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Illinois. Militia. Nauvoo Legion

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1840 - 1845

Administrative History

The Nauvoo Legion (1840-1845) was the local militia organization in Nauvoo, Illinois established in accordance with the city's charter.

Citation:
Bennett, Richard Edmond. The Nauvoo Legion in Illinois, 2010 CIP introd. (the Nauvoo Legion functioned at the behest of the governor of the state of Illinois; a regularly constituted arm of the Illinois State Militia from its chartering in 1841 until its repeal in 1845; after 1845, Nauvoo Legion acted under the direction of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leadership until 1849; in 1849 became a militia in the State of Deseret; in 1852 became a militia in the Utah Territory)

Wikipedia, May 21, 2009 (The Nauvoo Legion was originally part of the state militia of Illinois whose formation was authorized under the charter granted to the city of Nauvoo, Illinois by the state government. It was comprised primarily of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who settled Nauvoo in the 1840s, and was commanded by Joseph Smith, Jr. and later by Brigham Young. The Legion was active until it was officially disbanded in 1845, and was later reactivated by former officers and Church leaders in order to aid in the exodus west)

LC database, May 21, 2009 (old cat hdg.: Nauvoo Legion)

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:

Zenos H. Gurley letter to Joseph Smith, Jr.

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233294674]
Identifier: Vault MSS 782
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letter dated 4 May 1842 and addressed to Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the first president of the Mormon Church. Gurley writes that he was unable to attend a meeting with the Nauvoo Legion militia organization and describes the founding of a branch of the Mormon Church in Wisconsin.

Dates: 1842 May 4
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Zenos H. Gurley letter to Joseph Smith, Jr.

Wilson Law letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230320217]
Identifier: MSS SC 2201
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten letter dated Sept. 30, 1840 and a typescript of the item. Law writes to Thomas Carlin, "Commanding Officer," requesting that various arms be sent to his company.

Dates: 1840
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Wilson Law letter

Joseph Smith, Jr. letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232487535]
Identifier: MSS 288
Scope and Contents

Photocopy and photostat copy of a handwritten letter. Smith writes in his capacity as the leader of the "Nauvoo Legion" of the Illinois state militia. He informs Wilson Law to keep the militia in readiness "as may be necessary to compel obedience to the ordinances of said city (i.e. Nauvoo) and secure the peace of the citizens." The item was notarized by W. W. Phelps.

Dates: 1843
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Joseph Smith, Jr. letter

Joseph Smith letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230315266]
Identifier: MSS SC 1799
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten letter from Joseph Smith (April 29, 1844) to Charles C. Rich concerning the court martial of Wilson Law.

Dates: 1844 April 29
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Joseph Smith letter

Filtered By

  • Subject: Politics, Government, and Law X
  • Subject: Nauvoo (Ill.) -- History X

Additional filters:

Subject
Latter Day Saint churches -- Presidents 1
Latter Day Saints -- Correspondence 1
Latter Day Saints -- Wisconsin -- History -- Sources 1
Wisconsin -- History -- To 1848 1
 

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