United States. Army. Mormon Battalion
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:
McClellan family histories
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.
Erastus Darwin Meacham biography
Typewritten biography of the Meacham family. The item focuses on the history of Erastus Darwin Meacham and his experiences as a Mormon pioneer including his military service as a private in Company D of the "Mormon Battalion."
Mormon Battalion
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.
Mormon Battalion Association records
Materials include reports, minutes, biographies, correspondence, histories, newsletters, and other materials from the Mormon Battalion Association and its earlier women's auxiliary organization, both of which were headquartered in Lehi, Utah. The materials document the activities and governance of these organizations, as well as the history of the original Mormon Battalion of 1846-1847. Materials date from between 1846 and 2012.
Collection of Mormon Battalion Festival RSVP letters
A collection of five handwritten RSVP letters addressed to Brigham Young and sent from Matthew Caldwell, Reddick Newton Allred, Simmons Philander Curtis, Haden Wells Chruch, and one unknown author. The RSVP letters were written in the month of June of 1863 confirming the guests attending the Mormon Battalion festival in July of that year. Materials dated June 14 to 30, 1863.
Thomas Morris autobiography
Photocopy of an autobiography of Thomas Morris, written in 1871. Contains an account of his early life in South Wales, including his various occupations and religious affiliations, his emigration to New York in 1832, death of his first wife in 1837, his second marriage, conversion to Mormonism and relocation to Nauvoo in 1844, his impressions of Joseph Smith, and details of service in Mormon Battalion. Concludes with list of his various marriages and dates.
John Conrad Naegle historical and biographical materials
Contains historical and biographical material of John Conrad Naegle, Mormon pioneer, who, at one time, owned a tract of land in Fremont, California, which was purchased by BYU in 1961 as a possible site for a junior college. 23 items.
Newel Kimball Whitney collection on military units, 1840-1858
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.
Charles H. Oliphant and Orson Bennett Adams autobiographies
James Pollock Park papers
Printed and handwritten application for Park's widow to receive a pension for his service in the war with Mexico, photocopy of a mission call for Park to serve on a mission for the Mormon Church in Europe, and a brief biography of Park by and unknown author.