Private Watkins
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
- Location
- Oklahoma
Yes, I bet he was there for the Big One... he was a civilian at the time, living in Sonoma. I wonder if he wrote about the earthquake or left any mention of it...?
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The Big One...
- Thread starter Private Watkins
- Start date
Private Watkins
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
- Location
- Oklahoma
Amazing...Here is some of what the San Andreas did with that earthquake:
http://lolscience.livejournal.com/
Also from the Fort Tejon quake - this one is 350km and gives a whole new meaning to "Let 'er rip!"
http://lolscience.livejournal.com/
Private Watkins
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
- Location
- Oklahoma
Eyewitness account of the 1857 Ft. Tejon earthquake as told by one J. M. Barker before the Bakersfield Women's Club. Barker says that in 1857, when he was 25, he lived on a cattle ranch near Tulare Lake. He continues:
One morning in the month of November, 1857, l started out on horseback in company with an old Englishman, my nearest neighbor, to search for some horses of ours that had strayed away. We shaped our course to skirt the shores of Tulare Lake, between what is known as Cross Creek and Kings River. At this time Tulare Lake was a very large sheet of water, about one hundred miles in length by thirty miles in width at its widest place. For a couple of miles from the shore, the waters in the shallows were covered with burnt tules and other refuse matter unfit for use for man or beast, until a distance of two miles from the shore was reached.
We knew that our horses would not drink from the lake, but there were sloughs and holes of water in depressions outside of the lake, where the water was clear and fit for use.
To one of these water-holes, which was surrounded by a fringe of tall willows, we directed our course in order to look for tracks of our missing stock. As several of them were shod, we knew if we found the shod tracks that we were on the right trail.
There was a keen frost, and when we reached the water-hole a thin film of ice was seen upon the water. l dismounted and led my horse by the bridle, and walked to the edge of the water. Just as l reached it, the ground seemed to be violently swayed from east to west. The water splashed up to my knees; the trees whipped about, and limbs fell on and all around me. I was affected by a fearful nausea, my horse snorted and in terror struggled violently to get away from me, but l hung to him, having as great a fear as he had himself. Of course, all this occupied but a few seconds, but it seemed a long time to me. The lake commenced to roar like the ocean in a storm, and, staggering and bewildered, I vaulted into the saddle and my terrified horse started, as eager as I was to get out of the vicinity. I found my friend, who had not dismounted, almost in a state of collapse. He eagerly inquired, while our horses were on the run and the lake was roaring behind us, "What is this?" I replied, "An earthquake! Put the steel to your horse and let us get out of this!" and we ran at the top of our speed for about five miles.
We observed several hundred antelopes in a state of the wildest confusion and terror. They ran hither and thither, creating a great dust, stumbling and falling over each other in mortal fear. It is their habit at this season of the year, while rearing their young, to congregate in great numbers for mutual protection from coyotes and other vermin; the males also herding in bands by themselves until the new grass starts.
We returned the next day and found that the lake had run up on the land for about three miles. Fish were stranded in every direction and could have been gathered by the wagon-load. The air was olive with buzzards and vultures eager for the feast, but the earth had acquired its normal condition.
We can only imagine what the consequences would have been if a great city had stood upon the eastern shore of the lake.
http://www.johnmartin.com/earthquakes/eqpapers/00000024.htmWe knew that our horses would not drink from the lake, but there were sloughs and holes of water in depressions outside of the lake, where the water was clear and fit for use.
To one of these water-holes, which was surrounded by a fringe of tall willows, we directed our course in order to look for tracks of our missing stock. As several of them were shod, we knew if we found the shod tracks that we were on the right trail.
There was a keen frost, and when we reached the water-hole a thin film of ice was seen upon the water. l dismounted and led my horse by the bridle, and walked to the edge of the water. Just as l reached it, the ground seemed to be violently swayed from east to west. The water splashed up to my knees; the trees whipped about, and limbs fell on and all around me. I was affected by a fearful nausea, my horse snorted and in terror struggled violently to get away from me, but l hung to him, having as great a fear as he had himself. Of course, all this occupied but a few seconds, but it seemed a long time to me. The lake commenced to roar like the ocean in a storm, and, staggering and bewildered, I vaulted into the saddle and my terrified horse started, as eager as I was to get out of the vicinity. I found my friend, who had not dismounted, almost in a state of collapse. He eagerly inquired, while our horses were on the run and the lake was roaring behind us, "What is this?" I replied, "An earthquake! Put the steel to your horse and let us get out of this!" and we ran at the top of our speed for about five miles.
We observed several hundred antelopes in a state of the wildest confusion and terror. They ran hither and thither, creating a great dust, stumbling and falling over each other in mortal fear. It is their habit at this season of the year, while rearing their young, to congregate in great numbers for mutual protection from coyotes and other vermin; the males also herding in bands by themselves until the new grass starts.
We returned the next day and found that the lake had run up on the land for about three miles. Fish were stranded in every direction and could have been gathered by the wagon-load. The air was olive with buzzards and vultures eager for the feast, but the earth had acquired its normal condition.
We can only imagine what the consequences would have been if a great city had stood upon the eastern shore of the lake.
Private Watkins
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
- Location
- Oklahoma
This letter looks to be a great source of info about potential Civil War soldiers who were in California with the 1st Dragoons and experienced The Big One in 1857... what do we know about the Civil War careers of the soldiers (or soldiers known to have been in the companies) mentioned...?
Letter of Lt. Col. B. L. Beall of the First Dragoons, January 9-10, 1857 (Letter #B4, Letters
Received, 1857, Department of the Pacific, Records of U. S. Army Continental
Commands, Record Group 393, U. S. National Archives, Washington, D. C.)
Fort Tehon, California
January 9th 1857.
8 o clock P.M.
Brevet Major W W Mackall
Asst Adjt General
Department of the Pacific
Benicia Cal
Sir,
I have the honor to report for the information of the Commanding General of this Department, that at about six o'clock this morning, the shocks of an earthquake commenced and have continued with more or less violence, at intervals of five or six minutes, up to this time. The greatest shocks took place at 27 minutes before 9 o.clock A.M. The destruction to property, both public and private, has been immense. Many of the buildings at this Post have been so injured as to be totally uninhabitable, as follows.
1st—The unfinished building, intended for a Quartermaster's Storeroom and Office. One end of this has been thrown down, and the remaining walls badly cracked in several places. It can be repaired.
2nd—The unfinished building intended for Captain's Quarters. This had one end thrown out of perpendicular and badly cracked. It can be repaired.
3rd—An unfinished building, containing two sets of Quarters. This had one end thrown down, and the other end thrown out of perpendicular, so that it will have to be taken down. The walls sustaining the roof are secure, and the building can be repaired. The two ends of the kitchen attached to this building are thrown down, and the main walls are cracked and injured, but the kitchen can be repaired without destroying the roof.
4th—The unfinished building, occupied by Major Blake and Lieutenants Ogle and Magruder. This has been cracked and injured in many places, but has suffered no material injury. I think it can be occupied with safety. Both ends of the kitchen attached to this building have been thrown down, and the remaining walls are badly cracked, but it can be repaired without removing the roof.
5th—The Quarters occupied by Company "H" 1st Dragoons. This has been cracked and shaken in many places, but no so much as to injure the stability or security of the building.
6th—The Quarters occupied by Company "G" 1st Dragoons. One of its chimneys has been thrown down. Its walls are more or less cracked, but it is sufficiently secure to be occupied, and can be repaired with but little expense.
7th—The end wall of the unfinished company kitchen has been badly shaken and cracked. The building, otherwise has received no material injury.
8th—The building occupied by Brevet Major Grier. This has been badly shaken. Its chimney tops have been thrown down, its walls cracked in many places, and its plastering thrown down and injured. I think the walls of the building secure, and that it can be occupied with safety.
9th—The Quarters occupied by Lieutenant Colonel Beall. This has received more damage than any of the finished buildings of the Post. Its chimnies have been thrown down, its plastering broken off in many places, and one of its ends so badly shaken and cracked, as to be in my opinion too insecure to be occupied.
10th—The Quarters occupied by Captain Kirkham. This has been badly shaken and cracked, its plastering broken off in many places, and its chimnies thrown down. I think the walls secure and capable of sustaining the roofs.
11th—The kitchen attached to Colonel Beall's house. This has been badly shaken and cracked. I consider it insecure.
12th—The building occupied as a commissary store house, and hospital. This has been badly shaken and cracked throughout, and its plastering very much injured. Its main wall has been but little disturbed from the perpendicular, and is, I think, secure, and capable of sustaining the roof.
13th—The unfinished building intended for two sets of Quarters. Upon this, I can observe no material injury.
Most of the chimney tops have been cracked and there is danger of fire being communicated through these cracks to the roofs. Fortunately no lives have been lost at the Post. The sick of the command are now in tents, although the weather is very cold. The shocks have been very extended, and less severe at the Post, than on the Los Angeles road, or in the Tulare valley. Several of the houses in the vicinity have been completely demolished, but the injury to life, so far as heard from, has been slight. Large fissures have been opened in the Los Angeles road, and in some places on the road there have been immense land slides. It is said that the water in the Tulare lakes, the water was thrown twenty feet into the air, during the greater shock. The largest trees have, in many instances, been torn from their roots. In order that the General Commanding, may [be] informed of the havoc done to the Post, at the earliest possible moment, I have thought it necessary to forward this by an express.
I have the honor to report for the information of the General, that I shall repair to the Head Quarters of the Department by the next steamer.
January l0th—9 o.c. AM.
I have the honor to report that during the night, and up to this time, the shocks
have continued with much violence, at intervals. The buildings have been much dam-
aged since 8 o clock P.M. of yesterday.
I am very Respectfully
Your obdt servt
B. L. Beall Lt Col. 1 Drags Cdmg Post
Received, 1857, Department of the Pacific, Records of U. S. Army Continental
Commands, Record Group 393, U. S. National Archives, Washington, D. C.)
Fort Tehon, California
January 9th 1857.
8 o clock P.M.
Brevet Major W W Mackall
Asst Adjt General
Department of the Pacific
Benicia Cal
Sir,
I have the honor to report for the information of the Commanding General of this Department, that at about six o'clock this morning, the shocks of an earthquake commenced and have continued with more or less violence, at intervals of five or six minutes, up to this time. The greatest shocks took place at 27 minutes before 9 o.clock A.M. The destruction to property, both public and private, has been immense. Many of the buildings at this Post have been so injured as to be totally uninhabitable, as follows.
1st—The unfinished building, intended for a Quartermaster's Storeroom and Office. One end of this has been thrown down, and the remaining walls badly cracked in several places. It can be repaired.
2nd—The unfinished building intended for Captain's Quarters. This had one end thrown out of perpendicular and badly cracked. It can be repaired.
3rd—An unfinished building, containing two sets of Quarters. This had one end thrown down, and the other end thrown out of perpendicular, so that it will have to be taken down. The walls sustaining the roof are secure, and the building can be repaired. The two ends of the kitchen attached to this building are thrown down, and the main walls are cracked and injured, but the kitchen can be repaired without destroying the roof.
4th—The unfinished building, occupied by Major Blake and Lieutenants Ogle and Magruder. This has been cracked and injured in many places, but has suffered no material injury. I think it can be occupied with safety. Both ends of the kitchen attached to this building have been thrown down, and the remaining walls are badly cracked, but it can be repaired without removing the roof.
5th—The Quarters occupied by Company "H" 1st Dragoons. This has been cracked and shaken in many places, but no so much as to injure the stability or security of the building.
6th—The Quarters occupied by Company "G" 1st Dragoons. One of its chimneys has been thrown down. Its walls are more or less cracked, but it is sufficiently secure to be occupied, and can be repaired with but little expense.
7th—The end wall of the unfinished company kitchen has been badly shaken and cracked. The building, otherwise has received no material injury.
8th—The building occupied by Brevet Major Grier. This has been badly shaken. Its chimney tops have been thrown down, its walls cracked in many places, and its plastering thrown down and injured. I think the walls of the building secure, and that it can be occupied with safety.
9th—The Quarters occupied by Lieutenant Colonel Beall. This has received more damage than any of the finished buildings of the Post. Its chimnies have been thrown down, its plastering broken off in many places, and one of its ends so badly shaken and cracked, as to be in my opinion too insecure to be occupied.
10th—The Quarters occupied by Captain Kirkham. This has been badly shaken and cracked, its plastering broken off in many places, and its chimnies thrown down. I think the walls secure and capable of sustaining the roofs.
11th—The kitchen attached to Colonel Beall's house. This has been badly shaken and cracked. I consider it insecure.
12th—The building occupied as a commissary store house, and hospital. This has been badly shaken and cracked throughout, and its plastering very much injured. Its main wall has been but little disturbed from the perpendicular, and is, I think, secure, and capable of sustaining the roof.
13th—The unfinished building intended for two sets of Quarters. Upon this, I can observe no material injury.
Most of the chimney tops have been cracked and there is danger of fire being communicated through these cracks to the roofs. Fortunately no lives have been lost at the Post. The sick of the command are now in tents, although the weather is very cold. The shocks have been very extended, and less severe at the Post, than on the Los Angeles road, or in the Tulare valley. Several of the houses in the vicinity have been completely demolished, but the injury to life, so far as heard from, has been slight. Large fissures have been opened in the Los Angeles road, and in some places on the road there have been immense land slides. It is said that the water in the Tulare lakes, the water was thrown twenty feet into the air, during the greater shock. The largest trees have, in many instances, been torn from their roots. In order that the General Commanding, may [be] informed of the havoc done to the Post, at the earliest possible moment, I have thought it necessary to forward this by an express.
I have the honor to report for the information of the General, that I shall repair to the Head Quarters of the Department by the next steamer.
January l0th—9 o.c. AM.
I have the honor to report that during the night, and up to this time, the shocks
have continued with much violence, at intervals. The buildings have been much dam-
aged since 8 o clock P.M. of yesterday.
I am very Respectfully
Your obdt servt
B. L. Beall Lt Col. 1 Drags Cdmg Post
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2015
- Location
- New York City
This is the San Andreas Fault from Joshua Tree National Park
Private Watkins
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
- Location
- Oklahoma
I think this one is a confirmed hit... interesting character and story...
Captain William Thomas Magruder was one of four graduates of the United States Military Academy to resign his commission in the U.S. Army and join the Confederate Army after fighting for the Union during the American Civil War.
William Thomas Magruder was born in Upper Marlboro, Maryland during the 1820s. He was the son of Fielder and Matilda Magruder.
Magruder attended the United States Military Academy from July 1, 1846 to July 1, 1850. He graduated eleventh in his class of forty-four cadets. Upon his graduation Magruder was brevetted to second lieutenant and sent to cavalry school at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. On October 9, 1851, Magruder was promoted to the full rank of second lieutenant.
Magruder spent nearly the next decade campaigning against American Indians in the West, serving at Fort Snelling, Minnesota (1851-1853), Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (1854), Fort Union, New Mexico (1854-1855), and Fort Tejon, California (1856‑58). Magruder was promoted to first lieutenant on March 3, 1855.
As sectional tensions mounted and states began to leave the Union, Magruder was promoted to captain with the 1st Dragoons on January 8, 1861. Soon after the American Civil War began, Magruder commanded a company at the Battle of Bull Run I (July 21, 1861). In 1861, the 1st Dragoons were re-designated as the 1st U.S. Cavalry, and Magruder was appointed as a captain in that regiment on August 3.
Magruder served with the 1st Cavalry during Major General George B. McClellan's Peninsula Campaign from July 1 to August 3, 1862, when he was granted a leave of absence. While away on leave, he changed his allegiance and resigned his commission on October 1, 1862 to join the Confederate Army. Magruder was one of four Union officers educated at West Point to switch sides after the Civil War began. The others were Manning M. Kimmel, Richard K. Meade, and Donald C. Stith.
Upon joining the Confederate Army, Magruder was commissioned as a captain, and he served as a staff officer with Brigadier-General Joseph R. Davis's Brigade, in Major General Henry Heth's Division of the 3rd Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. On July 3, 1863, Magruder was killed in action while trying to rally the men of his brigade during Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg. The disposition of his remains is unknown.
William Thomas Magruder was born in Upper Marlboro, Maryland during the 1820s. He was the son of Fielder and Matilda Magruder.
Magruder attended the United States Military Academy from July 1, 1846 to July 1, 1850. He graduated eleventh in his class of forty-four cadets. Upon his graduation Magruder was brevetted to second lieutenant and sent to cavalry school at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. On October 9, 1851, Magruder was promoted to the full rank of second lieutenant.
Magruder spent nearly the next decade campaigning against American Indians in the West, serving at Fort Snelling, Minnesota (1851-1853), Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (1854), Fort Union, New Mexico (1854-1855), and Fort Tejon, California (1856‑58). Magruder was promoted to first lieutenant on March 3, 1855.
As sectional tensions mounted and states began to leave the Union, Magruder was promoted to captain with the 1st Dragoons on January 8, 1861. Soon after the American Civil War began, Magruder commanded a company at the Battle of Bull Run I (July 21, 1861). In 1861, the 1st Dragoons were re-designated as the 1st U.S. Cavalry, and Magruder was appointed as a captain in that regiment on August 3.
Magruder served with the 1st Cavalry during Major General George B. McClellan's Peninsula Campaign from July 1 to August 3, 1862, when he was granted a leave of absence. While away on leave, he changed his allegiance and resigned his commission on October 1, 1862 to join the Confederate Army. Magruder was one of four Union officers educated at West Point to switch sides after the Civil War began. The others were Manning M. Kimmel, Richard K. Meade, and Donald C. Stith.
Upon joining the Confederate Army, Magruder was commissioned as a captain, and he served as a staff officer with Brigadier-General Joseph R. Davis's Brigade, in Major General Henry Heth's Division of the 3rd Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia. On July 3, 1863, Magruder was killed in action while trying to rally the men of his brigade during Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg. The disposition of his remains is unknown.
Private Watkins
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
- Location
- Oklahoma
Lt. Magruder survived the largest known California earthquake, but not Pickett's charge... one wonders if his thoughts may have wandered back to the roar and rumble of Ft. Tejon in 1857 as he waited and listened to the roar and rumble of the Cannonade on July 3, 1863...?
diane
Retired User
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2010
- Location
- State of Jefferson
Well, I wonder if Hi Jolly rode out the quake with his camels? Was he there yet or still en route with his beasties?
Aussie Billy Sherman
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2015
Hey Sam, who is that in that photo? I don't recognise him
JPK Huson 1863
Brev. Brig. Gen'l
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Location
- Central Pennsylvania
This is a great thread! Amazing how it weaves in and out through the war, too, it's crazy interesting!
What is the story on the San Andreas today? Had always heard it was due another 1857, conversely this doesn't seem to be worried about- or at least planned for? Or is it and we do not hear much?
What is the story on the San Andreas today? Had always heard it was due another 1857, conversely this doesn't seem to be worried about- or at least planned for? Or is it and we do not hear much?
Private Watkins
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
- Location
- Oklahoma
I didn't know his name when I posted his photo, but thought he might have been with the 1st Dragoons based on his uniform...
7th Tex says he was...
2LT Bezaleel W. Armstrong of the 2nd U.S. Dragoons died of sickness on 17 February 1849.
And I think he is right.diane
Retired User
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2010
- Location
- State of Jefferson
There have been three solid shakes on the San Andreas today. It has to be a 5.4 or so to get the attention of most Californians, who are used to watching their swimming pools slosh around a bit then go quiet... In the last month alone there have been literally dozens of major earthquakes - 6.9 and above - all around the Pacific Rim. Indonesia, Vanuatu, Japan, Chile, Russia, Alaska. Mt St Helens, Mt Shasta, Mt Lassen are all building up magma. They are part of the Ring of Fire - volcanoes thought to be extinct which decidedly aren't any more!
Diablo Canyon and San Onofre nuke plants are built on fault lines. They will withstand a 7.0 quake. Ft Tejon was 7.9. That's the big worry - if the Big One nails those plants, Fukushima will look like a burp. We may sail off toward Australia or Japan, but they'll see us coming from the glow!
Private Watkins
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
- Location
- Oklahoma
Private Watkins
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
- Location
- Oklahoma
I think this would be the "Brevet Major Grier" mentioned in Beall's letter, who survived "The Big One" in 1857 and also survived the Civil War...
William Nicholson Grier: Born June 11, 1812, Northumberland, PA.a
Military History. — Cadet at the Military Academy, Sep. 1, 1831, to July 1, 1835, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to
Bvt. Second Lieut., 1st Dragoons, July 1, 1835.
Served: on frontier duty at Ft. Gibson, I. T., 1835‑36, — Camp Nacogdoches,
(Second Lieut., 1st Dragoons, June 15, 1836)
I. T., 1836, — and Ft. Gibson, I. T., 1836‑37; on Recruiting service,
(First Lieut., 1st Dragoons, Apr. 14, 1838)
1838‑39; on frontier duty in Choctaw Nation, 1839‑40; at the Military Academy, as Asst. Instructor of Infantry and Cavalry Tactics, Sep. 14, 1840, to June 20, 1841; on frontier duty at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., 1841‑42, — Ft. Gibson, I. T., 1842, — Ft. Atkinson, Kan., 1842, — Ft. Sanford, Io., 1843, — Sac and Fox Agency, Io., 1843, — Ft. Des Moines, Io., 1843‑44, 1844‑45, — Expedition to Lac qui parle, 1845, — Ft. Des Moines, Io., 1845‑46, — and Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., 1846; in
(Captain, 1st Dragoons, Aug. 23, 1846)
the War with Mexico, 1846‑48, being engaged in the Assault of Santa Cruz de Rosales, N. M.,Ft. Webster, N. M., 1852, — Ft. Conrad, N. M., 1852, — La Joya, N. M., 1852, — and Camp Vigilance, N. M., 1852; on Recruiting service, 1852‑54; on frontier duty at Ft. Thorn, N. M., 1854‑55, — Scouting at Ft. Stanton, N. M., 1855, — Ft. Thorn, N. M., 1855‑56, — Taos, N. M., 1856, — March to California, via Ft. Union, N. M., 1856, — Ft. Tejon, Cal., 1856‑57 — and Ft. Walla Walla, Wash., 1857‑58; on Expedition against Spokane and other hostile Indians, 1858, being engaged in the Combat of Four Lakes, Wash., Sep. 1, 1858, — Combat on Spokane Plain, Wash., Sep. 5, 1858, — and Skirmish on Spokane River, Sep. 8, 1858; and on frontier duty at Ft. Walla Walla, Wash., 1860, — Ft. Dalles, Or., 1860, and Ft. Walla Walla, Wash., 1860‑61.
Served during the Rebellion of the Seceding States, 1861‑66: as Acting
(Major, 2d Dragoons, Apr. 20, 1861: 2d Cavalry, Aug. 3, 1861)
Inspector-General, Army of the Potomac, 1861‑62; in the Virginia
(Lieut.‑Colonel, 1st Cavalry, Feb. 15, 1862)
Peninsular Campaign, in command of his regiment (Army of the Potomac), Mar.‑Aug., 1862, being engaged in the Siege of Yorktown, Apr. 5‑May 4, 1862, — Skirmish at Williamsburg, May 4, 1862, — Battle of Ft. Carlisle, Pa., Apr., 1866, to Apr. 6, 1868; in command of regiment and post of
(Colonel, 3d Cavalry, Aug. 31, 1866)
Ft. Union, N. M., July 12, 1868, to May, 1870, — and of Camp Halleck, Nev., May‑Dec. 15, 1870.
Retired from Active Service, Dec. 15, 1870,
on his own application, after 30 Consecutive Years of Service.
Died, July 8, 1885, at Napa City, Cal.: Aged 72.
See Annual Association of Graduates, U. S. M. A., 1886, for an obituary notice, with a portrait.
Buried, Riverview Cemetery, Northumberland, PA.
William Nicholson Grier: Born June 11, 1812, Northumberland, PA.a
Military History. — Cadet at the Military Academy, Sep. 1, 1831, to July 1, 1835, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to
Bvt. Second Lieut., 1st Dragoons, July 1, 1835.
Served: on frontier duty at Ft. Gibson, I. T., 1835‑36, — Camp Nacogdoches,
(Second Lieut., 1st Dragoons, June 15, 1836)
I. T., 1836, — and Ft. Gibson, I. T., 1836‑37; on Recruiting service,
(First Lieut., 1st Dragoons, Apr. 14, 1838)
1838‑39; on frontier duty in Choctaw Nation, 1839‑40; at the Military Academy, as Asst. Instructor of Infantry and Cavalry Tactics, Sep. 14, 1840, to June 20, 1841; on frontier duty at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., 1841‑42, — Ft. Gibson, I. T., 1842, — Ft. Atkinson, Kan., 1842, — Ft. Sanford, Io., 1843, — Sac and Fox Agency, Io., 1843, — Ft. Des Moines, Io., 1843‑44, 1844‑45, — Expedition to Lac qui parle, 1845, — Ft. Des Moines, Io., 1845‑46, — and Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., 1846; in
(Captain, 1st Dragoons, Aug. 23, 1846)
the War with Mexico, 1846‑48, being engaged in the Assault of Santa Cruz de Rosales, N. M.,Ft. Webster, N. M., 1852, — Ft. Conrad, N. M., 1852, — La Joya, N. M., 1852, — and Camp Vigilance, N. M., 1852; on Recruiting service, 1852‑54; on frontier duty at Ft. Thorn, N. M., 1854‑55, — Scouting at Ft. Stanton, N. M., 1855, — Ft. Thorn, N. M., 1855‑56, — Taos, N. M., 1856, — March to California, via Ft. Union, N. M., 1856, — Ft. Tejon, Cal., 1856‑57 — and Ft. Walla Walla, Wash., 1857‑58; on Expedition against Spokane and other hostile Indians, 1858, being engaged in the Combat of Four Lakes, Wash., Sep. 1, 1858, — Combat on Spokane Plain, Wash., Sep. 5, 1858, — and Skirmish on Spokane River, Sep. 8, 1858; and on frontier duty at Ft. Walla Walla, Wash., 1860, — Ft. Dalles, Or., 1860, and Ft. Walla Walla, Wash., 1860‑61.
Served during the Rebellion of the Seceding States, 1861‑66: as Acting
(Major, 2d Dragoons, Apr. 20, 1861: 2d Cavalry, Aug. 3, 1861)
Inspector-General, Army of the Potomac, 1861‑62; in the Virginia
(Lieut.‑Colonel, 1st Cavalry, Feb. 15, 1862)
Peninsular Campaign, in command of his regiment (Army of the Potomac), Mar.‑Aug., 1862, being engaged in the Siege of Yorktown, Apr. 5‑May 4, 1862, — Skirmish at Williamsburg, May 4, 1862, — Battle of Ft. Carlisle, Pa., Apr., 1866, to Apr. 6, 1868; in command of regiment and post of
(Colonel, 3d Cavalry, Aug. 31, 1866)
Ft. Union, N. M., July 12, 1868, to May, 1870, — and of Camp Halleck, Nev., May‑Dec. 15, 1870.
Retired from Active Service, Dec. 15, 1870,
on his own application, after 30 Consecutive Years of Service.
Died, July 8, 1885, at Napa City, Cal.: Aged 72.
See Annual Association of Graduates, U. S. M. A., 1886, for an obituary notice, with a portrait.
Buried, Riverview Cemetery, Northumberland, PA.
Last edited:
Private Watkins
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
- Location
- Oklahoma
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2014
I believe that John C Fremont lived at Mariposa after failing to win the presidency in 1856.
Private Watkins
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
- Location
- Oklahoma
What a way to wake up this morning...! It started with a massive rumble, my first thought was big thunderstorm, but then the house just kept shaking for what seemed like 30-45 seconds... the kids came running in, and the animals were running around... pretty scary actually, although nothing I'm sure compared to the subject of this thread, a 7.9 Big One in 1857 Fort Tejon California!
Published September 03, 2016
Associated Press
CHICAGO – One of the largest earthquakes in Oklahoma was felt Saturday morning from Nebraska to North Texas.
The 5.6 magnitude earthquake happened at 7:02 a.m. Saturday in north-central Oklahoma, The United States Geological Survey said. That ties for Oklahoma's strongest earthquake on record, the first coming in November 2011.
People in Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Des Moines, Iowa; and Norman, Oklahoma, all reported feeling the earthquake. Dallas TV station WFAA tweeted that the quake shook their studios, too.
Did anyone else out here in the midwest feel the earthquake this morning?
Published September 03, 2016
Associated Press
CHICAGO – One of the largest earthquakes in Oklahoma was felt Saturday morning from Nebraska to North Texas.
The 5.6 magnitude earthquake happened at 7:02 a.m. Saturday in north-central Oklahoma, The United States Geological Survey said. That ties for Oklahoma's strongest earthquake on record, the first coming in November 2011.
People in Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Des Moines, Iowa; and Norman, Oklahoma, all reported feeling the earthquake. Dallas TV station WFAA tweeted that the quake shook their studios, too.
Last edited:
huskerblitz
Major
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2013
- Location
- Nebraska
I didn't realize you were from Oklahoma. My son lives there about 40 miles from Tulsa and it woke him up. It was felt all the way here in Nebraska as well, but I must have slept through it. As far as I know Columbus was the farthest north anyone recorded feeling it.
Private Watkins
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
- Location
- Oklahoma
We know folks in Dallas who felt it, and have seen reports of it having been felt as far away as Austin, but can't confirm that.
Private Watkins
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2014
- Location
- Oklahoma
Lol... yes a very typical Oklahoma description, and not one that you would likely see in California!
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