Guard, Company B, 1st Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. Forest Hill, 1861–1866
• Lincoln & Virginia Union Guard, Company D, 1st Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. Lincoln, 1863–1866
• Mountain Volunteers, Forest Hill, 1861, disbanded, when many company members joined the Volunteer Infantry for active duty.
• Pacific Guard, Company C, 1st Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. Dutch Flat, 1861–1868
• Pilot Hill Rangers, Company F, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. Pilot Hill, 1864–1866
• Placer Cadets, Company F, 1st Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. Iowa Hill, 1865–1866
• Placer County Mountaineers, Forest Hill, 1861, disbanded, when many of the company's members joined the Volunteer Infantry for active duty.
• Placer Guard, Iowa Hill, 1861–1862
• Shields Guard, Company C, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. Forest Hill, 1861
• Union Corps, Company D, 1st Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. Michigan Bluff, 1862–1863
• Yankee Jims Rifles, Company E, 1st Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. Yankee Jim's, 1863–1867

Plumas County

• Indian Valley Rifles, Taylorville 1863 Never an effective unit.
• Union Guard, Quincy 1863-1864 Never an effective unit.

Sacramento County

• Baker Guard, Company H, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade. Sacramento, 1863–1866
• Emmet Guard, Company E, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade. Sacramento, 1864-1872
• Granite Guard, Unattached Company, 4th Brigade. Folsom 1861–1863
• Independent City Guard, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade. Sacramento, 1856–1880
• National Guard, Company D, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade. Sacramento, 1862–1867
• Sacramento Hussars, Unattached Company, 4th Brigade. Sacramento, 1863–1874
• Sacramento Light Artillery, Sacramento, 1864–1880
• Sacramento Sharp Shooters, Company F, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade. Sacramento, 1863–1866
• Turner Rifles, Company E, 4th Regiment of Infantry, 4th Brigade. Sacramento, 1863–1864
• Walnut Grove Union Guard, Unattached Company, 4th Brigade. Walnut Grove 1863-1866
• Washington Rifles, Sacramento City & County, 1861 It became Company E, 1st Regiment California Volunteer Infantry

San Bernardino County

• San Bernardino Rangers, Attached to 1st Brigade. San Bernardino, 1861–1862

San Diego County

• San Diego Guard, Attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Division. San Diego, 1856-1863

San Francisco County

• Black Hussars then "San Francisco Hussars", San Francisco City & County, 1859–1862
  • San Francisco Hussars, Company B, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1862–1891 Formerly the Black Hussars.
• Carbineers, Company G, First Infantry Regiment, Second Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1859–1862
• California Grenadiers, Company D, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1864–1866
• California Musketeers, Company H, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1864–1866
• California Rifles, 1863 ?
• California Rifles (French Guard), Company H, First Infantry Regiment, Second Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1860-1862
• California Tigers, Company D, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & Co., 1865–1869
• Columbian Guard, Company D, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1863–1869
• Ellis Guard, Company C, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1863–1866
• Ellsworth Guard Zouaves, Company B, 1st Regiment Artillery, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1862–1866
• Ellsworth Rifles, Company K, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1861–1872
• Ellsworth Zouaves Cadettes, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1864–1866
• Emmett Life Guard, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1862–1866
• Eureka Guard, Company I, 1st Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1865–1869
• Federal Guard, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1865–1866
• First California Guard, Company A, Light Battery, 1st Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1849–1875
• First Light Dragoons, Company A, 1st Cavalry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1852–1880
• Franklin Light Guard, Company E, 1st Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1861–1873
• Germania Guard, Company G, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1864–1866
• Governors Guard, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1865–1866
• Grant Guard, Company B, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1864–1867
• Hibernia Greens, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1865–1866
• Hugh O'Neil Guard, Company K, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1863–1866
• Independent National Guard, Company C, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1859–1880
• Jackson Dragoons, Company C, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1863–1881
• Liberty Guard, Company F, 1st Regiment Artillery, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1864–1866
• Lincoln Guard, Company A, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1864–1855
• Wolfe Tone Guard, San Francisco City & County, 1862
• Marion Rifles, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1852–1861
• Meagher Guard (Irish Invincible), Company E, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1862–1866
• Mechanics Rifles, Company F, 2nd Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1864–1866
• Mission Guard, Unattached Company, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. Mission Dolores, 1864–1866
• Montgomery Guard, Company B, 1st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1859–1880
• McClelland Guard to Dec. 1865, thereafter "Excelsior Guard", Company B, 1st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1862–1866
• McMahon Guard, Company B, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1859-1879
• San Francisco Cadets, Company K, 1st Regiment Artillery, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1863-1884
• San Francisco Light Guard, Company F, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1858–1880
• San Francisco Tiralleurs, Company F, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1864–1880
• San Francisco Jaegers, Company K, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1864–1866
• Seward Guard, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1865–1866
• Sheridan Guard, Company C, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1864–1866
• Shields Guard, Company C, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1862–1869
• Sigel Rifles, Company B, 6th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1861–1866
• State Guard, Company A, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1863–1869
• Tittel Zouaves, Company I, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1864–1866
• Union Guard (Gatling Battery), Company A, 1st Regiment Artillery, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1861–1881
• Washington Continental Guard, Company D, 1st Infantry, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1855–1862
  • Washington Light Infantry, Company D, 1st Infantry, 2nd Brigade. San Francisco City & County, 1862–1878 Formerly Washington Continental Guard.

San Joaquin County

• Castoria Guard, Unattached Company, 3rd Brigade. French Camp, 1864–1866
• Linden Light Dragoons, Unattached Company, 3rd Brigade. Linden, 1863–1864
• Mokelumne Light Dragoons, Unattached Company, 3rd Brigade. Lockeford, 1863–1867
• San Joaquin Mounted Rifles, Unattached Company, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division. Knight's Ferry, 1858–1862
• Stockton Blues, Stockton, 1859–1861
• Stockton City Guard, Unattached Company, 3rd Brigade. Stockton, 1864–1866
• Stockton Light Artillery, Unattached Company, 3rd Brigade. Stockton, 1864–1868
• Stockton Light Dragoons, Unattached Company, 3rd Brigade. Stockton, 1862–1866
• Stockton Union Guard, Unattached Company, 3rd Brigade. Stockton, 1861–1866

San Luis Obispo County

• none

San Mateo County

• Jefferson Cavalry, Company H, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. Redwood City, 1864–1866

Santa Barbara County

• none

Santa Clara County

• Alviso Rifles (Guards), Company C, 5th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. Alviso Mills, 1863–1866
• Burnett Light Guard, Company I, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Jose, 1864–1866
• Gilroy Guard, Company E, 5th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. Gilroy, 1863–1866
• Johnson Guard, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. San Jose, 1865–1866
• National Guard, San Jose, 1857–1861, disbanded when many of its members joined the regular army.
• National Light Artillery, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. San Jose, 1863
• New Almaden Cavalry, Company K, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. New Almaden, 1864–1866
• San Jose Volunteers, San Jose, 1861 Became Company D, 1st Regiment California Volunteer Infantry
• Redwood Cavalry, Company E, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. McCarthysville, 1863–1866
• San Jose Zouaves, Company H, 1st Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Jose, 1862–1866
• Santa Clara Light Infantry, Company F, 1st Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade. Santa Clara, 1861–1864 Renamed Santa Clara Guard in 1864.
  • Santa Clara Guard, Company H, 5th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. Santa Clara, 1864–1866
• Santa Clara Zouaves, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. Santa Clara, 1863–1865
• Union Guard, Company A, 5th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. San Jose, 1861–1866

Santa Cruz County

• Butler Guard, Company G, 5th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. Santa Cruz, 1863–1866
• Santa Cruz Cavalry, Company F, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. Santa Cruz, 1863–1866
• Santa Cruz Volunteers, Company H, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. Santa Cruz, 1861
• Watsonville Guard, Company D, 5th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. Watsonville, 1863–1868

Shasta County

• Lyon Light Infantry, Company C, 5th Brigade. Shasta, 1863–1868
• Trueman Head Rifles, Company F, 5th Brigade. French Gulch, 1863–1866

Sierra County

• Allegheny Guard, 3rd Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. Allegheny, 1863–1866
• Forest Rifles, Company C, 3rd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. Forest City 1854–1866
• Gibsonville Blues, Company E, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Second Brigade. Gibsonville, 1858–1862, disbanded after most of its members joined California Volunteer Regiments as individuals.
• La Porte Guard, Unattached Company later Company C, 4th Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. La Porte 1863–1866
• Minnesota Guard, Company C, 4th Brigade. Minnesota City, 1863–1866
• Mountain Rangers, Unattached Company, 4th Brigade. Sierraville, 1864–1866
• National Guard, Company E, 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade. Downieville, 1857–1866
• Sierra Greys, La Porte, 1858–1861 Became Company F, First Regiment of Infantry, California Volunteers
• Table Rock Union Guard, Company G, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade. Howland Flat, 1864–1866
• Union Guard, Unattached Company, 4th Brigade. Eureka 1864–1866

Siskiyou County

• Scott Valley Guard, Unattached Company, 5th Brigade. Scott Valley, 1863, disbanded the same year.
• Siskiyou Light Guard, Company D, 5th Brigade. Yreka, 1863–1866

Solono County

• Benicia Guard (Starsfield Guard from late 1862), Company G, 2nd Brigade. Benicia, 1862–1866
• Lincoln Artillery, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. Vallejo, 1864–1866
• Maine Prairie Rifles, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. Maine Prairie, 1863–1866
• McClellan Guard, Company I, 1st Artillery, 2nd Brigade. Vallejo, 1863–1864 Identified as a Copperhead Company its officers were mustered out of service.
• Suisun Cavalry, Company D, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. Suisun City, 1863–1866
• Vallejo Rifles, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade, Vallejo, 1861–1866

Sonoma County

• Bloomfield Guard, Company C, 1st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. Bloomfield, 1862–1866
• Emmet Guard (Emmet Rifles after early 1862), Company F, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade. Petaluma, 1861–1866
• Petaluma City Guard, Company E, 1st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. Petaluma 1864–1866
• Petaluma Guard, Company D, 1st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. Petaluma, 1856–1866
• Russian River Rifles, Company B, 1st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. Healdsburg, 1862–1866
• Sotoyame Guard, Healdsburg, 1858–1861, disbanded in 1861 after a rapid decline in membership, in this pro Southern area.
• Washington Guard, Company A, 1st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade. Santa Rosa, 1862–1866

Sutter County

• Butte Mountain Rangers, Company D, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade. South Butte Mountains, 1863–1866
• Company "A", Yuba City, 1861 Organized but disbanded due to lack of available arms.

Stanislaus County

• Franklin Guard, Company F, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade. Knight's Ferry, 1862–1866
• Stanislaus Guard, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division. Knight's Ferry, 1860–1862, disbanded in 1862.

Tehama County

• Lassen Rangers, Unattached Company, 5th Brigade. Red Bluff, 1863–1866

Tuolumne County

• Grant Guard, Company G, 1st Infantry Battalion, 3rd Brigade. Shaw's Flat, 1863–1866
• Jamestown Guard, Company D, 1st Infantry Battalion, 3rd Brigade. Jamestown, 1862–1866
• Sigels Guard, Company B, 1st Infantry Battalion, 3rd Brigade. Sonora, 1862–1866
• Tuolumne Guard, Company E, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade. Montezuma, 1862–1866
• Tuolumne Home Guard, Company A, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade. Columbia, 1861–1866
• Tuolumne Home Guard, Company C, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade. Chinese Camp, 1862–1866

Trinity County

• Douglas City Rifles, Unattached Company, 5th Brigade. Douglas City, 1861–1866
• Halleck Rifles, Unattached Company, 5th Brigade. Weaverville, 1862–1866
• Union Guard, Unattached Company, 2nd Brigade. Weaverville, 1861–1862

Tulare County

• Tulare Home Guard, Unattached Company, 3rd Brigade. Visalia, 1863–1866

Yolo County

• Washington Guard, Company G, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade. Washington 1863-1866
• Woodland Guard, Company K, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade. Woodland, 1863–1866
• Yolo Union Cavalry, Unattached Company, 4th Brigade. Woodland, 1863–1866

Yuba County

• California Zouaves, 1st Brigade, 5th Division. Marysville 1861–1862
• Downey Guard, Unattached Company, 1st Brigade, 5th Division. Timbuctoo 1860–1861
• Hooker Guard, Company B, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade. Oregon House, 1863–1866
• Marysville Rifles, Company B, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade. Marysville, 1859–1866
• Saragossa Light Guard, Company H, 7th Infantry, 4th Brigade. Marysville, 1865–1866
• Union Guard, Company A, 7th Infantry Regiment, Fourth Brigade. Marysville, 1863–1866
• Yuba Light Infantry, Unattached Company, 4th Brigade. Camptonville 1863–1866

Sources

• The California State Military Museum, California Militia and National Guard Unit Histories, Index to Militia Units of the State of California 1850–1881
• Inventory of the Military Department. Militia Companies Records, 1849–1880