Skip to main content

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 7 Collections and/or Records:

Henry Ballard diary

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 998
Scope and Contents Two typescripts of the Ballard diary. They vary in small details and in the nature of the added materials found at the back. Ballard was converted to Mormonism in England. He arrived in Utah in 1852, was active in the Utah War of 1857-8, and settled in Logan, Utah in 1859. He was a bishop for the Mormon Church, participated in many of the activities of that faith, and was sentenced to two months in the Utah penitentiary for polygamy. He also tells about troubles with the Indians of the Cache...
Dates: 1852-1905
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Henry Ballard diary

Benjamin Franklin Cummings diaries and an autobiography

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 164
Scope and Contents Handwritten diaries including an autobiography. Cummings' autobiography covers his early life when he lived in Ohio and Navuoo, Illinois, served on a mission to Maine, and left Illinois for Utah. Cummings' diaries tell about his mission to the Indians in Idaho in the "Salmon River Mission," his service during the "Utah Expedition" of 1857-1858, his various encounters with Indians, his mission to Iowa in 1878 and 1879, and his life in Ogden and Salt Lake City, Utah. Also included is a...
Dates: 1854-1879
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Benjamin Franklin Cummings diaries and an autobiography

Luke William Gallup autobiography and diaries

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197231186922]
Identifier: MSS 2347
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a microfilm copy of a handwritten autobiography and diary. Gallup writes about his early life in Connecticut, his migration to Iowa, and how he joined the Mormon Church. Gallup moved to Springville, Utah, in 1851. He writes about his life in that town, his service during the Utah Expedition of 1857-8, his relationships to his wives, his mission for the Mormon Church to Connecticut. Gallup moved to Santa Ana, California, in 1888.

Dates: 1842-1891
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Luke William Gallup autobiography and diaries

Luke William Gallup diary

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232539194]
Identifier: MSS 660
Scope and Contents

Typewritten excerpts from a handwritten diary. Gallup summarizes his activities monthly. Gallup settled in Springville, Utah, in 1851. He writes about encounters with Ute Indians, the Utah War, and the Mormon "reformation." He comments on Mormon polygamy and tells about the death of his wife. Also included are the patriarchal blessings given to Luke and to his wife, Lydia.

Dates: 1850-1864
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Luke William Gallup diary

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

History of John Langston

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230329705]
Identifier: MSS SC 3102
Scope and Contents Photocopy of a microfilm copy of a typescript. The item is an autobiography of John Langston "in the 55 year of my Life." Langston was born in England and migrated to the United States when he was 16 years old. He worked in the iron industry in several states and joined the Mormon Church. Langston migrated to Salt Lake City, Utah, and campaigned against the United States Army during the Utah Expedition of 1857-1858. He was also involved in the Black Hawk War. Also included is an index...
Dates: approximately 1900
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / History of John Langston

Clarance Merrill autobiography

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230326230]
Identifier: MSS SC 2754
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1908
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Clarance Merrill autobiography

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.