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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 20 Collections and/or Records:

J. W. Phelps diaries

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197231044501]
Identifier: MSS 2318
Scope and Contents These diaries are photocopied from a microfilm copy of the handwritten originals. Phelps kept the diaries primarily when he was involved in the Utah Expedition from 1857 to 1858 and the subsequent military occupation of Utah from 1858 to 1859. These items are volumes 15 to 26 of his diaries. Phelps writes about going to Utah "for suppression of the Mormons." He makes many negative comments on the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He tells about the expedition...
Dates: 1857-1859
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / J. W. Phelps diaries

F. D. Richards letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233283891]
Identifier: Vault MSS 119
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letter, dated April 5, 1858, and addressed to Jesse P. Harmon. Richards tells Hrmon to notify all officers to attend a military council to be held at the tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah. Pasted to the same sheet is an appointment to the Standing Committees on the Improvement and Public Grounds and a note that was certified by R. A. McBride, selectman for Millard County, Utah.

Dates: 1858 April 5
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / F. D. Richards letter

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

Persifor F. Smith letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233620795]
Identifier: MSS 7694
Scope and Contents

A letter was written by Persifor F. Smith on January 28, 1858. The letter is five pages long and is addressed to Virginia Congressman Charles J. Faulkner, who was a Virginia politician and President Buchanan's Minister to France. Persifor references the Utah War of 1857 and 1858 in his letter.

Dates: 1858 January 28
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Persifor F. Smith letter

James Parshall Terry autobiography

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197227605539]
Identifier: MSS SC 1698
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten and typed autobiography of James P. Terry which includes his experiences with Johnston's Army in 1857.

Dates: 1880-1905
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / James Parshall Terry autobiography

John McKeager Warren letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230326164]
Identifier: MSS SC 2747
Scope and Contents Handwritten and signed letter dated 13 Feb. 1858 and addressed to "Dear Father" who was probably living in Franklin County, Missouri. Warren was with the United States Army at "Camp Scott," Utah Territory. The cite is near Fort Bridger, Wyoming. Warren writes about a confrontation with Cheyenne Indians and speculates about the prospect of war with Brigham Young and the Mormons of Utah. He did not think Brigham Young would fight but was confident that the United States Army would win any...
Dates: 1858 February 13
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / John McKeager Warren letter

Brigham Young letter

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230316959]
Identifier: MSS SC 2019
Scope and Contents Photocopy of a handwritten letter. The item is dated Sept. 14, 1857 and is addressed to "Major McCullogh" and Lewis Brunson (1831-1888). Brunson was the bishop in Fillmore, Utah for the Mormon Church. Young states that preparations are to be made to deal with the advancing federal troops which were part of the Utah Expedition, 1857-1858. He also outlines the nature of the defense of Utah. In resistance the Utahns would "desolate the Territory" and "waylay our enemies." Young also admonishes...
Dates: 1857
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Brigham Young letter

Brigham Young letter to E. B. Alexander

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231566081]
Identifier: Vault MSS 694
Scope and Contents

Letter, handwritten and signed "Brigham Young" by a scribe, addressed to Col. E.B. Alexander, commander of the 5th and 10th United States infantry regiments during the Utah Expedition. The letter is dated October 7, 1857 and was sent with two copies of the Deseret News in an attempt to "enliven the monotonous routine of camp life."

Dates: 1857 October 7
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Brigham Young letter to E. B. Alexander

Governor Brigham Young proclamation

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230340199]
Identifier: MSS 107
Abstract The folder contains a photograph of a printed broadside and a photonegative of the item. Young writes to the "Citizens of Utah" and warns them that an "armed, mercenary mob" is marching against them in 1857. He outlines the Mormons' grievances against the federal government and states that they are being unjustly persecuted. He forbids all armed forces from coming into Utah "under any pretence whatever," orders that the forces of the territory be ready to march "at a moment's notice" to...
Dates: 1857
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Governor Brigham Young proclamation

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