Alameda County
History
Past and Present of Alameda County, California - S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1914
CHAPTER VIII
MILITARY AFFAIRS
A military company was organized at San Francisco in 1849, which in July had forty-one men, and in September numbered 100. It was named the First California Guard, and though intended for the artillery arm the men were drilled with muskets. The officers of this company were Captain H. W. Naglee; First Lieutenants William O. O. Harvard and M. Norton; Second Lieutenants Hall McAllister and David F. Bagley; Surgeon Samuel Gerry and Sergeant R. H. Sinton. The company retained its organization later under the laws of California, and is at present known as Company A, Light Battery, N. G. C. In 1850 it went to Sacramento to assist in quelling the squatters' riots and in its absence two other companies were organized which still belong to the N. G. C. About twenty more companies existed at the time that the war of the rebellion broke out in 1861.
There were in 1854 six companies at San Francisco formed into a battalion. The militia of the metropolis has been called into active service on only three occasions, to wit: In 1856, during the existence of the vigilance committee, when they received orders to report to the Governor; in 1871, when several companies were despatched to Amador county to prevent a collision between miners and mill owners; and in 1877, during the three days' riots of the Kearney mob, when they were ordered to guard the armories and other property. The alacrity with which the officers, rank and file responded to the call of the legally constituted authorities proved the usefulness of their organization.
The state was in 1850, pursuant to an act of the Legislature, partitioned into four military divisions with a major-general at the head of each, two brigades commanded by the respective brigadier-generals constitute one division. The command-in-chief of the national guard was vested in the Governor, and the chief officers of the staff were the adjutant-general and quartermaster-general. San Francisco had a regularly organized brigade, and the first commander of the Second division was Major-General Dimond, afterward superintendent of the mint, now dead. There existed also a number of independent companies.
The territory on the Pacific was constituted by order of the President of the United States in 1849-50, the Third division of department No. 11 ; but in 1851 the commands of departments No. 10 and 11 were merged in that of the Pacific division, and Brevet Brigadier-General Ethan A. Hitchcock became its chief, with headquarters at Sonoma; he was afterward Secretary of the Interior under President McKinley. In February, 1854, Major-General John E. Wool took the command.
At the time the Civil war began the only fortifications on the coast of California and Oregon were Alcatraz and Fort Point. At Alcatraz were 130 men under Captain Stewart. Fort Point was not occupied till February, 1861, when 160 artillerymen were stationed there, whose officers were Lieutenants Kellogg, Kip and Shinn and Quartermaster Gibson. Ten thousand stands of arms and 150,000 cartridges were transferred from Benicia to Alcatraz. In the vicinity of San Francisco were about five hundred men. The whole force stationed in the department consisted of 3,650, of whom 1,725 were in California, and 1,925 in Oregon and Washington. On the 19th of April, 1861, Brigadier-General Edwin V. Sumner relieved Albert Sidney Johnston. His first general order had the true ring of loyalty to the national government, awakening confidence in the hearts of loyal citizens.
Upon the arrival of the news that Fort Sumter had fallen into the possession of the Secessionists, the first regiment of California infantry spontaneously sprang into life. The men were thoroughly drilled, and the officers were selected from the regular army. Captain Henry W. Halleck, being appointed major-general of the Second division, called upon all citizens residing within the counties of his division to organize themselves into companies, battalions and regiments, promising to arm them should their services be required in the field. General Halleck was later commander-in-chief of the Union army. The volunteers of the division wanted to go to the front, but their services were not accepted. The First Infantry lost its place in the roster because of the professional jealousy of its officers, who would not submit to be placed under an officer of the regular army. Major Carleton had been ordered to take command of the regiment and march with it into Arizona and New Mexico; but finding the men disposed to obey orders, he organized another force with volunteers who flocked to his standard, rallying round the original First regiment. Carleton was promoted to be brigadier-general of volunteers, and with an army consisting of the First, Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Rigg; Fifth, Colonel George W. Bowie; First Battalion of Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel E. E. Eyre; one company of the Second California Cavalry, Captain John C. Cremony, and one battery of the Third United States Artillery, Lieutenant John B. Shinn 2,500 men all told—he marched from San Pedro to the Rio Grande, where they not only fought against the hostile Indians but drove the rebels from the frontiers of Arizona and New Mexico. The First and Fifth served three years in the field, and then with the remaining men was organized the First Veteran Infantry regiment, which under Colonel Rigg continued doing very efficient service. Other regiments formed in different parts of the state also made themselves useful during the war.
On May 1, 1861, San Francisco gave a splendid exhibition of its loyalty to the Government, at a time when David S. Terry and Governor Foote were doing all they could to take the state out of the Union. It was a critical time, because California hung in the balance, almost evenly divided between Northern and Southern sentiments. Henry F. Teschmaker was president of the day and among the vice-presidents were W. C. Ralston, General Halleck, James Donahue and P. B. Cornwall. Speeches were made by Senator Lapham, General McDougall, General Shields, General Sumner and others. The sentiment of that occasion was "The Union must and shall be preserved." The entire city was wrapped in the stars and stripes. Riders and horses were blanketed with flags. All the consular flags were flying except that of the English. Oakland took part in this significant assemblage.
Upon the outbreak of the rebellion the loyal citizens of the county gathered together and formed military companies to preserve the Union. It was early shown to be a fact that a secret scheme existed whereby California was to be given over to the control of the Confederacy. To prevent such a calamity and to aid the Union cause the citizens of Oakland met and on June 10, 1861, formed the Oakland Guard. The city then numbered only about 2,000 population. Among those who signed the original muster roll were William Hoskins, Jeremiah Tyrell, J. Barnett, A. W. Burrell, Harry N. Morse, J. A. Whitcher, John H. Hobart, A. D. Eames, J. A. Webster, George M. Blake, H. Hillebrand, W. W. Crane, C. S. Haile, William C. Little and John McCann. The first officers were James Brown, captain; John Potter, first lieutenant; W. H. Puffer, second lieutenant; J. H. Newcomb, second sergeant; W. Woolsey, third sergeant; Charles McKay, fourth sergeant; H. A. Morse, first corporal; Henry Sommers, second corporal; C. Stewart, third corporal; James Travis, fourth corporal. Brown was succeeded as captain by H. N. Morse, W. C. Little, A. W. Burrall and H. D. Raulett who thus officiated in 1877, assisted by Henry Maloon, first lieutenant; J. B. O. Sarpy, second lieutenant. The company was independent or unattached and owned $3,000 worth of property, including a full arm and uniform equipment, a fine armory and mustered seventy men, called the Oakland Guard.
A drilling camp was on San Pablo road and was called Camp Downey; here a thousand men assembled and drilled and otherwise prepared for service in the Union army. On the Kennedy farm in Brooklyn, Camp Merchant was formed and there also many men were drilled, including a cavalry company. As a whole Oakland was loyal, but like all other cities of the country contained men who espoused the cause of the South, or at least were lukewarm in the cause of the struggle to maintain the Union. In 1861 the Home Guard was organized and for a long time was a great power in elections. A little later the Union League took its place. Several members of the famous California Hundred were recruited in Oakland.
Though the scene of actual warfare in 1861 lay thousands of miles away from California the cause did not lack sympathizers. Military companies sprang up on every side determined to maintain the integrity of the central government, and Alameda county was not behind in asserting her loyalty. On August 31, 1861, the Oakland Home Guard was organized and properly officered. On November 4th they were allowed a monthly apportionment of $20 which January 1, 1862, was raised to $50 wherewith to provide an armory. On February 18, 1862, the board of supervisors passed the following preamble and resolutions: "Whereas, The news of the success of our arms at Fort Donelson (captured February 16, 1862) and elsewhere inspires us with feelings of joy and gratitude and lively hopes of a speedy restoration of the Federal Union and the supremacy of the Constitution; therefore, Resolved, That this board do now adjourn for ten minutes for the purpose of raising the glorious old flag of the Union and saluting it with three cheers and a tiger." The record then follows with these words: "All of which being done with a will; and with the proud emblem of our country's liberty floating at the mast-head the board resumes the tame business of consideration of accounts."
In 1862 a great mass meeting was held at San Leandro to raise funds and stores for sick and wounded soldiers. Starr King addressed the crowd and secured cash and pledges to the amount f $5,000. The total amount raised in the county for the Christian Commission was $12,000.
Shortly after its organization the Oakland Guard was attached to the Second Regiment of Artillery but later became unattached. It finally was Company C, of the First Infantry Battalion, Second brigade, of the National Guard. Its name at this time was the Oakland Home Guard. On November 3, 1863, the Alvarado Guards asked for an apportionment for rent of armory and were allowed $50 per month from that date. Early in 1864 Sheriff Morse announced that there were in the county 3,008 men fit for military duty. On September 2, 1864, there was killed in action in the Shenandoah valley, Captain C. S. Eigenbrodt, who had formerly held the office of supervisor for Washington township, in this county, and had gone east with a company of California cavalry, which was attached to a Massachusetts regiment [Trans. note: California Hundred, 2d MASS Cav, Co E, killed 25 Aug 1864 in battle at Halltown, VA]. On February 11, 1865, $50 a month was awarded to the Haywards Guard for the purpose of providing an armory, and on August 21st a like sum for the same object was granted to the Brooklyn Guard, another military organization.
In the beginning of 1865 the San Lorenzo Guards were organized largely through the exertions of J. L. Shiman and others of that village. A. L. Fuller, then teacher of the San Lorenzo schools, was chosen captain; Henry Smith, first lieutenant; J. L. Shiman, second lieutenant; and Leonard Stone, third lieutenant. The Guards purchased a cannon and were ready for any emergency. At that time the whole county was boiling with war fever. The commissions of the officers were signed by Governor Low and Adjutant-General Evans. The Guards belonged to the Second brigade, California militia. H. W. Meek assisted much in the organization of the Guards. During the Civil war California furnished for the Union army about fifteen thousand volunteers and raised about three hundred and sixty thousand dollars for the Sanitary Commission.
A profound sensation was caused by the intelligence of President Lincoln's assassination. On April 17, 1865, the board of supervisors held a meeting, there being present Messrs. Fassking, Farrolly, Meek, Overacker and Green. Mr. Farrolly offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
"Whereas, The sad intelligence has recently come to us of the death of our beloved President, Abraham Lincoln, who has been inhumanly murdered in cold blood by a brutal assassin, the like of which cowardly assault does not find its parallel in the history of the world, therefore be it
"Resolved, That as we have always loved and respected Honest Old Abe, Our Good President, while he lived, and in common unison with our fellow-citizens throughout the Union, we are sad and sorrowing today at the great loss our nation has sustained, trusting in the God of our fathers, who has always sustained our nation, and who ever keeps her destiny in his hands to still uphold our country during this terrible affliction. It is hereby further Resolved, That we do now, as a board of supervisors, adjourn without transacting any business until the first Monday of May, and that all matters coming before us at this time be continued until the said first Monday of May, and that the sheriff of the county be directed to drape the court house with appropriate badges of mourning, the same to remain thirty days."
The Oakland council on April 18, 1865, unanimously adopted the following resolution: "That the untimely death of the Chief Magistrate of the Nation at this particular crisis, is a calamity that must be deplored by every good citizen, coming as it does at the very commencement of the fruition of the great and patriotic measures which he virtuously maintained and vigorously upheld during the long and trying period of his public career. We confess that our grief is mingled with the fear that no living man can accomplish all that his patriotic devotion could have achieved. In view of the great loss which the people of the American Continent, and of the whole civilized world, have sustained in the catastrophe, we recommend that all places of business be closed on the 19th day of April, 1865, and that our citizens generally participate with the people of the United States on that day in rendering homage to the history and memory of the Great Departed." In Oakland the signs of mourning were general, the newspapers turning their column rules, and the public and many private buildings being draped in black.
On March 26, 1866, the Jackson Guards, another military organization, was allowed by the board the sum of $50 per month for rent of an armory. On April 4th further payments to military companies were ordered suspended to await legislative action on the militia law, which subsequently allowed them warrants up till April 1, 1866, and no farther.
In 1872, when the number of companies in the National Guard was reduced, each regiment in the Second brigade losing two, the Oakland Guard was mustered out, but the same evening was again mustered in as an unattached organization. The early captains were James Brown, Harry N. Morse, W. C. Little, A. W. Burrell, H. D. Ranlett, Henry Levy, A. L. Smith, and Thomas H. Thompson. The company's first captain was elected marshal of the city in 1863. The third captain of this company was Colonel Little, who later took so prominent a part in bringing the Oakland Light Cavalry into existence. In all its military duties the Oakland Guard ever held the foremost position. The armory of the company was located at the corner of Central avenue and Washington street.
Oakland Light Cavalry, Second brigade, N. G. C., was organized in 1877, thirty-three members signing the roll at a meeting held on the 31st of July. On the 7th of August the following officers were elected: W. C. Little, captain; E. S. Woodward, first sergeant; J. E. McElrath, senior second sergeant; T. H. Allen, junior second sergeant; C. M. Burleson, secretary; Thomas Prather, financial secretary; W. H. H. Graves, treasurer. The corps originally had their meetings in the old armory hall on Thirteenth street. The Oakland Light Cavalry were mustered into the service of the state, September 23, 1878, with forty-nine rank and file.
Hancock Rifles, Company C, vas organized principally from the Hancock fire brigade, a political body of about 200 members, which had done service during election times in the interest of the democracy. After the election the fire brigade found its occupation gone, and a committee from its ranks was appointed to select suitable young men for a proposed independent military organization. The outgrowth was the Hancock Rifles. Temporary organization was effected with Henry Levy as captain and Martin Ryan as lieutenant. In a remarkably short time the Hancock Rifles had the reputation of being the best independent military organization in the state. The company was mustered into the state militia as a part of the Third Infantry regiment, and given the official title of Company C. The permanent officers were as follows: Captain, Henry Levy; first lieutenant, Martin Ryan; second lieutenant, Will S. O'Brien.
Lyon Post, No. 8, G. A. R., was organized December 10, 1878, and was the first in the county. It had twenty-two charter members, as follows: G. W. Hagnet, George W. Barter, C. P. H. Buck, Thomas E. Park, H. C. Wells, D. C. Lawrence, Dr. W. C. F. Hemstead, George W. Boxley, Samuel Watson, F. L. Parker, James Hill, Moses H. Beal, P. G. Potter, A. W. Cutter, P. Fitzpatrick, L. G. Culver, William McKay, Henry Buck, P. E. Cooney, James Mete, A. W. Collins and J. C. Darneal. G. W. Hagnet was the first post commander.
Joe Hooker Post, No. 11, G. A. R., was organized in Alameda on December 29, 1879, largely through the influence of James Cook. The charter members were James Cook, William Seymour, A. J. Bancroft, Charles Boehse, H. F. Poindexter, D. B. Taylor, Harvey McCoun, Dr. R. H. Cummings, H. Gritt, H. F. Prindle and A. F. Wolff. James Cook was the first commander.
Lou Morris Post, No. 47, G. A. R., was organized at Livermore, September 23, 1882, with the following charter members: F. F. Caruduff, G. W. Langan, B. F. Land, D. M. Connor, L. H. Cutter, J. N. Brown, W. S. Low, B. F. Bramian, E. B. French, J. T. Jacker, G. B. Shearer, C. J. Pullen; James O'Brien, W. W. Colestock, Alpha Clark and I. N. Cone. F. F. Caruduff was the first commander.
Appomattox Post, No. 50, G. A. R., was organized on March 22, 1883, at Oakland. The founders were J. Fredericks, Thomas Todd, T. H. Allen and W. R. Thomas, who withdrew from Lyons Post. At the date of organization the membership numbered nineteen. W. R. Thomas was the first commander.
Lookout Mountain Post, No. 88, G. A. R., was chartered November 14, 1885, and held its first meeting on the l0th. The charter members were O. B. Culver, H. B. Cole, W. F. Bickford, M. J. Acton, Henry Hyer, Dr. W. M. Hilton, T. M. Crud, W. R. Botton, B. D. Boswell, C. Fricks, John Boyd, Gilbert Smith, W. D. Norwood, A. L. Palmer, William McCleave, C. R. Lord, T. Grubestein, F. Gast, James Heuggins and A. Kschieschang. O. B. Culver was the first commander.
On June 21, 1884, Appomattox Post, held an open meeting at which the ladies were present upon invitation. The question of a relief corps was discussed and the same evening the ladies met and organized the Appomattox Woman's Relief Corps, No. 5, with thirty names signed to the original roll. Mrs. May E. Parritt was the first president.
In July, 1884, Lyon Woman's Relief Corps, No. 6, was organized with forty ladies as charter members. Kate McGrew was the first president. The Loyal Ladies league here was organized in 1886 under the name Mother Bickerdyke Post, No. 5; Mrs. D. F. Winchester being the first president. Its objects were about the same as those of the woman's relief corps.
The Oakland Guards and the young students of the California Military Academy, all under the command of Maj. S. N. McClure, participated in the celebration of Washington's birthday in San Francisco in 1875. The splendid marching of the cadets was greatly admired and warmly commented upon by the newspapers then. Oakland Guard, Second brigade, N. G. C., Capt. H. D. Ranlett, was reviewed at Music hall by Colonel Amedburg in April, 1875; he was assisted by Major Savage and General Thompson.
E. B. Jerome was president of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Club in 1877. As its name indicated the club was composed of soldiers and sailors who served in the Union army of the Civil war. All the old soldiers of the county were by special circular invited to join the club. It was a social and political movement independent of the Grand Army. At this time Mr. Hubbard gave an interesting account of the march of the last detachment of the California volunteers en route from New Mexico in 1866 to San Francisco to be mustered out and President Jerome gave an account of the battle of Ball's Bluff where Colonel Baker met his tragic death. In May, 1877, a committee of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Club of Oakland, consisting of Judge Daniels and Messrs. Dunning, Gibson, Cushing and Winkler visited Mountain View cemetery and decorated the graves of the deceased heroes. The Oakland Light Cavalry elected the following officers in 1877: W. C. Little, captain; E. W. Woodward, first lieutenant; J. W. McAlvath, second lieutenant; H. T. Allen, brevet second lieutenant; E. H. Woolsey, surgeon. The Mexican War Veterans Association was organized about 1878 and at one time had thirty-five members. Maj. John L. Bromley was president. General Hancock and wife and a party of friends passed through Oakland in December, 1883. For a short time they were the guests of General Kirkham. He was visited by a large number of old soldiers while here. Detachments from Appomattox and Lyon Posts called upon him.
The camp fire of the G. A. R., on January 20, 1884, was a notable occasion. Thomas, Garfield, Lincoln and Meade posts of San Francisco and Joe Hooker post of Alameda were entertained by Lyon and Appomattox posts of Oakland. The entertainment consisted in music, tableaux, toasts, speeches and stories and took place before a packed house in Germania hall. On the main floor were the old soldiers who ate from tin plates, tin cups and other articles used in camp life. Portraits of Washington, Lincoln and famous Union generals adorned the walls. Promptly at 8 o'clock the veterans of the Mexican war, grizzled and old but noble looking, filed into the hall escorted by the band and greeted by a tempest of cheers. During the performance the stirring notes of fife and drum re-echoed through the hall. W. R. Thomas was master of ceremonies Among the special pieces were the following: "The Soldier's Farewell," a tableau; "The Soldier's Dream," a recitation by Maud Stover; a tableau representing the same subject; "Life in Andersonville Prison," a tableau; Music—"Tramp, Tramp, Tramp the Boys are Marching," "Star Spangled Banner," "Yankee Doodle," "Marching through Georgia;" "The Soldier's Return," a tableau; "Peace," a tableau with Mrs. Inwall as Goddess of Liberty and thirty-eight little girls, the daughters of veterans representing the states. John L. Bromley, a Mexican war veteran, responded to the toast "The Veterans of the Mexican War;" C. M. Renne responded to "The Grand Army of the Republic;" Doctor Wythe to "The Widows and Orphans of the Late War;" J. E. Benton to "Army Ration and Army Beans." All sang "The Old Fashioned White Army Bean" ending with the words, "Beans for breakfast, beans for dinner, beans for supper, beans, beans, beans." R. Staples spoke on the "Department of California, G. A. R.;" George C. Perkins on the "Stars and Stripes." He made the striking point which electrified the vast audience, that there would be no California, no Oakland and no one present that night if it were not for the Mexican war soldiers. Mr. Dibble of Arizona responded to "Our Flag;" Col. J.C. Tucker of the Joe Hooker post read an original poem entitled Appomattox—Put by the Knapsack;" Nellie Holbrook, a veteran's daughter, read "Sheridan's Ride" and "Barbara Fritchie." Mr. Thomas then gave a humorous parody on Barbara Fritchie, which greatly amused the audience. John Ellsworth responded to "Our Departed Comrades." Great applause marked all stages of this splendid performance.
The Pacific Military Academy was founded by Rev. David McClure, Ph. D., in January, 1865, as a private school. The superiority of his course of instruction, which combined military discipline with a full literary course, soon became known and so numerous were the applications for admission that Doctor McClure was forced to enlarge his establishment and employ assistants. The school at this time was located on Ninth street, near Franklin. A roomy addition was built the first year after the founding of the school. The number of cadets constantly increased, and in 1867 a new site was purchased by Doctor McClure, and the following year the main building, was erected, but in 1870, it was found to be insufficient for the accommodation of its increasing patrons, and another large building, three stories high, was built and connected with the armory by a covered passage. The first floor was used for recitation rooms, and the two upper floors as dormitories for the cadets. A destructive fire occurred on the l0th of September, 1873, which completely destroyed this new building, the armory, barns, and other outhouses. The main building, upon which there was a heavy insurance, was saved intact. Doctor McClure immediately set to work to have the destroyed buildings rebuilt, the school in the meantime occupying the building then recently vacated by the state university. Very soon the new buildings, much larger and finer than the first, took the place of those destroyed, and in the space of two months' time were finished, furnished and ready for occupancy. In January, 1884, Doctor McClure resigned from the management of the California Military Academy at North Oakland and was succeeded by Col. W. H. O'Brien who for ten years had been the principal teacher there.
Monday, August 9, 1886, was a day long to be remembered in Oakland. The entire city was decorated in honor of the annual meeting of the G. A. R., the stores were all closed and the parade was gay and brilliant in the extreme. There were six divisions in the parade and scores of appropriate mottos were carried. The parade of the thousands of school children bearing mottos and banners was perhaps the most notable feature. Among the mottos were the following: "Heroes, the children of Oakland greet you;" "We give you promise for the future, as you gave us safety in the past;" "We are training in the school room for the Grand Army of the future;" "Cheers for the visible—tears for the invisible Grand Army;" "Your deeds shall ever be our inspiration—we will learn well and never forget the lessons of this day;" "We like you mighty well—come and see us again." Mrs. General Logan reviewed the children's parade. John A. Logan, R. A. Alger, General Fairchild, Governor Stoneman, General Turnbull and many other noted military men were present. All leaders were given separate and special receptions and shown every honor and consideration possible. The reception to the veterans was called "Oakland's Day," of the Twentieth National Encampment. The executive committee of arrangements invited the county board to participate in the services. The invitation was accepted and the county buildings were ordered duly decorated. On July 31, a formal reception was given Gen. W. T. Sherman at Masonic hall for the benefit of the Appomattox drum corps. There was a very interesting, program. He was introduced by Captain Thomas and was received with a storm of applause. He spoke briefly amid much enthusiasm and hand clapping. On the same evening he was received by Lyon post at Grand Army hall. The posts of Alameda and Berkeley were present; also the Mexican war veterans. He was welcomed by Commander Admy in these words: "General Sherman, by the memories of olden days, on behalf f the old soldiers present, I welcome you here." The general answered in a short and characteristic address in which he alluded to the time when he lived on the bay before Oakland had an existence.
The death of General Grant was appropriately observed in this county in 1885. The county board passed resolutions of grief and condolence and draped the county buildings for thirty days. In the churches memorial services were held and the unselfish loyalty of the dead hero was painted in linguistic flowers. The courts adjourned, the schools closed and the towns were draped in the trappings of death. Orators at mass meetings depicted in eloquent periods the splendid and historic scenes through which the deceased general had passed with so much credit and glory. Through the streets of Oakland solemnly passed the long civil and military parade. In packed halls, J. W. Martin, Reverend Doctor Horton, Mayor Playter, Col. E. A. Sherman, Col. J. P. Irish, R. G. McClellan and others told what a debt the nation owed to General Grant. The G. A. R. posts were present and conspicuous in all the said memorial services. The large stand seating 3,500 people at Harrison square did not accommodate half of the people who wanted to hear the orators and fine, sad dirges and beautiful national airs. All the school children of the city attended the services. The following resolution was adopted: Resolved, that we, citizens of California, offer to civilized mankind this formal evidence of our appreciation of the life, labors and example of General Grant, and that without distinction of creed or party we declare him worthy the place he holds among the greatest men contributed by our country to the embellishment of the world's history.
At first, when the news was received that the Maine had been blown up, there was little excitement here, because it was thought that perhaps it was the result of an unfortunate accident; but as time passed and it began to be believed that the disaster had been caused by the Spaniards, indignation was violently expressed and a desire for revenge took possession of the community.
On April 23, 1898, the President called for 125,000 volunteers to be apportioned among the various states and to serve two years unless sooner discharged. At this time the members of Companies A and F of Oakland and G of Alameda were drilling every night. Promptly came the notification that California would be called upon for two regiments of infantry, two battalions of infantry and four heavy batteries. The newspapers of Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda posted hourly bulletins while the early excitement lasted, and later at critical periods of the struggle. D. M. Connor of Pleasanton announced that he was prepared to enlist a company of 100 men for the war. He stated that he wanted all his recruits to come from the three "cow townships" of the county—Eden, Murray and Washington. A. W. Feidler, president of the board of trustees, Livermore, called a meeting of the citizens of Murray township to consider what action should be taken if any. It was announced humorously at San Leandro that the first men to be drafted for the war would be the bachelors, but this was declared by others to be a maneuver to force them into matrimony. A number of students at the state university were members of the National Guard. This and the stirring news were sufficient to rouse the patriotism of the school, because many there announced their readiness to leave when needed. Prof. A. P. Hayne offered his services to Governor Budd. Lieut. S. A. Cloman in charge of the cadet battalion was ready to go at a moment's call. A branch organization of the Red Cross Society was promptly organized at a big meeting in Berkeley. Col. Charles H. Greenleaf, who had been ordered to the front, made the principal address, after which 141 persons signed the roll. The following officers were elected: President, Mrs. Charles R. Greenleaf; vice-presidents, Martin Kellogg, George E. Swan, Harry Hillard; secretary, Mrs. George M. Stratton; treasurer, Whitney Palache. The objects of the organization were to assist the soldiers in the field. At the Grand Parlor in Nevada City, patriotic resolutions regarding the war with Spain were passed. From the membership of the Ebell Society at Oakland a branch of the Red Cross was organized on May 1st, There was a large attendance at the First Congregational church, Mrs. G. D. Abbott presiding. T. O. Crawford of the Lincoln school announced that a junior society of the Red Cross had been formed by his pupils, two of whom addressed the audience. About a dozen persons spoke briefly on this occasion. Reverend Doctor McLean said he had no heart nor enthusiasm in the war. Col. John P. Irish thought the war might go on for years and other countries become involved. At this time the Berkeley branch of the society was fully organized. There were six Alameda county boys in the fight at Manilla bay. A Red Cross league was formed at Alameda on May 3d at the house of Mrs. George Mastick. On May 11th, the Red Cross league of Oakland moved into the Central Bank building and held daily meetings. They became affiliated with the national society. Steps to raise $2,000 for Red Cross work were taken.
In March, 1898, Company A contained about sixty men, with Charles T. Poulter captain; Company F had seventy-five men with L. C. Wenk captain; and Company G had sixty men with M. W. Simpson captain. All had anticipated war with Spain and were ready to march at the time the thrilling news was received that the Maine had been blown up in Havana harbor. In April, 1898, the people of this county generally admitted that unless Spain should concede the demands of the United States war should follow. Ministers who dwelt upon the horrors of war admitted that sometimes it was necessary in order to secure permanent and satisfactory peace. Reverend Hobart said, "Shall we fight Spain ? There are certain conditions under which we must fight. As a nation we fought for our independence and before God were justified. As a nation we fought to preserve the Union and by Deity and history we have been justified. There are two conditions under which we will be justified: (1) Unless Spain makes just amends for the destruction of the Maine; (2) Unless she ceases her barbarities in Cuba." Other ministers, the newspapers and public speakers took about the same position.
At the first rumor of war a paper was circulated among the students of the university binding those who signed it to enlist in case of war. Many applications to enlist in Company A of Oakland were made.
The first organized body of Oaklanders outside of the National Guard to formally offer its services to the Government was Gage's Artillery Drill Corps. The officers, were Francis J. Gage, captain, Louis Bermont, lieutenant and twelve privates. They passed the examination at Angel Island on May 10. Gates' artillery in May was refused admission into the service as such. They declined to join the regular army, and at once began to recruit a full company for the volunteer service, not knowing then that the National Guard organizations would be given the preference.
Immediately after the message of President McKinley had been read to Congress on April 11th, Capt. C. K. King called a meeting of Company A, Old Guard of Oakland, First Regiment California Veteran Reserves, for Wednesday, April 13th at 474 Eighth street. This step was taken in response to a letter received from the National Volunteer Reserve of New York, with which were associated W. H. D. Washington, president and Generals Schofield and McCook. The letter said in part: "Your very patriotic letter just received and in reply we take pleasure in forwarding you a few enlistment blanks. We will appreciate whatever aid you may render the movement. The national reserve is to be called out by the constituted authorities only in time of foreign war against the United States, or in case of invasion of our territory."
Previous to this date (April 11, 1898) Robert W. Patton had written to the President offering his services in case of conflict with Spain, and was answered that the matter had been referred to the Secretary of War. On April 13th, William J. Dingee donated the use of a large storeroom at 474 Eighth street to the veterans of Oakland for a drill room in their preparations for the war with Spain. To be in readiness Company A elected the following officers: C. K. King, captain; H. H. Woodruff, first lieutenant; S. P. Knight, second lieutenant. The company at this time voted to turn out at funerals of veteran soldiers in Alameda county, carrying the flag, having the drum corps and taking rifles to fire salutes over the dead. On the first evening the company drilled for half an hour on the new ritual. "Oakland leads the way. !Our organization of Company A, First Regiment, California Reserves, sets the pace for the rest of the state."—(Tribune April 15, 1898.)
At the Young Men's Republican league meeting of April 15, resolutions endorsing the course of President McKinley toward Spain were passed. They were introduced by James Oliver of Berkeley. At this time the league numbered 360 members. With the opening of war on April 21st, the board of public works passed resolutions directing city officials to raise the national flag above the municipal buildings. At the same time the police and fire commissioners passed resolutions that in case any policeman or fireman should enter the army he should be entitled to his position again at the conclusion of his term of service.
On April 19th, a force of soldiers passed through this county bound for Chickamauga; they comprised Batteries C and F from the light artillery at the Presidio, San Francisco―147 men with eight guns under Captain Pettit. A large crowd gathered at the Broad Gauge Mole to see them. On April 20th, the First regiment of the regular army passed through this county bound for the East. They were bombarded with flowers by the enthusiastic crowd that assembled at the mole. Among the troops was Sergeant-Major McCleave of Berkeley. On April 28th, Col. F. B. Fairbanks notified Company A to sign the roll and otherwise be in readiness for service. Company F and Company G received similar notice.
The completed rolls of Companies A and F were sent to Adjutant-General Barrett on May 1, 1898. Each company had considerable of an emergency roll. In all parts of the state the Sons of Veterans organized for the war. Captain King organized the company in Oakland. A volunteer list was opened at Niles, W. B. Kirk, Fred Hamptman, F. B. McKay and V. L. Philipot being the first to sign the enlistment roll. The young men of Oakland organized a cavalry troop on May 16th, with E. C. Leffingwell as captain. On May 17th the colored citizens of Oakland met at Bethel Church and secured 300 signatures for service in the war against Spain. The First Regiment of California Volunteers left San Francisco for Manilla on May 25th under the command of Col. James F. Smith and numbered 1,086 men. The farewell demonstration was grand and inspiring.
Late at night on May 23d the Tenth regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers, 640 strong, arrived on two special trains and spent the remainder of the night at Peralta. Oakland had prepared to give them a fitting reception, but they arrived too late. On the 24th, as they passed through the city on their way to San Francisco, several thousand people gathered and cheered them and treated them to fruit and flowers. Decoration Day in 1898 was celebrated at Oakland with more than ordinary sentiment and grandeur owing to the existence of the war with Spain. There was a splendid parade and the graves in the cemetery were decorated with due honor and publicity. Rev. A. T. Needham was the orator. The parade contained the depleted ranks of the old veterans.
On July 1st there were three battalions of four companies each at Camp Barrett. Company G of Alameda was in the Second Battalion and Company F of Oakland was in the Third Battalion. All were given the new name of the Eighth regiment, California volunteers, and were commanded by Col. Park Henshaw. Camp Barrett was located on the Bruguiere place beyond Fruitvale. On June 27th Lieut. C. C. Covalt with about twenty men of Company F went there, took possession and hoisted the flag. The next day many tents were erected and four companies from San Rafael, San Jose, Santa Rosa and Colusa arrived and encamped. The remainder of Company F reached Camp Barrett by the 28th.
Soon after the war commenced the Red Cross Society of Alameda County was organized at Oakland. At the first meeting $2,000 was raised or pledged. On May 26th, $1,000 was sent to the Kansas soldiers. On July 2d the Oakland council appropriated $100 for the Red Cross service. By the middle of August the Red Cross Society had raised a total f $15,000 for the soldiers, of which $6,991 was cash and the balance mostly supplies. In July the Red Cross tent at the camp was in charge of Mrs. C. J. Martin. At all times the volunteers were well treated by the society and generally by the ladies of this whole community who brought or sent them flowers, fruit and delicacies and otherwise tried to soften the rigors of camp life. No sooner had Camp Barrett been occupied than the Christian Commission erected there a large tent where religious services could be attended by the volunteers. Later the Red Cross Society secured the old Howe house in Piedmont and converted it into a convalescent hospital for the soldiers. Several score of sick men were cared for at this necessary institution. In a short time Camp Barrett became unsanitary as it did not have suitable drainage, and the soldiers were obliged to leave that vicinity and pitch their tents elsewhere; all moved to a position across the track of the Laundry Farm road.
In September three eastern and three California regiments were encamped in this state. As the weather grew colder they asked for barracks. In August the Eighth regiment drilled in San Francisco at a celebration; Colonel Henshaw was commander. About August l0th it became known that the Eighth regiment would be sent to Manilla within a short time. The third fleet for Manilla left San Francisco on June 26th. Almost at the outset of the war boys at the university began to leave and enlist in companies at San Francisco and elsewhere with the hope of thus getting into the service more easily and quickly. At the battle of Manilla with the fleet of Admiral Dewey were several boys from Alameda county, among them being F. M. Cushing on the Olympia and L. A. Eberlin on the Petrel.
In the spring of 1898 General Warfield commanded the Second brigade, N. G. C. No sooner had the war commenced than he organized the First California regiment of which James F. Smith was appointed colonel. Through their promptness the regiment was accepted for service in the Philippines and Colonel Smith became ranking officer of the volunteer troops sent to the islands. In this regiment were twenty to thirty men from Alameda county. The entire regiment of twelve full companies sailed from San Francisco on May 25th on the City of Peking and was accompanied by all the craft in the bay as far as the Golden Gate. The last farewell parade in San Francisco was an elaborate and impressive affair. Members of the Red Cross societies were conspicuous both in the parade and in the farewell at the harbor mouth. The regiment took away many carrier pigeons which brought back messages from the boys when they were far out at sea. The regiment went first to Honolulu and then to the Philippines where it participated in the battle of Manilla, the fighting around Luneta, and the engagements at Paco, Santa Mesa and other points. It lost a total of thirty-eight killed and one missing. All of the Alameda county boys returned.
As soon as it was announced that the First regiment would return in August, 1899, elaborate preparations to give it a grand reception at San Francisco were made. As soon as it was announced that the returning boys were off the Golden Gate an imposing naval parade met them and escorted them amid waving flags and booming cannon to the wharf. Market street, San Francisco, was a scene of color and beauty rarely witnessed even on that famous avenue. In the glittering parade were Companies A, F and G of Alameda county.
The soldier boys of Oakland, first to return from the war, were not given a public reception by the citizens generally, which fact aroused much unfavorable and uncomplimentary comment. The matter was finally taken up by Company A, of the Veteran Reserves, and a reception was arranged in honor of all who retired to private life when the Eighth regiment was mustered out. They were given a magnificent reception and banquet at Loring Hall, Eleventh and Clay streets, on August 29, 1899. The reception was really given by the veterans of the Civil war, the Grand Army posts, the Daughters of Liberty and the Women's Corps assisting. The welcome in Oakland took the form of a parade, banquet and dance to all Alameda county boys who had served in the Spanish-American war. They were received at the railway station and escorted with due pomp through the streets to Loring hall, where they were addressed by Captain King, Mayor Snow, Mr. Crawford, Mrs. Abbott, G. W. Arbuckle and A. C. Henry. The boys thus so fittingly received and entertained were as follows: W. A. Varney, George C. Eldridge, W. H. Hosmer, John Milledge, P. H. Raine, C. P. Hirst, John Bickford, Henry Luhrs, A. M. Jones, M. Loftus, S. A. Newman, Albert Bethin, W. E. Spofford, L. M. Thomas, G. W. Dell, A. M. Smith, J. E. Luttrell, Albert Berlin, C. R. Griffith, O. A. Poubson, Albert Egger, J. M. Hubbard, E. Harvey, M. K. York, Walter Carman, E. J. Leary, J. H. Robinson, W. A. Thompson, J. H. Kleupper, S. W. Platt, Q. C. Haly, Alexander Less, S. Kelleher, J. J. Silcox, E. J. McKeon, G. H. Sheppard, Robert Mudge, Fred Field and F. W. Field. Alameda also gave the boys a formal reception.
In the summer of 1899 the people of the state prepared to give every volunteer in the war with Spain a suitable medal as a permanent badge and memento of his services. There was organized in this county several volunteer medal fund committees authorized to collect money with this object in view. The Native Sons of the Golden West were active in this movement. In August Alameda county contributed $600 to the volunteer medal fund and sent that amount to the central committee in San Francisco.
Decoration day in 1899 was duly and beautifully observed under the auspices of the Grand Army posts. The streets were paraded and at the cemetery the graves of the old soldiers were decorated. Rev. Alexander Blackburn, of Oregon, was orator of the day. In 1899 the Fifth regiment was reorganized with A. K. Whitton as colonel. He had formerly been lieutenant colonel of the old Fifth, but when the Eighth was organized he became major therein and served in the volunteer service until the Eighth was mustered out. In September, 1899, the alumni of Berkeley high school gave an informal reception to its members who had gone as volunteers to the Philippines and returned with honor—Russ, Berger, Hughes, Wilson, Riggs, Mix, Webster and others. The model for the memorial statue for the California volunteers who lost their lives in the Philippines was prepared in 1903-04 by Douglas Tilden, the distinguished sculptor of Oakland, and was accepted by the committee of prominent citizens in charge of the matter.
Mr. Tilden also designed a statue of Father Junipero Serra, a monument to the dead soldiers of Oregon, and Senator White's memorial for Los Angeles.
The first annual state encampment of the Service Men of the Spanish-American War was held at Foresters hall, Thirteenth and Clay streets, Oakland, in December, 1913, under the auspices of the Oakland camp.
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.