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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 14 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

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

Jacob Kemp Butterfield letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230311513]
Identifier: MSS SC 1385
Scope and Contents

Photocopy and typescript of a handwritten letter written while on the march with the Mormon Battalion. The item is addressed to Butterfield's mother and gives particulars about the Mormon pioneer trek to the west as well as the Mormon Battalion's mission and activities. Butterfield explains his Mormon faith to his mother.

Dates: 1846

Jacob Kemp Butterfield letters

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230318021]
Identifier: MSS SC 1931
Scope and Contents

Handwritten letter and a typescript. The letter was written at Fort Levenworth on August 7, 1846 to Butterfield's mother and deals with the "Mormon Batallion," with his personal feelings toward the Mormon Church, and quotes from his patriarchal blessing.

Dates: 1846

Levi W. Hancock journal

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 3252
Scope and Contents

Phtocopy of a microfilm copy of a handwritten diary. Hancock writes about his service in the Mormon Battalion during the War with Mexico, 1846-1848. He writes about the daily activities of the men and about their hardships. He also includes a number of hand-drawn maps relating to the march of the battalion.

Dates: 1846-1847

Lue Ann Hjelm letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230233063]
Identifier: MSS SC 66
Scope and Contents

Typewritten, signed letter which contains a biographical sketch of James Pollock Park who served in the "Mormon Battalion."

Dates: approximately 1976

Carl V. Larson research on the Mormon Battalion

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230350867]
Identifier: MSS 5885
Abstract

List of burial places of Mormon Battalion members, collected by Carl V. Larson, 1987.

Dates: 1987

Lafayette Frost letter and biography

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230345727]
Identifier: MSS 956
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten letter and a handwritten biography. The date of the biography is uncertain. The letter was written by Frost while serving in the Mexican War with the Mormon Battalion when he was in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Frost writes about the scenery along the line of march, his duties, a change in leadership, and about his illness.

Dates: 1846-1860

The march of the Mormon Battalion

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232490232]
Identifier: MSS 627
Scope and Contents

Typewritten draft with handwritten corrections, 73 pages in length. Also included are 9 pages of handwritten research notes. The article was originally published in "A Century of Mormon Activities in California" vol. 1, edited by Leo J. Muir. Roberts relates the background and history of the "Mormon Battalion" in the war with Mexico (1846-1848), including its activities in California, and tells about the monuments and markers that have been built to honor the members of that unit.

Dates: approximately 1950

Mormon Battalion

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2224
Scope and Contents

Handwritten poem commemorating the activities of the Mormon Battalion in service of the United States during the war with Mexico (1845-1848). The item was written in ink. "By John Hancock who went in the Battalion in 1847" has been penciled in at the bottom of the item in another hand. No John Hancock is listed among members of the battalion.

Dates: approximately 1860