Santa Cruz infantrymen lost their first sergeant before a shot was fired.

Eugene Van Asche was born in Belgium; however, the date, place and parentage associated with his birth are not available. Also missing are records of his life in Santa Cruz County.

Van Ashe enrolled as a private in Company K of the 5th California Infantry at Santa Cruz, California on October 21, 1861. He left with the company for Camp Union near Sacramento in November to begin basic training. During his stay at Camp Union he received minimal training while he assisted in flood control during the disastrous floods of 1861-62.

In February 1862 Van Asche traveled with Company K to Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay to help guard that post. While at Alcatraz, he was elected first sergeant by the company and was serving in that capacity when the units moved to Camp Drum near Los Angeles in March.

While in training at the Southern California facility, First Sergeant Eugene Van Asche died on April 10, 1862, of an undisclosed illness or condition. The burial location of Eugene Van Asche has not been identified.

(CMWR, Pg. 719; SCSn November 12, 1972)