California State Archives, Research Room
OPEN Including the Root Cellar Family History Library located at 1020 "O" Street in Sacramento will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For general information, telephone (916) 653-7715, Reference Desk (916) 653-2246 or visit the California State Archives website.


September 2, 1849
Army Struggles with Desertion Problem
The discovery of gold proved a terrible temptation to poorly paid American sailors and soldiers, and hundreds elected to desert their units in order to pursue more lucrative prospects in the gold fields. To deal with the problem, the Military Governor of California, General George Mason, began issuing two month furloughs to troops in early September, 1849, thus allowing men to pan for gold, which proved the best solution to the desertion problem. Soldiers weren't the only ones who abandoned everything in order to seek their fortunes, as the mania swept the state and then the nation, stores, businesses and farms were all hastily left behind as thousands upon thousands flocked to the fields, hoping to fulfill dreams of easy wealth.

Learn more about the Gold Rush