Utah Expedition (1857-1858)
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 26 Collections and/or Records:
Henry E. Maynadier letters
General Orders dated October 5 and 7, 1857, giving marching orders for the battalions and trains of the U.S. Army stationed at Camp Winfield in the Utah Territory (modern Wyoming). One letter is signed by Maynadier by the order of Col. Alexander.
F. D. Richards letter
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.
Lewis Robison correspondence
Secondary sources on John M. Bernhisel, circa 1909-1964
Contains bibliographies, letters, genealogies, papers, obituaries, medical diplomas, certificates, and other materials.
Lot Smith papers
Contains photocopies of letters by Smith describing his activities in settling Arizona. Materials date from between 1856 and 1892.
Persifor F. Smith letter
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.
John Henry Standifird papers
Handwritten diaries and letters. Standifird writes about his life in Bountiful, St. George, Kanab, Panguitch, Manti, and Moab, Utah. He also lived in Taylor and Alpine, Arizona. He gives information on the Utah Expedition, 1857-1858, his work on the St. George and Manti temples, his mission for the Mormon Church in Missouri, and his daily life in Utah.
Thomas L. Kane papers on Utah Expedition, 1857-1858
Contains correspondence, reports, speeches, and other materials related to Kane's involvement in negotiating a resolution to the Utah Expedition. Materials date from between 1857 and 1858.
Enoch B. Tripp papers
John Bates Warall letter
Handwritten and signed letter written at Camp Floyd, Utah and addressed to Colonel Daniel Ruggles at Fredericksburg, Virginia. Warall gives a general report on the condition and activities of the camp which includes the establishment of musical bands, temperance societies, masonic lodges, and other organizations and events promoting morale among the soldiers.