Observations on ‘The Civil War’
Although no battles were fought in Southern California, tensions ran high between Northern and Southern immigrants and the Union Army maintained a strong presence.
Drum Barracks, established in the small harbor town of Wilmington on land donated by transportation magnate Phineas Banning, was the port of entry for thousands of Union troops stationed here, farther north or at Ft. Yuma.
Several U.S. Army officers who served at Ft. Tejon went East to serve on either side in the conflict, notably the respected Confederate Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, killed at Shiloh, and federal Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock, one of Gettysburg’s heroes.
Further information may be obtained from the Ft. Tejon Historical Assn., Drum Barracks Civil War Museum and the Banning Residence Museum.
JULIA M. BEARD
Chairman, Banning Residence
Museum Volunteers
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