CHAPTER I.

“SAN FRANCISCO CITY GUARD.”

“Build me straight, O, worthy master!Staunch and strong—a goodly vessel,That shall laugh at all disaster,And with wave and whirlwind wrestle!”Longfellow.

“Build me straight, O, worthy master!

Staunch and strong—a goodly vessel,

That shall laugh at all disaster,

And with wave and whirlwind wrestle!”

Longfellow.

APPEARING upon the charter-roll of the First California Guard, under date of organization, namely, July 27, 1849, will be found the name of J. Russel Gerry, M. D., company surgeon. Upon looking further along the roll we find the names of John A. Clark and George F. Watson, first and second lieutenants, respectively, of the company, both having joined on May 21, 1852. Second Sergt. R. M. Stephenson and Corporal John W. Conner also joined at the same time with the lieutenants. Third Sergt. E. W. Crowell, together with R. S. La Motte, H. D. La Motte, and Charles S. Simpson, date from July 13, 1852; and Thomas B. Parker from October 5th same year. Fourth Sergt. H. F. Wadsworth and Joseph Henriques joined in 1852, but the exact dates cannot be given at this writing. H. D. La Motte and E. G. Hilton, two of the three now living, who were among the organizers of the “City Guard,” furnish evidence between them to show that the following named gentlemen were also among those who belonged to the California Guard just prior to March 31, 1854—the great day—but are unable to give the dates of their first joining same: Asa L. Loring, Charles Le Gay, John Ames, John McQuade, E. G. Hilton (who speaks for himself), John C. Briggs, P. R. Moore, Samuel C. Loring, E. R Dimmock, and J. H. Pierce.

The records of the California Guard are very incomplete for the early years, particularly so for 1853, that year only showing two enlistments. This is the reason why the writer is unable to furnish the dates above left vacant.

The First California Guard was originally organized as a train of artillery, and exercised in the standing gun drill, besides drilling with muskets. Early in 1854, however, they changed into a horse battery, receiving from the state two six-pound brass guns with carriages and all appliances.

This change did not meet with favor from all the members of the battery, some particularly desiring to retain the old form of organization, as they did not care for the mounted work; nor did they relish the manner in which their captain, Woodworth, conducted the drills and affairs of the battery, he being absent therefrom, and very inattentive to the duties required of a company commander.

These members, therefore, turned their attention to the accomplishment of a new organization in accordance with their desires, the proceedings being entirely harmonious between all parties concerned.

With this object in view, they held a preliminary meeting pursuant to the following notice:

“You are requested to attend a meeting of the second company California Guard at the armory this evening, at 7 o’clock. Dated Monday, March 13, 1854.”At this meeting, or at one held perhaps a few days later, the name of the new organization must have been agreed upon, for in the columns of theDaily Alta Californiaunder date of March 21, 1854, the following notice and order appears:“By virtue of the authority in me vested, I hereby appoint R. S. La Motte to superintend the election for officers of the ‘San Francisco City Guard’ as required by law. Dated, San Francisco, March 21, 1854.“J. H. Creigh, County Judge.“In accordance with the above, an election for officers of the ‘San Francisco City Guard’ will be held at Armory Hall, on Friday evening, March 31, 1854, at 7:30 o’clock.“R. S. La Motte.”

“You are requested to attend a meeting of the second company California Guard at the armory this evening, at 7 o’clock. Dated Monday, March 13, 1854.”

At this meeting, or at one held perhaps a few days later, the name of the new organization must have been agreed upon, for in the columns of theDaily Alta Californiaunder date of March 21, 1854, the following notice and order appears:

“By virtue of the authority in me vested, I hereby appoint R. S. La Motte to superintend the election for officers of the ‘San Francisco City Guard’ as required by law. Dated, San Francisco, March 21, 1854.

“J. H. Creigh, County Judge.

“In accordance with the above, an election for officers of the ‘San Francisco City Guard’ will be held at Armory Hall, on Friday evening, March 31, 1854, at 7:30 o’clock.

“R. S. La Motte.”

Pursuant to the above order, the twenty-two gentlemen previously mentioned in this chapter met, and duly accomplished the organization of the “San Francisco City Guard,”electing the following officers and noncommissioned officers for the term of one year: Captain, John A. Clark; 1st Lieutenant, George F. Watson; 2nd Lieutenant, R. McLean Stephenson; Jr. 2nd Lieutenant, R. S. La Motte; Orderly Sergeant, Thomas B. Parker; and Sergeants, in order of rank, E. W. Crowell, James C. Briggs, who was also treasurer, John W. Conner; Q. M. Sergeant, H. Frank Wadsworth; the corporals, in order of rank, were, Asa L. Loring, P. R. Moore, Samuel C. Loring, and Charles Le Gay; Surgeon, J. Russel Gerry, M. D.; Secretary, John Ames.

Of these charter members there are now living, H. D. La Motte, Lake county, California; E. G. Hilton, New York; Charles Le Gay, Paris, France. Doubtful, H. Frank Wadsworth and R. McLean Stephenson.

By-laws for this new company were adopted, and the drill night set for Friday of each week.

Captain Clark spent a great deal of time and money in perfecting the organization of his command. His donations were used principally in purchasing the first uniform, which consisted of a close-fitting jacket of a very light fawn color, all trimmings and pipings being of red; the men wore any dark colored trousers. The uniform cap was a high affair of blue material, trimmed with red. This is the only uniform worn by the company for perhaps six or seven months, when a full dress was adopted.

The company, being organized as artillery, drilled as such with a large wooden bronzed model to represent a heavy gun. The drill, however, was mostly as infantry, and all parades were made with the musket.

Upon a proper requisition from the captain upon the state authorities, the quartermaster and adjutant general, the corps received the following arms and accoutrements: 60 percussion muskets; 60 ammunition and cap boxes, belts, and plates; 60 waist belts and plates; 60 musket appendages; 60 artillery sabers, belts, and plates; the company furnishing its own uniforms.

The organization thus becoming complete, the “San Francisco City Guard” sailed bravely forth to buffet and battle with the vast unknown.

“Like a stately ship,With all her bravery on, and tackle trim,Sails filled and streamers waving.”

“Like a stately ship,

With all her bravery on, and tackle trim,

Sails filled and streamers waving.”

The original company commander is described as being neither light nor very dark complexioned, but with black hair, 5 feet 6 inches in height, weighing in the neighborhood of 115 to 120 pounds—a small man. He was full of life, however, quick-witted, and a noble-hearted fellow. His father, Aran Clark, was at one time mayor of New York city. Coming to California, Capt. Clark was for a long time deputy county recorder of San Francisco. He died on November 22, 1877, at the age of 53 years, while in the employ of the treasurer’s department at Washington.

Armory Hall, the first home of the “San Francisco City Guard,” was situated on the northeast corner of Sacramento and Montgomery streets, in Sam Brannan’s new building, having a frontage of 60 feet on both thoroughfares. Four other companies also occupied this building, each having separate company rooms in the third story, with the use of the drill hall on the fourth for its allotted evening of the week.

Nothing that was particularly startling occurred during the balance of this, to the “City Guard,” the most eventful year of 1854, nor during the next for that matter, to mar the calm serenity of ordinary military life. Drills, parades, outings, banquets, and social events vied with each other to fill the interim; all of which served to interest, not only the members themselves, but others as well, in the welfare of this organization. Many prominent men joined the ranks of the “City Guard,” and the high standing thus early attained served to place the company on a firm and permanent basis, assuring to it a long, prosperous, and most honorable existence.

To chronicle all the different incidents and happenings of this early period, and those too of more recent dates, would be out of the question at this present writing; prominent among them, however, we find the following interesting items:

It was on the afternoon of the 3d of July, 1854, that the “San Francisco City Guard” journeyed by water to the town of Martinez for its initial excursion and outing, and, after celebrating the Fourth by a parade, drill, and prize shoot, the corps returned homeward, being received and escorted to the armory by the California Guard.

The 17th day of August following, found the company on the Oakland side of the bay for the regular target practice and medal shoot. It was upon this occasion that the company commander presented the now famous “Clark Medal” to the corps, the conditions being that it remain a permanentannual prize in the company. This medal is still the valued property of the “City Guard,” and is placed in competition as provided for in the original deed of gift. On one side of the large quartz medal is inscribed: “‘City Guard,’organized March 31, 1854,” and on the reverse side we have “Company medal, presented by Capt. John A. Clark, August, 1854.”

It may be of general interest to the active guardsman of the present day to learn that on April 25, 1855, the legislature of California duly enrolled upon the statute books the law exempting active militiamen from jury duty.

Armory Hall remained the home of the “City Guard” until the 1st of June, 1855, when, during the following fifteen or sixteen months, the company occupied three different armories, namely: No. 95 Battery street, corner of Clay; northeast corner of Kearny and Clay, this being the place where the reorganization took place as the “I.C.G.”; thence to an armory, for a very short time, on the northeast corner of Halleck and Sansome streets, over the American Theatre.

CAPTAIN JOHN A. CLARK.

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