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Utah. Militia

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1852 - 1887

Administrative History

The Utah Militia (1852-1887), also known as the Nauvoo Legion, was the territorial militia organization for Utah Territory.

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 Mormon Church leadership until 1849; in 1849 became a militia in the State of Deseret; in 1852 became a [i.e. the] militia in the Utah Territory)

Utah State Div. of Archives and History www homepage, May 26, 2009 (These papers document the administration and activities of various segments of the territorial militia, also known as the Nauvoo Legion)

Encycl. of Mormonism, c1992 (Nauvoo Legion; disbanded as a result of the Edmunds-Tucker Act of 1887)

Found in 9 Collections and/or Records:

Brigham Young certificate of appointment for W. S. S. Willis

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233289633]
Identifier: Vault MSS 424
Scope and Contents

Printed form with handwritten notations. The item is dated 11 March 1851 and signed by Almon W. Babbitt and Brigham Young, second president of the Mormon Church. W. S. S. Willis is appointed as captain of Company B, Battalion of Infantry in Lehi, Utah.

Dates: 1851 March 11
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Brigham Young certificate of appointment for W. S. S. Willis

James H. Martineau certificates

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 235
Scope and Contents

Printed and handwritten certificates, bonds, and commissions. The items document Martineau's commission in the Utah Militia, his appointment as the Sheriff of Iron County, Utah, and his position as an alderman of Parowan, Utah. Seven of the manuscripts were signed by Brigham Young (1801-1877), the second president of the Mormon Church.

Dates: 1851-1876
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / James H. Martineau certificates

Nelson Higgins certificates

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230318294]
Identifier: MSS SC 1974
Scope and Contents Photocopies of handwritten and printed certificates, applications, correspondence, patriarchal blessings, and miscellaneous items. Most of the materials relate to Nelson's militia activities in Nauvoo, Illinois and in Utah. They include certificates relating to his various military appointments and applications for pensions relating to his military service. A few items relate to the "Walker War" (1853-1854) with the Ute Indians. A few of the materials were signed by the Mormon Church leaders...
Dates: 1836-1909
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Nelson Higgins certificates

McClellan family histories

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230244615]
Identifier: MSS SC 561
Scope and Contents

Typescripts (some duplicated). The collection includes autobiographical sketch of William C. McClellan, member of the Mormon Battalion and of the Nauvoo Legion in Utah Valley, Utah, a biographical sketch of his wife, Almeda D. McClellan by Zitelle M. Snarr, and an autobiography of their son David A. McClellan Sr. which includes details of life in the Mormon colonies in Mexico and Arizona.

Dates: date of production not identified
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / McClellan family histories

Newel Kimball Whitney collection on military units, 1840-1858

 Sub-Series
Identifier: Vault MSS 76 Series 1 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains poll books, certificates, petitions, reports, orders, and other materials related to Mormon militia units, including both the Nauvoo Legion and the Mormon Battalion. Materials date from between 1840 and 1858.

Dates: 1840-1858
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Vault MSS 76, Newel Kimball Whitney papers / Newel Kimball Whitney collection on Mormon Church

L. John Nuttall papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 790
Scope and Contents Handwritten diaries, correspondence, lists, minutes, patriarchal blessings, and notes. The materials relate to Nuttall's involvement in numerous Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Utah Militia activities. Nuttall's position as secretary to the president of the Church allowed him to record various observations on Church conduct and doctrine. He records many of the meetings of the Church's ruling bodies. Nuttall also recounts campaigns against the Ute Indians during the Black Hawk...
Dates: 1857-1904
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / L. John Nuttall papers

William B. Pace military campaign record

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230343565]
Identifier: MSS 190
Scope and Contents

Handwritten record of a campaign by the Utah County Militia against the Ute Indians from April to August 1867. The entries are often presented in the form a daily happenings. Also included are handwritten copies of military orders and correspondence between the members of the militia and local leaders.

Dates: 1867
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / William B. Pace military campaign record

Samuel W. Richards diaries

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197232486305]
Identifier: MSS 732
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of excerpts from handwritten diaries. The items cover the years 1846-1847, 1857-1859, 1868, 1869, 1873, and 1875-1876. Richards lived in Nauvoo, Illinois, presided over the European Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, prepared Utah Militia units for an expedition into Sanpete County, and served on another mission to the Eastern United States. Also included are patriarchal blessings and miscellaneous items relating to Richards and his family.

Dates: 1846-1876
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Samuel W. Richards diaries

Brigham Young letter

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 747
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letter, dated 13 Feb. 1850, and addressed to Daniel H. Wells, commander in chief of the Utah Militia. Young gives advice to Wells about a military campaign.

Dates: 1850 February 13
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Brigham Young letter

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