Moses A. McLaughlin facts for kids

Moses A. McLaughlin (1834–1899) was an important figure in California's history. Born in Ireland, he became an officer in the California Militia and later served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was also a farmer and, later in life, a doctor.

As a Captain in the 2nd Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry, McLaughlin played a key role in the 1863 Keyesville Incident. He also led a campaign that resulted in the Owens Valley Paiute people agreeing to terms in the Owens Valley Indian War. This led to their relocation to Fort Tejon.

Early Life and Militia Service

Moses A. McLaughlin was born in County Antrim, Ireland in 1834. Not much is known about his early years. He moved to the United States and was living in Oroville, California by late 1856.

On December 22, 1856, he helped create the Oroville Guard. This was a local militia group based in Oroville, Butte County, California. McLaughlin was chosen as Captain. However, a big fire on July 5, 1857, destroyed their armory and stopped their activities. They didn't become active again until the Civil War began.

Joining the Civil War Effort

When the American Civil War started, McLaughlin joined the 2nd Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry. He became a Captain on September 10, 1861. His company, Company D, was soon sent to Southern California. Their job was to help build up troops there. This protected and occupied the area for the Union.

McLaughlin might have had military experience before the war. One of his commanders, Lt. Col. Richard C. Drum, praised him. He said McLaughlin was "one of the best instructed" cavalry officers from California. He also noted McLaughlin was "prompt and active" in his duties.

McLaughlin was later sent to Fort Yuma. He faced a review about his conduct involving a private soldier. Still, he remained in command of his company. He continued serving with Lt. Col. George Spafford Evens at Camp Independence. This was in the Owens Valley after the first part of the Owens Valley Indian War.

Controlling Unrest in Visalia

In October 1862, General George Wright ordered McLaughlin to move his company. They went from Owens Valley to Visalia. Visalia was a place with strong support for the Southern states (secessionists). McLaughlin's job was to help control any unrest there. He took command of Camp Babbitt.

On December 12, three men from Visalia cheered for Jeff Davis, a Confederate leader. This happened during a military parade. McLaughlin ordered their immediate arrest. On December 24, 1862, he asked for more soldiers. Tensions were rising between Union supporters and secessionists.

On December 31, McLaughlin ordered the arrest of the owners of the "Expositor." This was a local newspaper that supported the secessionists. Later that day, he was told to release all political prisoners. They had to promise loyalty to the Union. The newspaper owners eventually took the oath. But they kept publishing their paper, which opposed the war.

McLaughlin's Owens Valley Campaign

In early March 1863, the Owens Valley Indian War started again. Captain Ropes, the commander at Camp Independence, asked Camp Babbitt for help. Camp Babbitt quickly sent First Lieutenant S. R. Davis with 44 men to help. Several small fights happened that month, but they didn't change the war much.

On April 12, 1863, Captain McLaughlin was ordered to reinforce Camp Independence. He took 24 men from Company D and 18 men from Company E. They also brought a large cannon and supplies.

The Keyesville Incident

When Captain McLaughlin arrived in Keyesville, he spoke with local settlers. They told him about a large group of Native Americans camped near the North Fork Kern River. The settlers believed these groups were involved in the ongoing conflict.

McLaughlin then met with three local Native American leaders who were considered friendly. One leader, Jose Chico, told McLaughlin that some of his own people had joined the conflict. He also said that many unknown Native Americans were in the camps. McLaughlin kept Jose Chico with him as a guide. He sent the other two leaders away. He also asked some citizens to come along to identify any friendly Native Americans.

At 2 a.m. on April 19, Captain McLaughlin, Lieutenant Daley, and twenty men left camp. With Jose Chico as their guide, they marched 10 miles from Keyesville. At dawn, they surrounded the Native American camp by the Kern River. McLaughlin gathered the men. He allowed Jose Chico and the citizens to identify anyone they knew to be friendly. Boys and older men were sent back to their camps. The remaining 35 individuals, who could not be identified as friendly, were killed.

Ending the Owens Valley War

On April 24, 1863, Captain McLaughlin arrived at Camp Independence. He became the new Camp Commander. From then on, McLaughlin used new strategies in the Owens Valley.

Instead of chasing the enemy into mountain canyons, he sent his soldiers high up the mountains at night. At dawn, they would sweep down towards the valley. This pushed any enemy into the open valley, where other soldiers waited. His troops also constantly looked for and destroyed Native American food supplies. Scouting parties searched for smaller groups hiding in the swamps along the river. Almost every day, some groups were found and killed, and their useful items destroyed. McLaughlin also told his troops to try and capture prisoners, both women and men. He believed they would share important information and could be used as guides.

The Owens Valley Native Americans had not learned how to care for their firearms. Many guns became rusty or dirty and stopped working. Some gun barrels had even exploded.

On May 14, 1863, Captain Noble's men captured several Native Americans hiding near the Owens River. These prisoners were treated well and given food and clothing. Through an interpreter, they learned that Captain McLaughlin wanted to make peace. They agreed to lead the troops to where they thought a large group led by Joaquin Jim was camped. McLaughlin gave passes and white flags to these Native Americans. He allowed them fifteen days to find Captain George and other groups and bring them to camp.

With this information, McLaughlin raided Joaquin Jim's Camp from May 15–19, 1863. However, Joaquin Jim and his group escaped. On May 19, 1863, McLaughlin returned to Captain Noble's camp. He ordered a stop to fighting until further notice and sent out more Native American messengers. McLaughlin sent 90 soldiers and 26 Paiute, including Captain George, to track Joaquin Jim. They followed him through Round Valley and into the Sierras, but lost him in late June 1863.

Meanwhile, on May 22, 1863, Captain George came to Camp Independence to discuss peace. He said he no longer wanted war. After his surrender, more than four hundred Native Americans came to lay down their weapons. The groups led by Captain Dick and Tinemaha soon followed Captain George's example. By June, there were 500 Native Americans at the camp, and almost 1000 by July.

Journey to the Sebastian Indian Reservation

McLaughlin was ordered to lead the surrendered Owens Valley people to the Sebastian Reservation. This reservation was located near Fort Tejon.

Command at Fort Tejon and Dismissal

Captain McLaughlin prepared to move his forces from Camp Independence to Fort Tejon. He was also ordered to set up a summer camp on the South Fork of Kern River. This camp would protect white settlers in the area. This camp, later called Camp Leonard, also tried to stop Owens Valley people from returning from the reservation. However, it was not very successful.

On August 6, 1863, McLaughlin left Fort Independence with his companies. They marched 250 miles to Fort Tejon, arriving on August 17.

Captain McLaughlin remained in command at Fort Tejon until December 17, 1863. He was then called to Camp Babbitt. On January 21, 1864, Captain Moses A. McLaughlin faced a military court. He was dismissed from service on January 22, 1864, due to serious charges related to his duties. Despite the conviction, the court members recognized his good reputation. They believed his actions were due to a misunderstanding of his responsibilities. They recommended a favorable review of his case.

Later Life

The negative mark from his dismissal was later removed by order of the President of the United States.

In 1869, land McLaughlin owned in San Francisco was targeted by a land title scam, which was stopped. McLaughlin lived for a time as a farmer in Sonoma County. His first son, Alfred, was born there in 1871.

McLaughlin divorced his first wife, Mary E. McLaughlin, in 1874. He later married Margaret McLaughlin. At his death in 1899, he had two sons and two daughters. His son Alfred, born in 1871, also became a doctor. Four years after his divorce, McLaughlin became a doctor himself. He studied at the University of California School of Medicine in San Francisco and graduated in 1878. He practiced as an Allopath.

He became involved in local politics and veteran affairs. In 1884, M. A. McLaughlin put his name forward to be a Supervisor for the Eleventh Ward of San Francisco. He was also a member of the Press Committee for the Department of California, Grand Army of the Republic in 1886.

McLaughlin died on November 11, 1899, at his home in San Francisco. He was buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery. His remains, along with 40,000 others, were later moved. They were reburied at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo County.