Stockton Zouave Guard, 3rd Brigade, National
Guard of California (NGC)
After 1 February 1872, Stockton Guard,
3rd Brigade, NGC
Date of Organization: December 12, 1871
Date of reorganization: July 22, 1885
Inclusive dates of units papers: 1872-1905 Geographical Location or Locations: Stockton, San Joaquin
County
Papers on file at the California State Archives:
a. Organization Papers none
b. Bonds none
c. Correspondence (Unclassified letters) 138 documents (1872-1888)
d. Election Returns 11 documents (1872-1895)
e. Exempt Certificates, Applications for none
f. Muster Rolls, Monthly returns 70 documents (1872-1905)
g. Oaths Qualifications 265 documents (1873-1886)
h. Orders 38 documents (1875-1893)
i. Receipts, invoices 16 documents (1872-1899)
j. Requisitions 16 documents (1872-1887)
k. Resignations 6 documents (1872-1887)
l. Target Practice Reports 9 documents (1872-1890)
m. Other
Examing Board, 5 documents (1891)
Report of Board of Survey, 1 document (1900)
This history was completed
in 1940 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in conjunction
with the California National Guard and the California State Library.
Sergeant Arthur Young,
Stockton Guard, 5 July 1884
Organization of the Stockton Guards
In the fall of 1871, just after the election of Newton Booth
as governor, there was a call published for all Stocktonians
in favor of forming an infantry company to assemble in Hickman's
Hall, sign the roll and then participate in the jollification
of the Booth and Pacheco club over the victory of the preceding
Wednesday. At that time Adjutant-General Tom Cazneau granted
permission to form a company in Stockton, and Maj. E. S. Pillsbury
was chosen to preside over the meeting called to organize and
elect officers. It was held December 12, 1871, and the company
organized was named the Stockton Zouaves. Why they adopted this
name I know not, for their uniforms were of dark blue, cut in
the usual military style, although several years later they adopted
a uniform of gray trimmed with black and gold. However, they
soon came to be called commonly the Stockton Guards. In January,
1872, the company had sixty-nine men enrolled, and the following
officers were elected: Captain, J. E. Lyon; first lieutenant,
E. Scott; second lieutenant, Jonas P. Stockwell; sergeants, Ed.
Delano, W. F. Fletcher, H. J. Todd, and J. Murray; corporals,
J. C. Sullivan, J. A. Muldowney, John D. McDougall and C. E.
Eurie; drummer, Phil Biven.
Many of the members had formerly tramped with the Union and City
Guards, while some had been members of the Old Columbia Guards.
The membership included not only the leading business and professional
men of the city, but also its leading society men. It was, in
fact, a military social club, and all its excursions, picnics
and balls were recherche affairs. The shadow of battle ne'er
crossed its pathway save once. "On with the dance; let joy
be unconfined!" was its motto, and its record was marked
with many a merry time.
It was a common custom to have the high dignitaries of the state
as guests of the company. At its first annual ball, December
12, 1872, Governor Booth and staff, Brigadier-General Davies
and staff, and Adjutant-General L. H. Foote were present, all
in full uniform. After the monthly inspection, the zouaves or
guards were drawn up in two-column ranks and Kate Davies, stepping
to the front, presented the company with a beautiful parade flag.
In a short speech the Adjutant-General received the flag in behalf
of the company. Six years later Governor Irwin and staff were
the guests of the Stockton Guard. During the afternoon the Governor
visited the race-track to see Rarus trot a mile in 2:14½,
the fastest mile of the Pacific Coast up to that time. In the
evening at the anniversary ball, in behalf of the Stockton ladies,
the Governor presented the company with a beautiful standard.
Private Joe C. Campbell, later senior counsel for Mayor Schmitz
of San Francisco, received the flag in a ringing speech. At midnight
the visitors were escorted to the Yosemite hotel, and, after
being welcomed by Mayor Belding, enjoyed one of McBean's famous
suppers.
In the military circles of San Joaquin County the men who stood
prominently in the front rank were Col. P. Edward Conner, later
made a brigadier-general, Capt. L. E. Lyons, and Col. John J.
Nunan. It was the misfortune of the Stockton Guards in 1876 to
lose Capt. Lyons as he went to San Francisco to reside. A man
"born to command," he held the captaincy of the Union
Guards from April 1, 1862, until disbanded. Just before he left
the city the Stockton Guards, assembling in full uniform, presented
him with a gold watch and chain and a Masonic emblem. Maj. William
Gibson made the presentation speech, and Maj. J. D. Peters answered
for the ever-modest Captain. The officers in command at this
time were: Captain, Eugene Lehe; first lieutenant and secretary,
J. J. Nunan; second lieutenant, J. W. Payne; orderly sergeant,
William Trivett; quartermaster sergeant, George C. Turner; sergeants,
Tom E. Hersey, H. Baker, J. B. Douglass and W. B. Hanlon; corporals,
John D. Gall, Charles Merrill, J. H. Condon, P. P. Garvey, S.
C. Dorr, Ben. C. Kerr, W. R. Stone and G. Arrivev.
The Guards Honored by General Grant
The great event of 1879 was the visit of Ex-President Grant to
California on his famous tour around the world. Extensive preparations
has been made by the citizens of San Francisco to receive the
military hero, and a big procession was planned. But the steamer
Tokio, bringing the General from the Orient, arrived unexpectedly
on the afternoon of September 20. The Stockton Guards had voted
to attend the reception and unaware of the Tokio's arrival they
took steamer passage for the Bay City the same afternoon, accompanied
by the city officials and a large number of citizens, including
D. J. Oullahan, a brother-in-law of Mrs. Grant. On reaching San
Francisco they were much surprised and disappointed to find that
the parade had hastily taken place. The metropolitans had a good
laugh at the expense of the Stocktonians, but soon the laugh
was on the other side. Mr. Oullahan, sending up his card to the
General, was at once admitted, although strict orders had been
given that no one would be seen. Mr. Oullahan explained the conditions
of affairs, and Grant immediately gave orders to usher in Mayor
G. C. Hyatt, the Councilmen, and Captain Lehe. The following
morning at 9 o'clock he received the Stockton Guards in the Palace
Hotel court, and the military of San Francisco felt like thirty
cents, for the Guards were the only militiamen thus honored.
The Guards, numbering sixty-nine men, under the command of Captain
Lehe and Lieutenant Nunan, left Stockton early on the morning
of January 8, 1880, and on arriving at the Capital were received
by the Sacramento Hussars, the City Guard, the Light Artillery,
the Chico Guard, the Mexican Veterans, the Pioneers and the Rifle
Cadets. Alog the line of marching the Stockton company was the
special feature of the parade. The Sacramento Bee said of Stockton's
representatives: "The handsome gray uniforms faced with
red and gilt braid made this company a conspicuous feature, and
its excellent marching and the fine soldierly bearing of the
members were the subject of much favorable comment." During
the afternoon the officers of the visiting companies were tendered
a reception at the Golden Eagle Hotel, and the rank and file
were given a collation at the Western Hotel by Lieutenant-Colonel
Creed Haymond. The company
returned to Stockton on a special train at midnight.
Extracted from History of
San Joaquin County, 1923.
Additional History, including that
of the Stockton Rifle Cadets
