LOCAL CIVIL WAR UNITS

First California Native Cavalry Battalion

Majs., Andreas Pica, Salvador Vallejo, John C. Cremony.

The native Californians were noted for their expert horsemanship and it was believed that a battalion, entirely recruited from this element of the population, would render excellent service in Arizona. Gen. Wright, commanding the Department of the Pacific, accordingly asked and received permission to raise four companies of native cavalry in the Los Angeles district, during the winter of 1862-63.

A good deal of delay was experienced in raising the men for the battalion. Recruiting began in Feb. 1863, but the first company was not filled and mustered into the U. S. service until Sept. 7, same year. The remaining three companies were mustered in during the spring and summer of 1864; Co. B. March 29, C, July 28, and D, March 3.

Don Andreas Pico of Los Angeles, then brigadier-general of the 1st brigade of California militia, who was first commissioned major, declined the commission, whereupon Salvador Vallejo was commissioned major, but was not mustered until Aug. 13, 1864. Upon his resignation in Feb., 1865, Capt. John C. Cremony, of the 2nd CA cavalry, who had rendered distinguished service with his company as a part of the California column, was commissioned major.

The battalion was stationed at various posts in California until the summer of 1865, when it was taken by Maj. Cremony to Arizona and stationed at Fort Mason and Tubac in the southern part of that territory. The record of the battalion is somewhat impaired by reason of the unusually large number of desertions. More than 50 deserted from one company, and about 80 from another.

Cos. A and D were mustered out at Drum Barracks, Cal., March 20, 1866, and B at the same place March 15, 1866. C was mustered out at the Presidio, San Francisco, July 28, 1866, and the field and staff officers, Aug. 25.

Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65 -- Records of the Regiments in the Union Army -- Cyclopedia of Battles -- Memoirs of Commanders and Soldiers. Madison: Federal Publishing, 1908, Vol. 4, p. 418.

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