California During The Civil War.

major bill

Brev. Brig. Gen'l
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Joined
Aug 25, 2012
Just read an article titled Some Aspects of California's Military Problem During the Civil War" by Leo P. Kibby.

According to Kibby: "The Confederate government hoped to gain control of not only New Mexico and Arizona but also of California. Confederate authorities often cited reports that the state was on the eve of revolution and that southern men there were eager to join the Confederate Army."

It would appear the Californians with southern backgrounds were in fact very supportive of the Confederacy as were many of the southern Californians of Mexican heritage and those of French heritage as well. It appears to me that even though the governor was generally pro southern, the majority of the citizens of California were not. Once Albert Sidney Johnston left the Military Department of the Pacific, the U.S. Army combined with the local Union supporters made the secession of California unpractical. But if California had seceded and joined the Confederacy the effect on the war would have been considerable.
 
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