During the Rebellions of 1837, Dunlop formed and commanded the Huron Regiment in Upper Canada nicknamed "The Bloody Useless". The rebellion was short-lived and led by the radicals fighting for responsible government. The Huron Regiment consisted of approximately 600 men with primitive arms and few resources. The regiment was made up of Colborne men with the surrounding townships supplying many of the men. Dunlop drilled his men in Read's Tavern while scavenging for blankets, coats, boot and more. Dunlop commandeered supplies and food from Canada Company stores for the benefit of his men, leading to demands from the Canada Company for his withdrawal from militia activities. Dunlop refused, but resigned from the company later in 1838.