Commanding Officers
Official History
Brigham Young, Governor of the Territory of Utah, and his Morman followers were experiencing difficulties with the Federal Government and more trouble was apprehended, necessitating aid from the California Militia. Therefore, the pioneers in California appreciating the need of men to give their services began to organize volunteer companies to be prepared for their country's call.
On January 1, 1858, E. N. Bunn, Superintendent, of Soquil issued a notice stating that, "By Order of Honorable Henry Rice, County Judge of Santa Cruz County, the members of the independent company of cavalry were requested to meet at the office of Richard Scott in Watsonville on the sixteenth day of January A.D. 1858, at one o'clock P.M. to organize and elect officers" The meeting was held punsuant to the call with E. N. Bunn in the presiding chair and A. E. Devoe acting as Secretary. After roll call the members proceeded with the election of officers. Sixty-six men were present to sign the Muster Roll and the company was designated as the Crusade Rangers of the California Mounted Volunteers of the First Brigade, Second Division.
When the papers for the new organization
were sent to the Adjutant General a note was enclosed as quoted:
"Captain Prewitt Sinclair of the Crusade Rangers is an old
trapper, having been! in the mountains contiguous to Salt Lake
for sixteen years and is well acquainted with all the Indians
in the vicinity, speaks three different Indian languages and knows
their general character.". This note was unsigned. Second
Lieutenant Bunn communicated with the Adjutant General on the
fourteenth of March at the request of the company to inquire,
"if the General thought there would be a call on California
for volunteers to Salt Lake, and if the call did come would the
Adjutant General favor their company by representing them and
have them accepted. Also to please forward the necessary papers
to him self (Lt. Bunn). The Lieutenant further stated that the
company was very uneasy and the men were afraid they would not
be called, and also extended his complimentary wishes to Adjutant
General Kibbe for the General's newly received nomination for
the position of Quartermaster-General.
As there is no printed Report of the Adjutant General for the
year of 1858, there is no record to indicate how long the company
may have existed, and historical records of the Mormon trouble
only lists Federal companies as having participated in the combat,
therefore, it is assumed that the Crusade Rangers disbanded shortly
after organization since their services were not needed.