Date of Organization: 2 June 1865
Date of Disbanding: 21 July 1869
Inclusive dates of units papers at State Archives: 1865-1869
Geographical Location or Locations: San Francisco, San Francisco County
b. Bonds 1 document (1866)
c. Correspondence (Unclassified letters) 4 documents (1865-1867)
d. Election Returns 4 documents (1866-1868)
e. Exempt Certificates, Applications for none
f. Muster Rolls, Monthly returns 15 documents (1865-1869)
g. Oaths Qualifications 11 documents (1865-1868)
h. Orders none
i. Receipts, invoices 4 documents (1865-1869)
j. Requisitions 1 document (1866)
k. Resignations 1 document (1868)
l. Target Practice Reports 1 document (1867)
m. Other Public Property, 2 documents (1867-1868)
Commanding Officers
Edward McDevitt, Captain: Elected 2 June 1865, commissioned 30 June 1865, reelected 21 August 1866
Charles Broad, First Lieutenant: Elected 2 June 1865, commissioned 30 June 1865
Eugene C. Gorman, Captain: Elected 23 October 1868, commissioned 23 November 1868.
John Trainor, First Lieutenant: Elected 23 October 1868, commissioned 23 November 1868.
On June 2, 1865, in San Francisco a volunteer military company known as the California Tigers, Company D, was organized and sworn into the State service as part of the Second (Irish) Infantry Regiment, Second Brigade. This company was composed of 54 members under the leadership of Captain Edward McDevitt.
In 1866, it was decided to reduce the militia companies to eighty in all and form the National Guard of California. A Board of Location and Organization was established having the power to reorganize or disband units with reference to the military needs.[1] The California Tigers was one of the companies to be reorganized on August 21, 1866. It became the California Tigers, Company H, and transferred to the First Infantry Regiment of the Second Brigade.
This company refused to parade with the command on July 5, 1869, at a place designated by orders from Brigade Headquarters. The charges of mutinous, disorderly, and disobedient conduct, and noncompliance with the law governing the National Guard was brought against them.[2] On July 21, 1869, the California Tigers were dishonorably mustered out of State service.
1. California Statutes 1865-1866, Chapter DXLI, page 722.
2. Adjutant General Report 1867-1868, page 180.