History of the Troop C, 1st Squadron of Cavalry, National Guard of California

1911-1917

This history was completed in 1940 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in conjunction with the

California National Guard and the California State Library.

Digitized by the History Office, Camp San Luis Obispo, 6 January 2015

TR~OP C

Troop c, First Squadron of Cavalry (formerly Troo~ C Caval~y, unattac~ed, First Brigade)

. I

/

Reference: Adjutant General's Files Location: Salinas, Monterey County

Organized August 5, 1895 Assigned August 15, 1905* Redesignated July 31, 1~08** Reconstituted May 1, 1)11*** ustered into Federal Service June 26, 1.916****

Mustered out of Federal Service November 17, 1)1£••••• Resumption of Service in the Rational Guard 1916JUUU Mustered into Federal Service August 24, 1917•••••••

.oOo.

*Troop C Cavalry, First Brigade assigned tio First Squadron of Cavalry and desi?-nated Troop C, First Squadron of Cavalry, August 15, 1905. Adjutant General Rerort 1']06,· page· 3.

**Troop c, First Squadron of Cavalry, redesignated Troop C Cavalry, First Brigade 1 ' July 31, 190S. . ( neneral and Special Orde-s and Ci rculars 1908, General Order No. 15.

'I roop C Cavalry, redesignated Troop C, First Squadron of Cavalry, May 1, 1911. General and Sreciel Orders and Circula~s 1111, Special Order No, 5, par. 15.

****Troop C as art of the First Squadron of Cavalry was mustered for duty on the Mexican Border, June 26, 1916.

into Federal Service

Adjutant General Report 1914-1920, page 16. J ~Adjutant General Re ort 1914-1920, p e 16.

•}tliJtUGeneral and s~ecial 'Jrders and Bulletins 1916, General Order No. 34 . / •. pa e 150.

/ /' / IUlUJUWTroop C, as part of t he Fi rst Squadron Cavalry was mustered into Federal Service for , j duty during the World ¥ar. August 24, 1917. Muster Roll, Troop C, First Squadron / . Cavalry .August, ; 917. · 1 (Troop c, served as a unit of t he l45th Machine. Gun Battalion, 40th Division,

; during the World War.) / Adjutant General Rerort .. 914-1920 - page 22.

I I

I I

I I

.t

1 -1-(I

I I ' /

B.

ctivities:

Lieut.

, Capt. irst LiG'Ut.

tlonal

t Lieut. Jan. 2

rgnnized on .Aug • The unit re

s.

Dec.

M&y May

r.

y

Uar.

.ooo.

23, 1912

14, 191 14, 191

16, 191

15, 1917

iG, 1916

.., Troop C

b. 28, 191

July 14:, 191 July 24, 19

y 15, 1918

June 2 , 1917

y 15, 191

t designatlon untl~ Aug­irst Souadron of Cavalry,

e l'·1rst records. Th

orked diligently

e and Lieutenant U'inham retained t heir foraer commission en 151 1902, and October 11, 1895, respectively, when t hey

oop C Cav&lry, First BriR.ade.

-2-

(Continued)

~tiv1tiea~ (Continue¢)

he t1rat maJor activity ot Troop C ooourrett in April lV06 when the unit was ca!!ett into active service ino1Qent to the earthquake and tire in san Francisco, occurring on April e1~hteenth.

The troop duties i

, preserv1n stationed unt1r1n ive

"To

ot cavalry tween 23rd and 24

11torn1 ree'ta

in

their

tional Guard ot Calitorn1-, rn1ng the conduct ot tb It 1s the first time in the

lled upon to pertor.m such ember

ill, and

ope

"Hoping you are al1 well and that tho Troop in their employ will endeavor to help until our return. as they should

ho have members ot the et alons without their

ood oitizena, tor t

.. ..._~-

(Cont1nue4)

ot1vit1 • .. (Continued)

II

troop be abl .

e all .kno· about thre protection.

The th

s

be un1 le.d.s 1 urric1ent

on duty. orec11teb.L their duti

l.l letter t1onal

24th Str

ot

e lad to ly neeCS.ed there ho need

in oe.re ot Troop c, rd ot Celitorni

tation c. t

, bet

Yours truly, (81Elled) c. :. Full

Captain , Troop c, • G. • • ng tbe

Troop C 1r

tetion oom1ne woe the oooasion linas took pert. Headed

ot o1t1zena, proud ot the tin

.cl end lend.1C1 app

ot the crowd

det1 to the depot to reoeiv·

loa.ve no doubt 1.n the minds ot de by them in San Franciaoo

o nat individual tour ed t

nx1o

roop .... , to ·th,ir

t

In appreciation tor J. B. Lauok, edctre read as tollows:

orK done by the troop, Adjutant Oene~nl a personal letter to Captain Fulle, wbio

r Captain: "I have le&rned with pleasur atter ita atrenuoua tour ot

or the arrival ho~e ot Troop c, uty, and am srat1t1ed at the hearty

.ooo. he Dal!nas Journal, April 28, 1g06, ool~ u.

The Salin ourne.l, y 19, 19 • , co •

-a-

ctiviti . •

TROOP C

~ (Continued}

(Continu

ooorded your boys by the citizens nnd people or tha1r own.

n

•

u~~Y to exnr but vo1oin

soldierly b

rs and memb~ro ot Troop c ot many hearty oo-opera~1on 1n all that pertains to its

(Signed.) "Very truly yourw,

• B. Lauck, Adjt . Oen."•

n

in Fulle and Troop C were h1eh1y elated over the complimentary r rrom ~he Adjutant General ., which eave them renewed oour rv1DR tbeir people and country in time of need.

in their desire to be as evldenoed by the spontaneou

ir homecoming, and by the letter ot Lauck .

Captain practice,

iled to co. t \7oodl

the Camp of Instruction in tar~et ust 15, lU06. The camp

.ooo.

·"'The lines Journe!, Jun ' l\106. p 5, column 6.

.ct1vit1

in

TROOP C

(Continued)

(Continuea)

tor the purpose ot training the State Ritl 1rt, New Jersey, to compete in the National

s won by Troop c count ot the fact

t the second year in ion.

aent

competition tiona,

core o troo

the

The tollowing statement 1asued by Captain Thomas Wilhelm. outline the manner in which Troop c wae rated:

"This troop is in excellent condition. The men are of goo physical appearance, are zealous and a~tent1ve to duty. They are w1ll instructed in d1amountea service. The required number or d1smounted drllls were had dur1ns the past year. but not the numDer or mountett dr11ls oalled tor by state law.•

ercentage or attendances at:

oellent 100 .

oellent 100~ oellent 100 11

oellent 10~ oellent 10 I)

nt Excellent 100%

.ooo.

·*The Salinas Journal, December 22, 1~06, page 1, column 2.

-6·

TROOP C

ot1v1t1es: (Continued)

Clotb1n

na other oxeroi

(Continued)

Very Gooct oellent ry Coo

Very Coo

2'"''-

e

•

TROOP C·

(Continued)

c~ivities; (Continued)

ttme. The medals were a~out three inches in length and in the tor.m

•

trophy. They were purchased at a price ot ;375.00 icb aum was contributed by Salinas merchants and other pirited citizens.•

ott an

proud bit ot one for th Hollister end ~st1matod that red between six

..

rkable Th

1909,

d

Captain Fulle had reason to be alermea, when on September 23, 1g1o, he received a letter trom the AdJutant General's Ott1ce regard! the musterins out ot Troop c. The letter advised captain Fulle that unless the unit reportftd tor the encampment at Atascadero, October tirst with its full quota ot men, it surely would ~e mustered out ot the service. Captain ~·ulle began at once to contact all busine

o had Nations! Guardsmen in their .employ, in order to gain noe that these men would not loose their positions should they the encampment.

.ooo. he Salinas Journa!, April 2, lglo, page 4, column 6.

mhe Salinas Journal, September lt>, l\106 1 page 4, column l.

· •••The Sa!inae Journal. November 27, l~lo. page 3, oolumn 7. -a-

TROOP C

(Continued)

Activities: (Continued)

These oontaots proved benetioial and on September thirtieth, Captain Fulle 1aauea a statement to the etreot that be had at least thirty-tour men and poasib!y more• Fortunately the employers or the troopers were patriotic and public apiritea and granted vacations to the men tor the trip , so that tne Guardsmen could comply with tb order.

The troops spent a profitable two weeks at camp and returned to linaa, October twenty-tirst on a special train which brought several

other companies home. Salinas had every reason to. again be proud ot her military oreau1zat1on. Troop C was always ren4y tor a tight or trol1o. The unit was always t1rst to turn outa tirst at roll oall and last to leave the t1eld or mimic wartare. At the review or the troops by Governor Gillett, Troop C made a specially tine appearance. The ranks were true and had the appearance ot Regulars. The perfect discipline and soldierly appearance ot the Troop also won high praise tram the regular otficers in command.

e troops ot Captain Full Calitorn1 The regul displayed

in command ot Troop c. no

Troop c. The troopers . were quoted as stating that the encampment was a strenuou

· .. xper1encel but they telt that thoy had made gooct. This encampment as typica ot the many enoampmenta i n wh1ob Troop c participated

prior to the World War in 1Vl7.*

ilitary school or instruction was held dur1ns a two week in July lV13. The following named members ot Troop c attend school: Capt a1n C J. Fulls; Lieuten

• J. Bnrc1y and S. P. Butler; Q.uarter . • J. Fontes, Arthur Coy, Jamee McClean. Ir • Abbott and VJ . Fenton. They hact an 1ntereat1n.

time 1n camp anc1 grea~!y enJoyed visiting the beach arter school hours, .although tlle camp was not altogether a hol1C1ay.

he

*The Salinas Journal, October 1. oolumn a.

each and

ot1v1ti (Continued)

here hod b un1t3, in

overa l v

TROOP C

emtR£TXAAH (Continued)

d enoueh to little tor

He returne he saw how trained

ro muon ooncornea over tpo captain's request b

t once to o troop to

.en. The order order became

.ooo.

nd ... 1ret Sergeant

position or

n fr.o

oaso the call tor

llotment or en bad turn! he.d now puro

over to Troop c. overnment • ~·

valry and Field Artillery consequence ot which

he

· •The Salinas Journal, ~pril 25. 1914, page 1. column 7.

•Tbe lin Journal, y 16, 1914, page 3 , ool 4.

•lt.J ..

TROOP C

JDHOOESXXXNBGWGG{£t!~· (Continued}

ot1vit1 (Continued)

did for those bclonr 1ng to· the other three Cavalry unite.•

1~15, Troop C retained Lieutenant G. Kent,

y ot the Cal1torn1 re were forty-six

jor

.••

· *AdJutant

' ••The Salin

••The Salin

•••The Salin

•••••The 3al1n

.• Ovve

ral Report 1910-1914, page 14.

d

There nook

eel to do. the :most modern

onlY one providing a incentive tor

Journal, March 13, 191'-'. page 5. colwi.lu "'•

1ly Index, March 8, 1916, page 6, column 6.

1ly Index, March '10. 1916, page l, column 1.

Daily Index, May 12, 1916! page l, column l. -11-

d,

TROOP C

(Continued)

otivities: (Continued)

' ner

unit

lln

I •*"'he Sali

• ***Tne li

the troop and the uni oon reorult to

1 June l~. 1g16 in

"~aoracento, 5:50 .tu • •

rd:y , . Troop C, orni

o. 16, orders your men under arms . 5erv1c ximum atren,:;~th 88.

(Signed) . ( t.·) ·Adj ·.- Gen."*

in

orrort.. was bei r requiromonts •.

e unit, but ull rvlce.

.oov.

~.;he ·strent;tll ot tho · young .men ot Salin ve their youth who

c

ily Index , June 19, 1•1o, p 1, col l.

1ly In<le June 19, 1916, page l, column 1.

1ly Index, June 22 , 16, page 1, ooiumn ,.

-lr: ..

s

TROOP C

(Continued)

Aot1v1t1es: (Continued)

Just tive days attar reoe1v1ng oraers to recruit, Captain Hardy and his company ot eighty men lett Salinas tor the mobilization camp at . oramento. The departure ot the troops was signalized by an

unprecedented patr1ot1o demonstration on the part ot the people ot al1nae and vicinity. Hundreds or men, women and children, who

included tr1ends and re.Le.tivea or tho troopers, assembled at the armory to bid the boys goodbye. The Stars and ;Stripee were unfurled on nearly every ataf't·in the city and everyone who could obtain one, carried a sma.Ll American Flag. Amons the throngs were several old veterane and ex-members or the troop, all ot whoz1 looked aa though they wished to don a khaki unitorm, shoulder a ritle and start tor

be tront.

The troop waa esoort.ea to t.l.!e depot by so utomoblle

The First So..ua<1ron ot Cavalry which inoluo.e nto, c of Salinas and D of Los AW~v·~g.

Border on June 30, .Lvlo. The troop Joaquin Valley, henoe the trienda and relative

oop a1a not get another glimpse or them.

The Squaaron arrived 1n Nogales , Arizona on Sunday morning July 11

1~16. he entire squadron marched to the camp site after a hearty breakrast

on the tr•1n. Soon the bleak, rooky hillside wns a neat v1lla~e ot butt colored tents occupied by 358 men and 18 otfioers ot th squadron; under command ot Major s. w. Xay.••

That the troopa round livint on the de'sert in Arizona somewhat dittorent trom that of their home ooest town in California 1

videnced by the ·tollowint nvw~~apor articles

.ooo. · •The Salinas Daily Index, June 24, lV16, page l, · column 5.

, ••Tbe Salinas Daily Index, July 10, 1916, p • col 3.

-13-

TROOP C

xitiimRKxmas·@UmxflKX~ (continued)

ct1v1ti • .

The tro duty on

re .cu

(Contin

'*The Salinas DailY In

4 The Gel1 Daily Inae

l nt,

perrormine e:uo.rd and patrol turned to Cal1torn1a , end

s ,

to 8

• o •

t 4, 16, page .l, column v. ovember ~2 , 19lv 1 gc l, column ..,.

-l ... - - --~~~-

TROOP C

(Continued}

.ct1vit1es: (Continued)

•

ver£ tbe Guar in tb ervice.

ram trom tbo AdJutant ot Salinas on June 26 1 1~17, oampaisn to bring the enroll then only 70 men in Troop C oulct be taken trom Salin

ct beceme etteotiv' as tully understood unrest within th ·Troop C were on tb

year enlistment 1n in the National tbat the three year.

in in the

to

ven1ng of Kay pronounced military

rvioe at nt was to b

to rt

lthy proportion~. s was shown by

e trom ter

yor Tllorpe recruitin1 There were

·other sections. The men ot Salinas proved themselves ~atriotio and the company was recruited to a strength of 101 by August twelfth. The unit on that date lett Salinas tor a destination

The following newspaper article is a touch1ne commentary on tb departure or not only Troop c but ot all units that departed tr their home stations ror the war zone:

hi

r nd

Troop

lin ily In t

hilarity nor yet ot none ot the former in an~ sons or ot - tb

rts. But yet, heart th

1r tears. \Vhil their train, th

.ouo.

y 16, 1Vl7, page a, col '· . •15-

TROOP C

otlvitios: (Continued}

• ooo.

4 The Selin 1ly Ina.ex, t 15, 1917.

· •• Ldjutant General Report l9l4•l92v, e 22.

•lo•

( cont inuod)

• , lgl7, Troop c

•otb Division •

l, column 5.