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Utah Expedition (1857-1858)

 Organization

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 10 Collections and/or Records:

William Frank Atkin papers

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197232484912]
Identifier: MSS 341
Scope and Contents Correspondence, diaries, and a biography. The diaries relate to Atkin's missions to New Zealand from 1903 to 1906 and from 1916 to 1918. The correspondence is from family members and friends and largely relates to family matters and to Atkin's missionary activities. The biography is a history of Atkin's father, Thomas Atkin (1833-1919), who was a Mormon pioneer that was active in Tooele County politics. The biography also includes information about the Mormon response to the Utah...
Dates: 1883-1919
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / William Frank Atkin papers

John M. Bernhisel papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 331
Abstract

The Papers of John Milton Bernhisel includes three (3) archival series: Series I: Political Papers, circa 1847-1864; Series II: Personal Papers, circa 1825-1910; and Series III: Secondary Sources, circa 1909-1964.

Dates: approximately 1825-1964
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / John M. Bernhisel papers

Enoch B. Tripp personal papers, 1841-1906

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2032 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, writings, and other personal documents such as a license, a certificate, and blessings. Dated 1841 to 1906.

Dates: 1841-1906
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 2032, Enoch B. Tripp papers

William Greenwood papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 39
Scope and Contents

Contains twelve handwritten, signed letters which concern Greenwood's conversion to Mormonism in England, his immigration to the United States, activities in Nauvoo, Illinois, and the 1847 trek to Salt Lake City and American Fork, Utah. Also includes a bound autobiography (plus typescript) written between 1869 and 1884.

Dates: 1847-1884
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / William Greenwood papers

John M. Bernhisel political papers, circa 1847-1864

 Series
Identifier: MSS SC 331 Series 1
Scope and Contents note

Copy of collection register, professional papers, certificates of election, Washington and Salt Lake papers, calling cards and invitations, lecture notes, maps, etc.

Dates: Other: circa 1847-1864
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS SC 331, John M. Bernhisel papers

Secondary sources on John M. Bernhisel, circa 1909-1964

 Series
Identifier: MSS SC 331 Series 3
Scope and Contents note

Contains bibliographies, letters, genealogies, papers, obituaries, medical diplomas, certificates, and other materials.

Dates: Other: circa 1909-1964
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS SC 331, John M. Bernhisel papers

Lot Smith papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 293
Scope and Contents

Contains photocopies of letters by Smith describing his activities in settling Arizona. Materials date from between 1856 and 1892.

Dates: 1856-1892
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Lot Smith papers

Enoch B. Tripp papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 2032
Scope and Contents Eighteen volumes of journals and other papers. Volumes document Enoch B. Tripp's conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his missions to the state of Maine, his visit with Joseph Smith's mother (Lucy Mack Smith), wife (Emma Smith), and son (Joseph Smith III) in Nauvoo in November 1855, his participation in the Utah War in 1857, and his life in Salt Lake City. Tripp discusses anti-polygamy legislation, his time on the Mormon "Underground" to avoid arrest for practicing...
Dates: 1841-1908
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Enoch B. Tripp papers

Brigham Young letter

 Item — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 14
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letter, dated September 12, 1857, and addressed to Philo Taylor Farnsworth, Mormon bishop in Beaver, Utah. Young writes to Farnsworth about the declaration of martial law. The item was also signed by Daniel H. Wells. Also included is a printed typescript and facsimile of the item made in 1963.

Dates: 1857 September 12
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Brigham Young letter

Brigham Young letter to James Burton

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233287504]
Identifier: Vault MSS 222
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letter, dated 17 April 1858, and addressed to James Burton, a teamster. Young gives Burton a pass to go safely through southern Utah on his way to California.

Dates: 1858 April 17
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Brigham Young letter to James Burton

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