ARIZONA DURING THE CIVIL WAR; THE IMPACT OF THE CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEERS, 1861-1866 Item Type text; Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) Authors Masich, Andrew Edward Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 29/09/2021 03:28:53 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/291194 INFORMATION TO USERS This reproduction was made from a copy of a document sent to us for microfilming. While the most advanced technology has been used to photograph and reproduce this document, the quality of the reproduction is heavily dependent upon the quality of the material submitted. 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Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 1322916 MASICH, ANDREW EDWARD ARIZONA DURING THE CIVIL WAR; THE IMPACT OF THE CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEERS, 1861-1866 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA M.A. 1984 University IVIicrofilms international 300 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106 Copyright 1934 by MASICH, ANDREW EDWARD All Rights Reserved ARIZONA DURING THE CIVIL WAR; THE IMPACT OF THE CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEERS, 1861-1866 • by Andrew Edward Masich A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 19 8 4 Copyright 1984 Andrew Edward Masich STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfill­ ment of requirements for an advanced degree at The Uni­ versity of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowl­ edgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the copyright holder. SIGNED ;^\AC Ll\ d APPROVAL BY THESIS DIRECTOR This thesis has been approved on the date shown below: ^ HARWOOD P. HINTON Professor of History ® 1984 ANDREW EDWARD MASICH All Rights Reserved PREFACE The Civil War was a pivotal period in the history of Arizona. The years between 1861 and 1866 not only saw the creation of the Territory but also provided the stage for the grouping of forces that started the new political entity on a path toward economic development, social change, and, eventually, statehood. During these years, the state of California played a critical role in this process. The results of this influence can be clearly seen in the nature of Arizona's growth, its laws and institutions, and the character of its people. The California Volunteers who served in Arizona during the war years became a vehicle for change. They not only encouraged Arizona's development as a distinct geo­ political unit, but also explored, prospected, warred against hostiles, mapped, and publicized the Territory. These volunteers provided political leadership, invested in Arizona businesses, and helped establish local institutions based on the California model. The volunteer troops from California were a unique body of men. A majority had emigrated West during the Gold Rush, and exhibited traits seen in many peoples undertaking voluntary migrations, viz., large stature, good health, adaptability, education, and intelligence. These men iii iv provided the foundation upon which the new Territory would be built. There are no book-length treatments of the Civil War in Arizona. Historians who have dealt with the subject have concentrated primarily on the ousting of the Confederates by the California Column in 1862. Others have covered in detail the Navajo war of 1863, and the Ccunpaigns against hostile Arizona tribes. The dearth of secondary sources dealing with the impact of the war on the territory has resulted in a grossly uninformed public. I am constantly amazed at the lack of knowledge exhibited by well-informed historians on the subject of the Civil War in Arizona. The usual response to the question: "What happened in Arizona during the Civil War?" is a quip about the "battle" of Picacho Pass and its relative insignificance. The story of the California Volunteers is more interesting and their impact is greater than the published works would lead one to believe. For this reason, I have endeavored to set down, in a roughly chronological format, the fascinating account of the trials and contributions of the Californians and have attempted to provide an assess­ ment of their role in Arizona history. Several years of research, primarily in California and Arizona, plus extended correspondence with the National Archives in Washington, have yielded a wealth of primary source material relating to the service of the California V Volunteers in Arizona. In California, the staffs of the Bancroft Library, U. C. Berkeley, the Huntington Library, the California Historical Society, the California State Library, the California State Archives, and the Los Angeles City Library were all most helpful in ferreting out information pertinent to my research. The Arizona Heritage Center Library, the University of Arizona Library and its Special Collections Department, the Arizona Historical Foundation at Arizona State University, the Sh^rlot Hall Museum, the Recorder's Offices of Mohave, Yavapai, and Yuma Counties, the staff of the San Augustin Cathedral in Tucson, and many individuals, too numerous to mention, provided data, tips on sources, and clues to interpretation. Most especially, I would like to acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Harwood Hinton, University of Arizona, for his tutelage and encouragement during the research and writing of this thesis. Finally, credit must go to my wife, Deborah Niermeyer Masich, whose typing skills and criticism were indispensable, and my mother, Mary Gibson Masich, for her limitless moral support. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT vii PREPARATIONS FOR INVASION . 1 CHAPTER I—NOTES 15 THE ARIZONA INVASION 17 CHAPTER II—NOTES 31 INDIAN FIGHTING 33 CHAPTER III—NOTES 45 ARMS AND EQUIPAGE 47 CHAPTER IV—NOTES 74 OCCUPATION DUTY 79 CHAPTER V—NOTES 117 BORDER PATROL AND MUSTERING OUT 123 CHAPTER VI—NOTES 143 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY .... 146 vi ABSTRACT During the Civil War, a large body of volunteer troops from California entered the western portion of New Mexico Territory, now known as Arizona. The contributions and impact of these soldiers on Arizona is most significant. During the years 1861 to 1866, the California Volunteers prevented a rebel concentration in Arizona, regarrisoned posts abandoned by regular U.S. troops, and waged war against hostile Indians on an unprecedented scale. The Californians guarded against a Confederate re-invasion attempt and provided the show of force needed to face French Imperialists in Mexico. Their military accomplishments, under the most difficult circumstances, are worthy of atten­ tion by historians. The California Volunteers were uniquely suited to these tasks, and their influence in military and civilian enterprises was remarkable during and immediately following the war. Soldiers prospected and developed mines. Volunteer officers actually established Arizona Territory in 1862, pro­ viding citizens with law and order, mail, and other social services. Arizona's population boomed, as did freighting and mining, as a result of the military occupation. After the war, the volunteers provided the young territory with citi­ zens and leaders. vii CHAPTER I PREPARATIONS FOR INVASION In the spring of 1862, a large contingent of United States Volunteers from California crossed the Colorado River and entered southern Arizona. During the next four years, the men composing the "Column from California,"