1st Battalion California Volunteer Mountaineers
Encyclopedia
1st Battalion California Volunteer Mountaineers was an infantry
battalion in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
. It spent its entire term of service in the western United States
, attached to the Department of the Pacific
. It was organized from men from the counties of Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, Klamath, Siskiyou, and Del Norte, and other parts of California, between May 30, 1863 and March 16, 1864, for special service in the redwood forests and mountains that was being fought over in the Bald Hills War
in Humboldt County
within the Humboldt Military District
. The Battalion mustered out June 14, 1865.
In a report to Lieut. Col. R. C. Drum, Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Pacific on October 13, 1862, following the escape of Lassic
and several hundred other warriors from the Smith River Reservation, Col. Francis J. Lippitt, Commander of the Humboldt Military District:
Governor Stanford
called for the organization of the Mountaineer Battalion on the recommodation General Wright
on February 7, 1863, in the following proclamation:
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
battalion in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. It spent its entire term of service in the western United States
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
, attached to the Department of the Pacific
Department of the Pacific
The Department of the Pacific was a major command of the United States Army during the 19th century.-Formation:The Department of the Pacific was first organized on October 31, 1853, at San Francisco, California, taking over from the previous Pacific Division. The department reported directly to...
. It was organized from men from the counties of Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, Klamath, Siskiyou, and Del Norte, and other parts of California, between May 30, 1863 and March 16, 1864, for special service in the redwood forests and mountains that was being fought over in the Bald Hills War
Bald Hills War
Bald Hills War was a war fought by the forces of the California Militia, California Volunteers and soldiers of the U. S. Army against the Chilula, Lassik, Hupa, Mattole, Nongatl, Sinkyone, Tsnungwe, Wailaki, Whilkut and Wiyot Native American peoples.The war was fought within the boundaries of the...
in Humboldt County
Humboldt County
Humboldt County is the name of three counties in the United States:* Humboldt County, California* Humboldt County, Iowa* Humboldt County, NevadaHumboldt County may also refer to:...
within the Humboldt Military District
Humboldt Military District
During the American Civil War, Army reorganization created the Department of the Pacific on January 15, 1861. On December 12, 1861, the District of Humboldt was created, consisting of the counties of Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Trinity, Humboldt, Klamath, and Del Norte in Northern California...
. The Battalion mustered out June 14, 1865.
In a report to Lieut. Col. R. C. Drum, Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Pacific on October 13, 1862, following the escape of Lassic
Lassic
Lassic also called, Las-sic, Las-Sic, Lasseck and Lassux in various Military reports and newspaper articles at the time, a Wailaki leader during the Bald Hills War.- Wailaki Leader in the Bald Hills War :...
and several hundred other warriors from the Smith River Reservation, Col. Francis J. Lippitt, Commander of the Humboldt Military District:
- "In short, the state of things is far worse than when we arrived. My previous reports will suffice, I think, to show that for this result neither I nor my officers and men are responsible. The truth is, two companies of State volunteers could be raised here, consisting of old hunters and mountaineers familiar with the habits of the Indians and accustomed to hunt them, that would be of far more service than a whole regiment of the finest troops in the world, no matter how active and zealous they might be." .
Governor Stanford
Leland Stanford
Amasa Leland Stanford was an American tycoon, industrialist, robber baron, politician and founder of Stanford University.-Early years:...
called for the organization of the Mountaineer Battalion on the recommodation General Wright
George Wright (general)
George Wright was an American soldier who served in the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
on February 7, 1863, in the following proclamation:
- PROCLAMATION.
- Whereas, Brigadier-General Wright, of the U. S. Army, commanding the Department of the Pacific, has called upon me for a battalion of six Companies of troops (infantry) for special service against the Indians in the Humboldt District, in this State, to serve until discharged by him:
- Now, therefore, I, Leland Stanford, Governor of the State of California and commander-in-chief of the militia thereof do call upon the citizens of the frontier counties of Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, Klamath, Siskiyou, and Del Norte, of this State, as many as shall be necessary to fill up the foregoing requisition, to organize themselves into companies, to be mustered into the service of the United States as hereby required. The requisite officers for this force will be commissioned by the Governor.
- Done at Sacramento, Cal., this 7th day of February, in the year of our Lord 1863.
- LELAND STANFORD, Governor.
- Attest:
- WM. H. WEEKS, Secretary of State.
- By A. A. H. TUTTLE, Deputy.
- EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Sacramento, February 7, 1863.
1st Battalion California Volunteer Mountaineers Commanders
- Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen G. WhippleStephen Girard WhippleStephen Girard Whipple , usually known as Stephen G. Whipple, was a 49er, newspaper editor, politician, and a Union officer commanding a Battalion of Mountaineers and the Humboldt Military District in the Bald Hills War against the Indians in northwest California, during the American Civil War. ...
Company assignments
- Headquarters Staff Enrolled and mustered in June 22, 1863. The headquarters of the battalion was stationed at Fort Humboldt, California, until September, 1863. It then moved to Fort GastonFort GastonFort Gaston was founded on December 4, 1859, in the redwood forests of the Hoopa Valley, in Northern California, on the west bank of the Trinity River, 14 miles from where the Trinity flows into the Klamath River. It was located in what is now the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation...
, until September, 1864; then back to Fort Humboldt until the June 15, 1865, when the field and staff officers were mustered out.
- Company A This company was raised in Humboldt County by Captain C. W. Long, enrolled from April 18 and mustered in June 22, 1863 at Fort Humboldt June, 1863. Stationed at Fort BakerFort BakerFort Baker is one of the components of California's Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The Fort, which borders the City of Sausalito in Marin County and is connected to San Francisco by the Golden Gate Bridge, served as an Army post until the mid-1990s, when the headquarters of the 91st Division...
until October, 1863. On the July 7, 1863, "Sergeant Sevier took the field against the Indians on Mad River, northeast of Camp Baker. On the eleventh attacked a small band, killing two and wounding one. Returned to post on the twelfth."
- A detachement of A Company joined detachments of B and C Company under Captain Ousley (A Co.), in the Christian Prairie engangement on December 26, 1863.
- The company was next stationed at Camp CurtisCamp CurtisCamp Curtis, California State Historic Landmark #215, was located about one mile north of Arcata, California, and served as the headquarters and garrison of the 1st Battalion California Volunteer Mountaineers from 1862 to 1865....
and Camp Iaqua until April, 1864 having a Skirmish at Redwood Creek, February 29, 1864. Company A, moved to Fort Gaston until November, 1864; engaging in the Skirmish at Redwood Mountains March 1 and the Skirmish at Kneeland's Prairie May 1, 1864. It then returned to Camp Iaqua conducting operations in Humboldt District during the balance of its term of service, until mustered out at Fort Humboldt, April 25, 1865.
- Company B This company was raised by Captain George W. Ousley at Arcata, Humboldt County, enrolled from April 15 and mustered in June 2, 1863. Ordered to Fort GastonFort GastonFort Gaston was founded on December 4, 1859, in the redwood forests of the Hoopa Valley, in Northern California, on the west bank of the Trinity River, 14 miles from where the Trinity flows into the Klamath River. It was located in what is now the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation...
until January, 1864; fighting at the Skirmish at Oak Camp June 6, 1863; Skirmish at Thomas' Ranch November 12; Skirmish at Trinity River November 13 and the Skirmish at Willow Creek November 17:
- "Captain Ousley, with a detachment of fifteen men, had an engagement with the Indians on Willow Creek, about eight miles from Fort Gaston, Cal., in which Captain Ousley and two privates were wounded."
- It fought a Skirmish at Christian Prairie near Fort Gaston:
- "On December 26, 1863, Captain Ousley, with a detachment of thirty men, with mountain howitzer, attacked Indian fortifications on Christian Prairie, about twenty-three miles from Fort Gaston. Private C. Smith was wounded in the arm. The amount of damage done the enemy was two killed and several wounded. Two horses, two inules, four guns, several saddles, and some other articles of property were recovered, and the houses destroyed, together with a large quantity of Indian provisions. This engagement was participated in by detachments of Companies A, B, and C of the battalion."
- Next was duty at Camp Anderson until October, 1864; where if fought the Skirmish near Boynton's Prairie May 6, 1864. It then had duty at Camp Curtis until June, 1865, conducting a scout from Camp Anderson to Bald MountainBald Mountain (California)Bald Mountain is a name given to over fifty summits in California.* In Sugarloaf Ridge State Park there are two Bald Mountain summits, both located on the Sonoma-Napa County border:**The northern one, at , rises to an elevation of...
August 8–12, 1864. Mustered out May 13, 1865.
- Company C This company was raised by Captain Abraham Miller in Humboldt and Trinity Counties, enrolled from May 8 and mustered in August 29, 1863. It was stationed at Camp Curtis until October, 1863; engaging in Skirmishes at Redwood Creek July 9 and 11, 1863.
- Ordered to Fort Gaston until May, 1864. Engaged in skirmishes at Thomas' Ranch November 11, 1863 and Trinity River November 13, 1863. A detachement of C Company joined detachments of A and B Company under Captain Ousley (B Co.), in the Christian Prairie engangement on December 25–26, 1863 near Fort Gaston.
- It was then at Burnt Ranch, Trinity County, until November, 1864; engaging in a Skirmish at the Thomas House, on the Trinity RiverTrinity RiverTrinity River may refer to:*Trinity River *Trinity River...
, May 27, 1864.
- It was then at Fort Gaston until April, 1865, engaging in Operations in Trinity Valley from September 1 to December 3, 1864. It was then at Camp Iaqua during the balance of its term of service and was mustered out at Fort Humboldt, May 23, 1865.
- Company D Raised by Captain William C. Martin, enrolled from September 30, 1863 and mustered at Fort Gaston, Humboldt County, March 16, 1864. The company was stationed at that post during its whole term of service. It was mustered out at Fort Humboldt, Cal., May 20, 1865.
- Company E This company was raised by Captain John P. Simpson in Mendocino County, enrolled from May 1 and mustered in August 31, 1863, at Fort Humboldt. It was stationed at Fort Humboldt until October, 1863; then duty at Camp GrantCamp GrantCamp Grant may refer to:* Camp Grant, California* Camp Grant * Camp Grant , site of the Camp Grant massacre...
, except for the time spent in the field against the hostile Indians until mustered out May 23, 1865. Company E was involved in the Skirmish at Grouse Creek May 23, 1864; a Skirmish at Matole May 26, 1864; Skirmish at Big Flat May 28, 1864; Expedition to North Fork Eel River September 1–29, 1864. It was mustered out at Fort Humboldt, June 14, 1865.
- Company F Raised by Captain Robert Baird at Fort Jones and other places in Siskiyou County, enrolled from August 25, 1863 and mustered in San Francisco, February 19, 1864. It served at the Forks of Salmon River, (then in Klamath CountyKlamath County, CaliforniaKlamath County was a county of California from 1851 to 1874. During its existence, the county seat moved twice and several counties were carved from its territory...
, but now in Siskiyou County), until July, 1864; then at Fort Gaston until October, 1864; then at the mouth of the Klamath RiverKlamath RiverThe Klamath River is an American river that flows southwest through Oregon and northern California, cutting through the Cascade Range to empty into the Pacific Ocean. The river drains an extensive watershed of almost that stretches from the high desert country of the Great Basin to the temperate...
and en route to Camp Lincoln during the month of October, 1864; then at Camp Lincoln during balance of its term of service. It was mustered out at Camp Lincoln, June 9, 1865. There are no remarks on the muster rolls or monthly returns showing the service performed by this company.