California State Military
DepartmentCalifornia State Military
Department
Official Name: Shields Guard
Location: Forest Hill, Placer County
Mustered in:
August 3, 1861
Mustered out: March 28, 1863*
| Name | Date of Rank | Date of Commission |
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| M. Phelan, First Lieutenant |
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The citizens of Forest Hill were desirous of having a military company for the protection of their community. Therefore, the Honorable E.H. Vandercar, Judge of Placer County authorized H. Fitzsimmons to open a book on July 20, 1861, to enroll members for a voluntary military company. These volunteers met. on August third at which time officers were elected. H. Fitzsimmons was elected Captain and M. Phelan was elected First Lieutenant. In December of that year Adjutant-General Kibbe reported that this, new organization of seventy-one men was making rapid progress in drill and military proficiency, and that the unit was well officered and equipped. Although the Shields Guard did not participate in any active service, the men endeavored to maintain a military guard for the protection of this part of the country from Indian depredations
When the General Order No. 29, relative to the Review to beheld October 3, 1862, was received, Captain Fitzsimmons answered General Kibbe, "that it not only was his duty, but also his pride to comply promptly to the command". The Captain assured the Adjutant-General he would exert every effort to report as many of the unit as was possible, although the members of this company were from various localities, most of them engaged in mining pursuits and had been severely dealt with by the past impropiteous season and many unable to meet the required expense of complying with the order. The General answered Captain Fitzsimnon's letter assuring the Captain that even though there were no State funds immediately available, he expected the next Legislature would provide a amount of money so that all proper expenses could eventually be met.
On February .10, 1863, Captain Fitzsimmons formally tendered his resignation to Governor Stanford, as he contemplated leaving the State. When J. L. Browne, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fourth Brigade, forwarded this letter of resignation to Adjutant-General Kibbe, February 12, 1863, he asked that "The resignation be accepted as speedily as possible so measures could be taken for an election of a new Captain, as there was some danger of this company disbanding and it was hoped the election of a new officer would revive the lost interest. However, should Colonel Browne's efforts prove futile and the unit disband, he (Lieutenant-Colonel Browne) would request that the arms of the Shields Guard be turned over to the Yankee Jim Rifles, who were anxiously awaiting equipment". A month later Lieutenant-Colonel Browne again wrote to General Kibbe, and at this time: he enclosed the resignation of the First Lieutenant, M. Phelan Of the Shields Guard, which virtually disbanded the company, and their arms being in good order they were turned over to Captain A. Davidson for the Yankee Jim Rifles. It is assumed the company was mustered out of service on the date of disbandment, March 28, 1863.
*From the contents of Lieutenant Colonel Browne's letter of March 28, 1863, it is to be assumed this date was the mustering-out date of the company.
1. Name of Unit: Shield's Guard . Item No.: B3414-3
2. Military Unit Designation: Shields Guard, 2nd Brigade, 4th Division
3. Date of Organization: August 3, 1861
4. Date of Disbanding: March 28, 1863
5. Inclusive dates of units papers: 1861-1863
6. Geographical Location or Locations: Forest Hill, Placer County
7. Records Series Descriptions:
a. Organization Papers 2 docs (1861)
b. Bonds none
c. Correspondence (Unclassified letters) 9 docs (1861-1863)
d. Election Returns none
e. Exempt Certificates, Applications for none
f. Muster Rolls, Monthly returns 2 docs (1861-1863)
g. Oaths Qualifications 4 docs (1861)
h. Orders none
i. Receipts, invoices 2 docs (1861)
j. Requisitions none
k. Resignations 1 doc (1863)
l. Target Practice Reports none
m. Other none
Posted 1 January 2009
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