Date of Organization: 2 March 1864
Date of Disbanding: 23 July 1866
Inclusive dates of units papers at State Archives: 1864-1866
Geographical Location or Locations: San Francisco, San Francisco County
a. Organization Papers 3 documents (1864)
b. Bonds none
c. Correspondence (Unclassified letters) 3 documents (1864)
d. Election Returns 3 documents (1864-1866)
e. Exempt Certificates, Applications for none
f. Muster Rolls, Monthly returns 5 documents (1864-1866)
g. Oaths Qualifications 8 documents (1864-1865)
h. Orders none
i. Receipts, invoices 1 document (1864)
j. Requisitions 1 document (1864)
k. Resignations 4 documents (1864)
l. Target Practice Reports none
m. Other none
Commanding Officers:
Charles H. Weintraut; Captain: Elected 3 March 1864, commissioned 10 March 1864
Charles Reusch, First Lieutenant: Elected 3 March 1864, commissioned 10 March 1864
Adolph G. Russ, Captain: Elected 10 September 1864, commissioned 26 September 1864
Sampson Lyon, First Lieutenant: Elected 10 September 1864, commissioned 26 September 1864
Julian w. Andrzejewski, First Lieutenant: Elected 1 March 1865, commissioned 11 March 1865
Charles Reusch, First Lieutenant: Elected 1 March 1866, commissioned 28 March 1866.
The California Grenadiers, Company D, San Francisco was organized March 3, 1864, under Captain Charles H. Weintraut's command with a membership of fifty-one. The company was part of the German Battalion. The necessary Bond was filed and on April eighth the arms consisting of muskets were received. Captain Weintraut and First Lieutenant Reusch resigned in September of that year which necessitated another election. At this election A. G. Russ was chosen Captain and Sampson Lyon, First Lieutenant.
The company's military efficiency progressed rapidly from the time of organization and the membership of the unit increased from fifty-one to seventy-three in a few months. However, during the winter of 1865 many of the corps resigned and entered the service of the California Volunteers.
Although the California Grenadiers was a fine patriotic company with a high efficiency rating, and was organized during a period of extreme necessity when the country was in the midst of the Civil War , the unit was ordered to disband July 23, 1866, under the Military Law of that year. Under this ruling the Board of Location and Organization disbanded and mustered out of the National Guard companies deemed unnecessary as to their location in regard to defense purposes. The California Grenadiers came under this ruling, for after the War there was less need for military protection, and the reduction of the National Guard was a great economy movement.
At disbandment the California Grenadiers presented their claims for remuneration which were rejected by Adjutant General George S. Evans. This refusal aroused dissatisfaction and bitterness among the German people of the city, in as much as the 2nd (Irish) Regiment had received payment of their claims in full. The commanding officers of the 6th (German) Regiment felt they were being subjected to an injustice and requested a reconsideration of the facts by the Governor. It was their opinion that the reason for the mustering out of the company during former Governor Low's administration was because of the corps' political tendencies; however, they were prepared to overlook the political issue, but were insistent on receiving the impartial treatment accorded the Irish Regiment. As there is no further evidence of this controversy having continued, it is assumed the Adjutant General upon the review of the facts in the case settled the matter to the satisfaction of the parties concerned.[1]
1. Letter from commanding officers of the Second (German) Regiment, Second Brigade, August 1868, to Governor Haight, on file State Archives.