1st California Cavalry Battalion

1st Battalion, Native Cavalry, California Volunteers
Active	1863–1866
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States Union
Branch	Army
Type	Cavalry (Lancers)
Equipment	Colt Army Pistol Lance US Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber Sharps Carbine
Commanders
Notable commanders	General Andrés Pico Major Salvador Vallejo Major John C. Cremony

The 1st Battalion of Native Cavalry, California Volunteers was a cavalry battalion in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Recruits were largely drawn from the Californio population (colloquially known as "Native Californians"), though its ranks included Yaqui and Mission Indians as well as immigrants from Mexico, Latin America and Europe (particularly France). In addition to its ethnic makeup, the Battalion is also considered unusual for being one of the few lancer units in the United States Army.

The Battalion spent its entire term of service in California and Arizona Territory.

After a grueling march across the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, the Battalion arrived at their new duty station, Fort Mason, near the settlement of Calabazas on the border in August, 1865. They were joined there by Companies D, E, and G of the 7th Regiment California Volunteer Infantry. From there, the Battalion was to act against the Apaches as well as patrol the International Line against incursions by the forces of the Mexican Empire and its French allies. The neighboring Mexican State of Sonora had recently fallen to Imperial forces (as part of the French Intervention), forcing Governor Ignacio Pesqueira to flee northward and take up temporary residence at Calabazas.

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