California State Military Department

The California State Military Museum

Preserving California's Military Heritage

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California State Militia and National Guard Unit Histories

Monte Rangers

Assigned to: First Brigade

Location: Los Angeles, Los Angeles County

 

Organized: February 23, 1854

Mustered out: May 1, 1861

 

Commanding Officers

John H.. Hughes, Captain, Date of Rank: February 23, 1854
James H. Wethersby, First Lieutenant, Date of Rank: February 23, 1854

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History

Three volunteer. companies of Cavalry were organized in Los Angeles County in the space of eight months from July 1853 to February 1854. In the southern part of the state a twofold purpose for military protection was evident. First, was the fact that the citzens were continually subjected to Indian depredations.

 

Secondly, organized bands of outlaws roamed the country pillaging and robbing. The Sheriff's office in both instances proved entirely inadequate to cope with the situations, and as a result militia companies were organized.

The Monte Rangers was the third company to be organized, which was accomplished on February 23, 1854. John H. Hughes was elected Captain and James H. Wethersby, First Lieutenant. The necessary Bond was filed with the Adjutant General's Office on March twenty-fifth along with the requisition for forty colt pistols, forty rifles, and all necessary accoutrements.

The letters on file do not report any of the activities of the Monte Rangers: In 1859 the Bond and the requisition for arms was still or file, but there was no evidence of the company having ever received their arms from the Quartermaster, and it was believed the Monte Rangers disbanded sometime during that year. (1)

(1) Adjutant General Report, 1859, page 31.

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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