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CALIFORNIA'S
CIVIL WAR PROGRAM |
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CIVIL
WAR BATTLE REENACTMENTS
at Fort Tejon State Historical Park |
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August 14, 1861
the State of California was asked to furnish three regiments
of infantry by the Lincoln Administration in its efforts
to quell the secessionist serpent in the South. Among
these regiments, the 2nd California Volunteer Infantry
was formed. Colonel Francis J. Lippitt was appointed
as commander of the Regiment. |
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The regiment was
organized at the Presidio in San Francisco and, after
completing its organization, five companies were sent
to Northern California, Oregon, and Washington Territory
to relieve regular troops, and two companies were sent
to Santa Barbara. |
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Company B of the
2nd Regt. had arrived at Fort Tejon from Visalia one
day ahead of Company G. |
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At Fort
Tejon, Companies D and G of the 2nd California
Cavalry had been garrisoned as early as July
1863. In command of the fort was Capt. James
M. Ropes of the 2nd Cal. Cav., Co. G. Upon the
arrival of Company G, 2nd Infantry, Capt. John
C. Schimdt of the 2nd Cal. Cav. assumed command
on January 15, 1864. The next day, Companies
D and G of the 2nd Cal. Cav. left Fort Tejon
for Camp Babbitt. |
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As the two
Infantry companies settled into their new home,
their time was occupied at repairing and maintaining
the Fort's buildings that had fallen into disrepair
during the two years that the post had been abandoned.
There were frequent patrols mounted from the
fort to keep track of unruly whites and to maintain
control over the Pauites encamped near the post. |
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There were
always duties to perform in garrison relating
to maintenance of the troops. There was wood
to be hauled and cut, rations to be prepared,
inspections and endless drills on the parade
ground. Company G would leave Fort Tejon on June
4, 1864 for Drum Barracks in Willmington. Fort
Tejon would finally be closed when Company B
left September 11, 1864, ending the military
occupation of the post, lasting from 1854 to
1864. |
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Read more about... |
| Fort
Tejon and California in the Civil War |
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