Irvin McDowell
In November 1881, Battery L was transferred to the West Coast of the United States and posted at the Presidio (Fort Winfield Scott) in San Francisco, California. Randol served for a month as Aide-de-Camp to Major General Irvin McDowell, Commander of the Department of California until he was promoted to the rank of major with the 3rd U.S. Artillery in April 1882.