History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 40

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1660

USA > California > San Joaquin County > History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 40

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Today we are a city of over 60,000 people but in 1862, then we were less than 6000, and yet no celebration in its procession has ever been larger, nor will the people ever again be as enthusiastic as on July 4th of that year. Now in harmony and peace we sing, "The union of hearts, the union of hands, The union of States none can sever. And the flag of our Union forever." Then the song was a dream, not a reality. Hence it was necessary that all Union men should show their principles and their colors. None, however, showed their love for the Union at so much risk of life as he who, in the silent hours, climbed the court house dome and covered it with flags. The next morning the rising sun beheld a city of flags. Noticeable among the banners were the string of flags across Weber Avenue from Dr. Grattan's building to the South Metho- dist Church, where the previous year a fight took place because the bell was rung. At sun- rise a salute was fired by a detachment of artil- lery from Benicia. The procession, consisting of the Fire Department, the Guards, the Turn- verein and many citizens in carriages, was in- creased by the Third Regiment, California Volunteers. Colonel Conner was in command of 800 men, and there were fifty-four camp wagons, each drawn by six mules, two pieces of artillery, with caissons, and two mules each carrying strapped upon his back a moun- tain howitzer. As the regiment band moved up Main Street the soldiers took up the re- frain. "John Brown's body lies a-moldering

in the grave," and as each company marched past a given point they were singing that song. Agricultural Hall, where the exercises were held, was crowded to suffocation. The two bands discoursed patriotic airs, and Thomas Starr King delivered the oration. The regiment was tendered a dinner in the Wash- ington gardens by the ladies, the regimental officers being the guests of the Guards at the Jenny Lind restaurant. There were no fire- works, but Starr King delivered a lecture in the Presbyterian Church in the evening on "The Confederacy, Old and New." In Agri- cultural Hall a patriotic entertainment was given by the women of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church, some fifty children taking part under the direction of A. N. Blake. That" night about 12 o'clock a beautiful scene took place upon the channel. The steamer Helen Hensley moved to a position near Weber Point, and suddenly she was in a blaze of light from the rockets, blue lights and Roman candles fired from her deck. Thus ended the Fourth of July, 1862, the most enthusiastic in Stockton's history.

Although tens of thousands of patriots vol- unteered to fight in defense of their country, the terrible slaughter of troops, in the battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Corinth, Vicksburg and Gettysburg greatly depleted the Union ranks, and Congress was compelled to pass a con- scription or draft law. California was not exempt from the provisions of the law, and when the news was received it created consid- erable alarm among some weak-hearted men and some good wives. There was no inten- tion on the part of the Government to draft any men from California, considering the con- dition of affairs here, yet the authorities wanted to know the fighting force of the state, and the county assessors were instructed to prepare war lists of all the able-bodied men in their respective counties between eighteen and sixty years of age. In San Joaquin the list was prepared by Joseph M. Long, for twenty years under-sheriff, and the county was divided into three districts. It was found that the county had 3430 men subject to military duty, 900 of them being in Stockton, and 1522 in the second district, this including Liberty and Woodbridge. The draft was enforced in the East September 6, 1863. In California the Federal officers were simply instructed to have all things ready for its enforcment.

The men in the Civil War numbered over a million. The money expended amounted to over a billion dollars. So the call was for more money than men and California res- ponded bountifully with her gold and silver. Her gold mines alone were then yielding over $30,000,000 a year, and it has been said that without her gold the war could not have been

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so successfully waged. The first to pour ducats into the war fund was the Union Guard, which cleared $109 from a Thanksgiving ball, November 27, 1862. The news September 1, 1863, that 30,000 Confederates had surrend- ered seems to have loosened the purse-strings of the Union men, and mass-meetings were held to aid the soldiers. The president of the first meeting was B. W. Owens, a grocer, and he was introduced as a native of South Caro- lina. George W. Tyler, in a speech in which he declared the object of the assembly, said : "Let us show the world that Stockton is Union not only in name but reality. This rebellion must be crushed." At the meeting the asylum employees handed in $533, Andrew Wolf, $100; Simpson & Gray, $100; L. U Ship- pee, $50, and so on. Some pledged themselves to give monthly a certain amount until the close of the war. Collectors were sent out in both city and county, and in Elkhorn town- ship John Perrot, A. L. Levinsky (father of the well known attorney) and Dr. H. Bently gathered in $242. P. G. Sharp, of French Camp, making a personal canvass, collected $422, and then added $50 to it. Other money came in rapidly, and within a month $5,503 in gold coin had been collected, together with $656 in greenbacks. The money was sent to Henry W. Bellows, New York, by Wells Far- go & Company's express.

The Sanitary Commission Fair

The Fourth of July, 1863, was a thanksgiv- ing day for the benefit of the sanitary fund, and the citizens and patriotic ladies had made every preparation for the event. The usual procession was seen and the exercises were held in Sanitary grove, a group of small oak trees near the corner of Park and Sutter Streets. The grove was enclosed and as a starter to make every cent in sight for the fund every person was obliged to pay $1 for admission. Even the orator of the day, Joseph M. Cavis, and Grand Marshall George H. San- derson had to put up. In the grove hundreds of articles were for sale, having been given by patriotic people for the benefit of the fund. It was worse than a Donnybrook fair, for the list included cows, calves, pigs and sheep. One of the articles to be sold was a cake sent from Sacramento, it already having realized $400 in that city. Another cake was presented by the employees and the officers of the steamer Cor- nelia. It was of immense size and was sur- mounted with a model in silver of the beauti- ful steamer. Within the cake were three gold rings, and the cake, cut in slices, sold for twenty-five cents a slice. General Connor, by telegraph through P. L. Shoaff, presented two lots on the corner of Weber Avenue and American Street, and Mrs. F. A. M. Baldwin

presented a Wheeler & Wilson sewing ma- chine, valued at $130, it being inclosed in a black walnut case, inlaid with pearl. One pat- riotic citizen, H. P. Robbins, who had nothing else to give, made a beer keg, thinking that perchance it might sell for five dollars. It was sold again and again and realized $137.50. Mrs. E. F. Hutchinson, now Mrs. Fred West, sent in a beautiful quilt made of silk, the ma- terial alone costing over $100. Interwoven were the flags of all nations-in the center the Stars and Stripes. Mrs. West purposed hav- ing the quilt sold and resold until $1,000 had been realized for each of the funds-the Sani- tary, Christian and Freedmen's fund-and then it was to be sent to President Lincoln as a present from the loyal people of California. Before the quilt reached Washington, Lincoln was dead. In the selling of the various ar- ticles, H. S. Sargent, father of Dr. Sargent, was the auctioneer, and a person scarcely dared to wink, as it would be taken as a bid. From the sale of articles, a lecture and the entire proceeds of a ball given that night by the Union Guard $9,903 was the result. Many citizens and over 100 patriotic ladies worked hard to make the fair a success. Among the number were Ada Parker, Maggie McClellan, Nellie Meader, Addie Fisher, Maria Debnam, Maggie Clayes, Barbara Cadien, Tillie Brown, Mrs. H. Hewlett, Mrs. E. S. Holden, Mrs. Sidney Newell and Belle Tilden.

The Stockton Dragoons

The Stockton Dragoons, organized June 17, 1862, were famous more for the amusement they caused the bystanders than for proficien- cy in drill. Many of the members had never before ridden horseback, and to see them drill- ing their horses upon the trot or gallop and their swords dangling at their sides, was very funny. The leaders in the movement were Oscar M. Brown and R. S. Johnson. Johnson had been a member of the Guards, but he pre- ferred riding to walking, and started out to form a cavalry company, and obtained forty- one signatures. The signers, assembling in the Eureka engine-house, were enrolled by John C. Byers, who was appointed as the en- rolling officer by Judge Tyler. The following officers were elected: captain, O. M. Brown; first lieutenant, Phillip L. Shoaff ; orderly ser- geant, R. C. Johnson; second sergeant, I. V. Leffler; third .sergeant, F. W. West; fourth sergeant, H. F. Horn; fifth sergeant, Edward Pennington ; surgeon, Dr. Christopher Grat- tan; farrier, John Schreck. Their first appear- ance was July 12th, they on that occasion acting as escort to the Third Regiment of California volunteers on their way to Salt Lake. Again in October they acted as escort to Company A, Captain Ketcham, bound for

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Humboldt County. The Dragoons were then in full uniform, and rode in saddles designed by Thomas Cunningham. They were without a flag until October 8, at which time they were presented with a beautiful silk banner by the Stockton ladies. Mrs. Caroline E. Dunbar pre- sented the flag, Captain O. M. Brown respond- ing in a neat speech. He resigned in Feb- ruary, 1863, and so did, R. S. Johnson, the former being commissioned as colonel of a regiment of cavalry, the latter as captain of Company K in the same regiment. Captain Johnson immediately opened a recruiting office and called for 100 volunteers. Captain John- son served through the war, doing good work in Arizona among the Apaches. Captain T. K. Hook was Brown's successor, and, being displeased with the military law signed by Governor Haight, July 13, 1866, the Dragoons disbanded.

One of the most imposing impromptu cele- brations of the Civil War was that of July 11, 1863, in honor of the victories of General U. S. Grant at Vicksburg, July 4th, and that of General Meade at Gettysburg a few days later. "The firing of cannon, the illumination of the public streets and the public buildings and many private residences, the waving of flags in every part of the city, and the music of the band combined to make it a scene unparalleled in brilliancy and seldom ever equalled in the enthusiasm it created." A procession was formed in front of Agricultural Hall compris- ing the Stockton Light Dragoons and citizens and led by the band of thirteen pieces, and citizens whooped and yelled. Every man car- ried an oil-burning torch and many carried transparencies. The procession after march- ing through the streets halted in front of the Weber House where a speakers' stand had been erected. The streets and balconies were literally packed as the meeting was called to order, and Charles H. Chamberlain selected as president and B. W. Owens, Charles T. Meader, Austin Sperry, Charles Grunsky, Wil- liam Kierski, and Dr. Asa Clark, vice-presi- dents. The speakers were Rev. Charles R. Hendrickson of the Baptist Church, Thomas B. Shannon and Cornelius Cole, the latter still living and now past 100 years of age. The glee club was on hand and amid cheers sung the "Red, White and Blue," "John Brown" and the "Star Spangled Banner." From the stand a dispatch was read stating that the steamer Cornelia would arrive at 1 o'clock, decorated in honor of the great victories, and with fireworks. Soon after midnight the meeting adjourned and many hundreds then marched to the wharf, singing "John Brown" and "Marching Through Georgia," preceded by the band, there to await the steamer's ar- rival. Occasionally the band played a patriot-

ic air, as the tired crowd anxiously gazed down the river for the approaching steamer. At last from the throng there came a shout, as a streak of fire was seen to shoot from earth to sky. This was answered from the wharf with rocket and shell, and the old gun on the bridge. These signals were given and repeated at in- tervals of perhaps ten minutes, until the steamer's arrival at Rough and Ready. As she came up the channel, excepting the danger signals only, not a light was seen, and soon the dark shadows of the steamer's outline came in sight. In the still, quiet night, the crowd almost held their breath in excited an- ticipation, and upon the water, smooth as a mill pond, the paddle-wheels were distinctly heard as they struck the water. Opposite Ban- ner Island the bell was heard to strike, the wheels stopped, and as if by magic touch all around us was as bright as day. The steamer was in a blaze of light from bow to stern. Rockets went whizzing into air; the stars from the Roman candles fell like rain upon deck and water ; the blue, red, white and green lights filled the air with smoke, and a deck hand dressed in navy costume, standing upon the pilot-house of the steamer, grasping in his right hand our country's flag, the living, breathing, central figure which completed the tableau, the most beautiful of any ever seen in California. Upon the wharf the excitement was intense. Rockets were fast sent into the air, the band played loud and strong, the can- non was rapidly fired, and the people shouted until they could shout no more. The display has never been reproduced and many were the congratulations of citizens to Captain Conk- ling and his officers for their patriotic work.

Stockton's Light Artillery Company

The largest and most expensive military company was the Stockton Light Artillery. It numbered about 120 of Stockton's best men, and when on parade they attracted much ad- miration. Their parades were few and far be- tween because of the heavy expense, for it took thirty-two horses to draw the eight six- pound cannon and caissons, and each time the company has to pay for horse hire. The com- pany was organized through the efforts of M. G. Cobb, a lawyer, who had formely been in command of the Boston Light Artil- lery: The company was enrolled September 10, 1864, with Moses G. Cobb, as captain; S. W. Sperry, first lieutenant; E. B. Bateman, second lieutenant; H. S. Sargent, third lieu- tenant, and George E. Weller, fourth lieuten- ant. The Adjutant General gave them the use of the four six-pound field guns and cais- sons then stored at Sacramento, and the can- non arrived October 6 of that year. They were placed in the George Natt Building, still

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standing on the north side of the court house. The second story was used as the Union Guards Armory. The company were on par- ade only occasionally, because of the heavy expense. They turned out every July 4th and held also an annual parade. During the four years of their existence they had target practice on May 8, 1866. The company as- sembled at their armory that day and accom- panied by the band marched to the Castle ranch on the Lower Sacramento Road. A tar- get was set up in the tules a mile distant and each detachment of the company tried to. hit the bull's eye. Lunch was then in order, fol- lowed by a sham battle in which each detach- ment loaded and fired at an imaginary enemy. The scene was very exciting and the hundreds of visitors obtained a slight idea of the hor- rors of war. The artillery company was dis- banded under very peculiar circumstances. Upon receiving the news in Stockton of the nomination of General U. S. Grant for Presi- dent the company fired a salute of 100 guns. This honor to the General who had defeated the rebels angered greatly the secession sympathisers then in power at Sacramento, and the company received orders to have all state property ready for inspection June 16, 1868. At that time the company assembled in full uniform and on the arrival of General Allen he was received by a salute of eleven guns. He later reviewed the company and in- sulted them by appearing in an undress uni- form. The cannon, caissons and equipments were then turned over to him according to military tactics, and immediately some one yelled out "Three cheers for Grant and Col- fax." There were given with a vim that made the hall echo.

Organization of the Stockton Guards

In the fall of 1871, just after the election of Newton Booth as governor, there was a call published for all Stocktonians in favor of forming an infantry company to assemble in Hickman's Hall, sign the roll and then parti- cipate in the jollification of the Booth and Pacheco club over the victory of the preced- ing Wednesday. At that time Adjutant-Gen- eral Tom Cazneau granted permission to form a company in Stockton, and Maj. E. S. Pills- bury was chosen to preside over the meeting called to organize and elect officers. It was held December 12, 1871, and the company organized was named the Stockton Zouaves. Why they adopted this name I know not, for their uniforms were of dark blue, cut in the usual military style, although several years later they adopted a uniform of gray trimmed with black and gold. However, they soon came to be called commonly the Stockton Guards. In January, 1872, the company had

sixty-nine men enrolled, and the following of- ficers were elected : Captain, J. E. Lyon ; first lieutenant, E. Scott; second lieutenant, Jonas P. Stockwell; sergeants, Ed. Delano, W. F. Fletcher, H. J. Todd, and J. Murray ; corpor- als, J. C. Sullivan, J. A. Muldowney, John D. McDougall and C. E. Eurie; drummer, Phil Biven.

Many of the members had formerly tramped with the Union and City Guards, while some had been members of the Old Columbia Guards. The membership included not only the leading business and professional men of the city, but also its leading society men. It was, in fact, a military social club, and all its excursions, picnics and balls were recherche affairs. The shadow of battle ne'er crossed its pathway save once. "On with the dance; let joy be unconfined!" was its motto, and its record was marked with many a merry time.

It was a common custom to have the high dignitaries of the state as guests of the com- pany. At its first annual ball, December 12, 1872, Governor Booth and staff, Brigadier- General Davies and staff, and Adjutant-Gen- eral L. H. Foote were present, all in full uni- form. After the monthly inspection, the zouaves or guards were drawn up in two- column ranks and Kate Davies, stepping to the front, presented the company with a beau- tiful parade flag. In a short speech the Ad- jutant-General received the flag in behalf of the company. Six years later Governor Irwin and staff were the guests of the Stockton Guard. During the afternoon the Governor visited the race-track to see Rarus trot a mile in 2:1412, the fastest mile of the Pacific Coast up to that time. In the evening at the anni- versary ball, in behalf of the Stockton ladies, the Governor presented the company with a beautiful standard. Private Joe C. Campbell, later senior counsel for Mayor Schmitz of San Francisco, received the flag in a ringing speech. At midnight the visitors were es- corted to the Yosemite hotel, and, after being welcomed by Mayor Belding, enjoyed one of McBean's famous suppers.

In the military circles of San Joaquin Coun- ty the men who stood prominently in the front rank were Col. P. Edward Conner, later made a brigadier-general, Capt. L. E. Lyons, and Col. John J. Nunan. It was the misfortune of the Stockton Guards in 1876 to lose Capt. Lyons as he went to San Francisco to reside. A man "born to command," he held the cap- taincy of the Union Guards from April 1, 1862, until disbanded. Just before he left the city the Stockton Guards, assembling in full uni- form, presented him with a gold watch and chain and a Masonic emblem. Maj. William Gibson made the presentation speech, and

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Maj. J. D. Peters answered for the ever-mod- est Captain. The officers in command at this time were: Captain, Eugene Lehe; first lieu- tenant and secretary, J. J. Nunan; second lieutenant, J. W. Payne; orderly sergeant, William Trivett, quartermaster sergeant, George C. Turner ; sergeants, Tom E. Hersey, H. Baker, J. B. Douglass and W. B. Hanlon ; corporals, John D. Gall, Charles Merrill, J. H. Condon, P. P. Garvey, S. C. Dorr, Ben. C. Kerr, W. R. Stone and G. Arrivev.

The Guards Honored by General Grant

The great event of 1879 was the visit of Ex-President Grant to California on his fam- ous tour around the world. Extensive prep- arations has been made by the citizens of San Francisco to receive the military hero, and a big procession was planned. But the steamer Tokio, bringing the General from the Orient, arrived unexpectedly on the afternoon of Sep- tember 20. The Stockton Guards had voted to attend the reception and unaware of the Tokio's arrival they took steamer passage for the Bay City the same afternoon, accompanied by the city officials and a large number of citizens, including D. J. Oullahan, a brother- in-law of Mrs. Grant. On reaching San Fran- cisco they were much surprised and disap- pointed to find that the parade had hastily taken place. The metropolitans had a good laugh at the expense of the Stocktonians, but soon the laugh was on the other side. Mr. Oullahan, sending up his card to the General, was at once admitted, although strict orders had been given that no one would be seen. Mr. Oullahan explained the conditions of af- fairs, and Grant immediately gave orders to usher in Mayor G. C. Hyatt, the Councilmen, and Captain Lehe. The following morning at 9 o'clock he received the Stockton Guards in the Palace Hotel court, and the military of San Francisco felt like thirty cents, for the Guards were the only militiamen thus hon- ored.

The Guards, numbering sixty-nine men, un- der the command of Captain Lehe and Lieu- tenant Nunan, left Stockton early on the morning of January 8, 1880, and on arriving at the Capital were received by the Sacra- mento Hussars, the City Guard, the Light Artillery, the Chico Guard, the Mexican Vet- erans, the Pioneers and the Rifle Cadets. Along the line of marching the Stockton com- pany was the special feature of the parade. The Sacramento Bee said of Stockton's repre- sentatives: "The handsome gray uniforms faced with red and gilt braid made this com- pany a conspicuous feature, and its excellent marching and the fine soldierly bearing of the members were the subject of much favorable comment." During the afternoon the officers

of the visiting companies were tendered a re- ception at the Golden Eagle Hotel, and the rank and file were given a collation at the Western Hotel by Lieutenant-Colonel Creed Haymond. The company returned to Stock- ton on a special train at midnight.

The Stockton Rifle Cadets

It is difficult to realize the fact that many of Stockton's most active business men were but yesterday boy soldiers, the pride of the city, but such is the case. Forty-six years ago last February, as an auxiliary to the Stockton Guard, a company of boys known as the Stock- ton Rifle Cadets were organized under the direction of Capt. Eugene Lehe. The boys' parents entered heartily into the project and Captain Lehe sent for sixty navy musketoons at a cost of $3.50 each, and a committee con- sisting of George Wilhoit, Louis Hickman and Fred Stockwell was appointed to secure funds for uniforms and the balance due on the musketoons. The boys adopted as their uni- form the handsome and dashing Zouave style -loose red trousers with white leggings, blue jackets trimmed with red, sky blue vests and caps of the same color with red tops. The mothers put many loving stitches in the'uni- forms of the boys. In May, 1877, the cadets elected the following officers: Captain, Louis Hickman ; first lieutenant, Nat Moseley ; sen- ior second lieutenant, Everett Ruggles ; junior second lieutenant, Will R. Thresher; orderly sergeant, George Wilhoit; quartermaster ser- geant, Harry Lester ; second sergeant, Harry Fanning; third sergeant, Ed Gnekow; fourth sergeant, Fred Stockwell; fifth sergeant, Eugene Grunsky ; corporals, Fred Rowe, Ed- ward Bond, Charles Mckenzie, George Sell- man, Bert Lyons, Louis Wagner, George Buck and Russell Melone. Among the privates were C. H. Ralph, George Rosech, Walter ~ Henderson, Hy Barber, Henry Baker, George Lissenden, John Gross, Frank Witherley, George Goodell, Frank Cramblett, Jo Hale, Walter Haines, Al Tinkham, and several more. The cadets immediately settled down to busi- ness and, under their well-qualified instructor, Captain Lehe, who kept them constantly stim- ulated to action by comparing them with the Stockton Guards, they soon became well drilled and marched and handled their musketoons like veterans. It was a proud day when they made their first appearance, in May, 1877. As guests of the Guards, the Rifle Cadets and the St. Aloysius Cadets attended the Guards' pic- nic. In June the cadets gave an exhibition drill in Mozart Hall in the presence of their delighted parents and friends. After the drill the company was drawn up in line in the north part of the hall, and "Pet" Peters, es- corted by her fater, the late Maj. J. D. Peters,

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History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 40

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849 Publication date: 1923 Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1660

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1660