| 7th California Volunteer Infantry | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| Active | December 1864 to June 28, 1866 |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | United States Union |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | 1,323 (total enrollment) |
| Part of | Department of the Pacific |
| Nickname(s) | "Gold Diggers," "Hungry Seventh" |
| Equipment | Springfield Rifle |
| Engagements |
|
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Colonel Charles W. Lewis |
The 7th California Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It spent its entire term of service in the western United States,[1] attached to the Department of the Pacific, serving in California and Arizona Territory. They were unofficially known as the "Gold Diggers" in reference to the large number of recruits from the California's "Mother Lode" region. Later, they were also called the "Hungry Seventh" for the privations they suffered in Arizona, particularly at Fort Mason. They saw combat at the Battle of Chiricahua Mountains,[2] and at Skull Valley.[3] The Regiment included many veterans of the Mexican–American War.[4]
- ^ The California State Military Museum; 7th Regiment of Infantry
- ^ Bancroft's Works: History of California vol. 7 by Bancroft, Hubert Howe. page 470
- ^ History of the Little York Union Guard, California Militia/National Guard of California 1863-1867, by Works Progress Administration (WPA) California National Guard, and California State Library
- ^ Hunt, Aurora, The Army of The Pacific: Its Operations in California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Plains Region, Mexico, etc. 1860-1866, Arthur H. Clark Company, 1951. Pgs. 141-142