LOCAL CIVIL WAR UNITS

Fifth California Infantry

Cols., John Kellogg, George W. Bowie
Lieut.-Cols., Marcus D. Dobbins, Theodore A. Coult
Majs., Theodore A. Coult, Joseph Smith.

This regiment, like the 4th, was recruited from the northern part of the state and was composed of young and vigorous men. The several companies rendezvoused at Camp Union, near Sacramento, and were there mustered into the U. S. service from Sept. 17 to Nov. 22, 1861, for three years.

Its first colonel, John Kellogg, when commissioned by Gov. Downey, was an officer of the 3rd U. S. artillery, and was not allowed to retain his commission in the volunteer service, but was ordered east with the other regular army officers. On his resignation Nov. 8, 1861, he was succeeded by Col. Bowie, who remained in command during the remainder of the regiment's term of service and was made brevet brigadier-general for faithful service during the war.

The regiment, numbering nearly 1,000 men, was ordered to southern California in the spring of 1862, where it became a part of the "California column," commanded by Gen. Carleton, and assisted in driving the enemy from Arizona and New Mexico, beyond the Rio Grande.

The regiment then served by detachments at various posts in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, engaged in severe scouting and outpost duty, and in numerous skirmishes with hostile Indians. The regiment was finally mustered out in New Mexico and Texas, during the months of Nov. and Dec., 1864, except veterans reenlisted and recruits whose terms had not expired.

These were consolidated into five companies, which, with two companies of the 1st infantry, united to form the 1st battalion of veteran infantry. It is to be regretted that the officers of this regiment did not make fuller reports of their campaigns, as the meager returns of the different companies show that they saw much hard service against the Apaches and other hostile tribes of Indians.

As a sample of the arduous service they were engaged in, the remarks on return of Co. I, for May, 1864, show that the company left Fort Cummings, N. M., April 30, 1864, en route for Fort Bowie, A. T. On May 4, when entering Doubtful canon, near Stein's peak, N. M., they were attacked by 100 Apache Indians. The company routed them, killing 10, and passed through the canon. Their loss was 1 missing and 5 wounded. The company arrived at Fort Bowie May 5; left that post under command of Col. U. H. Davis, and with Co. K, 5th infantry, started on an expedition to the Gila river; arrived on May 30, 1864, on the Mescal river, where they surprised two Indian rancherias, killing 51 and taking 16 women and children prisoners.

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. 412.

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