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Civil War Soldiers - West
| West, Joseph R., brigadier-general,
U.S. Army, was born in the state of Louisiana, but in early manhood
took up his residence in California, and from there enlisted as a
soldier for the Mexican war. He became a private in the mounted
volunteers July 17, 1847; was promoted captain July 25; was later
attached to the Maryland and District of Columbia volunteers, and was
honorably mustered out of the service on Aug. 10, 1848. He then
returned to California, in which state he was residing at the time of
the outbreak of the Civil war. On Aug. 5, 1861, he was commissioned
lieutenant-colonel of the 1st Cal. infantry, which was organized in
pursuance of the president's first call upon the state of California
for troops. On the completion of the organization the regiment moved
to Camp Latham, between Los Angeles and Santa Monica. On June 1, 1862,
Lieut. -Col. West was promoted to the position of colonel and the
regiment became a part of the California column, under command of Gen.
Carleton, which marched from San Pedro to the Rio Grande and assisted
in the recapture of New Mexico. Col. West was warmly commended in
Carleton's official report of the expedition, and was recommended for
promotion. Said Carleton: "I send you a set of colors which have been
borne by this column. They were hoisted by Col. West on Forts
Breckinridge and Buchanan, and over Tucson, Ariz.," etc. On Oct. 25,
1862, Col. West was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers and
continued to serve in that capacity until the close of the war, being
honorably mustered out Jan. 4, 1866, when he was given the brevet rank
of major- general of volunteers. Gen. West died Oct. 31, 1898. Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal
States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
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