After the war began, Baker sought an army commission from President Lincoln and was authorized to raise a regiment to fight for the United States in 1861. Baker named it the “California Regiment” in recognition of his love of California, wanting to demonstrate the state’s support of the Union cause. He assumed the rank of colonel and was assigned command of a brigade guarding fords on the Potomac River in October, 1861. On October 21, a US raid against Confederates at Ball’s Bluff, Virginia proved a disaster, and Baker was killed by an intense volley of bullets.
