Camp Babbitt

 (1862-1866) - A U.S. Civil War Camp first established in 1862 by Lieutenant Colonel George S. Evans, 2nd California Volunteer Cavalry in present day Visalia, Tulare County, California. Named Camp Babbitt after Lieutenant Colonel Edwin B. Babbitt, Quartermaster General of the Pacific. Abandoned in 1866.

History of Camp Babbitt
Established 6 Oct 1862 by Lieutenant Colonel George S. Evans and elements of Companies D & I of 2nd California Volunteer Cavalry consisting of 5 officers and 115 enlisted men. The event was recorded in the first post return: "Left Owens Big Lake Oct 2 enroute for Visalia, arrived here Oct 6 1862 selected a permanent camp and named Camp Babbitt, erected temporary winter quarters as per instructions from Hd Qrs Department of the Pacific".

The post was erected to quiet the openly pro Confederate sentements in the Visalia area. The site was moved in 1865 northeast of the first location to further separate the post from the town.

Abandoned in 1866 and the last post return was dated March 1866.

Current Status
Sites located in downtown Visalia, Tulare County, California.

Sources:
 * , page 60-61
 * Post Returns, Ancestry.com (Subscription required)

Links:
 * California Military Museum - Camp Babbitt
 * North American Forts - Camp Babbett