Inclusive dates of units papers at State Archives: 1864-1866
Geographical Location or Locations: Bangor, Butte County
a. Organization Papers 1 document (1864)
b. Bonds 1 document (1864)
c. Correspondence (Unclassified letters) 6 documents (1864-1866)
d. Election Returns 2 documents (1865)
e. Exempt Certificates, Applications for none
f. Muster Rolls, Monthly returns 6 documents (1864-1866)
g. Oaths Qualifications 4 documents (1865)
h. Orders none
i. Receipts, invoices 6 documents (1864-1866)
j. Requisitions 2 documents (1864-1865)
k. Resignations 2 documents (1865)
l. Target Practice Reports none
James A. Watson, Captain Elected September 10, 1864; reelected April 15, 1865; reelected 1866
A. M. Q. Cannon, First Lieutenant: Elected September. 10, 1864; resigned February 28, 1865.
The Bangor Guard of Bangor, Butte County, was organized as a military unit September 10, 1864. Officers elected at the same meeting were James A. Watson, Captain and A.M.Q. Cannon, First Lieutenant. The officers and members were very enthusiastic about the company's future, and soon after organization the membership reached seventy, ten more than at the time of enlistment. The Captain posted t he Bond amounting to $3,000 and sent in a requisition for all large size uniforms. The arrival of the uniforms was anxiously awaited and came just in time for the Military Ball given Thanksgiving Day. The arms were received in October 1864, but owing to the increased membership the company was twenty stand short. However, the request for additional arms was refused at that time, but in April 1865, ten stand were shipped to t he unit; Captain Watson having written that the Bangor Guard were losing interest in the company's activities due to the shortage of arms. [1]
The Guard participated in the Fourth of July Celebration of 1865. This parade was well remembered by two of the members who neglected returning their uniforms, arms and accoutrements to the armory after the event and which were later destroyed in a fire that burned their ranch. Both men were in good standing, however, and no mention is made of preferring charges against them.
Under the Military Law of 1866, the Bangor Guard was discontinued and mustered out of service. This law was the outcome of a recommendation by Brigadier-General £vans that the military forces of the State be reduced.