Date of Organization: 20 June 1863
Date of Disbanding: 11 October 1866
Inclusive dates of units papers at State Archives: 1863-1866
Geographical Location or Locations: Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County
a. Organization Papers 6 documents (1863)
b. Bonds 1 document (1864)
c. Correspondence (Unclassified letters) 16 documents (1863-1864)
d. Election Returns 4 documents (1864-1865)
e. Exempt Certificates, Applications for none
f. Muster Rolls, Monthly returns 6 documents (1863-1866)
g. Oaths Qualifications 2 documents (1863-1865)
h. Orders none
i. Receipts, invoices 1 document (1864)
j. Requisitions 1 document (1864)
k. Resignations 3 documents (1864)
l. Target Practice Reports none
Commanding Officers:
David J. Haslam, Captain: Elected June 6, 1863; commissioned June 27, 1863, resigned February 11, 1864
A. C. Calderwood, First Lieutenant: Elected June 6, 1863; commissioned June 27, 1863, resigned Mach 1, 1864.
Marcellus P. Fuller, Captain Elected March 3, 1864; commissioned April 9, 1864; reelected November 5, 1864
James 0. Wanzer , First Lieutenant: Elected March 3, 1864; commissioned December 11, 1864, declined office.
O. G. Auld, First. Lieutenant: Elected March 1, 1865; commissioned March 11, 1865
W. W. Reynolds, First Lieutenant: Elected November 30, 1865, commissioned January 3, 1866
The Butler Guard was organized in Santa Cruz upon petition of fifty-seven citizens of Santa Cruz County, under an order issued by Honorable Judge R. F. Peckham, dated May 26, 1863. The company met and organized on June 6, 1863, but the title Butler Guard was not adopted until June thirteenth at an adjourned session of the organization meeting .
After being mustered in as a unit of the State Militia, the company was very active locally, participating in various patriotic functions, and parades.
For some reason, not given in the records, considerable delay was experienced in securing equipment for the company. Rifles and ammunition were not received until March 1864, and the company uniforms did not arrive until June of that year. These delays caused much impatience and loss of interest on the part of the members of the company, and according to letters from the commanding officer on file, the officers were unjustly accused of carelessness and neglect; these accusations resulted in some of the officers resigning. The progress and efficiency of the company was seriously impeded and a complete deterioration of the unit was feared.
However, after receiving t heir uniforms and equipment a more friendly feeling prevailed and the organization continued to be active, in drill and parade, and its membership held up
surprisingly well considering the disquieting experiences of the first year of its existence.
With the close of the Civil War the need for military companies as a means for home defense was greatly reduced, and the Butler Guard was mustered out of the State service October 11, 1866, pursuant to Orders No. 2 and No. 3.