Brigadier-General Joseph R. West was born
in the state of Louisiana, but in early manhood took up his residence
in California, and from there enlisted as a soldier for the Mexican
war. He became a private in the mounted volunteers July 17, 1847;
was promoted captain July 25; was later attached to the Maryland
and District of Columbia volunteers, and was honorably mustered
out of the service on August 10, 1848. He then returned to California,
in which state he was residing at the time of the outbreak of
the Civil war. On Aug. 5, 1861, he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel
of the 1st California Volunteer Infantry
which was organized in pursuance of the president's first call
upon the state of California for troops. On the completion of
the organization the regiment moved to Camp
Latham, between Los Angeles and Santa Monica. On June 1,
1862, Lieutenant Colonel West was promoted to the position of
colonel and the regiment became a part of the California column,
under command of Brigadier General Carleton,
which marched from San Pedro to the Rio Grande and assisted in
the recapture of New Mexico. Colonel West was warmly commended
in Carleton's official report of the expedition, and was recommended
for promotion. Said Carleton: "I send you a set of colors
which have been borne by this column. They were hoisted by Colonel
West on Forts Breckinridge and Buchanan, and over Tucson, Ariz.,"
etc. On Oct. 25, 1862, Col. West was commissioned brigadier-general
of volunteers and continued to serve in that capacity until the
close of the war, being honorably mustered out Jan. 4, 1866,
when he was given the brevet rank of major-general of volunteers.
Brigadier General West died October 31,
1898 .
Lieutenant Colonel
West, circa 1861
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