This unit was recruited primarily from Californians familiar with the area of the Humboldt Military District for the purpose of "capturing or killing" the Indians.
On July 13, 1863, Lt. Col. Whipple was appointed to command the Humboldt Military District, which he held until February, 1864, and began implementing his approach to the war.
He was elected to serve again in the Assembly for the 27th District in 1863, and gave up his command from February 8, 1864, to June 1864, to attend the meeting of the State legislature, Colonel Henry M. Black taking his place.
[4] Aggressive patrolling and skirmishing by the Mountaineers and companies of other California volunteer regiments in the district during all times of the year eventually drove the tribes to make peace in August 1864.
[4] Following the Civil War Whipple chose to remain on active duty and received a commission as captain in the U. S. Army, most notably serving in Arizona under George Crook against the Apache.
During a restoration of the Myrtle Grove Cemetery a work party located Whipple's marker under several inches of earth and grass, which they cleaned and reset.