California in the Civil War

Welcome to the California in the Civil War Homepage! Most people forget that California was a part of the Union during the Civil War. This page is meant to help broaden people's awareness of the role that California played in preserving the union. It is a work in progress, and useful information and suggestions are welcome.

The State of California is credited with providing 15,725 volunteers to the Union Armies during the Civil War. The units provided break down as follows: two full regiments and one battalion of cavalry, eight full regiments of infantry, and one battalion of infantry called mountaineers. These men all served in the west and southwest. The First Regiment, Washington Territory Infantry Volunteers had eight companies that were recruited in California.  California gold helped finance the Union effort. California soldiers helped keep the land between CA and the rest of the Union from anarchy. California soldiers helped keep the Confederates in Texas from spreading farther west. California soldiers helped secure the Pacific Coast and keep the confederacy from gaining strength there.

Californians did see service on the east coast and in other states units. Five companies of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry Volunteers were enrolled and mustered into service in the State of California. California Senator Baker raised regiment of men on the East Coast. These former Californians and others were generally known as the "California Regiment," but officially known as the 71st Pennsylvania Volunteers.

The information contained in this web site is provided as "unofficial." If you need documentation for anything in these pages, look to an official source, such as the National Archives or the California Adjutant General's Office

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Comments? Suggestions? Email me: Bruce Andersen