I have found a detailed map of 1870 California and Nevada. Great map. It shows the stage line routes and all the stops and stations. It also shows all the military camps and forts. Through this map I discovered a little known Civil War era Army post called Camp Cady. It was posted on the government road between Fort Mojave in Arizonia and San Bernardino, Ca. in the middle of the Mojave desert. The site sits along the banks of the Mojave River (wash). The garrison was at any given time between 6 and 80 men. During the war it was garrisoned by a company from the 1st U.S. Dragoons and California Volunteers to ward off Indian attacks along the road and any attempts of Confederate movement into the area. The land it sits on is classified as BLM land and is open for public exploration. It is not designated as a State or Federal park. There is a State marker on the site; but no attempt by the State to protect the site. So, I will be visiting Camp Cady soon to see if there is anything to discover. I used to volunteer at Fort Tejon, site of another 2nd U.S. Dragoon site. I frequently found Civil War era uniform buttons lying on the ground; and one year was lucky enough to find a Sharps Carbine factory molded ball, although it was corroded, was in mint condition and had never been fired though a weapon. These items were found around the forts barracks.

A member of the Fort Tejon Association, a couple of years ago, found near Joshua State Park (about fifty miles South of this site) an authenic Navy Colt Revolver stuck between two large rocks as if it were dropped and lost. Its condition was pretty good, since it is almost bone dry there year round. So you never know what can be found in this large and empty land area.

Note: I always turn in all artifacts to the State Park Rangers; and if I find anything at Camp Cady, these to will be turned into the State Park Rangers at Fort Tejon.

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David Upton