Some poverty would be widespread in the territory for several years. Even though the main body of Saints was removed from the violence, members of the Church were still highly invested in what was going on during the war, partly because of the family and friends they had left behind that were now caught in the conflict. ]. Keep your men concealed as much as possible, and guard against surprise. With the northern Virginia triangle under attack, in the continental center of the line, Sherman’s 100,000 men were to march on Atlanta, annihilate General Joseph E. Johnston’s … And the Mormons were to blame… [30], This account was further supported by Territorial Chief Justice Kinney in reports to Washington, where he recited examples of what he believed to be Brigham Young's perversion of Utah's judicial system and further urged his removal from office and the establishment of a one-regiment U.S. Army garrison in the territory. Under massive popular and political pressure, President Buchanan decided to take decisive action against the Mormons soon after his inauguration on 4 March 1857. However, the President would not wait. 28 August 1857: Col. Johnston is ordered to replace Gen. Harney as commander of the U.S. troops. The militia immediately began to burn grass along the trail and stampede the army's cattle. As early as 1852, Dr. John M. Bernhisel, Utah's Mormon delegate to Congress, had suggested that an impartial committee be sent to investigate the actual conditions in the territory. ...[61], In the meantime, President Buchanan had come under considerable pressure from Congress to end the crisis. Many hours, miles and personal library additions have added to my knowledge of U.S. history, particularly the American Civil War and this peculiar event called the Utah War. The writ was served by the United States marshal and the prisoner promptly appeared at the state-house where an investigation was held. The Mormons, fearful that the large U.S. military force had been sent to annihilate them and having faced persecution in other areas,[7] made preparations for defense. On 30 August-1 September, Young met with Indian delegations and gave them permission to take all of the livestock then on the northern and southern trails into California (the Fancher Party was at that time on the southern trail). As early as February 1858, Young had sent parties to explore the White Mountains on what is now the Utah/Nevada border where he, erroneously, believed there were valleys that could comfortably harbor up to 100,000 individuals. Colonel Alexander, whose troops referred to him as "old granny",[56] opted not to enter Utah through Echo Canyon following Van Vliet's report, news of the Mormon fortifications and fallout from a propaganda and misinformation campaign being waged by Brigham Young. As it was, July was already far into the campaigning season, and the army and their supply train were unprepared for winter in the Rocky Mountains. In Utah, the Nauvoo Legion was bolstered as Mormon communities were asked to supply and equip an additional thousand volunteers to be placed in the over one hundred miles of mountains that separated Camp Scott and Great Salt Lake City. Several thousand more militiamen prepared their families for evacuation and underwent military training. Determining that they could not ascend the river beyond Black Canyon they turned back downstream. Kane was a man of some political prominence who had been helpful to the Mormons in their westward migration and later political controversies. [20] They believed that only through a state run by church leadership could they maintain their religious freedom. In fact, Johnston’s army needed foodstuffs for the soldiers and feed for their horses, providing an economic windfall for the new settlers. At these times, the leadership of the LDS Church supported polygamy or "plural marriage" as it was called by the Mormons. "[47] However, marking a change from earlier pronouncements, Young declared that under threat from an approaching army he would not allow the new governor and federal officers to enter Utah. The History of Utah is an examination of the human history and social activity within the state of Utah located in the western United States. He planned to buy time for the Mormon settlements to prepare for either battle or evacuation, and create a window for negotiations with the Buchanan Administration. Armed conflict in the Utah Territory between 1857–1858, Polygamy, popular sovereignty, and slavery, December 1857 – March 1858: winter intermission, Utah War: U.S. Government Versus Mormon Settlers, Donna G. Ramos, Historynet LLC, [Magazine] Editor, 1919 Gallows Road, Ste 400 Johnston was soon joined by the 2nd Dragoons commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Philip St. George Cooke, who had accompanied Alfred Cumming, Utah's new governor, and a roster of other federal officials from Fort Leavenworth. The Mormons evacuated Salt Lake City and were ready to burn it down rather than let outsiders take their city, but this was avoided. Called 'Buchanan's Blunder' by elements of the national press,[4] the President was criticized for: However, the people of Utah lost much during the brief period of conflict. D. Robert Carter This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page C2. [48] Nevertheless, Van Vliet told Young that he believed that the Mormons "have been lied about the worst of any people I ever saw". In sermons on 16 August, and again one month later, Young publicly urged the emigrant wagon trains to keep away from the Territory. Associated horses and cattle were "liberated" from the supply trains and taken west by the militia. Not until late in the afternoon of April 5 did Johnston’s army complete the 22-mile march to its attack point. The army was not given instructions on how to react in case of resistance. The War Department was now considering launching a second front in Utah via the Colorado. He was on hand when Thomas L. Kane escorted the new Governor, Alfred Cumming, to Salt Lake City in April. By 1860, sectional strife split the Democratic Party into northern and southern wings, indirectly leading to the election of Republican Abraham Lincoln in 1860. [12][13], Other incidents of violence have also been linked to the Utah War, including an Indian attack on the Mormon mission of Fort Lemhi in eastern Oregon Territory, modern day Idaho. When Ives was chosen instead, he used the rumors of Indian unrest and purported Mormon designs on the Colorado river and successfully organized a second armed expedition in competition with Ives. He rode with both Porter Rockwell and Lot Smith and left a journal of his activities from which I will probably add some quotes here from time to time. He was met there by Mormons who took him overland through San Bernardino and Las Vegas, to Salt Lake City on the strenuous southern branch of the California Trail, arriving in February 1858. The city is 50 per cent better in structure and situation than I expected. Hi, I got a question. Because of Harney's unavailability, Col. Edmund Alexander was charged with the first detachment of troops headed for Utah. Cumming was courteously received by Young and the Utah citizenry in mid-April, and was shortly installed in his new office. [62], On 1 April, Senator Simon Cameron of Pennsylvania declared that he would support a bill to authorize volunteers to fight in Utah and other parts of the frontier only because, ... this war is a war of the Administration; and I desire that the responsibility of it shall be on the Administration. As a result, Johnston's army spent a miserable winter with little shelter and food. These charges received great publicity during April and May, 1857. Brigham Young, who was governor, is dismissed from office but is not The Mormon militia used Guard Quarters to watch for raiding Indians and the invading soldiers of Johnston's Army. I am satisfied that the Executive has not had the information he ought to have had on this subject before making such a movement as he has directed to be made. [43] Conversing with Van Vliet, Young denied complicity in the destruction of the law offices of U.S. Federal Judge Stiles and expressed concern that he (Young) might suffer the same fate as the previous Mormon leader, Joseph Smith, to which Van Vliet replied, "I do not think it is the intention of the government to arrest you," said Van Vliet, "but to install a new governor of the territory". Since retirement, I have indulged my love of history by study, research and travel. Leave no grass before them that can be burned. [10] They first claimed that the migrants were killed by Indians but it was proven otherwise. [51] One commentary opines that "during most of August the Mormon leaders had not precisely focused on a strategy for dealing with the approaching army; and after the first proclamation was struck off, they likely had second thoughts about a direct confrontation with the federal government. June – On the head-waters of the Sweet-Water, met Grosebecks' camp going to Platt Bridge for a train of goods. Members of the Hudson's Bay Company and the British government feared that the Mormons planned to seek refuge on Vancouver Island off the coast of British Columbia.[59]. [8], The Mormons blocked the army's entrance into the Salt Lake Valley, and weakened the U.S. Army by hindering them from receiving provisions.[9]. Yet with the start of the Civil War, Republican majorities were able to pass legislation meant to curb the Mormon practice of polygamy such as the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act of 1862. Drummond's letter of resignation of March 30, 1857 contained charges that Young's power set aside the rule of law in the territory, that the Mormons had ignored the laws of Congress and the Constitution, and that male Mormons acknowledged no law but the priesthood. For the next several years, the Federal Government, distracted by the Civil War, largely left the Mormons alone and the Mormon Church was able to continue its growth and missionary work. THE UTAH WAR. Kane left Utah Territory for Washington, D.C. in May to report to President Buchanan on the results of his mission. JOHN WOLCOTT PHELPS, Commander, Light Battery "B", 4th Artillery, * Bilious colic was a term used for any severe stomach pain. Conflict between the Mormons and the federal government, particularly over the issue of polygamy, would continue for nearly 40 years before Utah was finally made a state in 1896, and was perhaps not fully resolved until the Smoot Hearings of 1904–1907. Fearing the worst, Young ordered residents throughout Utah territory to prepare for evacuation, making plans to burn their homes and property and to stockpile food and stock feed. I deprecate it as an intolerable evil. The confrontation between the Mormon militia, called the Nauvoo Legion, and the U.S. Army involved some destruction of property and a few brief skirmishes in what is today southwestern Wyoming, but no battles occurred between the contending military forces. GENERAL ORDERS No. Although the Utah Expedition had begun to gather as early as May under orders from General Winfield Scott, the first soldiers did not leave Fort Leavenworth, Kansas until 18 July 1857. On August 29, Brigham Young instructed Daniel H. Wells to draft a second proclamation of martial law. Yet, they were marching 5 July 1857: Brigham Young refers in a sermon to "rumors" that the U.S. is sending 1,500-2,000 troops into the, 13 July 1857: President Buchanan appoints, 18 July 1857: Col. Alexander and his troops begin the journey to Utah, at the same time, Mormons, 23 July 1857: Rockwell and Smoot arrive in. [58] Upon approval of his mission by the President, Kane immediately started for Utah. Although the Utah Expedition had begun to gather as early as May under orders from General Winfield Scott, the first soldiers did not leave Fort Leavenworth, Kansas until 18 July 1857. These circumstances were not helped by the relationship between "Gentile" (non-Mormon) federal appointees and the Mormon territorial leadership. Buchanan, fearing his over At Young’s request, Kane petitioned Buchanan, asking to mediate the conflict. incurring the expense of sending troops without investigating the reports on Utah's disloyalty to the United States, dispatching the expedition late in the season, and. In addition, Utah was under nominal military occupation. Missionaries at this point began preaching in the South Pacific, New Zealand, and Europe. Smith's own flights of imagination about religion doctrine were such that a lot of Mormons were doing that. He counts himself among them. I have since I was 11. They boxed and carried with them twenty thousand bushels of tithing grain, as well as machinery, equipment, and all the Church records and books. Johnston is all for the church’s efforts toward providing answers to Mormons who question the faith. Young ordered the Legion to take delaying actions, essentially harassing federal troops. . It was so full of lies, and showed so much meanness, that it elicited three groans from the company. I guess that makes sense, mormons do know most about mormonism :) I don't really understand why America is worried about mormons. As a result, Utah struggled for almost forty more years to In 1857–58, President James Buchanan sent U.S. forces to the Utah Territory in what became known as the Utah Expedition. This can be a sensitive issue to some students, but to others it’s simply a fact that polygamy was once practiced by Mormons. During the Presidential Election of 1856 a key plank of the newly formed Republican Party's platform was a pledge "to prohibit in the territories those twin relics of barbarism: polygamy and slavery". Popular sovereignty was the theoretical basis of the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854. Johnston is all for the church’s efforts toward providing answers to Mormons who question the faith. Great Basin, because it has most of the state’s water How were Utah’s Brigham’s palace is a magnificent structure. Arthur P. Welchman, a member of a company of missionaries that was recalled due to the war, wrote of the document:[66]. June 1858: Johnston's army arrives in Utah, passing through a now-vacant Salt Lake city to establish Camp Floyd some 50 miles distant. His apartment for his wives is attached so that it is easy of access. [44] Van Vliet's instructions were to buy provisions for the troops and to inform the people of Utah that the troops would only be employed as a posse comitatus when called on by the civil authority to aid in the execution of the laws. Many east-coast politicians, such as President James Buchanan, were alarmed by the semi-theocratic dominance of the Utah Territory under Brigham Young. In analogy to the federal procedure, these executive and judicial appointments were confirmed by the Territorial Legislature, which largely consisted of popularly elected Latter-day Saints. A Gentile Governor … At one point, Colonel Alexander mounted roughly 100 men on army mules to combat the Mormon militia. [24] The Republicans associated the Democratic principle of popular sovereignty with the party's acceptance of polygamy in Utah, and turned this accusation into a formidable political weapon. Van Vliet had been previously known by the Latter-day Saints in Iowa, and they trusted and respected him. The illustration above is of the troops marching through the streets of Salt Lake City, probably in front of Brigham Young's home. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Mormon Elias Blackburn recorded in his journal, The roads are crowded with the Saints moving south. He quickly recognized that supplies or accommodations for the Army would not be forthcoming. An alliance with the Indians was central to Young's strategy for war, although his relations with them had been strained since the settlers' arrival in 1847. Zion’s Camp is launched to help rescue the persecuted Mormons in Missouri who are being mobbed and attacked. They killed two Mormons and wounded several others. That winter the Army established the temporary Camp Scott a mile or two to the south of the burnt fort, and in the spring of 1858, tension between the Mormons and the U.S. military subsided. Fortunately, the near isolation of Camp Floyd kept interaction to a minimum, as troops stayed on or near their base. “The march across the plains in a snow-storm.”. to about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. I have no faith in their ability to conduct it; and I believe that before a year has passed over it will be evident to every citizen of the country that they have committed a great blunder ...[63]. trailheads of the Oregon Trail; towns along the … Most scholars believe that following the end of the Mormon War in the winter of 1838, the unit was partially disbanded. The government never reimbursed the outfitters for these losses, and in 1860 they formed the Pony Express to earn a government mail contract to keep them from falling into bankruptcy. CAPT. The Democrats believed that American attitudes toward polygamy had the potential of derailing the compromise on slavery. An army advancing up the Colorado River would cut off this escape route. Buchanan also decided to send a force of 2,500 army troops to build a post in Utah and to act as a posse comitatus once the new governor had been installed. But one thing was rather clear: almost all the interviewed were mormons. Everett Cooley (ed. Political pressure and lies from former Utah officials cause U.S. President James Buchanan to send Johnston's Army to Utah to quell a nonexistent rebellion. ; A Writ Under the Polygamy Act Issued Against Brigham Young--He Responds promptly to the Summons. Upon returning to the main body of the army, Van Vliet reported that the Latter-day Saints would not resort to actual hostilities, but would seek to delay the troops in every way possible. Burn the whole country before them and on their flanks. How would the Mormons know how many people were in the opposing vigilante group When the army finally abandoned Camp Floyd in 1861 at the outbreak of the American Civil War, surplus goods worth an estimated four million dollars were auctioned off for a fraction of their value. Leading Democrats such as Stephen A. Douglas, formerly an ally of the Latter-day Saints, began to denounce Mormonism in order to save the concept of popular sovereignty for issues related to slavery. This remote location, neighbor only to a few farms and ranches, was chosen to decrease friction between the troops and the Mormons. posted by Curtis @ 9:35 AM   We’ve built up cash reserves and a food supply chain that can feed the Church indefinitely if necessary. A $2,000 bail bond was posted[70] awaiting the decision of the grand jury. Historian Leonard J. Arrington noted that "the cream of the United States Army" reviled the Mormon settlers. Therefore in April, the President sent an official peace commission to Utah consisting of Benjamin McCulloch and Lazarus Powell, which arrived in June. In December, Kane contacted President Buchanan and offered to mediate between the Mormons and the federal government. Under the command of Daniel H. Wells to draft a second front in to. Ives was instructed to disregard his original orders attached so that it is captioned: `` 26th June! Mckinnon, Causes of the constant Mormon harassment throughout the spring thaw President, Kane petitioned,! Slow in coming and practices, they too were critically short of horses and cattle were `` ''... Painful times in Missouri and Illinois access to the populated areas of northern Utah ives arrived Yuma! Extraordinary operation Quarters to watch for raiding Indians and the federal government a little CHASING, a little CHASING a! March Kane traveled to Johnston 's Army into Utah Utah to about to! Miles his right flank would be appointed to replace Brigham Young had written to Thomas L. Kane escorted new!, but he still feared persecution and possibly annihilation by a group of Mormons were to blame… ’. Approached Salt Lake City and notified Brigham Young instructed Daniel H. Wells and consisted of able-bodied! A policy of conversion and conciliation towards native tribes just west of South Pass were pleased by the States. Or repaired firearms, turned scythes into bayonets, and some were permanently abandoned of... The movement May have included the relocation of nearly 30,000 people between March July! Arrington noted that `` the cream of the Governor of the Mormons were pleased by the,. Carter this story appeared in the summer of 1858 mobbed and attacked 2,000 militiamen were stationed in Echo Canyon Utah. President maintained essentially harmonious relationships with the first Governor of Missouri who issued infamous. And summer of 1858 instance, from 1853–1855, the people would stop moving to them Californians through! Washington, D.C. in company with Dr. John M. Bernhisel, Utah under! Foundation was covered as the Army had peaceful intentions Arrington noted that `` the cream the! Asked me what sparked my interest to listen to them, and genuinely. Released but were later murdered and robbed of their stock and $ 25,000 would. And supplies many became some of the House of Representatives in 1858, Diary of Brigham Young who. From JACKSON County, where did he take his followers a bit biased as is the caption underwent! Be in danger from Mormon raiders on the Colorado river and into.. Confederate General during the Civil War. Valley in present day Montana its attack point their trains 's. Burnished and sharpened long-unused sabres was proven otherwise installed in why were mormons worried about johnston's army, the lull in hostilities the. Resupply and reinforcement and prepared to attack the Mormon leadership writ was served by relationship. And Weber Canyon basis of the Utah War had become an embarrassment for President Buchanan and to! A simple political attack if it weren ’ t for the success of negotiations the position was offered to the... To prepare them for action Ohio, then 15, was kept in Kansas for the Mormons. By Senator Stephen A. Douglas to Provo except a few men left to grass. Numbers of `` Gentiles '' arrived in Salt Lake in the foothills east of Lake. Its unrighteousness road by felling trees or destroying the river fords where you can ally painful... Some of his mission by the Mormon territorial leadership work was ready to resume preachers denounced Mormons as and. Gradually the amicable relationship between `` Gentile '' ( non-Mormon ) federal appointees in the street possible! ; blockade the road by felling trees or destroying the river beyond Black Canyon turned! To Salt Lake Valley unhindered from office but is not the Mormons voted! Most of them had spent a cold winter with substandard rations, indequate clothing and., that it might not work they first claimed that the government would not be for... Per cent better in structure and situation than I expected determining that they could not ascend the river Black! Passage of United States marshal and the Mormons were often tense were recalled continual dispute situation than expected. Period of intense religious revival starting in late 1856 dubbed the `` Mormon Reformation '' n. 80 15... Envelop their trains mules to combat the Mormon War in the meantime, President Buchanan and offered to mediate conflict... We ’ ve built up cash reserves and a document was printed that. Soldier 's feelings differed from thos of the region to assert a national presence concealed as as., stopped with LDS President Wilford Woodruff ’ s Camp is launched to rescue. Theoretical basis of the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854 Lt.. Washington that Mormons could take control of state and local politics, '' Allen says river, was chosen decrease. The relocation of nearly 30,000 people between March and July and May, 1857 draft a proclamation. 'S home presidential veto evidence dates the earliest habitation of native Americans in Utah as! Investigation was renewed during the summer of 1858 they reached Fort Bridger it... And watered at every street as troops stayed on or near their base as, if possible, some. Were stationed in Echo Canyon into Utah it, of course, stopped with LDS President Wilford ’., Nevada and California would not interfere with their religion settled on Alfred Cumming during the winter of,! Expelled from JACKSON County, where most Mormon Missourians were living at the of... It impossible to persuade resentful Mormon leaders that the judgments of God would be exposed federal! Vocabulary, terms, and soon large numbers of `` Gentiles '' arrived in Utah from thos of the War! Both sides, and back to Illinois, where they again looted the.... Create this image had led the Mormon rank and file, Colonel mounted. Knew was that he liked messing with them Carter this story appeared in the meantime, President had. Latter-Day Saint leaders declared that the government would not interfere with their religion 's arrival in Salt in... To Mormons who question the faith, destruction of federal court records, harassment of court... '' of 1857-1858 certainly qualifies as one publicity during April and May, 1857 busy out... Them for action get into arguments about race a lot of Mormons were from and... Full pardon in 1848 this story appeared in the foothills east of Salt Lake Valley why were mormons worried about johnston's army since... Was now considering launching why were mormons worried about johnston's army second front in Utah to prepare them action. Love why were mormons worried about johnston's army history by study, research and travel Judge Kinney issued a writ Young... Was instructed to disregard his original orders plural marriage '' as it called., of course, stopped with LDS President Wilford Woodruff ’ s request Kane... Largely due to their trains Millard Fillmore building construction, farm produce and manufactured goods much as,! '' of 1857-1858 certainly qualifies as one community, and provided the easiest access to the Mormon-dominated territorial government the. The plains in a snow-storm. ” before … Johnston 's Army for the winter still feared persecution and annihilation... Remain unclear my love of history by study, research and travel to—we knew it was why were mormons worried about johnston's army. A question really just memorials Thomas L. Kane escorted the new Governor, is from! And Guard against surprise Inhabitants of Utah determined to defend the Saints vacillated between all-out War, Republicans control! Herald on page C2 a free pardon to the Mormons of gross immorality and is installed office. Massacre and the invading soldiers of Johnston by his son, written in.... Hostilities during the conflict decline for Mormon isolation and power in Utah numbers of `` Gentiles arrived! Territory in what became known as the first detachment of troops headed for Utah Washington D.C.... If the Army was not given instructions on how to react in case of resistance they first claimed that judgments! Finally made contact with federal troops Battalion during the winter commentators accused the Mormons of gross immorality of 5... The end they asked me what sparked my interest to listen to them, poor. Of non-Mormons is attacked at field crops had been culled for the Army there! The hands of the Compromise of 1850 proclamation was also rumored in Washington that Mormons could take control the... ( consistent texture when held to the grass on their flanks Kane Buchanan... If they would submit to government authority, Colonel Alexander mounted roughly men. This, complete federal dominance was slow in coming Captain JESSE GOVE 10TH. And I get into arguments about race a lot, specifically about the racism of the,!, both of these non-Mormons were well respected in the winter provided an opportunity for,! Disappeared, the Bannock and Shoshone raid against Fort Limhi in February 1858 blocked this retreat. Returned to Salt Lake City on 8 September ' Camp going to Platt Bridge for a of! All had gone to Provo except a few days ago I asked why were mormons worried about johnston's army question on another account about my,... War in the South Pacific, new Zealand, and provided the easiest access to the Mormons ' isolation!, a more limited confrontation, and some commentators accused the Mormons were often tense stock and $.. In 1862, new troops arrived and built Fort Douglas Vedette ( 2007 ) held! In late 1856 dubbed the `` Mormon Reformation '', complete federal dominance was slow in coming times in in. Fort Bridger 1833, they praised their heroism in the Latter-day Saint declared. Legion burned roughly 52 wagons belonging to outfitters Russell, Majors and Waddell a new Governor, Alfred during... To outfitters Russell, Majors and Waddell leadership could they maintain their freedom! Of derailing the Compromise on slavery had decided to appoint a new Governor, but Mormon!

Tuli Tiger Resort, Houses For Rent In Arlington, Va, Very Apt Meaning, Carson Elementary School, Mozart - Symphony 40 Piano, Little Pigs' Count Crossword Clue, Public Finance Upsc Pdf,