Tag Archives: Civil War

Arizona Territory Prescott

First Independence Day in Prescott

July 4, 2011 – 9:50 am

In my novel, A Dream Unfolding, I included a scene of the first Independence Day celebration in Prescott on July 4, 1864.  Even though the town was just over a month old, three hundred people or more attended the festivities.  Though I took some liberty in my book to have a few women (less than 10) in attendance, there was no record of any women attending the first celebration.

The day included a parade of the cavalry from Fort Whipple.  The military performed several drills and exercises showing off their skill.  In addition, Governor John Goodwin and Secretary of Territory Richard McCormick spoke.

As detailed in my book, George Barnard hosted a huge meal to celebrate the grand opening of his new hotel, the Juniper House.  Items on the menu included fried liver, venison and beef steaks, mutton stew, barbecued beef, pot pies, and more.  Tea, coffee, and milk were also served with the meal.  One of the local saloons also provided whiskey.

Some sources stated that the earliest celebrations in the town also included competitions among miners and ranchers.  Rock picking and lassoing were favorites.

As the town grew, so did the celebration.  Horse racing started two years later in 1866 when ranchers began bringing their fastest horses from their ranches to compete.  Also, after the first few years, firemen started hose competitions.

Over time, the Fourth of July celebrations turned into the modern day Rodeo in Prescott.  It is cited as being the oldest rodeo in Arizona, though Payson argues that its first rodeo was a few years earlier.

So, whether in modern times or during the Civil War era, residents of Prescott have long demonstrated their patriotism with fun-filled Independence Day celebrations that reflect the town’s population of the time.

 

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Women in the West

Civil War Women’s Fashion

June 24, 2011 – 8:26 pm

Civil War DressThis picture is an example of a fancy dress that would have been worn during the Civil War era (1861-1865).  This particular dress is made of linen, so it would have been cooler than some of the other materials.  An upper society woman in the north or south, and perhaps even the west, would have worn dresses similar to this one.

The undergarments beneath the dress were called “under pinnings,” and included bloomers, a chemise, corset, stockings and garters, petticoats, and a hoop skirt.  The hoop skirt is what provides the billowing fullness of the lower skirt.

As was typical for the day, a woman would have worn gloves covering her hands made of netting (as shown here) or made from various types of leather.  Sometimes they were fingerless.  A woman never was seen in public without some sort of gloves.  The bonnet, reticule, and parasol completed the outfit.

In the western wilderness of Arizona, this type of clothing would likely not be seen outside of major populated towns.  My character Julia Colter, in A Heart Renewed, may have worn something like this on her father’s ranch in Texas.

 

 

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Arizona Territory Prescott

Fort Whipple in 1863-64

February 26, 2011 – 8:56 pm

On October 5, 1863, a group of soldiers left Fort Union in New Mexico headed to Fort Wingate.  Once at Fort Wingate, they met up with two companies of the First California Volunteers, as well as Major Willis, Captain Pishon, and Doctor Charles Lieb and his wife, Mary (the first white woman to settle in Northern Arizona).  The group set out from Fort Wingate on November 4, 1863 to establish a new fort in Northern Arizona—Fort Whipple.

On December 23, 1863*, the group arrived near present day Chino Valley.  Major Willis, the commander of the fort, decided to stop there, despite the 25 mile distance to the placer mines on Granite Creek (present day Prescott).  The fort would provide protection for the territorial government and civilian settlers.

Nearly a month passed before Governor Goodwin and his party arrived at the fort on January 22, 1864.  Once they arrived, Major Willis ordered a 18 gun salute and small celebration.  For the next few months, the government of the territory officially resided at the fort.

Conditions were less than perfect for these brave souls.  Supplies had to be freighted from Albuquerque, New Mexico across the desert plains of Northern Arizona.  Often food was in short supply.  No permanent structures were erected until after the fort moved on May 18, 1864, to one mile northeast of Prescott on the bank of Granite Creek.  A small group of men stayed behind at the original site which became known as Camp Clark.

During Prescott’s early days, the fort kept settlers safe from Indian attacks and served as a base of operations for military campaigns throughout the area.

 

*There are conflicting accounts as to the exact date.  It was sometime within a few days of the date listed.

 

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Arizona Territory Prescott

The Birth of a Territory

February 26, 2011 – 8:55 pm

On February 24, 1863, the Arizona Territory was born.  President Lincoln then appointed John A. Gurley as governor.  When Gurley died in near his home in Cincinnati in August of 1863, before ever setting foot in the territory, President Lincoln appointed John N. Goodwin as the governor.

Goodwin and his party began the long trek to the territory from Ohio, crossing miles of land.  My book, A Dream Unfolding, follows a couple who is on the same wagon train as the Governor from Kansas to their final destination of Fort Whipple in the Arizona Territory.

The official inauguration of the territorial government did not take place until the governor’s party reached a small watering hole a few days ride inside the territory.  On December 29, 1863, at Navajo Springs, the governor’s party held an inauguration ceremony.  In the midst of a snowy afternoon, the ceremony began with a prayer by Reverend Read.  Then Goodwin and the other government officials took the oath of office.

Following the oath of office, Secretary Richard McCormick read the Governor’s Proclamation which announced a census for the territory, the organization of judicial districts, the governor’s stance on the Indian situation, among other key political points.  The temporary capitol was announced as Fort Whipple, which was later moved to Prescott.  After the speech, Secretary McCormick hoisted a flag.

The governor’s party did not reach their final destination of Fort Whipple until January 22, 1864, almost eleven months after the territory was formed.

 

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Arizona Territory

California Column: Not Your Average Day Hike

February 26, 2011 – 9:42 am

In my last post, I introduced the California Column and their role in the settlement of the west, especially the Arizona Territory.  But, what was it like to like to trek across miles of untamed wilderness as a volunteer?

The worst hiking trip I have been on was a backpacking trip a few years ago.  I carried a 40 pound bag, compressed close to my body.  In my white short sleeve breathable shirt and convertible shorts (those ones with the pant legs that zip off), I blazed across the rugged mountain terrain in the eastern Superstition Mountains in 80 degree temperatures.  I had the benefit of a hat that protected my neck from the sun, wick-away socks, sturdy thick-soled hiking boots, and my trusty hiking sticks.  By the end of the seven mile hike, the heels of my feet were raw—then I got in my truck and drove the fifteen miles in air conditioning back to the main road, then on to my air conditioned house.

The California Column soldiers and cavalry did not have the benefit of getting in a vehicle and driving away.  They covered hundreds of miles across the Arizona Territory.  Imagine, walking on foot over rocky terrain as much as twenty miles in a day.  The sun is beating down on your back.  The temperature is somewhere around 95 degrees.  You are wearing a pair of trousers over drawers (long underwear), a wool shirt (seriously, wool!), forage cap, and great coat.  And it’s dark blue, thirstily absorbing the rays of the sun.  Strapped to your back is nearly 60 pounds of gear, clothing, supplies, and a canteen with three pints of water.  Your shoes are thin soled.  Once the soles wear out, you walk in your stockings or even bare feet.  You haven’t eaten in two days and you just hope that you come across a javelina or desert quail so you can eat tonight.

Those were the conditions the volunteers faced on a daily basis.  Despite the poor conditions, they were successful with their mission to protect the citizens of Arizona.

 

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Arizona Territory Santa Fe Trail

California Column: An Introduction

February 26, 2011 – 9:35 am

Any writing about territorial Arizona would not be complete without discussing the presence of the California Column (or California Volunteers).  Without the military presence it would have been impossible to safely settle in the territory, especially during the first few decades.

The California Column was a volunteer force, most serving only three years.  They were farmers, freighters, miners, mechanics, or farmers prior to volunteering.  They were primarily educated men.  When the Civil War started, the early volunteers of the California Column benefitted from training by the regulars before the regulars were sent east.

Covering a large geographic area, the California Column spanned as far east as Fort Leavenworth, Missouri, north to the border with Canada, south to the border with Mexico, and west to the Pacific Ocean.  To manage this, the California Column was broken up into several departments and subdivided into districts.  The Department of New Mexico, led by General Carleton, covered Arizona and New Mexico.

The primary mission of the California Column was to protect the citizens of the western territories from Confederate attacks, especially in Arizona.  Their mission expanded to include protection from warring Indians.  Because of the dangers of traveling from eastern states to settle in the west, many wagon trains were accompanied by a company or two of soldiers and mounted cavalry.  In some cases, the military went only as far as the next fort, leaving settlers in the hands of the next company of military.  In other cases, the company traveled the entire length of the journey.

Without the presence of the California Column in the western territories, the settlement of the west would have been far more dangerous and many more lives would have been lost.

 

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