More on the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry

The Military Museum in Sacramento, California, has a wealth of information online regarding California's involvement in the Civil War, and the staff onsite was quite informative about the topic when I visited the facility in the mid-1990s.

Since I've started on the topic of the California 100, it seemed only fitting that I refer my readers to more information, which can be found by clicking here. I find the GAR photo at the bottom of the page particularly fascinating since I would have thought many of the men might have stayed in the East post-war, but they returned to my home state and their lives in the West.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

The Battle of Puebla

Although Cinco de Mayo is often just a good day for tacos y cervezas for many of us, I was surprised to learn recently that the holiday has a tie to the Civil War that I hadn't heard about before.

The holiday was first celebrated in Los Angeles in 1862 to commemorate the victory by Mexico over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla. The celebrations carried as far north as the mining town of Columbia, where Mexican miners made speeches, shot off fireworks and and sang patriotic songs.

By defeating the French forces, the Mexican army helped keep France from providing supplies and assistance to the Confederacy. Although much of southern California leaned toward the southern point of view before the war, Los Angeles was pro-Union, which gave the residents a reason to celebrate 150 years ago.

Despite its widespread popularity in the western U.S., Cinco de Mayo is, at best, a regional holiday in Mexico. It does not commemorate Mexican Independence Day: that holiday is observed nationally in Mexico on September 16.

An Amazing Site Dedicated to the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry

Since the next few posts will focus on photos of Californians who served with the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry, it seemed only fitting to point my readers to a remarkable resource: Reunion Civil War Antiques' site for the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry.

Reunion founder Earl Robinson has compiled photos of about 12 percent of the regiment, and he's assembled biographies for some members of the unit, including Henry Fillebrown, the first man to enlist, and Andersonville survivor Abraham Loane.

Gilbert Merritt of the 2nd Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry

Sergeant Gilbert R. Merritt, 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry, recuperates at Camp Meigs from a broken leg he received while breaking horses. The leg did not heal properly and left Sgt. Merritt with a lifelong disability. He received a medical discharge and later filed for a invalid pension in August 1868. Photo from the Richard K. Tibbals Collection at the United States Army Military History Institute.

Folsom History Museum Showcases California, Civil War Exhibit

Until May 13, the Folsom History Museum is featuring a "California and the Civil War" exhibit that combines photographs, artifacts and interpretive panels to provide a comprehensive look at life in the Golden State during this pivotal time in American history.

Click here for a preview of the exhibit.

July 4, 1862

San Francisco's Washington Square was the gathering place for infantry regiments on Independence Day, 1862. Photo from the Barrett Collection at the United States Army Military History Institute.

At Rest, At Last

Peter Jones Knapp was laid to rest on Friday, April 13, 2012, at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. He may well be the final Civil War soldier to be buried, and he's the first to be buried in this particular national cemetery.

This story caught my attention while I was being carpool mom for my two oldest sons' first middle school dance and in following it up last night online, it ties together my home state (California), my adopted state (Iowa) and one of my other passions (family history).

Knapp enlisted in the 5th Iowa Cavalry in 1861 and fought at Iuka and Shiloh. He was taken prisoner at Missionary Ridge and was held for 17 months in various camps, including Andersonville. Knapp escaped and later served in the Indian wars.

Knapp died in 1924 and, although he received a front-page obituary in the Kelso, Washington, Kelsonian newspaper, his ashes remained at the crematorium until a relative located them while researching family history. She enlisted the help of the California Medal of Honor Project and Knapp and his wife received a burial service along the lines of a veteran's memorial from 1873 that was attended by family members, Civil War re-enactors and representatives of the Oregon National Guard.