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[Gentlemen: This event is posted here because the writer believes it meets the conditions for an EBUFU event. If the moderator(s) disagrees after due consideration, he/they of course can move it wherever he pleases.]
2nd annual “MARCH OF THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN”
March 7-11, 2012
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and vicinity
San Diego County, California
In the spring of 1862, in response to the Confederate invasion of the New Mexico Territory (present day New Mexico and Arizona), more than 2,000 volunteer troops from California, under the command of Col. James H. Carleton, marched from the vicinity of Los Angeles to Fort Yuma on the Colorado River, and thence onward into the invaded territory. Crossing the great southwestern desert in an attempt to come to grips with the rebels, the Californians had a couple of small brushes with Confederate outposts and one major fight with Apaches. With the enemy already in retreat due to their defeat at Glorieta Pass, the Californians assisted in “seeing the enemy off” to Texas, picking up deserters, sick and wounded along the way. Franklin (El Paso), Texas was occupied, as was (temporarily) Ft. Davis. Maj. Gen. Halleck would later write of the Californians’ advance, saying: "It is one of the most creditable marches on record. I only wish our Army here had the mobility and endurance of the California troops." For the balance of the war, California troops secured New Mexico Territory against further rebel incursions and engaged in several campaigns against the Navajo and Apaches.
We present-day Californians cordially invite our friends on the Authentic Campaigner to join us in March 2012 for our second recreation of a portion of the epic march of the “California Column.” (The first edition was staged in March 2011.) [Yes, we know “Shiloh” is only a couple of weeks after this event; in fact some of our “Californians” are coming to “Shiloh.” But since the “Column” event involves coordination with state and county parks officials, we got the date that was furthest from “Shiloh” that still met their event criteria.]
The event, which will mark the 150th anniversary of the actual movement, will total about 28 miles, spread out over three marching days. On many stretches of the march we will be walking on remnants of the old Butterfield Overland Mail Co. stage route, almost literally in the 150-year old “footprints” of the Column troops. On other stretches, the route will be as close to the historic road bed as modern intrusions and private property considerations will permit. (Yes, I said “modern intrusions.” The organizers’ guiding intent is to re-trace, as nearly as possible, the actual historic route taken by the soldiers we are emulating. This unfortunately takes us near some homes and paved roadway on some stretches. On the other hand, there are some stretches with nothing, or almost nothing, modern in view.) Two of the three marching camps will be on the sites where Column troops actually camped en route. The final night will be spent at the recreated Vallecito station of the Butterfield O.M.C. There will be two points along the march when interaction with modern civilians can be expected -- this "living history" component is part of our "dues" in return for the state and county park officials bending some rules to let us do this march in the first place.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN. The fee of $45 will cover all rations from the first marching day to the end of the event, as well as event expenses. The event’s web site is at:
Rations issued will be of the types and quantities specified by Col. Carleton for the march from Los Angeles to Fort Yuma (see web site). The guiding impression will be: Company E, 1st Infantry Regiment, California Volunteers. Uniforms and equipment will governed by Col. Carleton’s General Order No. 3 (see web site). As we are recreating a stretch of the march that involved no combat, the event scenario does not contemplate any rebel troops or even (at this time) any armed, secesh-inclined civilians trying to reach Texas (by March 1862, A.S. Johnson and L. Armistead had long since flown the coop and we already had Dan Showalter & party in jail).
This is not an event for those weak in the feet, knees or back, or those severely out of condition. The daily marches will be between 8 and 11 miles in length, which is more than enough distance to let you know you haven't gone out to fetch the newspaper. The route is generally "downhill" (i.e., end is at lower elevation than start), but there are some ups and downs along the way. Forecast for blisters is excellent if you don’t know how to care for your feet. If last year was precedent, the weather will include a chance of some rain (we got spritzed a little in the maiden event), wind, and cool to moderately cold nights. Just as the soldiers did on this part of the march, our camping will be strictly bivouacking, with no tents…although the last night will find us with some degree of shelter at the recreated Butterfield station at Vallecito.
Interested parties can have their questions answered here or by writing separately to:
Dom Dal Bello -- djd_93116@yahoo.com
Dan Munson -- dan.munson@mto.com
2nd annual “MARCH OF THE CALIFORNIA COLUMN”
March 7-11, 2012
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and vicinity
San Diego County, California
In the spring of 1862, in response to the Confederate invasion of the New Mexico Territory (present day New Mexico and Arizona), more than 2,000 volunteer troops from California, under the command of Col. James H. Carleton, marched from the vicinity of Los Angeles to Fort Yuma on the Colorado River, and thence onward into the invaded territory. Crossing the great southwestern desert in an attempt to come to grips with the rebels, the Californians had a couple of small brushes with Confederate outposts and one major fight with Apaches. With the enemy already in retreat due to their defeat at Glorieta Pass, the Californians assisted in “seeing the enemy off” to Texas, picking up deserters, sick and wounded along the way. Franklin (El Paso), Texas was occupied, as was (temporarily) Ft. Davis. Maj. Gen. Halleck would later write of the Californians’ advance, saying: "It is one of the most creditable marches on record. I only wish our Army here had the mobility and endurance of the California troops." For the balance of the war, California troops secured New Mexico Territory against further rebel incursions and engaged in several campaigns against the Navajo and Apaches.
We present-day Californians cordially invite our friends on the Authentic Campaigner to join us in March 2012 for our second recreation of a portion of the epic march of the “California Column.” (The first edition was staged in March 2011.) [Yes, we know “Shiloh” is only a couple of weeks after this event; in fact some of our “Californians” are coming to “Shiloh.” But since the “Column” event involves coordination with state and county parks officials, we got the date that was furthest from “Shiloh” that still met their event criteria.]
The event, which will mark the 150th anniversary of the actual movement, will total about 28 miles, spread out over three marching days. On many stretches of the march we will be walking on remnants of the old Butterfield Overland Mail Co. stage route, almost literally in the 150-year old “footprints” of the Column troops. On other stretches, the route will be as close to the historic road bed as modern intrusions and private property considerations will permit. (Yes, I said “modern intrusions.” The organizers’ guiding intent is to re-trace, as nearly as possible, the actual historic route taken by the soldiers we are emulating. This unfortunately takes us near some homes and paved roadway on some stretches. On the other hand, there are some stretches with nothing, or almost nothing, modern in view.) Two of the three marching camps will be on the sites where Column troops actually camped en route. The final night will be spent at the recreated Vallecito station of the Butterfield O.M.C. There will be two points along the march when interaction with modern civilians can be expected -- this "living history" component is part of our "dues" in return for the state and county park officials bending some rules to let us do this march in the first place.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN. The fee of $45 will cover all rations from the first marching day to the end of the event, as well as event expenses. The event’s web site is at:
Rations issued will be of the types and quantities specified by Col. Carleton for the march from Los Angeles to Fort Yuma (see web site). The guiding impression will be: Company E, 1st Infantry Regiment, California Volunteers. Uniforms and equipment will governed by Col. Carleton’s General Order No. 3 (see web site). As we are recreating a stretch of the march that involved no combat, the event scenario does not contemplate any rebel troops or even (at this time) any armed, secesh-inclined civilians trying to reach Texas (by March 1862, A.S. Johnson and L. Armistead had long since flown the coop and we already had Dan Showalter & party in jail).
This is not an event for those weak in the feet, knees or back, or those severely out of condition. The daily marches will be between 8 and 11 miles in length, which is more than enough distance to let you know you haven't gone out to fetch the newspaper. The route is generally "downhill" (i.e., end is at lower elevation than start), but there are some ups and downs along the way. Forecast for blisters is excellent if you don’t know how to care for your feet. If last year was precedent, the weather will include a chance of some rain (we got spritzed a little in the maiden event), wind, and cool to moderately cold nights. Just as the soldiers did on this part of the march, our camping will be strictly bivouacking, with no tents…although the last night will find us with some degree of shelter at the recreated Butterfield station at Vallecito.
Interested parties can have their questions answered here or by writing separately to:
Dom Dal Bello -- djd_93116@yahoo.com
Dan Munson -- dan.munson@mto.com
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