California State Military
DepartmentCalifornia State Military
Department
Official Name: Union Guard, Third Brigade
Location: Poverty Bar, Calaveras County
| Name | Date of Rank | Date of Commission | Remarks |
| Nicholas Davis, Captain | June 1, 1861 | Resigned September 1, 1861 | |
| T. Frank Davis, Captain | September 6, 1861 | September 21, 1861 | |
| David Black, First Lieutenant | June 1, 1861 | ||
| William H. Homans, First Lieutenant | September 12, 1862 | September 24, 1862 | Resigned 1863 |
| John B. Sparks, Captain | July 18, 1863 | August 5, 1863 | |
| T.H. Peck, First Lieutenant | July 18, 1863 | August 5, 1863 | |
| John B. Sparks, Captain | Reelected July 23, 1864 | ||
| William H. Broad, First Lieutenant | July 24, 1864 | August 23, 1864 | Entered United States Army |
| T.H. Peck, First Lieutenant | December 30, 1864 | January 13, 1865 | |
| James Creighton, Captain | July 28, 1865 | August 23, 1865 | |
| John White, First Lieutenant | July 28, 1865 | August 23, 1865 | |
| Hiram A. Messenger, Captain | June 8, 1867 | July 26, 1867 | |
| T.H. Peck, First Lieutenant | June 8, 1867 | July 26, 1867 |
The Union Guard was organized at Poverty Bar, Calaveras County, June 1, 1861. A Bond was filed and approved by the County Judge and the arms were received August seventh. On July 23, 1866, the company was reorganized and their headquarters moved to Campo Seco.
There was little correspondence on file concerning the activities of the company. However, the Adjutant General in 1861 reported that the company's ranks were filled with good, loyal men and as a military unit gave fine promise for the future. That this promise was fulfilled is indicated, by the company remaining in service during the years of Indian uprisings and the War of the Rebellion, besides giving two captains and several privates to the United States Service.
During this time it was difficult for a
number of mining towns, having a transient population, to keep
their company's quota up to the requirements of the Military Law.
As a result upon the recommendation of the .Brigadier General
of the Third and Fourth Brigade, the Union Guard of Carnpo Seco
was ordered to disband December 29, 1867
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
1. Name of Unit: Union Guard . Item No.: B3415-1
2. Military Unit Designation: 3rd Brigade
3. Date of Organization: June 1, 1861
4. Date of Disbanding: Dec. 29, 1867
5. Inclusive dates of units papers: 1861-1868
6. Geographical Location or Locations: Poverty Bar, Calaveras Co.
7. Records Series Descriptions:
a. Organization Papers 8 docs (1861)
b. Bonds 2 docs (1865-1867)
c. Correspondence (Unclassified letters) 23 docs (1861-1865)
d. Election Returns 5 docs (1862-1867)
e. Exempt Certificates, Applications for none
f. Muster Rolls, Monthly returns 21 docs (1861-1867)
g. Oaths Qualifications 9 docs (1861-1865)
h. Orders none
i. Receipts, invoices 8 docs (1861-1868)
j. Requisitions 3 docs (1861-1866)
k. Resignations 3 docs (1861)
l. Target Practice Reports 1 doc (1866)
m. Other none
8. Miscellaneous:
Muster Roll dated March 17, 1865 designates the Union Guard as Third Brigade, 2nd Battalion, Co. C. Muster Roll dated Sept. 25, 1867 designates this Company as B.
"On July 23, 1866, the company was reorganized and their headquarters moved to Campo Seco." Outline History of Calif. National Guard, Vol. 2, #107.