USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume I > Part 17
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Upon the arrival of the news that Fort Sumter had fallen into the possession of the Secessionists, the first regiment of California infantry spontaneously sprang into life. The men were thoroughly drilled, and the officers were selected from the regular army. Captain Henry W. Halleck, being appointed major-general of the Second division, called upon all citizens residing within the counties of his division to organize themselves into companies, battalions and regiments, prom- ising to arm them should their services be required in the field. General Halleck was later commander-in-chief of the Union army. The volunteers of the division wanted to go to the front, but their services were not accepted. The First Infantry lost its place in the roster because of the professional jealousy of its officers, who would not submit to be placed under an officer of the regular army. Major Carleton had been ordered to take command of the regiment and march with it into Arizona and New Mexico; but finding the men disposed to obey orders, he organized another force with volunteers who flocked to his standard, rallying round the original First regiment. Carleton was promoted to be brigadier-general of volunteers, and with an army consisting of the First, Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Rigg; Fifth, Colonel George W. Bowie; First Battalion of Cavalry, Lieutenant- Colonel E. E. Eyre; one company of the Second California Cavalry, Captain John C. Cremony, and one battery of the Third United States Artillery, Lieutenant John B. Shinn-2,500 men all told-he marched from San Pedro to the Rio Grande, where they not only fought against the hostile Indians but drove the rebels from the frontiers of Arizona and New Mexico. The First and Fifth served three years in the field, and then with the remaining men was organized the First Veteran Infantry regiment, which under Colonel Rigg continued doing very efficient service. Other regiments formed in different parts of the state also made themselves useful during the war.
On May II, 1861, San Francisco gave a splendid exhibition of its loyalty to the Government, at a time when David S. Terry and Governor Foote were doing all they could to take the state out of the Union. It was a critical time, because California hung in the balance, almost evenly divided between Northern and Southern sentiments. Henry F. Teschmaker was president of the day and among the vice-presidents were W. C. Ralston, General Halleck, James Donahue and P. B. Cornwall. Speeches were made by Senator Lapham, General McDougall, General Shields, General Sumner and others. The sentiment of that occasion was "The Union must and shall be preserved." The entire city was wrapped in the stars and stripes. Riders and horses were blanketed with flags. All the consular flags were flying except that of the English. Oakland took part in this significant assemblage.
Upon the outbreak of the rebellion the loyal citizens of the county gathered together and formed military companies to preserve the Union. It was early
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shown to be a fact that a secret scheme existed whereby California was to be given over to the control of the Confederacy. To prevent such a calamity and to aid the Union cause the citizens of Oakland met and on June 10, 1861, formed the Oakland Guard. The city then numbered only about 2,000 population. Among those who signed the original muster roll were William Hoskins, Jeremiah Tyrell, J. Barnett, A. W. Burrell, Harry N. Morse, J. A. Whitcher, John H. Hobart, A. D. Eames, J. A. Webster, George M. Blake, H. Hillebrand, W. W. Crane, C. S. Haile, William C. Little and John McCann. The first officers were James Brown, captain; John Potter, first lieutenant; W. H. Puffer, second lieutenant; J. H. Newcomb, second sergeant; W. Woolsey, third sergeant; Charles Mckay, fourth sergeant; H. A. Morse, first corporal; Henry Sommers, second corporal; C. Stewart, third corporal; James Travis, fourth corporal. Brown was succeeded as captain by H. N. Morse, W. C. Little, A. W. Burrall and H. D. Raulett who thus officiated in 1877, assisted by Henry Maloon, first lieutenant; J. B. O. Sarpy, second lieutenant. The company was independent or unattached and owned $3,000 worth of property, including a full arm and uniform equipment, a fine armory and mustered seventy men, called the Oakland Guard.
A drilling camp was on San Pablo road and was called Camp Downey ; here a thousand men assembled and drilled and otherwise prepared for service in the Union army. On the Kennedy farm in Brooklyn, Camp Merchant was formed and there also many men were drilled, including a cavalry company. As a whole Oakland was loyal, but like all other cities of the country contained men who espoused the cause of the South, or at least were lukewarm in the cause of the struggle to maintain the Union. In 1861 the Home Guard was organized and for a long time was a great power in elections. A little later the Union League took its place. Several members of the famous California Hundred were recruited in Oakland.
Though the scene of actual warfare in 1861 lay thousands of miles away from California the cause did not lack sympathizers. Military companies sprang up on every side determined to maintain the integrity of the central government, and Alameda county was not behind in asserting her loyalty. On August 31, 1861, the Oakland Home Guard was organized and properly officered. On November 4th they were allowed a monthly apportionment of $20 which January 1, 1862, was raised to $50 wherewith to provide an armory. On February 18, 1862, the board of supervisors passed the following preamble and resolutions : "Whereas, The news of the success of our arms at Fort Donelson (captured February 16, 1862) and elsewhere inspires us with feelings of joy and gratitude and lively hopes of a speedy restoration of the Federal Union and the supremacy of the Constitution ; therefore, Resolved, That this board do now adjourn for ten minutes for the purpose of raising the glorious old flag of the Union and saluting it with three cheers and a tiger." The record then follows with these words: "All of which being done with a will; and with the proud emblem of our country's liberty floating at the mast-head the board resumes the tame business of consideration of accounts."
In 1862 a great mass meeting was held at San Leandro to raise funds and stores for sick and wounded soldiers. Starr King addressed the crowd and secured cash and pledges to the amount of $5,000. The total amount raised in the county for the Christian Commission was $12,000.
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Shortly after its organization the Oakland Guard was attached to the Second Regiment of Artillery but later became unattached. It finally was Company C, of the First Infantry Battalion, Second brigade, of the National Guard. Its name at this time was the Oakland Home Guard. On November 3, 1863, the Alvarado Guards asked for an apportionment for rent of armory and were allowed $50 per month from that date. Early in 1864 Sheriff Morse announced that there were in the county 3,008 men fit for military duty. On September 2, 1864, there was killed in action in the Shenandoah valley, Captain C. S. Eigenbrodt, who had formerly held the office of supervisor for Washington township, in this county, and had gone east with a company of California cavalry, which was attached to a Massachusetts regiment. On February 11, 1865, $50 a month was awarded to the Haywards Guard for the purpose of providing an armory, and on August 21st a like sum for the same object was granted to the Brooklyn Guard, another military organization.
In the beginning of 1865 the San Lorenzo Guards were organized largely through the exertions of J. L. Shiman and others of that village. A. L. Fuller, then teacher of the San Lorenzo schools, was chosen captain; Henry Smith, first lieutenant ; J. L. Shiman, second lieutenant ; and Leonard Stone, third lieutenant. The Guards purchased a cannon and were ready for any emergency. At that time the whole county was boiling with war fever. The commissions of the officers were signed by Governor Low and Adjutant-General Evans. The Guards belonged to the Second brigade, California militia. H. W. Meek assisted much in the organization of the Guards. During the Civil war California furnished for the Union army about fifteen thousand volunteers and raised about three hundred and sixty thousand dollars for the Sanitary Commission.
A profound sensation was caused by the intelligence of President Lincoln's assassination. On April 17, 1865, the board of supervisors held a meeting, there being present Messrs. Fassking, Farrolly, Meek, Overacker and Green. Mr. Far- rolly offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted :
"Whereas, The sad intelligence has recently come to us of the death of our beloved President, Abraham Lincoln, who has been inhumanly murdered in cold blood by a brutal assassin, the like of which cowardly assault does not find its parallel in the history of the world, therefore be it
"Resolved, That as we have always loved and respected Honest Old Abe, Our Good President, while he lived, and in common unison with our fellow-citizens throughout the Union, we are sad and sorrowing today at the great loss our nation has sustained, trusting in the God of our fathers, who has always sustained our nation, and who ever keeps her destiny in his hands to still uphold our country during this terrible affliction. It is hereby further Resolved, That we do now, as a board of supervisors, adjourn without transacting any business until the first Monday of May, and that all matters coming before us at this time be continued until the said first Monday of May, and that the sheriff of the county be directed to drape the court house with appropriate badges of mourning, the same to remain thirty days."
The Oakland council on April 18, 1865, unanimously adopted the following resolution : "That the untimely death of the Chief Magistrate of the Nation at this particular crisis, is a calamity that must be deplored by every good citizen, coming as it does at the very commencement of the fruition of the great and
1. nus le 1 4
THE HAYWARD TROOP DRILLING IN THE EARLY '60s
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HAYWARD'S COMPANY OF VOLUNTEERS IN FRONT OF HAYWARD'S HOTEL IN THE EARLY '60s
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patriotic measures which he virtuously maintained and vigorously upheld during the long and trying period of his public career. We confess that our grief is mingled with the fear that no living man can accomplish all that his patriotic devotion could have achieved. In view of the great loss which the people of the American Continent, and of the whole civilized world, have sustained in the catas- trophe, we recommend that all places of business be closed on the 19th day of April, 1865, and that our citizens generally participate with the people of the United States on that day in rendering homage to the history and memory of the Great Departed." In Oakland the signs of mourning were general, the newspapers turning their column rules, and the public and many private buildings being draped in black.
On March 26, 1866, the Jackson Guards, another military organization, was allowed by the board the sum of $50 per month for rent of an armory. On April 4th further payments to military companies were ordered suspended to await legislative action on the militia law, which subsequently allowed them warrants up till April 1, 1866, and no farther.
In 1872, when the number of companies in the National Guard was reduced, each regiment in the Second brigade losing two, the Oakland Guard was mus- tered out, but the same evening was again mustered in as an unattached organi- zation. The early captains were James Brown, Harry N. Morse, W. C. Little, A. W. Burrell, H. D. Ranlett, Henry Levy, A. L. Smith, and Thomas H. Thomp- son. The company's first captain was elected marshal of the city in 1863. The third captain of this company was Colonel Little, who later took so prominent a part in bringing the Oakland Light Cavalry into existence. In all its military duties the Oakland Guard ever held the foremost position. The armory of the company was located at the corner of Central avenue and Washington street.
Oakland, Light Cavalry, Second brigade, N. G. C., was organized in 1877, thirty-three members signing the roll at a meeting held on the 3Ist of July. On the 7th of August the following officers were elected: W. C. Little, captain ; E. S. Woodward, first sergeant; J. E. McElrath, senior second sergeant ; T. H. Allen, junior second sergeant; C. M. Burleson, secretary ; Thomas Prather, financial secretary ; W. H. H. Graves, treasurer. The corps originally had their meetings in the old armory hall on Thirteenth street. The Oakland Light Cav- alry were mustered into the service of the state, September 23, 1878, with forty- nine rank and file.
Hancock Rifles, Company C, was organized principally from the Hancock fire brigade, a political body of about 200 members, which had done service dur- ing election times in the interest of the democracy. After the election the fire brigade found its occupation gone, and a committee from its ranks was appointed to select suitable young men for a proposed independent military organization. The outgrowth was the Hancock Rifles. Temporary organization was effected with Henry Levy as captain and Martin Ryan as lieutenant. In a remarkably short time the Hancock Rifles had the reputation of being the best independent military organization in the state. The company was mustered into the state militia as a part of the Third Infantry regiment, and given the official title of Company C. The permanent officers were as follows: Captain, Henry Levy ; first lieutenant, Martin Ryan; second lieutenant, Will S. O'Brien.
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Lyon Post, No. 8, G. A. R., was organized December 10, 1878, and was the first in the county. It had twenty-two charter members, as follows: G. W. Hagnet, George W. Barter, C. P. H. Buck, Thomas E. Park, H. C. Wells, D. C. Lawrence, Dr. W. C. F. Hemstead, George W. Boxley, Samuel Watson, F. L. Parker, James Hill, Moses H. Beal, P. G. Potter, A. W. Cutter, P. Fitzpatrick, L. G. Culver, William McKay, Henry Buck, P. E. Cooney, James Mete, A. W. Collins and J. C. Darneal. G. W. Hagnet was the first post commander.
Joe Hooker Post, No. 11, G. A. R., was organized in Alameda on December 29, 1879, largely through the influence of James Cook. The charter members were James Cook, William Seymour, A. J. Bancroft, Charles Boehse, H. F. Poindexter, D. B. Taylor, Harvey McCoun, Dr. R. H. Cummings, H. Gritt, H. F. Prindle and A. F. Wolff. James Cook was the first commander.
Lou Morris Post, No. 47, G. A. R., was organized at Livermore, September 23, 1882, with the following charter members: F. F. Caruduff, G. W. Langan, B. F. Land, D. M. Connor, L. H. Cutter, J. N. Brown, W. S. Low, B. F. Bram- ian, E. B. French, J. T. Jacker, G. B. Shearer, C. J. Pullen, James O'Brien, W. W. Colestock, Alpha Clark and I. N. Cone. F. F. Caruduff was the first com- mander.
Appomattox Post, No. 50, G. A. R., was organized on March 22, 1883, at Oakland. The founders were J. Fredericks, Thomas Todd, T. H. Allen and W. R. Thomas, who withdrew from Lyons Post. At the date of organization the membership numbered nineteen. W. R. Thomas was the first commander.
Lookout Mountain Post, No. 88, G. A. R., was chartered November 14, 1885, and held its first meeting on the 20th. The charter members were O. B. Cul- ver, H. B. Cole, W. F. Bickford, M. J. Acton, Henry Hyer, Dr. W. M. Hilton, T. M. Crud, W. R. Botton, B. D. Boswell, C. Fricks, John Boyd, Gilbert Smith, W. D. Norwood, A. L. Palmer, William McCleave, C. R. Lord, T. Grubestein, F. Gast, James Heuggins and A. Kschieschang. O. B. Culver was the first com- mander.
On June 21, 1884, Appomattox Post, held an open meeting at which the ladies were present upon invitation. The question of a relief corps was dis- cussed and the same evening the ladies met and organized the Appomattox Woman's Relief Corps, No. 5, with thirty names signed to the original roll. Mrs. May E. Parritt was the first president.
In July, 1884, Lyon Woman's Relief Corps, No. 6, was organized with forty ladies as charter members. Kate McGrew was the first president. The Loyal Ladies league here was organized in 1886 under the name Mother Bickerdyke Post, No. 5; Mrs. D. F. Winchester being the first president. Its objects were about the same as those of the woman's relief corps.
The Oakland Guards and the young students of the California Military Acad- emy, all under the command of Maj. S. N. McClure, participated in the celebra- tion of Washington's birthday in San Francisco in 1875. The splendid marching of the cadets was greatly admired and warmly commented upon by the news- papers then. Oakland Guard, Second brigade, N. G. C., Capt. H. D. Ranlett, was reviewed at Music hall by Colonel Amedburg in April, 1875; he was assisted by Major Savage and General Thompson.
E. B. Jerome was president of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Club in 1877. As its name indicated the club was composed of soldiers and sailors who served in
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the Union army of the Civil war. All the old soldiers of the county were by special circular invited to join the club. It was a social and political movement independent of the Grand Army. At this time Mr. Hubbard gave an inter- esting account of the march of the last detachment of the California volun- teers en route from New Mexico in 1866 to San Francisco to be mustered out and President Jerome gave an account of the battle of Ball's Bluff where Colonel Baker met his tragic death. In May, 1877, a committee of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Club of Oakland, consisting of Judge Daniels and Messrs. Dunning, Gibson, Cushing and Winkler visited Mountain View cemetery and decorated the graves of the deceased heroes. The Oakland Light Cavalry elected the fol- lowing officers in 1877: W. C. Little, captain; E. W. Woodward, first lieu- tenant ; J. W. McAlvath, second lieutenant ; H. T. Allen, brevet second lieuten- ant; E. H. Woolsey, surgeon. The Mexican War Veterans Association was organized about 1878 and at one time had thirty-five members. Maj. John L. Bromley was president. General Hancock and wife and a party of friends passed through Oakland in December, 1883. For a short time they were the guests of General Kirkham. He was visited by a large number of old soldiers while here. Detachments from Appomattox and Lyon Posts called upon him.
The camp fire of the G. A. R., on January 20, 1884, was a notable occasion. Thomas, Garfield, Lincoln and Meade posts of San Francisco and Joe Hooker post of Alameda were entertained by Lyon and Appomattox posts of Oakland. The entertainment consisted in music, tableaux, toasts, speeches and stories and took place before a packed house in Germania hall. On the main floor were the old soldiers who ate from tin plates, tin cups and other articles used in camp life. Portraits of Washington, Lincoln and famous Union generals adorned the walls. Promptly at 8 o'clock the veterans of the Mexican war, grizzled and old but noble looking, filed into the hall escorted by the band and greeted by a tempest of cheers. During the performance the stirring notes of fife and drum re-echoed through the hall. W. R. Thomas was master of ceremonies Among the special pieces were the following: "The Soldier's Farewell," a tableau ; "The Soldier's Dream," a recitation by Maud Stover; a tableau repre- senting the same subject; "Life in Andersonville Prison," a tableau ; Music- "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp the Boys are Marching," "Star Spangled Banner," "Yankee Doodle," "Marching through Georgia;" "The Soldier's Return," a tableau ; "Peace," a tableau with Mrs. Inwall as Goddess of Liberty and thirty- eight little girls, the daughters of veterans representing the states. John L. Bromley, a Mexican war veteran, responded to the toast "The Veterans of the Mexican War;" C. M. Renne responded to "The Grand Army of the Repub- lic;" Doctor Wythe to "The Widows and Orphans of the Late War;" J. E. Benton to "Army Ration and Army Beans." All sang "The Old Fashioned White Army Bean" ending with the words, "Beans for breakfast, beans for dinner, beans for supper, beans, beans, beans." R. Staples spoke on the "Depart- ment of California, G. A. R .; " George C. Perkins on the "Stars and Stripes." He made the striking point which electrified the vast audience, that there would be no California, no Oakland and no one present that night if it were not for the Mexican war soldiers. Mr. Dibble of Arizona responded to "Our Flag;" Col. J. C. Tucker of the Joe Hooker post read an original poem entitled . "Appomattox-Put by the Knapsack;" Nellie Holbrook, a veteran's daughter,
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read "Sheridan's Ride" and "Barbara Fritchie." Mr. Thomas then gave a humorus parody on Barbara Fritchie, which greatly amused the audience. John Ellsworth responded to "Our Departed Comrades." Great applause marked all stages of this splendid performance.
The Pacific Military Academy was founded by Rev. David McClure, Ph. D., in January, 1865, as a private school. The superiority of his course of instruction, which combined military discipline with a full literary course, soon became known and so numerous were the applications for admission that Doc- tor McClure was forced to enlarge his establishment and employ assistants. The school at this time was located on Ninth street, near Franklin. A roomy addition was built the first year after the founding of the school. The number of cadets constantly increased, and in 1867 a new site was purchased by Doctor Mc- Clure, and the following year the main building, was erected, but in 1870, it was found to be insufficient for the accommodation of its increasing patrons, and another large building, three stories high, was built and connected with the armory by a covered passage. The first floor was used for recitation rooms, and the two upper floors as dormitories for the cadets. A destructive fire occurred on the 20th of September, 1873, which completely destroyed this new building, the armory, barns, and other outhouses. The main building, upon which there was a heavy insurance, was saved intact. Doctor McClure imme- diately set to work to have the destroyed buildings rebuilt, the school in the meantime occupying the building then recently vacated by the state univer- sity. Very soon the new buildings, much larger and finer than the first, took the place of those destroyed, and in the space of two months' time were finished, furnished and ready for occupancy. In January, 1884, Doctor McClure re- signed from the management of the California Military Academy at North Oak- land and was succeeded by Col. W. H. O'Brien who for ten years had been the principal teacher there.
Monday, August 9, 1886, was a day long to be remembered in Oakland. The entire city was decorated in honor of the annual meeting of the G. A. R., the stores were all closed and the parade was gay and brilliant in the extreme. There were six divisions in the parade and scores of appropriate mottos were carried. The parade of the thousands of school children bearing mottos and banners was perhaps the most notable feature. Among the mottos were the following: "Heroes, the children of Oakland greet you ;" "We give you prom- ise for the future, as you gave us safety in the past ;" "We are training in the school room for the Grand Army of the future;" "Cheers for the visible-tears for the invisible Grand Army;" "Your deeds shall ever be our inspiration-we will learn well and never forget the lessons of this day;" "We like you mighty well-come and see us again." Mrs. General Logan reviewed the children's parade. John A. Logan, R. A. Alger, General Fairchild, Governor Stoneman, Gen- eral Turnbull and many other noted military men were present. All leaders were given separate and special receptions and shown every honor and consideration pos- sible. The reception to the veterans was called "Oakland's Day," of the Twentieth National Encampment. The executive committee of arrangements invited the county board to participate in the services. The invitation was accepted and the county buildings were ordered duly decorated. On July 31, a formal re- ception was given Gen. W. T. Sherman at Masonic hall for the benefit of the
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Appomattox drum corps. There was a very interesting program. He was intro- duced by Captain Thomas and was received with a storm of applause. He spoke briefly amid much enthusiasm and hand clapping. On the same even- ing he was received by Lyon post at Grand Army hall. The posts of Alameda and Berkeley were present; also the Mexican war veterans. He was welcomed by Commander Admy in these words: "General Sherman, by the memories of olden days, on behalf of the old soldiers present, I welcome you here." The general answered in a short and characteristic address in which he alluded to the time when he lived on the bay before Oakland had an existence.
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