California State Military Department
The California State Military Museum
Preserving California's Military Heritage
California State Militia and National Guard Unit Histories
City Guard
(San Francisco)
 

Official Title: City Guard, Company B, 1st Infantry Regiment, Second Brigade

Location: San Francisco, San Francisco County

Mustered in: March 31, 1854

Commanding Officers

 

History:

A new military company drawn from the ranks of the old First California Guard was organized in San.Francisco, March 31,1854. An election was held pursuant to an order issued by the County Judge, and the following officers were elected: John A. Clark, Captain; George F. Watson, First Lieutenant. The new company was to be known as the City Guard. (1)
 
The City Guard presented a fine appearance on parade or at drill. At their first target excursion to Oakland, the first prize, a beautiful piece of California quartz set in gold chasing, surrounded with the inscription, "City Guard, organized March 31, 1854", was won by Lieutenant Loving.
 
The elite of the San Francisco and Sacramento militia assembled at Sacramento to participate in the inaugural of Governor-elect J. Neeley Johnson in January 1856. Included in the assemblage was the City Guard, Marion Rifles, Wallace Guard, California Guard, San Francisco Blues, Sarsfield Guard, and National Lancers of San Francisco. The Sacramento contingent was composed of the Sutter Rifles and the Sacramento Guard. Several parades were held and the contrasting colorful uniforms and the soldierly appearance of all the troops elicited favorable comment. The Guardsmen were guests at several social functions, the local companies providing much of the entertainment.(2)

Following a dress parade the troops were reviewed by Governor Bigler, Quartermaster General Kibbe, General John A. Sutter and other dignitaries. Captain Clark of the City Guard officiated as officer of the day, with Lieutenant Eyres of the Sutter Rifles as his Adjutant. The following day the troops were again assembled for dress parade and that afternoon waited on Governor-elect Johnson at his residence on F Street, and then accompanied him to the State Capitol where he took the oath of office. The San Francisco companies departed for home the next day after tendering a:vote of thanks to their Sacramento brethren for the royal entertainment during their visit in Sacramento.
 
Five months after the inauguration of Governor Johnson the City Guard took part in protecting the life of James P. Casey in San Francisco, when combined with other companies they surrounded the City Jail and prevented the lynching of Casey who had shot down and fatally wounded James King, editor of the San Francisco Bulletin, who had been active in opposing; corrupt political practices of influential leaders at that time. The support rendered the Sheriff by the military companies lasted only a few days, however, and led to the disbanding of the City Guard on May sixteenth, and the withdrawal of other troops. This condition was brought about by the actions of the Sheriff, whom. officers of the Guard claimed, withheld some of their arms which had been left at the jail when the troops were called out the preceding Wednesday night, and when Sheriff's deputies removed other arms from their armory without their consent.

Another reason given by the guardsmen for refusing to obey the orders of the officer was that while they believed they had been assembled to protect the people, they would not care to fire into the ranks of their friends. (3) Colonel J. B. West, commanding the First Infantry Battalion, Second Brigade, seized the muskets, cartridge boxes, belts, etc., of the company for use elsewhere, and as the City Guard owned most of the equipment the members demanded its return in a specified time. The failure to return their property led.to adoption of strong resolutions of condemnation of the Colonel's actions resulting; in the disbandment of the company. (4)
 
On May 27th, the old City Guard perfected a reorganization under the name of Independent City Guard, the ranks being filled with most of the members of the old troop and the addition of some new members. John A. Clark was elected Captain of the new troop and George F. Watson, First Lieutenant. This new company was independent an was not subject to the Governor's call when on June 3, 1855, Governor Johnson issued the Proclamation declaring San Francisco in a "state of Insurrection", and asking for volunteer companies. The company remained independent about two years, and on March 11, 1859, they were mustered into the service again under their old title of City Guard, Company B, First Infantry Regiment, Second Brigade. (5)
 
In the Adjutant General's Report of 1861, General Kibbe stated,
"...this is one of the oldest and best drilled companies in the service of the State numbering eighty-eight men, is well officered and equipped, and composed of men who take much pride in the military art. This company has furnished from its ranks this year, one Brigadier-General, one Surgeon, and one Captain of 'Volunteers in the United States Service and three General Staff Officers. 'Much praise is due the members of the company for the military enterprise displayed at all times."
 
 
The files reveal that on November 27; 1869, the armory of the City Guard, and most of their arms and equipment, were destroyed by fire. A survey resulted and all the damaged equipment was condemned and a requisition for new arms and equipment was issued and honored.
 
A careful search of the company's records showed that aside from the regular drill and parades no unusual happenings occurred from 1869 to 1879. With the reorganization of the National Guard in 1880, the name of City Guard, Company B, First Infantry Regiment. was dropped and the company was, thereafter, known as Company B, First Infantry Regiment, Second Brigade.

Footnotes

(1) Daily Alta California, April 4, 1854, page 2, column 2.

(2) Sacramento Union, January 9, 1856, page 2, column 1.

(3) Sacramento Union, May 16, 1856, pages 1-3.

(4) San Francisco Daily Herald, May 17, 1856, page 2, column 2.

(5) San Francisco Daily Herald, May 17, 1856, page 2, column 2.
This history was written in 1940 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in conjunction with the office of the Adjutant General and the California State Library
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