California Civil War Rosters Introduction to the Sixth Regiment of Infantry �Records of California Men in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 To 1867.� 1890. Transcribed by Sandy Neder. From the book �Records of California Men in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 to 1867� by Brig.-Gen. Richard H. Orton, pub. 1890 pp 89-97 This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter. All persons donating to this site retain the rights to their own work. This regiment was organized early in 1863, the authorization being conveyed in the following telegram: War Department, December 2, 1862 . Brigadier-General Wright, Commanding Department of Pacific, San Francisco : You are authorized by the Secretary of War to raise the regiment of infantry and the seven companies of cavalry mentioned in your letter of October thirtieth. Thomas M. Vincent Acting Adjutant-General Upon the receipt of the foregoing telegram, General Wright organized a Board consisting of Colonel Albemarle Cody, Sixth U. S. Infantry, Lieutenant-General Geo. H. Ringgold, Deputy Paymaster-General, U.S.A. , and Major P.G.S. Ten Broeck , Surgeon , U.S.A. , to examine the applicants for commissions in the new organizations, and sent the following communication to the Governor: Headquarters Department of the Pacific, San Francisco , Cal. , December 8, 1862 . His Excellency LELAND STANFORD , Governor State of California, Sacramento City , Cal. : Sir: I have authority from the Secretary of War to raise in this State another regiment of infantry and seven companies of cavalry. The cavalry companies are designed to complete the organization of the First Cavalry, California Volunteers, now consisting of only five companies. I have organized a Board of experienced army officers at my headquarters for the purpose of preparing a plan of organization, and examining the candidates for appointment and submitting their recommendations for my action. From time to time, as I receive the recommendations of the Board, I propose to submit them to the consideration of your Excellency. It is believed that the plan proposed for selecting the officers will secure the services of efficient and reliable men. The power of commissioning the officers is by law vested with the Governors of States, and should you approve of my plans, and refer all applicants for appointments to the consideration of the Board before giving any commissions, your Excellency will be relieved from much embarrassment and annoyance. With great respect, I have the honor to be your Excellency's obedient servant, G. WRIGHT Brigadier-General , U.S. Army, Commanding. The headquarters of the regiment was established at Benicia , where the companies were assembled as they completed the organization. Henry M. Black , then a Captain in the ninth U.S. Infantry, was appointed Colonel. Colonel Black's military history is as follows: Appointed to the Military Academy from Pennsylvania July 1, 1842; graduated and appointed Brevet Second Lieutenant Fourth Infantry, July 1, 1864; Second Lieutenant Seventh Infantry, August 20, 1847; First Lieutenant Ninth Infantry, March 3, 1855, Captain, September 10, 1856; Colonel Sixth California Infantry, February 1, 1863; mustered out October 27, 1865; Major Seventh U.S. Infantry, July 25, 1866; Lieutenant-Colonel Fourth Infantry, October 7, 1868; assigned to Fifteenth Infantry, July 1, 1870; Colonel Twenty-third Infantry, February 6, 1882. Served in the Mexican War, 1846 to 1848; on frontier duty, 1848 to 1861; on Pacific Coast , 1861 to 1864; Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Military Academy, 1864 to 1868; since then to 1890, in various parts of the country on duty with his regiment. On the eighty of February, 1864, Colonel Black , with the Major and three companies of his regiment, went to Humboldt County for the purpose of putting an end to the Indian war in that district. The following letter is all that can be found regarding the service of Colonel Black in that part of the State: Headquarters Department of the Pacific San Francisco , May 9, 1864 . Adjutant-General U.S. Army, Washington , D.C. : Sir: Tranquility prevails throughout the department except in the district of Humboldt, where the Indian war is being prosecuted vigorously and successfully. Colonel H.M. Black , Sixth Infantry, California Volunteers, has been zealous and indefatigable in pursuing the enemy, and his officers and men have endured the hardships and exposures of that inhospitable region, amidst the snows and rains, with the greatest cheerfulness. The whole country is covered with our scouting parties, and already between thirty and forty of the hostile Indians have been killed and many wounded, with but trifling loss on our side. Some of the principal chiefs have surrendered, and Colonel Black expresses the opinion that the war will soon cease. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. WRIGHT Brigadier-General , U.S. Army, Commanding. The field and staff officers were mustered out at Benicia Barracks October 31, 1865 . Company A. Company A was mustered into service as a company of U.S. Volunteers, unattached, by Captain Winder, Third U.S. Artillery, October 21, 1862 , at Alcatraz Island , Cal . The company remained on Alcatraz Island until November 17, 1862 , when, in obedience to Special Orders No. 204, from the Headquarters of the Department of the Pacific, dated San Francisco , November 14, 1862 , it proceeded to, and took post at the Presidio, San Francisco . On the ninth of February, 1863 , in compliance with directions from Headquarters Department of the Pacific, dated San Francisco , February 9, 1863 , the company was designated as Company A, Sixth Regiment of Infantry, California Volunteers. In obedience to Special Orders No. 83, from Headquarters Department of the Pacific, San Francisco , Cal. , of March 28, 1863 , the company left the Presidio of San Francisco, Cal., on the thirtieth of March, 1863 , en route for Benicia Barracks, Cal. , at which place it arrived on the same day. It remained at Benicia Barracks, Cal. , until August 24, 1863 , when, pursuant to Special Orders No. 195, from headquarters Department of the Pacific, San Francisco , Cal. , of August 22, 1863 , and Orders No. 96, from Headquarters Benicia Barracks, Cal. , of August 23, 1863 , the company proceeded to Butte County , Cal. , at which place it arrived August. 26, 1863, taking post at Camp Bidwell , near Chico , where it remained until October 24, 1863 ; when, pursuant to Special Orders No. 118, Department of the Pacific, on date May 30, 1864, the company proceeded to Alcatraz Island , arriving there June 1, 1864, where it remained until April 17, 1865. In obedience to Special Orders No. 85, Department of the Pacific, of date April 17, 1865, the company proceeded to Harrison-Street Recruiting Station in the city of San Francisco, Cal., remaining there until May 25, 1865, when, pursuant to Special Orders No. 116, Department of the Pacific, of date May 24, 1865, the company again took post at Alcatraz Island, arriving there May 25, 1865. Company A was mustered out of service per Department General Orders No. 19, of October 16, 1865 , at Presidio Barracks, Cal. , October 31, 1865 . Company B. Was organized in San Francisco , May 11, 1864 , and served in garrison at Benicia Barracks until October 25, 1865 , when it was mustered out pursuant to Department General Orders No. 19. Company C. Company C was mustered into the service of the United States , October 20, 1863 . Left Benicia Barracks February 15, 1864, and arrived at Fort Humboldt , Cal. , February 17, 1864 . Same day ordered to scout after Indians. Returned to Arcata, February 27, 1864 . March 1, 1864 , ordered to camp at Boynton's Prairie. Arrived same day. Company on scout from this camp until July 8, 1864 , when it was ordered to Camp Jaqua . Arrived same day. On scout from this camp from July 10 to October 30, 1864 , killing and capturing forty Indians. October 10, 1864 , the company left Camp Jaqua for Fort Humboldt . Arrived October 11, 1864 . Left Fort Humboldt May 8, 1865 , for Camp Lincoln , and arrived May 10, 1865 . Distance marched by company during eight months' active campaigning against Indians amounts to nearly two thousand miles. The company was on duty at Camp Lincoln , Humboldt County , until it was ordered to the Presidio, San Francisco , for final muster out, which took place December 15, 1865 . Company D. Was organized in San Francisco , September 12, 1864 . It was stationed at Benicia Barracks until June, 1865; it then went to Nevada , and was stationed for a short time at Camp McDermit , Queens River . No record of the service it performed in Nevada can be found. It was mustered out at the Presidio, San Francisco , December 20, 1865 . Company E. Company E was organized on the eleventh of July, 1863 , and stationed at Benicia Barracks, Cal. , till February 15, 1864 , when it was ordered to Fort Humboldt , Cal. , where it arrived February 17, 1864 . From that time until October 10, 1864 , company was constantly in the field operating against hostile Indians in the District of Humboldt. Left Fort Humboldt for Benicia , October 16, 1864 ; arrived October 20, 1864 . This company was discharged at Benicia Barracks, Cal. , per General Orders No. 19, October 31, 1865 . Company F. Company F was organized August 17, 1864 , and was stationed at Benicia Barracks, Cal. , until mustered out, October 25, 1865 , per Department General Orders No. 19, of October 16, 1865 . Company G. Was organized at Benicia Barracks, February 2, 1864 . It left that post February 15, 1864 , by steamer, for Fort Humboldt , Cal. , and arrived at Fort Humboldt on the seventeenth. Left Fort Humboldt on the twenty-eighth of February, and arrived the same day at camp near Arcata. Distance from Benicia Barracks, Cal. , two hundred and sixty miles. March second the company left camp near Arcata, and arrived at camp near Fort Gaston on the fifth. Left for Stephens ' Camp on the ninth, scouted the South Fork of Trinity River, and returned to camp near Fort Gaston on the seventeenth. Left camp for Martin 's Ferry, on the Klamath River , on the twenty-second, and arrived there the same day. Left on the twenty-fourth for a scout down the Klamath River, and returned to Martins Ferry on the twenty-eighth, and on the thirtieth returned to camp near Fort Gaston . Estimated distance marched, two hundred and ninety miles. Rain and snow most of the time after leaving camp near Fort Gaston . April 13, 1864 , the company left camp near Fort Gaston , and arrived at Camp Jaqua , Cal. , on the eighteenth. Estimated distance, fifty-six miles. Left Camp Jaqua for Fort Baker on the twenty-second on a scout. Returned on the twenty-sixth. Estimated distance, one hundred and fifty miles. May first a detachment of the company left camp for the vicinity of Brown's Ranch, on a scout, and returned on the third. Left on the fourth for the same place; returned on the eighty. Second detachment left on the sixth to scout on Mad River ; returned on the ninth. First detachment left on the tenth for Redwoods, and returned on the twentieth. Second detachment left again on the twelfth for pilot Creek; returned on the twentieth. A small detachment left on the sixteenth for Fort Baker ; returned on the eighteenth. Company left for Rabbit Creek on the twenty-first; had a fight with the Indians, killing twelve and taking four prisoners; returned on the twenty-fifth. Estimated distance marched, including company and detachments, four hundred and eighty miles. A detachment left Camp Jaqua on the fifth of June for the vicinity of Mad River , and returned on the fifteenth. left again on the twenty-fifth for Redwoods and Fresh Water Slough; returned on the twenty-ninth. Estimated distance marched, two hundred and twenty-five miles. Captain Cook , with Company G, left Camp Jaqua on the eleventh of July, 1864 , for Fort Humboldt , and arrived on the twelfth. Distance marched, thirty-five miles. Company left Fort Humboldt October 18, 1864 , and arrived at Benicia Barracks October 20, 1864 . Distance, two hundred and forty-five miles. January 24, 1865 , the company left Benicia Barracks, en route for San Juan South, Cal. Arrived at San Jose January seventh. Remained there until January thirtieth, as per instructions received from Lieutenant-Colonel Haven, A.D.C. on the staff of Major-General McDowell. Resumed the march January thirtieth. Arrived at San Juan February 2, 1865 . February fifteenth resumed the march, and arrived at Monterey Barracks February seventeenth. Distance marched from Benicia Barracks to Monterey Barracks, one hundred and sixty-five miles. Company G was mustered out of service at the Presidio Barracks, San Francisco , per Department General Orders No. 19, October 31, 1865 . Company H. Was stationed at Benicia Barracks March 4, 1864 , and was stationed at that post during the whole of its term of service. It was mustered out October 25, 1865 . Company I. This company was mustered into the United States service September 2, 1864, at Benicia Barracks, Cal., where it remained on duty until June 3, 1865, at which time it started for Nevada, arriving at Fort Churchill June 14, 1865; it was at Camp Black, Paradise Valley, during July and August, 1865; in the field during September, and finally mustered out at the Presidio, San Francisco, December 20, 1865. No record of the service performed in Nevada can be found. Company K. This company was organized at San Francisco February 3, 1864; it was stationed at Benicia Barracks until September, 1864; it was then on duty in San Francisco as Provost Guard until July, 1865; then at Benicia Barracks, until its final muster out at that post October 25, 1865.