Columbus Sims
Encyclopedia
Columbus Sims lawyer, Colonel
of California Volunteers in the American Civil War
.
Columbus Sims was a born in South Carolina
. He came to Los Angeles
, California
in 1852. A popular attorney, he was known for an incident in which he threw an inkstand at his opponent during an altercation in court, an act of contempt of court that did not result in his disbarment. In 1853, he served as a United States District Attorney, Pro Tem, in Oregon
. Later, he acted as attorney for Pancho Daniel
, leader with Juan Flores
of the Flores Daniel Gang
on trial for the murder of Los Angeles County Sheriff James R. Barton
, until sickness compelled him to retire from the case. From 1856 to 1860, he was the Clerk of the United States District Court
for the Southern District of California. On May 4th, 1859, Sims, with other influential men like A. J. King
and Henry D. Barrows
, served on a committee to raise funds to build the first Protestant church in Los Angeles.
In early 1861, during the beginning of the American Civil War, Sims, although a Southerner by birth, was President of the Los Angeles Union Club
. On September 10, 1861, he was appointed Lt. Colonel of the 2nd Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry
, and placed in charge of Camp Alert at the Pioneer Race Course in San Francisco, where the twelve cavalry companies of the Second Cavalry were assembled. Two months later, on November 13, 1861, he was promoted to Colonel of the Second Cavalry following the resignation of his predecessor Andrew J. Smith.
Late in December 1861 in San Francisco, Colonel Sims had an altercation with D. D. Colton. Blows were exchanged, and Sims drew a deadly weapon. He was arrested and held to await the action of the Grand Jury; however, no serious consequences ensued for the belligerent Sims, who retained his command. In August 1862, he marched his command to join Colonel Patrick Edward Connor
at Fort Ruby
, Nevada
. On the way, his troops reached a state of near-mutiny, with many deserting. After they reached Fort Ruby, Col. Connor took charge of the Regiment in response to the pleas of its officers and men not to leave them under Sims's command, with the officers predicting mass desertion if that happened. Sims was relieved of his command by the Department of the Pacific
on August 19, 1862, to await further orders; he was replaced by Major Edward McGarry
. Col. Connor was ordered to investigate Sims's conduct. Sims resigned his command on January 31, 1863.
Following his resignation of his command, he returned to San Francisco and the practice of law. He died on August 14,1869, in Hamilton
, White Pine County, Nevada
.
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of California Volunteers in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Columbus Sims was a born in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. He came to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1852. A popular attorney, he was known for an incident in which he threw an inkstand at his opponent during an altercation in court, an act of contempt of court that did not result in his disbarment. In 1853, he served as a United States District Attorney, Pro Tem, in Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. Later, he acted as attorney for Pancho Daniel
Pancho Daniel
Pancho Daniel was a Californio bandit, leader of the Flores Daniel Gang who was lynched in November 1858 while awaiting trial for his involvement in the murder of Los Angeles County Sheriff James R. Barton....
, leader with Juan Flores
Juan Flores
Juan Flores was a 19th century Californio bandit who, with Pancho Daniel, led an outlaw gang known as "las Manillas" and later as the Flores Daniel Gang, throughout Southern California during 1856-1857...
of the Flores Daniel Gang
Flores Daniel Gang
Flores Daniel Gang, was an outlaw gang also known as "las Manillas" , throughout Southern California during 1856-1857. It was led by Californio's and Pancho Daniel...
on trial for the murder of Los Angeles County Sheriff James R. Barton
James R. Barton
James R. Barton was the second sheriff of Los Angeles County, California, and the first to die in office, in the line of duty.Barton was born in Howard County, Missouri, emigrated to Mexico in 1841 and moved to Los Angeles in 1843. He served in the Mexican-American War. A carpenter, he was the...
, until sickness compelled him to retire from the case. From 1856 to 1860, he was the Clerk of the United States District Court
United States district court
The United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty. There is a United States bankruptcy court associated with each United States...
for the Southern District of California. On May 4th, 1859, Sims, with other influential men like A. J. King
Andrew Jackson King
Andrew Jackson King or A. J. King, an early settler who played a part in the early history of the city of Los Angeles and held both State and city offices as a lawman, lawyer, legislator and judge....
and Henry D. Barrows
Henry Dwight Barrows
Henry Dwight Barrows was an American teacher, businessman, farmer, goldminer, reporter, United States Marshall, Los Angeles County School Superintendent, manufacturer, writer, and a founder and president of the Historical Society of Southern California.- Early life :Henry D...
, served on a committee to raise funds to build the first Protestant church in Los Angeles.
In early 1861, during the beginning of the American Civil War, Sims, although a Southerner by birth, was President of the Los Angeles Union Club
Union Club
Union Club may refer to:* Union Club of Boston* Union Club of the City of New York* Pacific-Union Club* Union Club , a London gentlemen's club based in Trafalgar Square, between 1827 and 1923, in what is now Canada House.* Union Club, Cleveland, Ohio...
. On September 10, 1861, he was appointed Lt. Colonel of the 2nd Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry
2nd Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry
The 2nd Regiment California Volunteer Cavalry was a cavalry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It spent its entire term of service in the western United States, with most of its companies dispersed to various posts.-History:...
, and placed in charge of Camp Alert at the Pioneer Race Course in San Francisco, where the twelve cavalry companies of the Second Cavalry were assembled. Two months later, on November 13, 1861, he was promoted to Colonel of the Second Cavalry following the resignation of his predecessor Andrew J. Smith.
Late in December 1861 in San Francisco, Colonel Sims had an altercation with D. D. Colton. Blows were exchanged, and Sims drew a deadly weapon. He was arrested and held to await the action of the Grand Jury; however, no serious consequences ensued for the belligerent Sims, who retained his command. In August 1862, he marched his command to join Colonel Patrick Edward Connor
Patrick Edward Connor
Patrick Edward Connor was a Union General during the American Civil War. He was most famous for his campaigns against Native Americans in the American Old West.-Early life and career:...
at Fort Ruby
Fort Ruby
Fort Ruby, also known as Camp Ruby, was built in 1862, during the American Civil War, in the "wilderness of eastern Nevada." It protected the overland mail coaches and Pony Express, which linked California to the Union...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. On the way, his troops reached a state of near-mutiny, with many deserting. After they reached Fort Ruby, Col. Connor took charge of the Regiment in response to the pleas of its officers and men not to leave them under Sims's command, with the officers predicting mass desertion if that happened. Sims was relieved of his command by the Department of the Pacific
Department of the Pacific
The Department of the Pacific was a major command of the United States Army during the 19th century.-Formation:The Department of the Pacific was first organized on October 31, 1853, at San Francisco, California, taking over from the previous Pacific Division. The department reported directly to...
on August 19, 1862, to await further orders; he was replaced by Major Edward McGarry
Edward McGarry
Edward McGarry , officer in the Mexican American War, California politician and officer of California Volunteers in American Civil War, leading cavalry at the Battle of Bear River, later Colonel, of the 2nd California Cavalry, and Commander of the District of California, and received a brevet...
. Col. Connor was ordered to investigate Sims's conduct. Sims resigned his command on January 31, 1863.
Following his resignation of his command, he returned to San Francisco and the practice of law. He died on August 14,1869, in Hamilton
Hamilton, Nevada
Hamilton is an abandoned mining town located in the White Pine Range, in western White Pine County, Nevada, USA. The town boomed in 1868 and 1869 following the discovery of rich silver deposits nearby, but the ore deposits proved shallow and by 1870 the region was already in decline...
, White Pine County, Nevada
White Pine County, Nevada
White Pine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nevada. Its population at the 2010 census was 10,030. Its county seat is Ely. It is the home of Great Basin National Park...
.