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US Stockton Blues Saber / California Militia Saber: What is its Origin?

An example of the reputed "Stockton Blues" saber can be seen on page 72 figures 32d and 32e of "American Swords" by Flayderman and Mowbray where it is listed as sword for an "unknown organization". This pattern of sword has been seen at a number of auctions described as a "Stockton Blues" saber. Noone who has been questioned about this can relaiably relate why it is called by that name. The RUMOR says that it is a legitimate military sword pattern ordered by a militia unit in Stockton, CA. However, noone seems to be able to identify a unit by that name and there are no known pictures of military officers wearing this pattern sword. It is hoped that some correct verifiable infomation is out in the collecting community and we can solve this puzzle. If not, we can at least consolidate the rumors.

Request for Information

Recent Submissions:

****** John C. (USA) Reports that this saber has been associated by collectors with both California as well as Washington State, and suggests that a Washinton search of Washinton state information might turn up military usage of this pattern.

****** Mike W. (USA) Reports that there was a militia unit called the "Stockton Blues" that was extant in the years PRIOR to the civil war.

****** Webhost - The sword blades look civil war period. The sword looks post civil war. Could the swords have been pre-civil war? Or perhaps these were ordered after the war as veteran of parade items for the veterans (or post war members) of that unit?

Mike M. --- I recently saw two of these sabers. One had a Horstman blade with etching of Naval motifs and a scroll with the letter "USN". The other had a non-descript military blade. If this sword was really produced for a CA militia unit, then this sounds fishy (pun intended). Why the Naval blade? I know of a California Naval Militia (circa 1900), but could these have been used by that group? Possibly the two types of blades seen indicate indiscriminate use of this sword by veteran or fraternal groups.

This came off of Ebay when a Stockton Blues Saber was auctioned:

I just recieved information regarding the "Stockton Blues'. They are from Stockton California. They started as a military band in 1856. Richard Condy led the group and was involved in community band music for many years. I did further research and found that at the start of the Civil War they became the '3rd California Infantry. They were organized at Stockton & Benicia Barrracks on 9/15/61. According to the records I found, they were in three battles. Two at Canon Station, Utah 6-23-63 and also on 7-06-63. There were 7 men killed in both battles. The major battle they were in took place at Bear River, Utah territory on January 29, 1863. Against a band of 300 hostile indians. According to the official report it states "With fiendish malignity they waved the scalps of white women and challenged the troops to battle, at the same time attacking." To make a long story short the soldiers found 224 bodies on the field, among them those of chiefs Bear Hunter, Sagwich and Leight, captured 175 horses, some rifles and other arms, and destroyed large quantities of wheat and other provisions which Mormons had exchanged for property of massacred emigrants. Out of the 200 white mend engaged 15 were killed, and 54 wounded. I am sure with further research much more information could be obtained regarding the regiment.

More from Mike Badley

In a book entitled "Beat, Beat, Beat Drums" a history of Stockton during the Civil War, the Stockton Blues was a militia unit that preceded the Stockton Union Guard. The first Stockton unit was formed in 1851 calling itself the San Joaquin guard. It was disbanded when the governor called them out to put down a Chowchilla indian uprising and only six of its' members showed up. The next unit was called the "Anniversary Guard" and was formed in 1855 to celebrate Washington's birthday but drilled only a few months and disbanded. The next unit was the Stockton Blues, formed in December of 1856 and consisting of the more genteel members of Stockton society. When rumours of the 'war' broke out, and the possible formation of a Pacific Republic in 1860 - this unit was disbanded to prevent southern sympathizers within the ranks from seizing the weapons to use against the Union. The unit was then replaced with the Union Guard, men loyal to the Union and commanded by Capt. P.E. Connor. Just after it's formation - Connor left to take command of the 3rd California volunteer regiment which offered to go fight in the eastern theater but was used instead to replace regulars transferred back east and to keep the mail routes open, Indians in check, and to keep an eye on the Mormons in Salt Lake (who were quite a bunch of rabble rousers at the time). I saw a picture of the Union guard (artist rendition) at the Cal. Military Museum in Old Sacramento, CA. The uniform for enlisted had standard frock coat trimmed in white cuffs and collars with sky blue pants and white stripe on pant leg. They wore white leathers and a regulation shako that had a white band around the base and a small round white pom on top in front. They had white wool shoulder epaulettes with white fringe. The officers uniform was dark blue frock AND pants with the white stripe but dark cuffs and collar. The shako had no white trimming (solid navy blue) but had a tall horsehair plume. Epaulettes were the heavy gold braid style. No information about the sword though..... sorry. If anybody else has history, drawings or actual photographs of the Union Guards I would be very interested! Mike Badley

The Stockton Blues did exist Pre-and during the Civil War. The Indian fighting story is probably correct as research places CA militia cavalry protecting the lines of communication to the west during the CW. But no data places them surviving after the war. Mike MacD.

Any help is appreciated.

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