Ismael Jacobo Soto y Lugo was the son of José Ignacio Concepción Soto y Boronda (1813-1851) and María Bernarda Lugo y Rubio (bap. Feb. 16, 1814 [BP Baptism 00443]-1878). He was born at Santa Bárbara, Alta California, México, in May late May 1841 and baptized soon thereafter at the Presidio Chapel on May 28 (BP Baptism 01436). He became a U.S. citizen with the transfer of California's sovereignty in 1848. Details of his life and military service during the Civil War follow:

This information was obtained from the compiled military service record and pension application file for "Ysmael" Soto held by the National Archives Records Administration [Thank you DJ]:

"Second Lieutenant Porfiro Jimeno (1841-1870) enlisted Ysmael(1) and his brother, Juan María Soto y Lugo, into Company C, 1st Battalion Native Cavalry, California Volunteers for three years at Santa Barbara July 25, 1864 and they mustered in that same day. At enlistment, Ismael was described as age 23 years, height 5 feet 10 inches, with a light complexion and with gray eyes and auburn hair. Bugler Soto signed his Volunteer Enlistment document by his mark ( a cross symbol). $25 bounty was paid and $75 was due to Bugler Soto. Additionally the description indicated his birthplace was Santa Barbara and his occupation was Ranchero. The Company Muster Rolls indicates that he was present from July to December 1864, the January and February 1865 Company Muster Roll indicates that he was sick in "hospital" and he was indicated present in the Company Muster Rolls from March to October 1865. The July and August 1865 Company Muster Roll indicates that he was absent due to "on detached service on scout." Bugler Soto mustered out at Presidio San Francisco April 2, 1866. The Company Musterout Roll indicates that he was last paid August 31, 1865, that $10.18 was due the United States for clothing, and that "Bounty paid $100; due $100." Under "Remarks" the following statement was made:
"Bugler since enrollment. Due U.S. $13.80 for ordnance retained." By enlisting in the Union Army Bugler Soto was in the service of the United States during the American Civil War.
During a trial by General Court-Martial, United States v Private Rodney Stetson, Company H, 4th Infantry, California Volunteers at Drum Barracks on April 3, 1865 the following was recorded: Musician Richard A. Anderson of Company H, a witness on the part of the prosecution was called before the Court and duly sworn. Question by the Judge Advocate: "Were you in the town of Wilmington on about February 27 last?" Answer: "Yes" Question: "Was there any difficulty on that night and if so state whether you were present and what occurred?" Answer: "I was present at a difficulty at a dance house. Corporal [illegible] (possibly Lugo) commenced abusing me. I went on the outside. Stetson and Cooper(2) were there and I told them the "Mexicans were after me." I turned around and Sota (sic) was right in the rear of me, he commenced talking in Spanish to me. I did not understand. I told Sota (sic) "you have nothing against me." I told him then "You have nothing against me that you should be following me out." Cooper then spoke, I do not remember what he said, (and) then Sota (sic) put his hands behind his back and drew a knife in a threatening position. He could have cut me, I was standing in front of him, as soon as the knife was seen a shot was fired, who fired the shot I could not swear to. I left and met Cooper on the way to the garrison and told him to inform Captain (Patrick) Munday of the shooting and he did so. Question: "What is the general feeling existing between the Natives and the Americans here?" Answer: "Between the Mexicans and Infantry there are no good feelings." Private (sic) Ismael (sic) Sota (sic) of Company C, 1st Battalion Native Cavalry a witness on the part of the prosecution was called and duly sworn. The following interrogations and answers wee propounded and made through the interpreter 1st Sergeant Juan (Jose) de la Guerra of Company C, 1st Battalion Native Cavalry who was duly sworn in the presence of the accused. Question by the Judge Advocate (to Soto): "Were you in the town of Wilmington on or about the night of February 27 last and if so state if any marked occurence happened and if so state the nature and circumstance pertaining thereto?" Answer: "I was in Wilmington at the time mentioned. I was shot there at that time. I was going out of the door of a dance house. Dick Anderson was standing out of the door in front. He spoke to me. I went to Anderson and Anderson asked me what they were saying about him in the dance house. I said 'I did not know' at that time a shot was fired and ball went through my face. Who fired the shot I do not know? Question: "Who else was there besides Anderson?" Answer:
"There was two other persons present, one as a soldier from San Diego." Question: "Could you recognize the men if you saw them?" Answer: "I do not know."
On November 9, 1876 at Santa Barbara Justice of the Peace R. B. Ord married Ysmael Soto, age 36 years, and Adelaida(3) Ruiz, age 19 years. This was the first marriage for Ysmael and Adelaida. Ismael (sic) Soto age 35, race White, occupation Laborer was listed in the 1880 U.S. census at Santa Barbara. California was listed as the birthplace for Ysmael and Adelaida and their parents. His wife, two sons, and a brother, Juan(4), age 50 years who was single also were enumerated. Adelaida, his wife, was listed as age 24 years, race White, occupation Keeping House. After the death of Ysmael family members reported that the children of Ysmael and Adelaida died at an early age. Ismael (sic) Soto filed July 17, 1885 for a pension and was issued Application No. 545,223. A medical board at Santa Barbara on October 7,1885 reported that his temperature was 98 1/2 degrees, his height 5 feet 10 inches and his weight was 180 pounds. The examinations revealved the following facts in support of his statement: a cicatix(5) on each cheek near the nose. The ball apparently entering on the left side and emerging on the right side. The left nostril obstructed by displaced bone so as slightly interfere with respiration. The applicant breathes part of the time with open mouth. Sight of left eye gone. Evidence of old keratosis(6) and otitis(7) inflammation). In our opinion the loss of sight was due to syphilis and in no way was related to injury of face. He is, in our opinion, entitled to a 1/8th rating for the disability caused by the gun shot wound of the cheek. On February 5, 1886 in a memorandum to the Adjutant General, U.S. Army, the Surgeon General's Office stated that Private Ysmael (sic) Soto, Company C, Native California Cavalry was admitted February 27, 1865 to the Post Hospital, Drum Barracks, Wilmington, with a gunshot wound. "Cold appliations on wound, dress with feoriltice(8), wash with zinc sulfate(9), gin in aqua once, dress with cold water and Turner's Cerate(10) smooth and greasy preparation), were prescribed and (he) was returned to duty March 30, 1865." A medical board at Santa Barbara on June 15, 1892 reported that his temperature was 98 degrees, his height 5 feet 6 inches and his weight 170 pounds. Ysamel Soto in a December 30, 1893 deposition stated that "I am the same Ysmael Soto asking for a pension. That one year after I got well from the pistol shot wound I received near Drum Barracks, San Pedro, Los Angeles County I began to notice I was getting little hard of hearing. But paid no attention, and have been getting worse gradually, until at present a person having to speak very loud close to my ear so as I may hear what is spoken to me. Also about three years after I was wounded I began to have small white cloud on my left eye. At present both eyes are affected with a cloud which in foggy weather makes it impossible for me to distinguish. One of them is almost gone completely, with the other I can see a man but not to know him who is at a distance of 100 feet, that is on a clear day. I am a native of California and reside and always have lived in Santa Barbara."
On July 12, 1894 Francisco Maria Lugo (1825-1901), age 67 years, a Santa Barbara resident, declared in a sworn general affadavit as follows: "I was a private (sic) in Company C, 1st Battalion Native California Volunteers that was stationed at Drum Barracks, Los Angeles, in 1865. One night during the month of April (sic) 1865 one Horatio (Horace) Robinson, Pedro Vermudes(11) Rafael Pico (1832-1897), Pedro Maria Cota, Ysmael Soto and myself went to play to a serenade by persmission from Captain de la Guerra (1825-1881), leaving the barracks about 9 p.m. On our return about 11 or 12 p.m., Soto made the remark to wait for him as he wanted to make water, then suddenly we heard a report of a shot and we all went towards where Soto was found him trying to raise up. Then Robinson and Vermudes took hold of him and helped him to the Barracks. We did not see who fired the shot, as the night was very dark. Soto was shot through the nose; he was a musician in the company. He is getting very blind and deaf. His disabilities are not the cause of or aggravated by visarious habits. On November 30, 1894 the claim from Ysmael Soto for a pension was rejected due to "pistol shot of head on the testimony adduced showing that same was not incurred in the line of duty."
A medical board at Santa Barbara on December 26, 1894 reported that his temperature was 99 degrees, his height 5 feet 7 inches and his weight 100 pounds. Ismael (sic), age 53 years, died January 30, 1895 of tuberculosis and cancer of the stomache and was buried at the Catholic (Cieneguitas) Cemetery, Santa Barbara. At his death Ismael (sic) Soto was living in the Anacapa Steet home of his uncle Francisco Maria Lugo and Maria Josefa Olivera de Lugo (1833-1915). [On September Santa Barbara County Assessor Frank Smith stated that the names Ysmael Soto and Adelaida Ruiz de Soto did not appear of the Assessment Rolls of the county for the years 1894 and 1895. A reference to a pension certificate stating a pension was issued to Ysmael Soto has not been found in his pension application file. Adelaida Ruiz de Soto, whose Post Office address was Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, filed 10 July 1895 for a pension and was issued Application No. 617,580 and Certification No. 431,835.
Mrs. Francisco Lugo gave her statements about the pension of Adelaida Ruiz de Soto to a Special Examiner for the Bureau of Pensions through interpreter Francis Ruiz, her niece. On January 8, 11897 Charles N. Haynes (1840-1920) in a deposition stated that: "I am 52 years old, occupation dairyman, and my residence and post office (address) is 416 Anacapa Street. I served during the late war in Company E, 73rd New York Volunteer Infantry from October 1861 to August 25, 1865. I have lived in this city since 1866. I know Ismael (sic) Soto who served in a California Regiment during the late war. He was an uncle to my wife. He was married to Adelaida Ruiz about 24 years ago here in Santa Barbara. He was never married before he married her. They lived together as man and wife for 6 years when she left him and took up with a man named Barney Shoemaker ( - 1909) and has lived with this man Shoemaker as his wife ever since. They now live as man and wife across the street from me all by themselves. Most everybody call her Mrs. Shoemaker. They have lived openly as man and wife and every one who knows them
knows they live as man and wife. I saw in the San Francisco Examiner that she was drawing a pension as Ismael (sic) Soto's widow and I did not think it was right for her to get it. She was a bad woman all around and her leaving the soldier broke him all up and he took to drink on account of it and became a hard drinker and that was the cause of his final sickness and death. He was a healthy man after she left him and then he got to drinking so hard. She never mentioned him nor had anything to do with him for years until he was down in his last illness and then she went to him and tried to get him to sign papers so she could get a pension. She was put up to this illegible (possibly report) and from what I know of the man i think (that) it is true. No. The soldier never applied for a divorce from her. He hadn't the money enough to get one and he did not want to give her any. She had two children by Ismael (sic) Soto, but they died in infancy. Oh! No. There is no doubt her living with Shoemaker as his wife. The whole neighborhood knows it. Any one who knows them will tell you so.
In February 3, 1897 letter to Adelaida Ruiz de Soto the Commissioner of the Bureau of Pensions wrote the following statement: "I have to advise you that it appears from the evidence on file obtained by means of a special examination that you have violated Section 3.1 of the Act of Congress, August 7, 1882. That is having lived in open and notorious adulterous cohabitation with one Barney Shoemaker since the death of your late husband and since the passage of said law the penalty for which is the termination of your pension." Adelaida Ruiz de Soto was last paid at $8 per month to March 4, 1897 when her name was dropped from the pension roll."
Notes:
1. Sometimes written "Ismael"
2. Two privates with this surname were members of Co. H, 4th Inf., C. V. James who enlisted Jan. 26, '62 at Camp Union, deserted Dec. 10, '62, returned from
desertion Mar. 29, '63, was discharged on expiration of term, May 14, '65. John G. who enlisted Sep. 29, '62 at Oroville was discharged per GO 51, June 26, '65.
3. Sometimes written "Adelaide"
4. Possibly Juan Soto private Co. C. Mr. Soto died July 15, 1915 and is buried in the GAR Plot, Oak Hill Cemetery, San Jose, CA
5. Scar tissue that is pale, light and firm
6. Any skin condition in which there is overgrowth and thickening of the outer skin layers.
7. An inflammation or infection of the ear
8. Possibly a compound with iron
9. It is given by mouth in tablets to promote healing
10. An unctuous (smooth & greasy) preparation for external use consisting of was or resin mixed with oil, lard, & medical ingredients
11. Sometimes written "Bermudez"
Per Huntington.org Baptism Records, http://missions.huntington.org/BaptismalData.aspx?ID=1461:
Ysmael Jacobo Soto was baptized 28 May 1841 Mission Presidio Santa Barbara #01436. Father stated as Ygnacio Soto and mother is stated as Bernarda Lugo, baptized Mission Presidio Santa Barbara #00443X. Godparents are unstated. Officiant and Recorder is Narciso Duran.

Per 1850 U.S. Federal census Ismael Soto is living in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, born abt 1841 California Son

Per 1860 U.S. Federal census Ysmael Soto is living in San Buenaventura, Santa Barbara, California, born abt 1842 California Boarder Single Laborer

American Civil War Soldiers:
Name: Samuel Soto [Ysmael Soto]
Enlistment Date: 25 Jul 1864
Enlistment Place: Santa Barbara, California
Side Served: Union
State Served: California
Service Record: Enlisted as a Bugler on 25 July 1864. Enlisted in Company C, 1st Battn Native Cavalry Regiment California on 25 Jul 1864. Mustered Out Company C, 1st Battn Native Cavalry Regiment California on 2 Apr 1866 at Presidio, San Francisco, CA.
Sources: 56

Per 1880 U.S. Federal census Ysmael Jacobo Soto is living in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, born abt 1845 California Head Married Laborer, spouse name Adelaide, both parents born CA

Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934:
Name: Ismael Soto [Ysmael]
Date Filed: 17 July 1885
State Filed: California

Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934:
Name: Ismael Soto [Ysmael]
State Filed: California
Date Filed: 10 July 1895
Widow: Adelaida R. de Soto

"Per the Santa Barbara Mission Archive-Library [BK 2, Pg. 133, B-748] regarding the Cieneguitas Cemetery of identities and burials of known veterans of the Mexican and Civil War who lived or died in Santa Barbara: Ysmael Soto was buried 10 February 1895, age 53 years. There is a military marker [memory stone] at Cieneguitas Cemetery."
- Maria del Refugio (Dec. 1847-Aug. 1849)