Camp Union, Sutterville

The Civil War reached California as a fight over the Southwest. The 5th Infantry Regiment, California Volunteers formed on this ground in October 1861, trained under Brevet Brigadier General George W. Bowie, and marched for Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, where Confederate troops had already moved into the territories. Their war was about overland routes and southwestern ground rather than Virginia. The camp stood on the failed townsite of Sutterville, and in the flood year of its founding the troops were put to work relieving the drowned capital.

What the plaque says

Camp Union, Sutterville The 5th Infantry Regiment, California Volunteers, was organized here on 8 October 1861 and trained by Brevet Brigadier General George W. Bowie for duty in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas against the Confederate forces. Since this was the year of the great flood, the troops aided the flood-stricken capital. Company F, (Sacramento Rangers) 2d Cavalry Regiment, California Volunteers, was organized in Sacramento 29 August 1861 and later served here. This company furnished a large number of officers for other units of the California Volunteers. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 666 Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in cooperation with the Sacramento Historic Landmarks Commission and Lieut. Lansdale Post No. 67, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, February 15, 1959

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Sacramento — 3.0 mi
  The Gold Rush river port that became the state capital, and jacked itself ten feet into the air to stop drowning.

More markers nearby

• Sutterville — steps away
• Sacramento City Cemetery — 1.8 mi
• California's First Passenger Railroad — 2.5 mi
• Stanford-Lathrop Home — 2.7 mi