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(NOTE: I post this event notice as an "EBUFU," believing that the event's participation criteria will be fully up to that standard. If the moderators, upon investigation, feel differently, they are welcome to move this post as needed.)
In the Spring of 1862, more than 2,000 California troops, with a small contingent of Regular artillery, marched from southern California into what was then the New Mexico Territory (which included the present state of Arizona). Having expected, when they enlisted, to be sent east to fight rebels, they were sorely disappointed to learn their assignment to duties seemingly less "heroic." Commanded by a former Regular, Col. (later Brig. Gen.) James Carleton, the Column's original purpose was to assist in defeating and driving out of that territory an invading force of Texans, under Brig. Gen. Henry H. Sibley. Unbeknownst to them at the time they entered the Territory, Sibley's reverse at Glorieta Pass (N.M.) had essentially ended the Confederate campaign and put the Texans into full retreat. Nevertheless, the Californians pursued, with detachments eventually reaching, albeit briefly, into western Texas. For the remainder of the war (and even beyond, for some), California troops occupied posts throughout the southwestern U.S., periodically combating hostile Indian tribes.
Of the Column's march, Maj. Gen. Halleck later observed in a letter: "It is one of the most creditable marches on record. I only wish our Army here had the mobility and endurance of the California troops."
March 23-27, 2011 will see a recreation of the Column's epic march, along a portion of the route they actually travelled - the route of the Butterfield Stagecoach -- through northern San Diego County, California. The events website is at:
The marching contingent will depict Co. E, 1st Infantry Regiment, Cal. Vols. The march will cover about 36 miles, over three "marching" days. A significant portion of the march route will actually be on the remains of the old stage road. The march will will cross terrain which begins in "chapparal" type country and ends at an actual desert water hole -- one which the Column troops themselves stopped at -- in the midst of some very harsh, dry desert. One night's stop will be at a (restored/recreated) Butterfield stage station that the Column troops used as a resting place en route. Camping will be strictly "campaign" style bivouacking. Rations issued will be those specified by Col. Carleton (see web site). Uniforms and equipment will be as per Carleton's General Order No. 3 (again, see web site).
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN and closes firmly on Feb. 25, 2011. The march is limited (at least for this initial version) to a maximum of 25 marching men. No walk-ons, no late registrations can be accepted. A copy of the event flyer is attached.
In the Spring of 1862, more than 2,000 California troops, with a small contingent of Regular artillery, marched from southern California into what was then the New Mexico Territory (which included the present state of Arizona). Having expected, when they enlisted, to be sent east to fight rebels, they were sorely disappointed to learn their assignment to duties seemingly less "heroic." Commanded by a former Regular, Col. (later Brig. Gen.) James Carleton, the Column's original purpose was to assist in defeating and driving out of that territory an invading force of Texans, under Brig. Gen. Henry H. Sibley. Unbeknownst to them at the time they entered the Territory, Sibley's reverse at Glorieta Pass (N.M.) had essentially ended the Confederate campaign and put the Texans into full retreat. Nevertheless, the Californians pursued, with detachments eventually reaching, albeit briefly, into western Texas. For the remainder of the war (and even beyond, for some), California troops occupied posts throughout the southwestern U.S., periodically combating hostile Indian tribes.
Of the Column's march, Maj. Gen. Halleck later observed in a letter: "It is one of the most creditable marches on record. I only wish our Army here had the mobility and endurance of the California troops."
March 23-27, 2011 will see a recreation of the Column's epic march, along a portion of the route they actually travelled - the route of the Butterfield Stagecoach -- through northern San Diego County, California. The events website is at:
The marching contingent will depict Co. E, 1st Infantry Regiment, Cal. Vols. The march will cover about 36 miles, over three "marching" days. A significant portion of the march route will actually be on the remains of the old stage road. The march will will cross terrain which begins in "chapparal" type country and ends at an actual desert water hole -- one which the Column troops themselves stopped at -- in the midst of some very harsh, dry desert. One night's stop will be at a (restored/recreated) Butterfield stage station that the Column troops used as a resting place en route. Camping will be strictly "campaign" style bivouacking. Rations issued will be those specified by Col. Carleton (see web site). Uniforms and equipment will be as per Carleton's General Order No. 3 (again, see web site).
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN and closes firmly on Feb. 25, 2011. The march is limited (at least for this initial version) to a maximum of 25 marching men. No walk-ons, no late registrations can be accepted. A copy of the event flyer is attached.
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