The story of the Mormon Battalion, from Orson F. Whitney's History of Utah. This excerpt came from the Infobases LDS Family History Suite.

Orson F. Whitney, History of Utah, Vol. 1, p.255

Before reaching the Missouri the Mormon leaders had planned to leave the main body of their people there, and at the various settlements founded along the way, and while the remnants in the rear were gathering to those places, to push on that season, with a picked band of pioneers, and explore the Rocky Mountains. Apostle Woodruff, who was back from Europe, and had arrived at Mount Pisgah, received word from the President at Council Bluffsb to furnish one hundred mounted men for the expedition. Sixty had volunteered, and the muster was still in progress, when an event occurred to materially change the program, and delay the departure of the pioneers until the following spring. It was the call for the Mormon Battalion.

In April, 1846, war had broken out between the United States and Mexico. The original cause was the annexation of Texas in 1845, but the immediate casus belli was the occupation by United States troops, in March, 1846, of disputed territory on the Texan frontier, an act regarded by Mexico as a virtual declaration of war. She resented it as such, and in April began hostilities. The victories of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, won by General Zachary Taylor on the 8th and 9th of May, drove the Mexicans across the Rio Grande, and here the war, in the opinion of many Americans, should have ended. But the majority of the nation, especially the South-bent upon extending slavery and preserving her balance of power-wished the strife continued, having set their hearts upon more. Nothing now would suffice but the extension of the boundaries of the Union to the Pacific Coast of California. This meant, in plain terms, the wresting from Mexico of her two provinces of New Mexico and California, lying directly in the path of the Republic in its proposed march to the sea. Great Britain, still claiming Oregon, also coveted California, and it was to checkmate that power in her ambitious designs, as well as to acquire more territory for future states, that the war with Mexico was continued.

President Polk, having announced to Congress that war with Mexico existed by her own act, was authorized to issue a call for fifty thousand volunteers. At the same time ten million dollars were voted for war purposes. The plan was to strike Mexico in three places. General Stephen F. Kearney was to invade New Mexico and California, General Taylor to continue operations along the Rio Grande, and General Winfield Scott, commander-in-chief, to invade Mexico from the Gulf coast, carrying the war into the heart of the enemy's country. So much for the subject in general. The call for the Mormon Battalion was a portion of the plan matured at Washington for the invasion by General Kearney of the northern provinces of Mexico.

Let us now go back a little further. Shortly before the war broke out, and soon after the beginning of the exodus from Nauvoo, Elder Jesse C. Little, at the suggestion of President Young, visited Washington for the purpose of soliciting governmental aid for his people in their exodus. No gift of money or of other means was asked, but it was thought that the national authorities might wish to employ the Saints in freighting provisions and naval stores to Oregon or other points on the Pacific coast. Elder Little, who was in the east when he received his instructions from Nauvoo, carried with him to the capital letters of introduction from Governor Steele, of New Hampshire, and Colonel Thomas L. Kane, of Philadelphia; the former an old acquaintance of Elder Little's, and the latter-Colonel Kane-one of those brave and chivalric souls, too rarely met with in this world, ever ready to espouse, from a pure sense of justice and knightly valor, the cause of the oppressed. Such a class he believed the Mormons to be. Colonel Kane was brother to Dr. Kane, the famous Arctic explorer. Governor Steele's letter was addressed to Secretary Bancroft, of the U. S. Navy; that of Colonel Kane to Vice-President George M. Dallas.

Through ex-Postmaster-General Amos Kendall, Elder Little obtained an introduction to President Polk and other distinguished personages, with whom he had several interviews, laying before them the situation and prospects of his people and their application for governmental aid. He was kindly received by the President, who referred to the Saints in favorable terms. He stated that he had no prejudice against them, but believed them to be good citizens and loyal Americans; as such he was "willing to do them all the good in his power, consistently." Elder Little, after his first interview with the President, addressed to him a petition which closed as follows:

From twelve to fifteen thousand Mormons have already left Nauvoo for California, and many others are making ready to go; some have gone around Cape Horn, and I trust, before this time, have landed at the Bay of San Francisco. We have about forty thousand in the British Isles, all determined to gather to this land, and thousands will sail this Fall. There are also many thousands scattered through the States, besides the great number in and around Nauvoo, who will go to California as soon as possible, but many are destitute of money to pay their passage either by sea or land.

We are true-hearted Americans, true to our native country, true to its laws, true to its glorious institutions; and we have a desire to go under the outstretched wings of the American Eagle; we would disdain to receive assistance from a foreign power, although it should be proffered, unless our Government shall turn us off in this great crisis, and compel us to be foreigners.

If you will assist us in this crisis, I hereby pledge my honor, as the representative of this people, that the whole body will stand ready at your call, and act as one man in the land to which we are going; and should our territory be invaded, we will hold ourselves ready to enter the field of battle, and then like our patriotic fathers, make the battle-field our grave, or gain our liberty.

Just at this juncture the news reached Washington that the conflict for some time pending between the United States and Mexico had begun, General Taylor having fought his first two battles with the Mexicans. This news, which set all Washington aflame, determined President Polk upon the project of taking immediate possession of California, and of using the migrating Mormons for that purpose. His plan, as laid before his cabinet, was to send Elder Little direct to the Mormon camps in Iowa, to raise a thousand picked men "to make a dash into California and take possession of it in the name of the United States." This battalion was to be officered by its own men, with the exception of the commander, who was to be appointed by the President. They were to be armed and equipped by the government, and furnished with cannon and everything necessary to defend the country they conquered. A thousand more Mormons from the eastern states were to be sent via Cape Horn in a U. S. transport for the same purpose. The plan was fully matured, and about to be executed, when it was changed through the influence of Senator Thomas Benton, of Missouri. Then came the adoption of the general plan of operations, involving a call for five hundred Mormon volunteers to form a portion of General Kearney's force to invade New Mexico and California.

About the middle of June Elder Little left Washington for the west. He was accompanied by Colonel Thomas L. Kane, who had been commissioned by the President to carry special dispatches to General Kearney, at Fort Leavenworth, relative to the Mormon Battalion.

The commander of the Army of the West, who was about to start for Santa Fe, on receiving these dispatches, at once detailed Captain James Allen to proceed to the camps of the Saints, muster the battalion, and march them to Fort Leavenworth, where they would be armed and prepared for the field. Thence he was to lead them to Santa Fe, in the trail of General Kearney and the main army. Captain Allen, accompanied by three dragoons, reached Mount Pisgah on the 26th of June. Elder Little and Colonel Kane, who were on the way thither, had not yet arrived. Here we touch the point in our narrative from which digression was made in order to explain more fully the call for the Mormon Battalion.

At sight of the recruiting officer and his men, the Mormons at Mount Pisgah were at first somewhat alarmed, supposing them to be the vanguard of a United States army sent to intercept them. The threat of Messrs. Benson and Company, conveyed in Elder Brannan's letter, relative to disarming and dispersing the Saints if their leaders refused to sign away their rights, was probably known at Mount Pisgah, and its fulfillment now seemed imminent. But Captain Allen soon explained his errand to Apostle Woodruff and the High Council of the Stake,c and the first thrill of excitement subsided. The following "Circular to the Mormons" set forth more in detail the import of the officer's visit:

CIRCULAR TO THE MORMONS.

I have come among you, instructed by Col. S. F. Kearney of the U. S. army, now commanding the Army of the West, to visit the Mormon camp, and to accept the service for twelve months of four or five companies of Mormon men who may be willing to serve their country for that period in our present war with Mexico; this force to unite with the Army of the West at Santa Fe, and be marched thence to California, where they will be discharged.

They will receive pay and rations, and other allowances, such as other volunteers or regular soldiers receive, from the day they shall be mustered into the service, and will be entitled to all comforts and benefits of regular soldiers of the army, and when discharged, as contemplated, at California, they will be given gratis their arms and accoutrements, with which they will be fully equipped at Fort Leavenworth. This is offered to the Mormon people now. This year an opportunity of sending a portion of their young and intelligent men to the ultimate destination of their whole people, and entirely at the expense of the United States, and this advanced party can thus pave the way and look out the land for their brethren to come after them.

Those of the Mormons who are desirous of serving their country, on the conditions here enumerated, are requested to meet me without delay at their principal camp at the Council Bluffs, whither I am going to consult with their principal men, and to receive and organize the force contemplated to be raised.

I will receive all healthy, able-bodied men of from eighteen to forty-five years of age.

J. ALLEN, Captain 1st Dragoons.

Camp of the Mormons, at Mount Pisgah, one hundred and thirty-eight miles east of Council Bluffs, June 26th, 1846.

NOTE.-I hope to complete the organization of this battalion in six days after my reaching Council Bluffs, or within nine days from this time.

Carrying letters of introduction from the authorities at Mount Pisgah to the leaders at Council Bluffs, Captain Allen hurried on to the Missouri, whither he was preceded by a special messenger, sent by Apostle Woodruff to inform the President of his coming.

The surprise, almost dismay, with which the main body of the Mormons received the startling news-startling indeed to them-that the United States government had demanded five hundred of their best men, to march to California and take part in the war against Mexico, may well be imagined. What! the nation which, according to their view, had virtually thrust them from its borders, permitted mobs to plunder them, rob them of their homes, murder their prophets, and drive them into the wilderness, now calling upon them for aid? Had that nation ever helped them in their extremity? Had not their appeals for succor and protection, addressed to Governors, Judges and Presidents invariably been ignored or denied? Five hundred able-bodied men, the pick and flower of the camp, wanted. And that, too, in an Indian country, in the midst of an exodus unparalleled for dangers and hardships, when every active man was needed as a bulwark of defense and a staff for the aged and feeble. Even delicate women, thus far, in some instances had been driving teams and tending stock, owing to the limited number of men available. And had they not already buried, in lonely prairie graves, many of their sick and helpless ones, who had perished from sheer lack of needed care impossible to bestow? Such was the subject as it presented itself to them. Such were among their thoughts and reflections at that hour.

And yet it was their country calling; that country to which their pilgrim ancestors had fled; for which their patriot sires had fought and suffered, whose deeds of heroism were among their highest and holiest traditions. America, land of liberty, land of Zion, the place for the Holy City which they or their children must yet uprear upon her chosen and consecrated soil! Such also were among their reflections.

What was to be done? What would their leaders decide to do? Queries, these, that flew like lightning, as the news of the coming of the government's agent sped from place to place, and from tent to tent, through all the "Camps of Israel." Not long were they left unanswered.

Levi Richards

"You shall have your battalion, Captain Allen," said Brigham Young; that officer having arrived at the Bluffs, met the Mormon leaders, and made known to them his errand in person. It was the 1st of July. There were present, besides the Captain and the President, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Willard Richards, George A. Smith, John Taylor, John Smith and Levi Richards. "You shall have your battalion," said Brigham determinedly, "and if there are not young men enough, we will take the old men, and if they are not enough, we will take the women," he added, a touch of grim humor tempering the sternness of his resolve. There not being enough able-bodied men on the Missouri to meet the requisition, back went three of the Apostles-Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards-to Mount Pisgah, in the role of recruiting sergeants. There they met Colonel Kane and Elder Little, the former, chaperoned by the latter, having come to visit the camps. From them they learned more fully of the avowed purpose of the government in calling for the Mormon volunteers.

The leaders were not convinced, however, that the call was not designed as a test of Mormon loyalty; nor were they converted from that view on hearing later, from a source esteemed reliable, that their inveterate foe, Senator Benton, of Missouri, had obtained from President Polk after the call was issued, a pledge that if the Mormons refused to respond, United States troops should be sent to cut off their route, disarm and disperse them. Of this they were yet unaware. Still they regarded the demand for the troops-"demand" they styled it-as designed to test their loyalty, and the opportunity to prove their fealty and stultify their traducers, who were insisting that they were traitors and aliens to their country, was one not to be lost.

Volunteers were enrolled at Mount Pisgah, and messengers sent to Garden Grove and other places, as far back as Nauvoo, to summon to head-quarters young men, old men and boys, to fill up the gaps in camp created by the enlistment of the Battalion. Men were detailed especially to look after the families of the volunteers in their absence. The President and his party then returned to Council Bluffs, Colonel Kane going also, and on the arrival there of the Pisgah volunteers the muster was completed. Colonel Kane thus speaks of the event: "A central mass meeting for council, some harangues at the more remotely scattered camps, an American flag brought out from the store-house of things rescued and hoisted to the top of a tree-mast, and in three days the force was reported, mustered, organized and ready to march."

What were the Mormons doing with that "American flag?" What use had they for the Stars and Stripes, and why were they bringing with them into the wilderness-into Mexico-the sacred banner of their sires, if they were indeed traitors and aliens, as their enemies so persistently asserted? Was it all a trick, a political and hypocritical master-stroke? Had they foreseen this test of their fealty, and prepared that banner as a proof of their patriotism beforehand, as calcium light and red-fire are prepared and held in readiness for a theatrical tableau? If as much were to be asserted in relation to that event, it would be no more than the Mormons have had to meet ever since that hour from their accusers. Such of these as are honest and sincere in their assertions have never understood the Mormons aright.

"I want to say to every man," said Brigham Young, in his farewell address to the Battalion,-"the Constitution of the United States, as framed by our fathers, was dictated, was revealed, was put into their hearts by the Almighty, . . . and I tell you in the name of Jesus Christ it is as good as ever I could ask for. I say unto you, magnify the laws. There is no law in the United States, or in the Constitution, but I am ready to make honorable." He had before remarked to Colonel Kane-re-uttering an idea formerly advanced by Joseph Smith-that the time would come when the Saints would "have to save the Government of the United States, or it would crumble to atoms." A people who cherish such sentiments may seem fanatical, but they certainly are not disloyal.

After a farewell ball in Father Taylor's "bowery,"d where to the music of violin, horn, triangle, bells and tambourine, the glowing hours of a midsummer afternoon were cheerily, merrily chased and consumed, the advance companies of the Battalion set out for Fort Leavenworth. The date of the enlistment was the 16th of July. In all, the Battalion numbered five hundred and forty-nine souls. As many of these volunteers had much to do with the early settlement of Utah and were virtually among the pioneers of the Territory, we deem it but proper to here preserve the record of their names. The various companies and the personnel of each were as follows:

LIST OF NAMES IN THE MORMON BATTALION.

COMPANY A.

Officers.

Jefferson Hunt, Captain. Alexander McCord, 4th Sergeant.

George W. Oman, 1st Lieutenant. Gilbert Hunt, 1st Corporal.

Lorenzo Clark, 2nd Lieutenant. Lafayette N. Frost, 2nd Corporal.

William W. Willis, 3rd Lieutenant, Thomas Weir, 3rd Corporal (Private at

(1st Sergeant at Muster In). M.O.)

James Ferguson, Sergeant Major. William S. Muir, 4th Corporal (Private at

Phinehas R. Wright, 1st Sergeant M.I., 1st Sergeant at Muster Out.)

(Private at Muster Out.) Elisha Everett, Musician.

Ebenezer Brown, 2nd Sergeant. Joseph W. Richards, Musician, (Died at

Reddick N. Allred, 3rd Sergeant. Pueblo.)

Privates.

1 Allen, Rufus C. 32 Egbert, Robert C. 62 Oyler, Melcher

2 Allred, James R. 34 Fairbanks, Henry 63 Packard, Henry, (M. C.

3 Allred, James T.S. 35 Frederick, David as Corporal.)

4 Allred, Reuben W. 36 Glines, James H. (Q. M. 64 Persons, Ebenezer

5 Allen, Albern Sergeant at M. I., Pri- 65 Roe, Cariatat C.

6 Brown, John vate at M. O.) 66 Riter, John

7 Butterfield, Jacob K. 37 Garner, David 67 Steele, George E.

8 Bailey, James 38 Gordon, Gilman 68 Steele, Isaiah C.

9 Brunson, Clinton D. 39 Goodwin, Andrew 69 Sessions, Richard

10 Brass, Benjamin 40 Hulett, Schuyler 70 Shepherd, Lafayette,

11 Blanchard, Mervin S. 41 Holden, Elijah E. (M.O. as Corporal.)

12 Beckstead, Gordon S. 42 Hampton, James (died at 7l Swartout Hamilton

13 Beckstead, Orin M. camp, on Rio Grande.) 72 Sexton, George

14 Rickmore, Gilbert 43 Hawkins, Benjamin 73 Sessions, John

15 Brown, William W. 44 Hickenlooper, William F. 74 Sessions, William B.

16 Beran, James 45 Hunt, Martial 75 Taylor, Joseph

17 Bryant, John S. 46 Hewett, Eli B. 76 Thompson, John

18 Curtis, Josiah 47 Hudson, Wilford 77 Vrandenburg Adna

19 Cox, Henderson 48 Hoyt, Timothy S. 78 Weaver, Miles

20 Chase, Hiram B. 49 Hoyt, Henry P. 79 Wriston, John P.

21 Calkins, Alva C. 50 Ivy, Richard A. 80 Wriston, Isaac N.

22 Casper, William W. 51 Jackson, Charles A. 81 Weaver, Franklin

23 Calkins, James W. 52 Johnson, Henry 82 Wilson, Alfred G.

24 Calkins, Sylvanus 53 Kelly, William 83 Wheeler, Merrill W.

25 Calkins, Edwin R. 54 Kelley, Nicholas 84 White, Samuel S.

26 Colman, George 55 Kibley, James (Samuel F. in original)

27 Clark, Joseph 56 Lemon, James W. 85 Webb, Charles Y.

28 Clark, Riley G. 57 Lake, Barnabas 86 Winn, Dennis

29 Decker, Zechariah B. 58 Moss, David 87 Woodworth, Lysander

30 Dobson, Joseph 59 Maxwell, Maxie 88 White, Joseph

31 Dodson, Eli 60 Mayfield, Benjamin F. 89 Willey, Jeremiah

32 Earl, James C. 61 Naile, Conrad

COMPANY B.

Officers.

Jesse D. Hunter, Captain. David P. Rainey, 1st Corporal.

Elam Luddington, lst Lieutenant. Thomas Dunn, 2nd Corporal.

Ruel Barrus, 2nd Lieutenant. John D. Chase, 3rd Corporal.

Philemon C. Merrill, 3rd Lieutenant. William Hunter, Musician.

William Coray, 1st Orderly Sergeant. George W. Taggart, Musician.

William Hyde, 2nd Orderly Sergeant. Albert Smith, 3rd Orderly Sergeant.

Privates.

1 Allen, George 31 Evans, William 61 Noler, Christian

2 Allen, Elijah 32 Eastman, Marcus N. 62 Owens, Robert

3 Alexander, Horace M. 33 Freeman, Elijah N. 63 Pearson, Ephraim

4 Allen, Franklin 34 Follett, William A. 64 Persons, Harmon D.

5 Bush, Richard 35 Fife, Peter 65 Prouse, William

6 Bird, William 36 Green, Ephraim 66 Park, James 1st

7 Bingham, Thomas 37 Garner, William A. 67 Park, James 2nd

8 Bingham, Erastus 38 Garner, Phillip 68 Richards, Peter F.

9 Billings, Orson 39 Hawk, Nathan 69 Rogers, Samuel H.

10 Bigler, Henry W. 40 Huntsman, Isaiah 70 Study, David

11 Boley, Samuel (died on 41 Hoffheins, Jacob 71 Smith, Azariah

Missouri River) 42 Hanks, Ephraim R. 72 Stevens, Lyman

12 Barrowman, John 43 Hawk, William 73 Stoddard, Rufus

13 Brackenberry, Benj. B. 44 Hinkley, Arza E. (Ezra 74 Simmons, William A.

14 Brown, Francis on original) 75 Sly, James C.

15 Bliss, Robert S. 45 Hunter, Edward 76 Steers, Andrew J.

16 Bybee, John 46 Haskell, George 77 Stillman, Dexter

17 Clark, George S. 47 Harris, Silas 78 Workman, Andrew J

18 Colton, Philander 48 Jones, David H. 79 Walker, William

19 Cheney, Zacheus 49 Keyser, Guy M. 80 Willis, Ira

20 Callahan, Thomas W. 50 King, John M. 81 Workman, Oliver G.

21 Church, Haden W. 51 Kirk, Thomas 82 Willis, W. S. S.

22 Camp, J.G. 52 Lawson, John 83 Watts, John

23 Carter, P.J. 53 Morris, Thomas 84 Whitney, Francis T.

24 Curtis, Dorr P. 54 McCarty, Nelson 85 Wright, Charles

25 Carter, R. 55 Mount, Hiram B. 86 Wilcox, Edward

26 Dayton, William J. 56 Martin, Jesse B. 87 Wilcox, Henry

27 Dutcher, Thomas P. 57 Murdock, John R. 88 Wheeler, John L.

28 Dolton, Henry S. 58 Murdock, Price 89 Winters, Jacob

29 Dunham, Albert 59 Myers, Samuel 90 Zabriskie, Jerome

30 Evans, Israel 60 Miles, Samuel

COMPANY C.

Officers.

James Brown, Captain. Joel J. Terrill, 3rd Sergeant,(Private at M.O.)

George W. Rosecrans, 1st Lieutenant. David Wilken, 4th Sergeant; (Private at M. O.)

Samuel Thompson, 2nd Lieutenant, Jabez Nowlin, 1st Corporal; (Private at M. O.)

Robert Cliff, (Promoted from Orderly Ser- Alexander Brown, 2nd Corporal.

geant to 3rd Lieutenant.) Edward Martin, 3rd Corporal; (2nd Ser-

Orson B. Adams, 1st Sergeant at M. I., 2nd geant at M. O.

Sergeant at M.O. Daniel Tyler, 4th Corporal; (3rd Sergt. at M.O.)

Elijah Eltner, 2nd Sergeant at M. I., 1st Richard D. Sprague, Musician.

Sergeant at M.O. Russell G. Brownell, Musician; (Corp'l at M.O.)

Privates.

1 Adair, Wesley 31 Gould, Samuel 62 Peck, Thorit, (Corporal

2 Boyle, Henry G. (Henry 32 Gibson, Thomas at M. O.)

B. Miller on original) 33 Green, John 63 Peck, Isaac

3 Burr, William 34 Hatch, Meltliah 64 Pulsipher, David

4 Barney, Walter 35 Hatch, Orin 65 Persons, Judson

5 Babcock, Lorenzo 36 Holt, William 66 Richie, Benjamin

6 Brown, Jesse J. 37 Harmon, Ebenezer 67 Rust, William W.

7 Bailey, Addison 38 Harmon, Lorenzo F. 68 Richmond, Benjamin

8 Bailey, Jefferson 39 Holdaway, Shadrach 69 Reynolds, William

9 Beckstead, William E. 40 Hendriekson, James 70 Riser, John J.

10 Brimhall, John 41 Hancock, Charles 71 Smith, Milton

11 Blackburn, Abner 42 Hancock, George W. 72 Smith, Richard

12 Bybee, Henry G. 43 Ivie, Thomas C. 73 Shupe, James

13 Clift, James 44 Johnston, William J. 74 Shupe, Andrew J.

14 Covil, John Q.A. 45 Johnston, Jesse W. 75 Shipley, Joseph

15 Condit, Jeptha 46 Johnson, Jarvis 76 Squires, William, (Cor-

16 Carpenter, Isaac 47 Layton, Christopher poral at M. O.)

17 Carpenter, William H. 48 Larson, Thurston 77 Shumway, Aurora

18 Calvert, John 49 Landers, Ebenezer 78 Thompson, James L.

19 Catlin, George W. 50 Lewis, Samuel 79 Thomas, Nathan T.

20 Donald, Neal 51 Myler, James 80 Thomas, Elijah

21 Dunn, James 52 McCullough, Levi H. 81 Turtle, Elanson

22 Dalton, Harry 53 Morey, Harley 82 Truman, Jacob M.

23 Dalton, Edward 54 Maggard, Benjamin 83 Tindell, Solomon

24 Durphy, Francillo 55 Mowrey, John T. 84 Wade, Edward W.

25 Dodge, Augustus E. 56 Mead, Orlando F. 85 Wade, Moses

26 Forbush, Lorin 57 More, Calvin W. 86 Wood, William

27 Fellows, Hiram W. 58 Olmstead, Hiram 87 White, John J.

28 Fife, John 59 Perkins, David 88 Wilcox, Matthew

29 Fifield, Levi 60 Perkins, John 89 Welsh, Madison

30 Gould, John C. 61 Pickup, George 90 Wheeler, Henry

COMPANY D.

Officers.

Nelson Higgins, Captain. Alpheus P. Haws, 4th Sergeant.

George P. Dykes, 1st Lieutenant. Arnold Stephens, 1st Corporal.

Sylvester Hulett, 2nd Lieutenant. John Buchanan, 2nd Corporal.

Cyrus C. Canfield, 3rd Lieutenant. William Coon, 3rd Corporal.

Nathaniel V. Jones, 1st Sergeant; (Private Lewis Lane, 4th Corporal; (Private at M. O.)

at M.O.) Willard Smith, Musician.

Thomas Williams, 2nd Sergeant. Henry W. Jackson, (Henry J.on original.)

Luther T. Turtle, 3rd Sergeant. Musician.

Privates.

1 Abbott, Joshua 32 Gribble, William 61 Richmond, William

2 Averett, Juthan 33 Hoagland, Lucas 62 Robinson, William

3 Brown, James 1st 34 Henry, Daniel 63 Raymond, Almon P.

4 Brown, James S 35 Hirons James 64 Smith, John G.

5 Badlam, Samuel 36 Huntington, Dimick B. 65 Stephens, Alexander

6 Button, Montgomery 37 Hendricks, Wm. D. 66 Spencer, William W.

7 Brizzee, Henry W. 38 Holmes, Jonathan 67 Stewart, Benjamin

8 Boyd, George W. 39 Higgins, Alfred 68 Stewart, James

9 Boyd, William 40 Hunsaker, Abraham, 69 Stewart, Robert B.

10 Barger, William W. (1st Sergt. at M.O.) 70 Sargent, Abel M.

11 Compton, Allen 41 Jacobs, Sanford, 71 Savage, Levi

12 Cole, James B. (Corporal at M. O.) 72 Stillman, Clark

18 Casto, William 42 Kenny, Loren E. 73 Swarthout, Nathan

14 Casto, James 43 Lamb, Lisbon 74 Sharp, Albert

15 Curtis Foster 44 Laughlin, David S. 75 Sharp, Norman

16 Clawson, John B. 45 Maxwell, William 76 Shelton, Sebert C.

17 Cox, Amos 46 Meeseck, Peter J. 77 Sanderson, Henry W.

18 Collins, Robert H. 47 Meacham, Erastus 78 Steele, John

19 Chase, Abner 48 Bingham, Erastus 79 Thompson, Henry

20 Davis, Sterling 49 Merrill, Ferdinand 80 Thompson, Miles

21 Davis, Eleazer 50 McArthur, Henry 81 Tanner, Myron

22 Davis, James 51 Oakley, James 82 Twitchel, Anciel

23 Douglas, Ralph 52 Owen, James 83 Tubbs, William

24 Douglas, James 53 Peek, Edwin M. 84 Treat, Thomas

25 Fleether, Philander 54 Pertin, Charles 85 Hayward, Thomas

26 Frazier, Thomas 55 Pettegrew, James P. 86 Tippets, John

27 Fatoute, Ezra 56 Rollins, John 87 Walker, Edwin

28 Forsgreen John 57 Rawson, Daniel B. 88 Woodward, Francis

29 Finlay, Thomas 58 Roberts, Benjamin 89 Whiting, Almon

30 Gilbert, John 59 Bunyan, Levi 90 Whiting, Edmond

31 Gifford, William W. 60 Rowe, William

COMPANY E.

Officers.

Daniel C. Davis, Captain. Ebenezer Hanks, 3rd. Sergt.

James Pace, 1st. Lieut. Daniel Browett, 4th. Sergt.

Andrew Lytle, 2d. Lieut. James A. Scott, Corp. (died at Pueblo)

Samuel L. Gully, 3rd. Lieut. Levi W. Hancock, Musician.

Samuel L. Brown, 1st. Sergt. Jesse Earl.

Richard Brazier, 2nd. Sergt.

Privates.

1 Allen John, (drummed 28 Harmon, Oliver N. 56 Pugmire, Jonathan, jun.

out of service, 29 Harris, Robert 57 Rollins --

non-"Mormon ") 30 Harrison, Isaac 58 Richardson, Thomas

2 Allen, George 31 Hart, James S. 59 Richards, L.

3 Bentley, John 32 Harrison, Israe 60 Roberts, L.

4 Beers, William 33 Hess, John W. 61 Sanders, Richard T.

5 Brown, Daniel 34 Hickmot, John 62 Scott, Leonard M.

6 Buckley, Newman 35 Hopkins, Charles 63 Scott, James B.

7 Bunker, Edward 36 Hoskins, Henry 64 Skein, Joseph

8 Caldwell, Matthew 37 Howell, T. C. D. 65 Spidle, John

9 Campbell, Samuel 38 Howell, William 66 Slater, Richard

10 Campbell, Jonathan 39 Jacobs, Bailey 67 Snyder, John

11 Gazier, James 40 Judd, Hiram 68 Smith, Lot

12 Cazier, John 41 Judd, Zadock K. 69 Smith, David

13 Clark, Samuel 42 Jimmerson, Charles 70 Smith, Elisha

14 Clark, Albert 43 Knapp, Albert 71 Smith, John

15 Chapin, Samuel 44 Kelley, George 72 St. John, Stephen M.

16 Cox, John 45 Karren, Thomas 73 Stephens, Roswell

17 Cummings, George 46 Lance, William 74 Standage, Henry

18 Day, Abraham 47 McLelland, Wm. C. 75 Strong, William

19 Dyke, Simon 48 Miller, Daniel 76 Tanner, Albert

20 Dennett, Daniel Q. 49 McBride, Haslam 77 West, Benj.

21 Earl, Jacob 50 Miller, Miles 78 Wilson, George

22 Ewell, Wm. 51 Park, Wm. A. 79 Woolsey, Thomas

23 Ewell, Martin F. 52 Pettegrew, David 80 Williams, James V.

24 Earl, Justice G. 53 Pixton, Robert 81 Whirworth, Wm.

25 Findlay, John 54 Phelps, Alva, (died

26 Follett, William T. on the Arkansas)

27 Glazier, Luther W. 55 Porter, Sanford

Several families of women and children accompanied their husbands and fathers in the Battalion, and these, with the officers' servants, brought the full number up to five hundred and forty-nine.

Captain James Allen, whose brave and generous spirit had from the first endeared him to every soul in the Battalion, to the great grief of all fell sick and died at Fort Leavenworth on the 23rd of August. Lieutenant A. J. Smith, an officer not so highly esteemed by them, then took command of the Battalion and marched them to Santa Fe, which town had already been captured by General Kearney.

On October 13th, by order of the General, Colonel Philip St. George Cooke, a brusque and eccentric though brave and manly officer, assumed command of the Mormon Battalion. Then began their arduous and heroic march across the burning plains and rugged mountains of New Mexico to southern California. In all, the Battalion marched, from the Missouri to the Pacific, a distance of over two thousand miles, pioneering much of the way through an untrodden wilderness, braving dangers and enduring hardships compared with which fighting would have been mere sport. Said Colonel Cooke, their commander: "History may be searched in vain for an equal march of infantry."

Short rations, lack of water, excessive toil in road-making, well-digging and over-marching, caused much suffering, sickness and some deaths among the Battalion. Even before reaching Santa Fe their sufferings were severe, and many were disabled and prevented from proceeding farther. These disabled detachments, with most of the women of the Battalion, were placed in charge of Captain James Brown and ordered to Pueblo on the head-waters of the Arkansas River, while their comrades, the main body, including four womene who accompanied their husbands, pushed on to the Pacific coast. They arrived near San Diego late in January, 1847.

General Kearney had reached California some time before, but with only a few men, having disbanded most of his force on being informed en route that California was already in the possession of the United States. Colonel John C. Fremont, who with sixty men was exploring west of the Sierras when the war broke out, had rallied the American settlers of Sacramento Valley-a few hundred strong-and with the co-operation of Commodores Sloat and Stockton, all but subdued the country before Kearney came. A few skirmishes then took place, and the conquest was complete. The war in California being virtually over before Colonel Cooke's command could reach the coast, the Mormon Battalion did not take part in any engagement. Fort-building and garrison service were about all that was required of them. Nevertheless they did much work as mechanics and laborers. They performed their duties in such a manner as to elicit the commendation of their military superiors, and win the sincere esteem of the native Californians.f Fremont and some of his men were their foes.g But General Kearney, Governor Mason and others in authority spoke in high praise of the patience, subordination and general good conduct of the Mormon soldiers.h

Prior to Kearney's arrival Colonel Fremont-authorized, it is said, by Commodore Stockton-had made himself military governor of California. As such he refused to recognize Kearney's authority. Thereupon the latter, backed by Colonel Cooke and the Mormon Battalion-the principal force then at his command-had Fremont arrested for insubordination and taken to Washington, where he was court-martialed.