Humboldt Military District
During the American Civil War, Army reorganization created the Department of the Pacific on January 15, 1861. On December 12, 1861, the District of Humboldt was created, consisting of the counties of Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Trinity, Humboldt, Klamath, and Del Norte in Northern California. The district was headquartered at Fort Humboldt, located on a bluff above the central portion of Humboldt Bay south of Eureka, California, which is now a California State Historic Park located within the City of Eureka. The District's efforts were directed at prosecuting the ongoing Bald Hills War against the Indians in the northern, coastal area of the large district. A peace was achieved in August 1864.
On July 27, 1865, the Military Division of the Pacific was created, consisting of the Department of California and Department of the Columbia. Humboldt District was absorbed by the Department of California.
Commanders
- Colonel Francis J. Lippitt, January 9, 1862 - July 13, 1863.
- Lieutenant Colonel Stephen G. Whipple, July 13, 1863 - February, 1864
- Colonel Henry M. Black February 8, 1864 - June 1864
- Lieutenant Colonel Stephen G. Whipple, June 1864 - July 27, 1865.
Posts of the Humboldt Military District
Name | Date | Notes & Citations |
Fort Humboldt | 1853–1867 | |
Fort Bragg | 1857-1864 | |
Fort Ter-Waw | 1857-1862 | |
Camp on Janes Farm | 1858-1862 | later Camp Curtis |
Camp Curtis | 1862-1865 | formerly Camp on Janes Farm |
Camp at Pardee's Ranch | 1858-1865 | |
Fort Gaston | 1859–1892 | |
Fort Seward | 1861–1862 | |
Fort Wright | 1862–1875 | |
Camp Anderson | 1862, 1864 | |
Fort Baker | 1862-1863 | Located east of Hydesville on the Van Duzen River at the confluence with the Eel River. Replaced by Fort Iaqua. |
Camp Liscom Hill | 1862 | |
Daley's Ferry Post | 1862 | |
Elk Camp | 1862 | |
Camp Lincoln | 1862–1869 | |
Camp Lippett | 1862 | |
Fort Lyon | 1862 | |
Camp Redwood | 1862 | |
Reed's Ranch Post | 1862, 1864 | |
Camp Olney | 1862 | |
Camp Grant | 1863–1865 | |
Fort Iaqua | 1863–1866 | |
Gold Bluffs Post | 1863-1864 | near Orick. |
Trinidad Camp | 1863 | |
Camp Gilmore | 1863-1864 | Located four miles north of Trinidad to protect the mail route. |
Camp at the Forks of the Salmon | 1864 | |
Camp at Martin's Ferry | 1864 | |
Camp Boynton Prairie | 1864 | |
Camp Burnt Ranch | 1864 | |
Camp Mattole | 1864 |