Early California as Described by Edward O. C. Ord

Abstract

EDWARD O. C. ORD, Union general of the Civil War, spent much of his long army life in service in California. The story of his career has never been adequately told. This article centers on one phase of his careerhis early experiences in California. Ord was born October 18, 1818, in Cumberland, Maryland, the third child of James and Rebecca (Cresap) Ord. He spent his youth in Washington, D.C., and was appointed to the United States Military Academy in 1835. Upon graduating in 1839 Ord was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to the 3rd Artillery Regiment, then serving in the Seminole Indian War in Florida. Here he gained two years of valuable experience in Indian fighting and was promoted to first lieutenant in 1841. From 1842 to 1846 he was on garrison duty along the east coast. In 1846 the war with Mexico broke out, and Company F of the 3rd Artillery to which Ord was assigned was ordered to California on the store ship Lexington by way of Cape Horn. An interesting party gathered at Fort Columbus on Governor's Island, New York, for the long passage. Ord's brother, Dr. James L. Ord, just graduated from the Medical College of the University of Pennsylvania, appeared as acting surgeon (though remaining a civilian). Lieutenant Ord had written his good friend of West Point days, Lieutenant William T. Sherman, to apply for the California voyage, but Sherman without committing himself had merely applied for any active service. Much to Ord's delight Sherman was assigned to Company F.' In due time appeared Old Brains of Ord's class at West Point, First Lieutenant Henry Wager Halleck of the Corps of Engineers, attached to Company F for the passage. After a voyage from New York of more than six months the Lexington sailed into Monterey Bay on January 27, 1847, and on January 29 Company F occupied Monterey Redoubt.2 Monterey was a beautiful place, containing, when they were all present,