California Militia and National
Guard Unit Histories
Alpine Rifles
(Markleeville Guard)
Organizational
Data
Military Unit Designation: Markleeville Guard, 4th Brigade,
California Militia; later Alpine Rifles, 4th Brigade, California
Militia Date of Organization: April 2, 1864 Date of Disbanding: July 10, 1866 Inclusive dates of units papers at State Archives: 1864-1866 Geographical Location or Locations: Markleeville, Alpine
County
Unit Papers
on file at the California State Archives, Sacramento:
a. Organization Papers
1 document (1864)
b. Bonds 1 document (1864)
c. Correspondence (Unclassified letters) 11 documents (1864-1865)
d. Election Returns 4 documents (1865-1866)
e. Exempt Certificates, Applications for none
f. Muster Rolls, Monthly returns 7 documents (1864-1866)
g. Oaths Qualifications 10 documents (1864-1866)
h. Orders none
i. Receipts, invoices 4 documents (1864)
j. Requisitions 1 document (1864)
k. Resignations 5 documents (1864-1865)
l. Target Practice Reports none
m. Other none
Commanding
Officers:
D. C. Mitchell, Captain: Elected April 2, 1864; commissioned
May 18, 1864; reelected February 28, 1865; resigned September
14, 1865.
R. M. Jersey, First Lieutenant: Elected April 2, 1864; commissioned
May 18, 1864
G. W. Mank, First Lieutenant: Elected February 28, 1865; commissioned
March 16, 1865; resigned October 3, 1865
William L. Apperson, Captain Elected September 14, 1865; commissioned
October 3, 1865
I. G. Ayers, First Lieutenant: Elected October 3, 1865; commissioned
November 1 1865
Official
History:
At the time of the organization of the Markleeville Guard, a
series of depredations consisting of burning and plundering of
homes were committed in Alpine County. An attempt was also made
to overthrow the then existing county government by refusing
to pay taxes or obey local ordinances. These depredations committed
by the so-called "Copperheads", who, although residents
of the North during the Civil War , deeming it impossible to
conquer the Confederacy, were earnestly in favor of peace and
consequently opposed to the war policy of the President and Congress.
The term "Copperheads" originated in the Autumn of
1862, and its use spread throughout the North quietly but persistently,
because of t he fancied resemblance of the peace party to the
venomous copperhead snake which strikes without warning. Some
of the more zealous advocates of the peace policy even wore badges
of heads cut from one cent pieces, fancying that such display
emphasized their attitude more fully.[1]
Alpine County was a stronghold for these "Copperheads"
and their attitude and acts of violence and sabotage aroused
in the loyal Union men, feelings of bitterness and fear. The
local peace officers were either unable or unwilling to cope
with the situation within their county, and law enforcement was
seemingly impossible. The law abiding citizens, therefore, deemed
it necessary and expedient to organize a company of militia for
local duty which would have authority under the laws of the State
to take the situation in hand.
Due to the existing conditions the Markleeville Guard (later
changed to the Alpine Rifles) was organized at Markleeville,
Alpine County, April 2, 1864, pursuant to a petition signed by
sixty-eight loyal citizens of the county, and approved by the
County Judge as provided by law. The name of the company was
changed a few months after its organization in response to a
general feeling that inasmuch as the company was a county wide
organization it should bear the county name--Alpine.
Apprehension was felt that an attempt would be made by the "Copperheads"
to seize the rifles and ammunition to be shipped by the State
for the use of the volunteers, but the attempt did not materialize
and the arms and equipment were received in due time and in good
condition. The organization of the company of militia had the
desired effect in the county and within a short period of time
conditions were much improved. The fear and dread that had haunted
the population of the county for so long disappeared and confidence
was restored. The presence of the militia had a demoralizing
effect on the element which was responsible for the crimes and
depredations committed, and acts. of hostility and vandalism
soon ceased.
The Alpine Rifles maintained their organization only about two
years and on July 10, 1866, the company was mustered out of the
service of the State under Special Order No. 2 [2] of that year,
with the full knowledge of duties well and faithfully performed
and the heartfelt thanks of their friends and neighbors.