Comments about ‘Elder Ballard dedicates Mormon Battalion plaza’

The Mormon Battalion will always be well remembered by the Saints. Brigham Young's decision to send the Battalion gave the Church desperately needed ready cash at the time (as the wages of the soldiers mostly fell to the Church). Additionally, part of the bargain struck in Washington directly with the President allowed the main body of the Saints to stay camped in Indian Territory - which would have otherwise been a violation of federal law and treaty rights.

But we should also remember that the War with Mexico itself was no righteous cause. It was the theft of the Southwest from Mexico based on pretext and lies from the White House.

At least that was Abraham Lincoln's opinion at the time.

Rebuffed diplomatically on a previous attempt at an outright purchase to help advance the march of Southern slavery to the West, Polk sent the Army to the Halls of Montezuma to force the Mexican government to sell us the Southwest, including California, at the barrel of our cannons.

Don't think Mexico doesn't remember it that way - because they do.

And so should we.

Why have a Mormon Battalion plaza in Salt Lake City? Council Bluffs, IA I could understand. Ft. Leavenworth, KS I could understand. San Diego, CA I could understand. But why Salt Lake?

and unsung hero's served. In this effort with much effort and little glory 500 served and suffered to further the work of the Lord. Does the location or the method of honor matter? As long as we remember!

jimhale, I think you left out the Santa Anna part and the Treaty of Hidalgo part and the $15 million purchase and the ADDITIONAL $10 million Gadsden parcel.
It hardly sounds like we stole it to me.

Say no to BO:

True. I left out Santa Anna. But which Santa Anna part do you mean? Do you mean when Mexico sent troops to ward off Polk's provocative military incursion into disputed territory between the Nueces and Rio Grande Rivers?

Lincoln took to the House floor (and the Atlantic coast lecture circuit) to condemn that move. He said the President had lied us into war.

The money part? I didn't leave that out. I said Polk attacked Mexico to force them to sell. They had turned down $25,000,000. They didn't want to sell. So Polk started the war. Then the Army defeated Mexican forces in Northern Mexico and was ready to stop.

Polk relieved the commander and ordered an amphibious attack far to the south: first on Veracruz and then on Mexico City.

He turned a border dispute into a simple war of aggression.

Read U.S. Grant's memoirs. He thought the war (in which he participated) was a disgrace.

Or I guess I could loan you my forty-year old BYU history text.

Gentlemen, Let's take the discussion of the rightness or wrongness of the Mexican-American War elsewhere. The Mormon Battalion answered the call to serve their country at a vital crossroads in the history of the Church, serving Native Americans, Californios, and Americans equally well, working on public works for all. When they finished their one year enlistment, the local Spanish American San Diegans begged for more "Mormonitos."

Great article. Orin Hatch, the 16 yr old youngest member of the Battalion?? What about the 9 yr old boy named Charlie that marched the entire trek? He was not invited initially but followed his father who enlisted. He caught up with the Battalion after spending the night alone trying to catch up with his dad.

Myth: "the wages of the soldiers mostly fell to the Church." Actually, only 24.7% of their clothing allowance ($5,192 out of $21,000) was sent back to Council Bluffs from Fort Leavenworth, and an additional $2,447.32 of their pay from Santa Fe. Many of the soldiers left Nauvoo with little more than the shirts on their backs and had to use much of their allowance for its intended purpose: Extra trousers, shirts, and sturdy boots. There was little opportunity to buy needed clothing in the rugged Southwestern deserts. As shown in "Duty Fulfilled," by the time they reached California, most of their clothing was in tatters.

Correction: "Duty Triumphs" not "Duty Fulfilled."

Is there a list there of all the Mormon Battalion men and women? I was just
a bit interested in knowing who was remembered other than just the statues. I live out of town and would like some time to see this monument.

Some accounts say Lot Smith was the youngest member of the Battalion; perhaps the youngest enlistee?

Details on the membership of the Battalion are available in the new Mormon Battalion Museum on the lower level of the Visitors Center or on our newly redesigned website.

Please...will someone paint a picture depicting the Mormon Battalion showing the sacrifices and the hardships they went through? My 4th great grandfather...a brand new member of the church came down from Canada and joined up in Nauvoo (after working on the Temple) and walked every step of the way. He was put in prison for falling asleep on guard duty after having walked all day. One of the Lords tender mercies had for some reason prevented him from being shot. I am so glad he wasn't

jimhale:
I'm no expert on the Mexican War, but wonder:The Mexicans refused to recognize the Republic of Texas and sent several incursions over the Rio Grande from 1842-1845 into the territory between the Nueces and Rio Grande rivers, resulting in several battles. If they had respected Texas's independence and borders, perhaps the Mexican War never would have happened. The despotism of the Mexican regime at that time doesn't garner them much sympathy.