California State Military
Department
The Vallejo Rifles originally were uniformed in the regular Army uniform of the day, but later adopted a costume of blue swallow-tail coat, matching military pants with white stripes, and high, black bearskin shakos. Captain John T. Barbour, a former corporal in Company B, California Battalion, stationed on the Mare Island Navy Yard, was elected as the first captain of the Vallejo Rifles.
Captain John T. Barbour migrated from New York to California with his wife Nancy in 1846. In 1847 settled at Benicia, where he built several houses, being in the lumber business with his father-in-law Landy Alford.
Not to be outdone sartorially, the Frisbie Guard, with the financial backing of General Frisbie, sported blue frock coats, red trousers and hats heavily bedecked with white plumes. Captain C. O. Ferris headed the Frisbie Guards, with First Lieutenant James Cluney, Second Lieutenant William McGill, and a membership of about seventy-five.
The rivalry between these two militia units were keen –in military perfection, in uniforms, and rivalry as to which unit staged the most successful social events.
The first meeting place for the Vallejo Rifles was old Farragut Hall, with their armory later established on Sacramento street in downtown Vallejo. The armory was later occupied by the Elks Club and the Salvation Army. The unit's headquarters were later moved to the Bernard House, where extensive rooms were equipped for their meetings and social activities.
Social events were supplemented by drills and target practice.
The Vallejo Rifles reorganized into Company B and later into Company D, California National Guard. Company B was first headed by Frank O'Grady as captain, Richard Coleman as first lieutenant, and C. D. McConley as second lieutenant.
One of the momentous events in the Vallejo Rifles' history was the visit of General U. S. Grant to Vallejo in 1880, when the uniformed company received him in their Bernard House headquarters. Every member of the Vallejo Rifles received a handshake from the distinguished visitor.