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Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of California, 1862, Kibbe Presentation Copy [192

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Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of California, 1862, Kibbe Presentation Copy [192
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Presentation copy from Kibbe. Inscribed on the inside cover to Capt. Alden Rackliff of the Auburn Greys from W.C. Kibbe. This report was written by Kibbe in his role as adjutant general. 163pp, printed by Benj. P. Avery, State Printer. Brown boards with gold lettering. Chips and missing portions on the spine. Toning and some foxing to pages.

Report is addressed to Leland Stanford as California governor. Stanford stepped in to save Kibbe's job in 1861 when Kibbe was under fire when the Los Angeles Mounted Rifles stole weapons and equipment of various defunct militia companies in Southern California.

Fascinating inventory and report on the state of military units and supplies in California at the beginning of the Civil War. Kibbe notes: "During the eighteen months just past, our beloved country has been the theatre of one of the most formidable rebellions the world ever saw...From the moment that the blood-thirsty traitors struck their first blow at the nation's heart, the whole country east of the Pacific States has been resounding with the clash of arms..." (pg.6). Interestingly, Kibbe tells Stanford that "California is sadly deficient in arms..." (pg. 15). He also warns that the coast is not adequately defended, proclaiming that "a single vessel of war, once within range of [San Francisco] would hold it at its mercy; no matter how strong its forts may be garrisoned, or how many troops it may contain, it is absolutely helpless." He proposes gun turrets to be installed on either side of the Golden Gate entrance at Point Bonito and Point Lobos (pg. 19)!

A large portion of the report are sections such as: a Roster of California Volunteers Mustered into the Service of the United States. It goes through the first thru fifth infantries and lists casualties. Next is the Roster of the Military Force of the State of California for the Year 1862, with Leland Stanford listed as Commander in Chief. Most interesting is the listings for the various companies around the state, including Petaluma Guard, Napa Guard, San Jose Zouaves, Esmeralda Rifles, Volcano Blues, etc. Next is the Report of the Organized Military Force of the State of California. See the 4 members of the Esmeralda Rifles in Aurora (pg. 116). Finally is a supplement that includes discussion of War Debt.

William Chauncey Kibble came to California during the Gold Rush. Having no luck in mining, he found success in politics. Governor John McDougal appointed Kibbe as California's third Quartermaster General in June 1852, and he also became the Adjutant General of California in charge of the California Militia that year. He was reelected to the post in 1854. Kibbe was a strong advocate of force against Native Americans. In 1858, he organized the Klamath & Humboldt Expedition led by Captain Isaac G. Messec to fight the Wintoon War of 1858-59 against the Whilkut people. Then in 1859, he oversaw the State of California's Pitt River Expedition against the Achomawi and Atsugewi tribes. He even sent militia units to help the settlers in Nevada during the Paiute War. Kibbe held the office till 1864, then returned to Brooklyn, New York, dying in 1904.
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Date: 1862
Country (if not USA):
State: California
City:
Provenance: