The Exhibits
Exhibit
Exhibit That Features California's Interest in the Civil War
Lincoln, California, and the Civil War
Although Lincoln never set foot in the Golden State, many in California admired and respected him. A split in the Democratic
Party allowed Lincoln to capture the state’s five electoral votes in 1860. The president relied on California during the war
for both soldiers and gold to finance the war effort.
16,000 Californians joined the California Volunteer Militia, which enabled U.S. Regular Army troops to be transferred to the war zones
back east. Approximately 100 California expatriates in the east joined the so-called California Regiment, which was officially
designated the 71st Pennsylvania, and saw four years of hard fighting. In 1864 California’s electoral votes were an important
part of Lincoln’s reelection. Lincoln expressed a strong desire to visit the Golden State after his second term, unfortunately
a wish left unfulfilled.
California, Lincoln, and the Civil War