California State Military
DepartmentCalifornia State Military
DepartmentOfficial or other titles: Mounted Coast Rifles, Sixth Division, Second Brigade
(1)
Location: Crescent City, Klamath County (now Del Norte
County)
Mustered in:
Mustered in November 3, 1855
Mustered out: 1861
Commanding Officers
C. A. Hillman, Captain, Commissioned: November 3, 1855
C. H. Colier, First Lieutenant, Commissioned: November 3, 1855
New volunteer companies were continually being formed to be prepared to move against the Indian tribes, who were believed to be planning a war of extinction against the white settlers in the Northern part of the State and Southern Oregon. The Indians killed white settlers and drove off their stock and caused continuous trouble for the pioneers.. The citizens of Crescent City took up the-matter of forming a military guard for service against these hostile Indians. As a result on October 26, 1855, notices were posted in the County to call together all the men of the district who had signed a petition for a volunteer company; to a meeting which was to be held at the "El Dorado" Saturday evening; November 3, 1855. Although ninety-five men had signed the Muster Roll as members of the Mounted Coast Riflemen, which was well above the minimum signatures required by law, there was a legal obstacle to hinder the perfecting of the organization. The County Judge was tempor arily absent from Crescent City, the County Seat, so rather than be delayed in the plans, the members drew up a resolution em powering Captain Hillman to proceed with fulfilling the necessary duties to perfect the records. A Bond was executed to finance the company for arms and filed in the Adjutant General's Office, but no arms were issued.
During these troublous times many temporary
companies were formed to attempt to halt the Indian hostilities
and it is evident that this company of Mounted Coast Riflemen
was such an organization, since there are no records of any activities
of the troop. In the Adjutant General's Report of 1861, this volunteer
company was listed as having been disbanded.
(1) The Adjutant General Report for April 1861 gives the title of Mounted Coast Rifles, but papers on file are under Mounted Coast Riflemen.