Historic California Militia and National Guard Units
San Jose Zouaves
 
Military Unit Designation:
Date of Organization: September 30, 1862, Reorganized October 15, 1866
Date of Disbanding: December 12, 1879
Inclusive dates of units papers: 1862-1869
Geographical Location or Locations: San Jose, Santa Clara County.
 

Unit papers on file at the California State Archives:

a. Organization Papers: 1 document (1862)
b. Bonds: 1 document (1866)
c. Correspondence (Unclassified letters): 18 documents (1862-1867)
d. Election Returns 9 documents (1862-1869)
e. Exempt Certificates, Applications for none
f. Muster Rolls, Monthly returns 19 documents (1862-1868)
g. Oaths Qualifications 14 documents (1862-1869)
h. Orders none
i. Receipts, invoices 3 documents (1863-1867)
j. Requisitions 2 documents (1863-1866)
k. Resignations 6 documents (1864-1867)
l. Target Practice Reports 1 document (1868)
m. Other 2 documents (1867-1868)
 

Commanding Officers

 Name  Date of Rank  Date of Commission Remarks
       
 George H. Hare, Captain  30 September 1862 11 October 1862
 C. L. Yates, First Lieutenant  30 September 1862 11 October 1862
       
 A. W. White, Captain  23 August 1864  26 September 1864
 Milton Campbell, First Lieutenant  23 August 1864  26 September 1864
 George H. Hare, Captain 6 November 1866 14 November 1866  
 Milton Campbell, First Lieutenant  Reelected 6 November 1866
       
 Montgomery Maze, Captain 2 April 1867 7 May 1867
 Milton Campbell, , Captain 25 August 1867 24 September 1867  
 A. S. Black, First Lieutenant 21 July 1868 25 August 1868  
       
 Theodore Winshell, Captain 21 September 1869 24 September 1869
 Wilmer Adel, First Lieutenant 21 September 1869 24 September 1869  
       
 Wilmer Adel, Captain  19 October 1871 3 November 1871  
 James Hannah, First Lieutenant  19 October 1871 3 November 1871  
       
 Germain Pillot, Captain 10 May 1875  28 May 1875  
 James Mulvenna, First Lieutenant 10 May 1875  28 May 1875  
       
 James Mulvenna, Captain  10 May 1877  26 May 1877  
 John Hartzoke, First Lieutenant  10 May 1877  26 May 1877  
       
W. F. Adel, Captain  7 February 1878 16 February 1878  
 John Hartzoke, First Lieutenant     Reelected 7 February 1878
 


The San Jose Zouaves was a volunteer military company formed in San Jose, Santa Clara County, under the command of Captain Hare. On September 30, 1862, they were mustered into the service of the State, and designated as Company H, 1st Artillery Regiment attached to the 2nd Brigade.

In 1866 the military system of the State was changed and the militia force was reduced to a limit not exceeding 80 companies in all. The State Legislature created a Board of Location and Organization to have the power to reorganize or disband companies with reference to the military needs. The organized uniformed troops of the State were to be designated and known as the National Guard.[1] On October 15, 1866, the unit was reorganized and became the San Jose Zouaves, Company B, 5th Infantry Battalion. In 1868 it was again deemed advisable to reduce the military force of the State and upon the recommendation of the Board of Location and Organization, the 5th Infantry Battalion was mustered out of the service of the State on July 8, 1868. However, the San Jose Zouaves were allowed to remain in active duty as an unattached company.[2]

There was only a meager source .of information regarding the company's affairs. It is assumed that the unit was indispensable to justify its seventeen years of State service. The activities of the San Jose Zouaves were terminated on December 12, 1879, when their company and the Oakland Guard formed a Battalion known as the 2nd Infantry Battalion, Second Brigade. 18 days later, on December 30th the 2nd Infantry Battalion was redesignated the 5th Infantry Battalion. For additional information concerning the San Jose Zouaves refer to History of Company B, 5th Infantry Battalion.[3]
Footnotes:

1. California Statutes 1865-1866, Chapter DXLI, page 722.
2. Adjutant General Report 1867-1868, Special Order No. 43, page 150.
3. Adjutant General Report 1880, Special Order Nos. 38, 40, page 72.
 
This history was completed in 1940 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in conjunction with the California National Guard and the California State Library.
 
 
Additional History:
American Zouaves, 1859-1959: An Illustrated History

 

 
 
 
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Updated 30 December 2020