Utah Expedition (1857-1858)
Dates
- Existence: 1857 - 1858
Administravtive History
The Utah Expedition (1857-1858) was a bloodless military conflict between the Mormon militia, referred to as the Nauvoo Legion, and the Unites States government over the installation of a new governor in the Utah Territory.
From May 1857 to July 1858, the Utah Expedition, otherwise known as Utah War, Utah Campaign, Buchanan's Blunder, Mormon War, or Mormon Rebellion, was a result of President Buchanan’s decision to replace Governor Brigham Young with Governor Alfred Cumming. The Presidency feared the Mormon community would not accept a non-Mormon governor, resulting in the suspension of mail to Utah and 2,500 troops accompanying Cumming’s journey. Upon news of advancing troops Utah men were called to bear arms and Northern communities were evacuated. After several months of this standard, and continually hoping for peace, the Mormon leader’s willingness to accept Cumming was heard. The agreement ended with the installation of Governor Cumming and a permanent government garrison near Salt Lake City in exchange for peace and amnesty.
Citation:
LCCN 58011786: Hafen, L.R. The Utah expedition, 1857-1858, 1958(hdg.: Utah Expedition, 1857-1858)Wikipedia, viewed February 11, 2013 :(Utah Expedition, also known as the Utah War, Utah Campaign, Buchanan's Blunder, Mormon War, Mormon Rebellion, was an armed confrontation between Mormon settlers and the United States Government, from May 1857 to July 1858, located in Utah and Wyoming)
Encyclopedia.com, April 20, 2016(Mormon Expedition of 1857-1858; was a federal force sent by President James Buchanan to force the Mormons, led by Brigham Young, to obey federal laws ; Utah Expedition)
OCLC, April 20, 2016(access point: Utah Expedition (1857-1858); usage: Utah Expedition; Utah War; Utah Campaign; Buchanan's Blunder; Mormon War; Mormon Rebellion; Mormon Expedition)
Library of Congress, via WWW, Feb. 12, 2018 (Utah Expedition, also known as the Utah War, Utah Campaign, Buchanan's Blunder, Mormon War, Mormon Rebellion, was an armed confrontation between Mormon settlers and the United States Government, from May 1857 to July 1858, located in Utah and Wyoming; Mormon Expedition of 1857-1858; was a federal force sent by President James Buchanan to force the Mormons, led by Brigham Young, to obey federal laws)
Mormon Encyclopedia, via WWW, Feb. 12, 2018 (Mormon militia, called the Nauvoo Legion, vs. United States government in a bloodless but costly confrontation; President James Buchanan to replace Brigham Young as governor of Utah Territory; It delayed, but did not prevent, the installation of Governor Alfred Cumming; Buchanan thought Latter-day Saints would reject a non-Mormon governor; mail to Utah suspended and 2,500 troops with Cumming to Great Salt Lake City; Utah communities were called upon to equip a thousand men; President Young announced on March 23, 1858, that all settlements in northern Utah must be abandoned and prepared for burning if the army came in; Church leaders willing to accept Cumming and a permanent army garrison in exchange for peace and amnesty)
Found in 8 Collections and/or Records:
William Adams autobiography
John E. Bennion diaries
Photocopies of handwritten diaries. Bennion writes about his life in the Taylorsville area of Utah and in Rush Valley and Long Valley, Utah. He also lived for a time in Nevada. Bennion was married polygamously, participated in the Utah War of 1857-1858, had an encounter with an Indian in 1858, saw the first handcart company arrive in Salt Lake City in 1856, served on a mission to England for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and participated in many other activities.
Hans Peter Larsen autobiography
Typewritten copy of an autobiography. Larsen was converted to the Mormon Church in Denmark, migrated to Utah in 1855, served in the Utah Militia during the Utah Expedition of 1857-1858, helped build the fort at Wellsville, Utah, and settled in Mendon, Utah.
Life history of Albert Douglas Dickson
Typescript of an autobiography. Dickson migrated to Utah in 1852. He first settled in American Fork but later moved to Kaysville. He participated in resisting the U.S. Army during the Utah War, mentions the Morrisite War, and moved to Richville, Utah, where he served as bishop of the Richville Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Also included are poems dedicated to Dickson and some anecdotes on his life.
Clarance Merrill autobiography
Handwritten autobiography. Merrill lived in Nauvoo, Illinois, as a young boy. He migrated to Utah in 1852 and lived in Provo, Salt Lake City, Bear Lake Valley, Cove Creek, and Fillmore, Utah. He also participated in the "Utah War" of 1857 to 1858.
J. W. Phelps diaries
Short history of Abraham Hunsaker
Phtocopy of a micrifilm copy of a handwritten autobiography. Hunsaker was born in Illinois and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1840. Hunsaker lived in Utah County, Utah, and writes about troubles with Indians. He was sent to settle in Carson Valley, Nevada, and returned to Brigham City, Utah. He metions the "Utah War" in 1857 and 1858.
John Henry Standifird papers
Handwritten diaries and letters. Standifird writes about his life in Bountiful, St. George, Kanab, Panguitch, Manti, and Moab, Utah. He also lived in Taylor and Alpine, Arizona. He gives information on the Utah Expedition, 1857-1858, his work on the St. George and Manti temples, his mission for the Mormon Church in Missouri, and his daily life in Utah.