Brentwood harbors a lesser-known tie to the valorous era of the Civil War, with one of its own residents bravely serving during that historic conflict. Thanks to Tim Karlberg's diligent research, an exhibit now graces the halls of the ECCHS Museum. John Fletcher, our inaugural veteran profile, stands proudly on our virtual memorial wall. Our heartfelt gratitude extends to the East Contra County Historical Society for their invaluable contribution of the write-up and photos.
The Journey of John Fletcher and the “CAL 100” to Preserve the United States During the American Civil War 1863-1865
California in the Civil War
This is the Uniform of a Union Army Cavalry soldier as worn during the American Civil War. The war began in 1861 after decades of simmering tensions between the northern and southern states over the issues of slavery, state’s rights, and western expansion. The wealth and economy of the south was based on the production of cotton and there was a worldwide demand for it in the making of fabric and clothing. Unfortunately, cotton was planted and harvested by slave labor.
The 1861 election of Abraham Lincoln, as president, was seen as a threat to the continuation of slavery by the southern states. Several immediately seceded from the Union to form the Confederate States of America. Four years of agonizing combat resulted in the costliest and deadliest war ever fought by America and ended with 620,000 killed, millions more injured, and much of the South left in ruins.
In San Francisco, an Army Cavalry Company of 100 Troopers was organized and would travel east to fight the traitorous Confederate forces. The unit would name themselves the CAL 100. They would eventually be commanded by General Philip Sheridan and fight in more than eleven major battles and thirty skirmishes.
John Fletcher was a local Brentwood wheat farmer. Looking for adventure and with a patriotic spirit, he enlisted in the CAL 100. Arriving in northern Virginia, the unit was assigned to protect Union Army supply wagons and its railroad lines. Confederate raiders were disguising themselves as farmers by day and destroying Union Army supply operations by night.
The CAL 100 fought battles throughout the duration of the war until its end in 1865. Their unit battle flag is in the Sacramento Capital Building. It commemorates each major battle they fought including Winchester, Shenandoah, Cedar Creek, Petersburg, Sailor’s Creek, Cold Harbor, and Appomattox where Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia.
By the end of the war only 38 of the original 100 members of this gallant unit would return to California to see their loved ones. John Fletcher would survive, be promoted to Lieutenant, and return to Brentwood to raise eleven children, and become a valued citizen of our town.
John’s grandson, Bob Fletcher, was a long-time member of our Historical Society. His mother was an early teacher in the one-room schoolhouse now located on our property. When Bob discovered we were planning to restore the school, he provided a generous donation that not only funded the school but also the construction of our new Resource Building. We are forever thankful to the Fletcher family.
John Fletcher
1862 – joined California Hundred, one of the first 100 Californians to join U.S. Army to fight for preservation and unity of the United States in the Civil War.
Dec 11, 1862 – California Hundred sailed from San Francisco on 3-week voyage through Isthmus of Panama to Readeville, Maine. They became Company A, 2nd Massachusetts Calvary, a unit that participated in 51 engagements.
By 1864, John had earned his Sergeant stripes in Company A. He was also captured at the Battle of Opequen Creek, Virginia that same year and confined to the Confederate Libby Prison for several months. Upon his release on May 21, 1865, Hohn was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant of Company A. He completed his military career in Virginia on July 20, 1865 and returned to California to engage in farming.
Researcher Tim Karlberg
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