Stephen Girard Whipple facts for kids

Stephen Girard Whipple (November 5, 1823 - October 21, 1895) was an important person in California history. He was a 49er during the California Gold Rush, which means he arrived in California in 1849 looking for gold. He also worked as a newspaper editor, was involved in politics, and served as an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Whipple led a special group of soldiers called the "Battalion of Mountaineers" and later commanded the Humboldt Military District. These roles were part of the Bald Hills War against Native American tribes in northern California. After the Civil War, he continued his military career in the United States Army. He served in conflicts like the Apache Wars and the Nez Perce War, and was stationed at various frontier posts.

Early Life and California Politics

Stephen Girard Whipple was born on November 15, 1823, in Williston, Vermont. He moved to California during the exciting Gold Rush of 1849. Soon after, he became involved in state politics.

Whipple served as a member of the California State Assembly for the 12th District from 1854 to 1855, and again from 1857 to 1858. He was also part of the California State Militia. In 1856, he helped write to the Governor of California to create a volunteer group called the Citizens of Crescent City. This group was formed to protect Crescent City from attacks by Native American tribes in Klamath County.

Whipple was also the editor of a newspaper called the Northern Californian. This was one of only two newspapers located near Humboldt Bay. While Whipple was away, a writer named Bret Harte, who worked for his paper, wrote articles against those who committed the Indian Island Massacre. Harte's views were different from Whipple's, and Harte soon left the area because of threats to his safety.

Leading Troops in the Bald Hills War

At the beginning of the Civil War, Whipple wrote to the military commander in the Pacific region. He suggested a more active approach to the war against Native American tribes in the Bald Hills. He believed that soldiers who were used to the tough conditions of the mountainous redwood forests would be best.

His idea was accepted, and he was made a Lieutenant Colonel. He took command of the 1st Battalion California Volunteer Mountaineers. This was a special light infantry unit. Its soldiers were mostly Californians who knew the Humboldt Military District well. Their main goal was to "capture or kill" the Native Americans involved in the conflict.

On July 13, 1863, Lt. Col. Whipple was put in charge of the Humboldt Military District. He held this command until February 1864. During this time, he started putting his war strategy into action. He was also elected to the Assembly again in 1863. Because of this, he temporarily gave up his command from February to June 1864 to attend the state legislature meetings. Colonel Henry M. Black took his place.

Whipple regained command of the district in June 1864. He stayed in this role until the district became part of the Department of California on July 27, 1865. The Mountaineers and other California volunteer regiments regularly patrolled and fought in the district. Their constant efforts eventually led the tribes to make peace in August 1864.

Military Career and Family Life

After the Civil War ended, Whipple decided to stay in the military. He became a Captain in the United States Army. One of his notable assignments was serving in Arizona under General George Crook against the Apache people.

While in Arizona, he met Mrs. Georgia Ella [Harriman] Lord, who had recently lost her husband. Stephen and Georgia later married on October 21, 1875, in Baltimore, Maryland. Stephen adopted Georgia's daughter, Sophie. They also had two sons together: Elmer Judson Whipple, born in 1876, and Stephen Cranston Whipple, born in 1889.

Captain Whipple also participated in the Nez Perce War. On July 1, 1877, Whipple led an attack on Chief Looking Glass's camp. However, he was unable to capture Chief Looking Glass as he had been ordered. Whipple then took part in battles at Cottonwood Ranch from July 3 to 5, and also fought in the Battle of the Clearwater.

He retired from the army in 1884, after serving for twenty-one years. He was a member of the Freemasons and the Grand Army of the Republic, a group for Civil War veterans.

Death and Legacy

Stephen Girard Whipple died in Eureka, California, on October 21, 1895. He was buried in the G.A.R. section of the Myrtle Grove Cemetery in Eureka. A government military headstone marks his grave.

After his death, his wife Georgia applied for a Civil War widow's pension on October 12, 1897. During a project to restore the Myrtle Grove Cemetery, a work team found Whipple's marker. It had been covered by several inches of earth and grass. They cleaned the headstone and placed it back in its proper spot.