Blazing a Trail that Helped Settle the West
August 6, 2015 By Eric Slaugh
You may have heard of the Mormon Battalion at some point in your life. But how much do you really know about this pioneering military unit—and what motivated so many to sacrifice so much for God and country? . . .
You may have heard of the Mormon Battalion at some point in your life. But how much do you really know about this pioneering military unit—and what motivated so many to sacrifice so much for God and country? . . .
Jesse C. Little Forming the Battalion
The Mormon Battalion was a U.S. Army infantry unit that explored and fortified much of the Western United States. They completed the longest infantry march in history—covering over 2,000 miles from Iowa to the Pacific Coast. Their journey is a testimony that The Lord’s promises truly come to those who keep His commandments and move forward with faith.
The battalion was formed after Jesse C. Little, president of the Eastern States Mission, spoke with U.S. President James K. Polk. Little initially offered for members to explore and fortify the western front in exchange for monetary compensation. President Polk proposed enlisting a Mormon Battalion (originally called 1st Iowa Volunteers) to help fight in the U.S.-Mexican War. Under President Polk’s orders, Captain James Allen travelled to LDS pioneer camps on the Missouri River to ask for 500 men in exchange for the money needed to travel west. This money proved to be a great blessing for the Saints in a time of great need.
The Mormon Battalion was a U.S. Army infantry unit that explored and fortified much of the Western United States. They completed the longest infantry march in history—covering over 2,000 miles from Iowa to the Pacific Coast. Their journey is a testimony that The Lord’s promises truly come to those who keep His commandments and move forward with faith.
The battalion was formed after Jesse C. Little, president of the Eastern States Mission, spoke with U.S. President James K. Polk. Little initially offered for members to explore and fortify the western front in exchange for monetary compensation. President Polk proposed enlisting a Mormon Battalion (originally called 1st Iowa Volunteers) to help fight in the U.S.-Mexican War. Under President Polk’s orders, Captain James Allen travelled to LDS pioneer camps on the Missouri River to ask for 500 men in exchange for the money needed to travel west. This money proved to be a great blessing for the Saints in a time of great need.
541 men enlisted in the battalion, with 32 women and 50 children accompanying them. Even though the Saints had not received much help from the government, especially after being driven out of Missouri and Illinois by mobs, they enlisted. President Brigham Young prophesied that if they kept God’s commandments, they would not have to fight, and their families would be protected while they were away.
On the Trail
The first stop was Fort Leavenworth in Kansas to get supplies before heading for California. The trail was mostly peaceful, and the arduous journey included no battles. In southern Arizona, they did encounter a herd of wild bulls on the way to California, which gave them much needed meat for their trip, and resulted in no fatalities. They almost engaged in combat with the Mexican Army near what is now the Arizona-Mexico border, but the Mexican soldiers abandoned their posts when they saw the Mormon Battalion coming. The Batallion reached the Pacific Ocean on January 29th, 1847. Although they suffered hunger, sickness, and fatigue, they never engaged in combat, just as The Lord promised through President Young.
The first stop was Fort Leavenworth in Kansas to get supplies before heading for California. The trail was mostly peaceful, and the arduous journey included no battles. In southern Arizona, they did encounter a herd of wild bulls on the way to California, which gave them much needed meat for their trip, and resulted in no fatalities. They almost engaged in combat with the Mexican Army near what is now the Arizona-Mexico border, but the Mexican soldiers abandoned their posts when they saw the Mormon Battalion coming. The Batallion reached the Pacific Ocean on January 29th, 1847. Although they suffered hunger, sickness, and fatigue, they never engaged in combat, just as The Lord promised through President Young.
California Gold Rush End of the Road
The battalion was released on July 16th, 1847. While some soldiers reenlisted for eight months, the rest headed back to Utah to reunite with their families. On the way home, many of them helped settle areas of California and build flourmills and sawmills in areas closer to Utah. Some of the men were also among the first to discover gold in California, starting the California Gold Rush. The members of the battalion were blessed for their service and obedience to God’s commandments, and we can see how their efforts helped start the development of much of the Western United States.
The battalion was released on July 16th, 1847. While some soldiers reenlisted for eight months, the rest headed back to Utah to reunite with their families. On the way home, many of them helped settle areas of California and build flourmills and sawmills in areas closer to Utah. Some of the men were also among the first to discover gold in California, starting the California Gold Rush. The members of the battalion were blessed for their service and obedience to God’s commandments, and we can see how their efforts helped start the development of much of the Western United States.