I am interested in any information on the state militia during 1851-1861. I am doing research on Joseph Rodman West who was said to have been a member doing these years. In 1861, he joined the California Column and served during the Civil War in New Mexico, fighting Apache Indians. I would like to find out if he fought Indians in California and also if he was involved in opposing the Vigilance Committee in San Francisco. Any background information on the militia is desired.

-- Randy Grandin (rlgrandin@aol.com), October 03, 1998

Answers

I think the State Archives in Sacramento has a lot of military records going way back. Civil War records might also be at the Federal Archives. There are websites for both of these. Good luck.

-- Dorothy (leland@dcn.davis.ca.us), October 06, 1998.