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United States. Army. Mormon Battalion

 Organization

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

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 399
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1846 July

James T. S. Allred papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230335967]
Identifier: MSS 1349
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1855-1905

An appeal to the president of the United States

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232498912]
Identifier: MSS 241
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1846 June 1

Henry William Bigler diary

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 3132
Scope and Contents Photocopy of a microfilm copy of a handwritten autobiography and diary. Bigler wrote about his early life from 1815 to 1846 when his diary began. He was born in West Virginia, had encounters with Indians in that state, and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1837. He moved to Far West, Missouri, in 1838; met Joseph Smith, the first president of the Mormon Church; suffered persecutions in Missouri; moved to Qunicy, Illinois, in 1839; and served on a mission for the...
Dates: 1846-1899

Erastus Bingham pension application

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230307628]
Identifier: MSS SC 972
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1859

Biography of Jacob Kemp Butterfield

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230240969]
Identifier: MSS SC 417
Scope and Contents

Typewritten biography of Butterfield, an early Latter-day Saint Church convert, pioneer and Mormon Battalion mamber. Also includes letters from the donor.

Dates: undated

Biography of Samuel Miles the son of Samuel and Prudence Marks

 Item — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 7599
Scope and Contents Manuscript autobiography, labeled by the author as a biography, with thirty-two pages of a handwritten life story by Samuel Miles. The story includes a life summary from 1826 to 1851, and short yearly summaries for each year between 1852 and 1881. The text includes information that is particularly familial and spiritual, but often references broader historical events that contextualize his life. He mentions several events in Latter-day Saintn history including the violence in Missouri, his...
Dates: approximately 1852-1881

Abner Blackburn diary

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230233485]
Identifier: MSS SC 43
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1827-1851

Henry Green Boyle diaries

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 156
Scope and Contents Contains a handwritten autobiography and diaries related to Boyle's life and experience as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The autobiography was written beginning in 1844 and, in the same volume, he starts a diary in 1846. Boyle kept 14 additional volumes of diaries, dating from 1855 to 1889. Most of the content relates to Boyle's missionary experiences in California and to Southern States Mission, including while he was mission president from 1875 to 1878. Also...
Dates: 1844-1912