United States. Army. Mormon Battalion
Dates
- Existence: 1846 - 1847
Administrative History
The Mormon Battalion (1846-1847) was a unit in the United States military that served during the Mexican-American War.
The Mormon Battalion, which began official service in July 1846, was the only religiously based united in United States military history. The battalion was a volunteer unit of between 534 and 539 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Created to assist with the Mexican-American War (which lasted from 1846-1848), the unit marched nearly 2,000 miles from Iowa to San Diego.
The unit was discharged on July 16, 1847, five months after its arrival in San Diego.
Citation:
Larson, C.V. A data base of the Mormon Battalion, c1987: p. 1 (formed July 16, 1846, at the request of the U.S. govt.) p. 2 (discharged July 16, 1847) p. 4 (U.S. Mormon Battalion)LC data base, 12/30/87 (hdg.: Iowa Infantry. Mormon Battalion, 1846-1847)
Wikipedia, via WWW, 27 January 2015 (The Mormon Battalion, which began official service in July 1846, was the only religiously based united in United States military history; was a volunteer unit of between 534 and 539 members of the LDS church;Created to assist with the Mexican-American War (which lasted from 1846-1848); marched nearly 2,000 miles from Iowa to San Diego; was discharged on July 16, 1847, five months after its arrival in San Diego)
Found in 55 Collections and/or Records:
James Allen and R. B. Mitchell letters
Handwritten and signed letter, dated 16 July 1846, and composed at the "Headquarters Morm. Batt. U.S. Volunteers." Allen writes about the march to California and the necessity of protection against Indians. On the reverse of Allen's letter is found a handwritten letter, dated 21 July 1846, and signed by R. B. Mitchell, "Indian Agent." The item was composed at "Point aux Poules." Mitchell praises the conduct of the emigrating Mormons in general and with the Indians in particular.
James T. S. Allred papers
Photocopies of typewritten and handwritten diaries, genealogies, and applications for a pension from the United States Government. The diaries include very brief entries and cover the years 1855 to 1859.
An appeal to the president of the United States
Handwritten copy of a letter appealing to the president of the United States, James K. Polk. The item was copied in 1890, but the original was dated 1 June 1846. The letter states that the Mormons have been persecuted and appealed for aid. It is believed that Polk's call for volunteers to fight in the war with Mexico was an answer to this request. The "Mormon Battalion" was formed in consequence.
Henry William Bigler diary
Erastus Bingham pension application
Holograph application to the US Department of the Interior by Erastus Bingham regarding the pension due him as guardian of his grandson, Elijah N. Freeman Jr. Freeman's father, Elijah N. Freeman Sr., died while serving in the "Mormon Battalion" on 20 Nov. 1846 during the war with Mexico.
Biography of Jacob Kemp Butterfield
Typewritten biography of Butterfield, an early Latter-day Saint Church convert, pioneer and Mormon Battalion mamber. Also includes letters from the donor.
Biography of Samuel Miles the son of Samuel and Prudence Marks
Biography of Samuel Miles the son of Samuel and Prudence Marks
Abner Blackburn diary
Typescript of diary which gives accounts of the Mormon experiences in Missouri, frontier and pioneer life, Indian customs and warfare, and gold-digging during the California gold rush of 1849.