History of California, Volume XXII, Part 52

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885-1890
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 816

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491

REENLISTMENT.

believed that their sacrifice of the past was enough, being satisfactory to God and probably to the govern- ment. Elder Tyler could see, in the light of past de- ceptions, no ground for confidence that promises re- specting the command would be kept. "Were not our noses put upon the grindstone? and were they not still there ?" It is said that Stevenson's closing re- marks gave offence. They were: "Your patriotism and obedience to your officers have done much tow- ards removing the prejudice of the government and the community at large, and I am satisfied that another year's service would place you on a level with other communities." This Tyler compares to the action of a cow that gave a good bucketful of milk and then kieked it over. "It was looked upon as an insult added to the injuries we had received without cause. We could challenge comparison with the world for patriotism and every other virtue, and did not care to give further sacrifice to please pampering demagogues." Doubtless Pettegrew's opinion was regarded as an order not to be disobeyed; the government officers, as is frequently the case under such circumstances, looked about for some ulterior motive. Stevenson's theory, as reported to Mason, was that it was designed to make room for other Mormon soldiers. "They de- sire to get the military control of the country, and from time to time will supply from 100 to 1,000 men for the service, until their whole community shall have had some experience as soldiers, and become fur- nished with arms; which by the time the eivil govern- ment shall be organized will give them control as well of the ballot-box ... This I know to be their ealeula- tion, for Hunt and his officers have so expressed them- selves to me." And in the same report it is stated that Captain Hunt was about to start for Monterey to proffer his services to raise a new battalion of Mor- mons from those on their way to the country. But Father Pettegrew finally permitted the formation of one company to remain as a garrison at San Diego,

492

THE MORMON BATTALION.

and seventy-eight volunteers were obtained from the different companies. They were promised disband- ment in March of the next year, and transportation to Bear River or San Francisco on discharge. Cap- tain Hunter also remained, to be made Indian agent at San Luis Rey.20

I have already stated that about 150 of the bat- talion never came to California, but found their way from New Mexico to Salt Lake, where they were discharged from the service. The first of the saints to return eastward were twelve men who were de- tached to accompany Kearny and Cooke on the over- land route. Their names are not known, except John Binley and N. V. Jones, who kept a diary. Three of them went with the general by sea, leaving the pueblo on May 13th, while the rest accompanied Lieut Sherman by land to Monterey,21 arriving the 25th and starting again the 31st. Something is said elsewhere of Kearny's march, but nothing occurred of importance in this connection. Two parties of Mormons westward bound were met on the plains in July and August. They reached Fort Leavenworth in September, where the saints were discharged with $8.60 each for overtime, and soon found their way to Council Bluffs to rejoin their families. 22

20 June 5, 1847, Gov. Mason to Stevenson, enclosing a letter to Hunt on efforts to be made for reenlistment. Cal. and N. Mex., Mess. and Doc., 1850, p. 326-7. June 7th, Id. to Lieut Smith, ou muster in and out. Id. July 23d, Stevenson to Mason, the letter quoted in my text. Id., 347-8. July 27th, Id. to Id., announcing reenlistment and conditions. Id., 315-6. In his report to the adjutant-general of Sept. 18th, Mason says: 'Of the ser- vices of this battalion, of their patience, subordination, and general good conduct, you have already heard; and I take great pleasure in adding that as a body of men they have religiously respected the rights and feelings of these conquered people, and not a syllable of complaint has reached my ears of a single insult offered or outrage done by a Mormon volunteer. So high an opinion did I entertain of the battalion and of their special fitness for the duties now performed by the garrisons in this country, that I made stren- uous efforts to engage their services for another year.' Id., 336. In the S. F. Alta, Jan. 3, 1854, is mentioned a rejected claim on the treasury for $$5,000 for mileage for the battalion, being the difference between commuta- tion by the overland and isthmus routes.

21 Sherman, Mem., i. 28, says there were about 40 men, and that they were under his command on the march to Monterey. Tyler says there were 12 under Stoneman, and is confirmed by Kearny as to the number.

22 Tyler's ITist., 299-304, following Jones' diary.

493

THE RETURN MARCH.

The members of the battalion mustered out on July 16th, and who did not reenlist, were ready for depart- ure in a few days, numbering about 240 men. Pay- ing no attention to the late military organization, they formed themselves after the manner of the Israelites into companies of hundreds, under Andrew Lytle and James Pace; William Hyde, Daniel Tyler, and Red- dick N. Allred being captains of fifties, and other chiefs being named as captains of tens. Elisha Aver- ett was put in command of ten pioneers, one of whom was Henry W. Bigler, whose diary is the principal authority for the journey. 23 The pioneers started on July 21st, Allred and his fifty on the 23d, the rest a little later, and on the 27th all were reunited at the San Francisco rancho near the Santa Clara River. Here they purchased a supply of cattle for meat, starting again on the 28th, and reaching what was perhaps Kern River the 1st of August. It is not easy or necessary to trace their exact route. There were no serious hardships, though at first they were troubled by men who claimed some of the horses they had bought as stolen property; and later there was some difficulty in obtaining Indian guides. An un- successful effort was made to find Walker's pass, and then they directed their course for Sutter's Fort, where they arrived August 26th, encamping on the American River, two miles from the fort. Here they met Captain Hunt, who had come by the way of Monterey and San Francisco.24 A few wished to re- main over winter, to take advantage of Californian wages, and they were permitted to do so, Hancock

23 Bigler's Diary of a Mormon, MS., 43 et seq. Closely followed by Ty- ler, 305 et seq. Elder Tyler a little earlier had a dream, or vision, in which 'the eyes of my understanding were then opened, and I was filled with the glory of God throughout my whole system. I saw that we travelled north- ward and eastward instead of south and east as anticipated;' and in which he foresaw many things and places connected with their journey and future destiny.

2+ Hunt is not named by the Mormon writers, but his arrival on the 25th is noted in N. Helv. Diary, and also that of other Mormons a day or two later and earlier. Some men of the battalion had been sent in advance of the main body to make arrangements with Sutter for supplies. Bigler gives many details, for which I have no space.

494

THE MORMON BATTALION.

and Pettegrew deciding that it would be no sin, and all offering their prayers for success.

Part of the men left New Helvetia on the 27th, the rest following a day or two later to follow Kearny's trail over the Sierra. On September 5th the Mor- mons were at the scene of the Donner disaster, where many fragments of human bodies were lying unburied. Next day they met Samuel Brannan returning from a visit to the eastern saints. He announced the arrival of the advance party of immigrants in Salt Lake Valley, but gave a gloomy picture of prospects there, and advised all, except those whose families had reached Salt Lake, to turn back and work till spring, when very likely the church would be tired of the dreary desert and come to California. Presently, after Brannan's departure, Captain James Brown, origi- nally of the battalion,25 was met with letters for many, and an epistle from the twelve apostles, advising those of small means to remain in California through the winter. About half of the men followed this counsel, returning at once to New Helvetia, where they were

25 Bigler says he had a detachment of the battalion, which had been left at Pueblo, and which was bound to Monterey to get their discharge papers. Neither the numbers nor names are given, unfortunately, because they should be included in my Pioneer Register. Probably there was but a small escort. Iu his report of Oct. 7th, Gov. Mason, Cal. and N. Mex., Mess. and Doc., 1850, p. 355, writes: ' When on my way up to San Francisco, I was overtaken by Captain Brown of the Mormon battalion, who had arrived from Fort Hall, where he had left his detachment of the battalion to come to California to re- port to me in person. He brought a muster-roll of his detachment, with a power of attorney from all its members to draw their pay; and as the battalion itself had been discharged on the 16th of July, Paymaster Rich paid to Cap- tain Brown the money due the detachment up to that date, according to the rank they bore upon the muster-rolls upou which the battalion had been mus- tered out of service. Captain Brown started immediately for Fort Hall, at which place and in the valley of Bear River he said the whole Mormon emigra- tion intended to pass the winter. IIe reported that he had met Captain Hunt, late of the Mormon battalion, who was on his way to meet the emigrants and bring into the country this winter, if possible, a battalion, according to the terms offered in my letter to him of the 16th of August, a copy of which you will find among the military correspondence of the department. In my letter I offered Captain Hunt the command of the battalion, with the rank of lieu- tenant-colonel, with an adjutant; but I find, by the orders lately received, that a battalion of four companies is only entitled to a major and acting adju- tant. I will notify Captain Hunt of this change at as early a moment as I can communicate with bim. I am pleased to find by the despatches that in this matter I have anticipated the wish of the department.'

495

BACK TO CALIFORNIA.

hired by Sutter to work on his mill-race. Bigler was of this party, and Tyler of those who continued their journey. The latter arrived at the Salt Lake settle- ment on October 16th.26 Many remained here, but thirty-two kept on after a stay of only two days, and after a journey of two months without adventure call- ing for special notice joined their people at winter quarters on the Missouri River the 18th of December, 1847.

The company of reenlisted Mormon volunteers27 started the 25th of July from Los Angeles for San Diego, where they arrived August 2d. Lieutenant Barrus with a detachment of twenty-seven men was sent a few days later to occupy San Luis Rey. Two of the company died during this second term of ser- vice. As before, the work of the Mormons was rather that of mechanics than of soldiers, since there were no disorders requiring military interference. Says the writer of one diary: "I think I whitewashed all San Diego. We did their blacksmithing, put up a bakery, made and repaired carts, and in fine, did all we could to benefit ourselves as well as the citizens. We never had any trouble with Californians or Ind- ians, nor they with us. The citizens became so attached to us, that before our term of service expired they got up a petition to the governor to use his in- fluence to keep us in the service. The petition was signed by every citizen in the town."28 The term expired in January, but the men were not mustered out and paid off until the middle of March 1848. More than half remained for a time, some perma- nently, in California, scattering northward to the

26 Tyler notes that they brought from Cal. various kinds of seeds, which were found very useful in the valley, especially the club-head wheat and a prolific variety of pea.

27 The officers of this company were: Captain Daniel C. Davis; lieuten- ants, Cyrus C. Canfield, Ruel Barrus, and Robert Clift; sergeants, Edmund L. Brown, Samuel Myers, Benj. F. Mayfield, and Henry Packard. There were four corporals, two musicians, and 68 privates, whose names appear in my Pioneer Register.

28 Henry G. Boyle's diary, in Tyler's Hist., 330.

496

THE MORMON BATTALION.

mines, towns, and farms; but a party of twenty-five, under Boyle as captain, went to Williams' rancho to make ready for an overland journey. They started on April 12th with one wagon and 135 mules, fol- lowed the southern route by Mojave and the Santa Fé trail, and reached Salt Lake the 5th of June.

The experience of the detachment that returned to work through the winter at Sutter's Fort is clearly recorded in Bigler's diary, but belongs to the annals of the gold discovery, as recorded elsewhere.2 In May 1848 preparations for a migration were begun, and Daniel Browett with a small party made a pre- liminary exploration for a new wagon route over the Sierra. By the end of June arrangements had been completed, about forty-five men30 were gathered at Pleasant Valley, near Placerville, and Brouett with Allen and Cox had started in advance to make new explorations. The main company started on July 2d. Jonathan Holmes was leader, or president, and Lieu- tenant Thompson captain. On the 19th they found the bodies of Brouett, Allen, and Cox, who had been murdered by the Indians at a place that still bears the name of Tragedy Spring. The route was south of the lake and into Carson Valley, where they en- camped the 5th of August. Thus with much toil but without serious disaster the Mormons opened a new wagon road over the mountains. Soon they struck the old Humboldt trail, on which they met several parties of emigrants, announcing to the latter the news that gold had been discovered. The arrival at Salt Lake was on September 25th. It should be added that a large part of the saints left behind by the different detachments of the battalion found their way, with many of Brannan's men, to the Salt Lake

29 See vol. vi. of this work. Tyler in one place gives the number of this detachment as 40, but elsewhere says that more than half of the party turned back. The two statements seem contradictory, though the exact number of the eastward-bound company is not known.

30 So says Bigler. Tyler says 37. There was one woman, the wife of Sergt Coray. There were 17 wagons, 150 horses and mules, and about the same number of cattle.

497

CONCLUSION.

settlement in 1848-9, though a few spent the rest of their lives in California.

Respecting Captain Hunt's project of raising a new battalion of Mormons, we are told that Colonel Ste- venson, by Governor Mason's instruction, wrote a let- ter to President Young on the subject, alluding to the old prejudices against the saints, which in California had been so completely dispelled by intercourse with the volunteers until there had come to exist a strong feeling of respect for them, and a general desire that they should remain in the service and become perma- nent residents. But Young persisted in his view that the original enlistment had been a necessary sacrifice, which there was no call to repeat. According to Can- non, "he said he did not want the battalion to reenlist for another six months. He regretted that he did not have clothing for them; but he would rather wear skins, he said, than go back to the United States for clothes."13 The probability would seem to be that Young would gladly have furnished another battalion had it still been the intention to establish his people in California; but the determination to find their promised land in Utah rendered it undesirable to part with the bone and sinew of the saints.

Tyler appends to his admirable history of the bat- talion the record of a festival held by survivors and their friends at Salt Lake City in February 1855, in- cluding speeches and reminiscences by comrades and church dignitaries, including President Young. There is a strong vein of religious faith running through all that was said, making the record all the more fascinat- ing. The old idea of the enlistment as a sacrifice that saved the whole Mormon people from massacre was brought out in an intensified form; indeed, the motto of the festival was, "The Mormon battalion-a ram in the thieket." The many hardships of the march, the promised and fulfilled immunity from bloodshed, the frequent miraculous cures of the siek, the wagon-

31 Geo. Q. Cannon's History of the Church, quoted in Tyler's Hist., 343-3. HIST. CAL., VOL. V. 32

498

THE MORMON BATTALION.

roads opened and other achievements, the prayers and piety of the men, the vain threats of Frémont and his wicked followers, the finding of gold, and the re- turn to join the brethren in their new home -- all were pictured anew to eager listeners. Praise from presi- dent and others high in power was lavishly bestowed, with something of blame and no end of good counsel. Song and dancing supplemented the speech-making. It is pleasing to fill one chapter of a volume with saintly doings, even if they do not seem to differ very radically, but for certain peculiarities in the telling, from the deeds of those not of the faith as recounted in other chapters.

CHAPTER XIX.

NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS AND ARTILLERY COMPANY.

1846-1848.

CONGRESS CALLS FOR VOLUNTEERS-LETTER TO STEVENSON-POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT REVEALED-RECRUITING IN NEW YORK-IN CAMP AT GOVERNOR'S ISLAND-CLARK'S HISTORY AND MURRAY'S NARRATIVE- FIRST OR SEVENTH-LIST OF OFFICERS-CHARACTER OF THE MEN -- CAMP LIFE AND DRILL-POPULAR RIDICULE-DISCONTENT AND DESERTION- HABEAS CORPUS-INSTRUCTIONS-STEVENSON'S TROUBLES-RESISTINO ARREST-A BAFFLED SHERIFF-NEWSPAPER COMMENT-VOYAGE OF THE ' PERKINS,' 'LOO CHOO,' AND ' DREW'-LATER VESSELS AND RECRUITS- THE COLONEL'S VALOR-AT RIO-ARRIVAL AT SAN FRANCISCO-DISTRI- BUTION OF THE COMPANIES-GARRISON LIFE-DISBANDMENT-COMPANY F, 3D U. S. ARTILLERY-IN GARRISON AT MONTEREY-DESERTING FOR THE MINES-SHERMAN'S MEMOIRS-BURTON'S COMPANY-THE DRAGOONS.

AN act of congress dated May 13, 1846, authorized the president of the United States to call for and accept the services of volunteers for the Mexican war, and on June 26th the following communication was addressed by William L. Marcy, secretary of war, to Colonel Jonathan D. Stevenson of New York City: "The president having determined to send a regiment of volunteers around Cape Horn to the Pacific, to be employed in prosecuting hostilities in some province of Mexico, probably in Upper Califor- nia, has authorized me to say that if you will organize one on the conditions hereinafter specified, and tender its services, it will be accepted. It is proper it should be done with the approbation of the governor of New York. The president expects, and indeed requires, that great care should be taken to have it composed of suitable persons-I mean persons of good habits-

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500

NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.

as far as practicable of various pursuits, and such as would be likely to desire to remain, at the end of the war, either in Oregon or any territory in that region of the globe which may be then a part of the United States. The act of the 13th May last authorizes the acceptance of volunteers for twelve months, or during the war with Mexico. The condition of the acceptance in this case must be a tender of services during the war, and it must be explicitly understood that they may be discharged without a claim for re- turning home wherever they may be serving at the termination of the war, provided it is in the then ter- ritory of the United States, or may be taken to the nearest or most convenient territory belonging to the United States, and then discharged. The men must be apprised expressly that their term of service is for the war-that they are to be discharged as above specified, and that they are to be employed on a dis- tant service. It is, however, very desirable that it should not be publicly known or proclaimed that they are to go to any particular province in Mexico. On this point great caution is enjoined. The communi- cations to the officers and men must go so far as to remove all just ground of complaint that they have been deceived in the nature and place of the service. It is expected that the regiment will be in readiness to embark as early as the 1st of August next, if practicable. Steps will be immediately taken to pro- vide for transportation."1

Stevenson was a colonel of militia, a ward politi- cian, and ex-member of the legislature. Just what wires were pulled by him and his friends to secure this new position it is neither possible nor important to know; but he had done some service for the ad- ministration that seemed to call for reward, and he was reputed to be a man of some energy and execu- tive ability .? The policy of the administration re-

1 Report of sec. war, July 17, 1846. Niles' Reg., Ixx. 344.

2 Thos C. Lancey, in his New York Volunteers, an article founded presum-

501

INSTRUCTIONS TO STEVENSON.

specting California is so well known to readers of this and the preceding volumes of my work as to re- quire no further remark; but it must be noted that the letter to Stevenson which I have quoted, made public in July at the request of congress, was one of the earliest documents in which the administration clearly revealed its purpose to make the Mexican war one of permanent conquest, since the destination of the volunteers as settlers for California was but slightly veiled with a view to possible diplomatic con- tingencies. It was deemed but remotely possible that the men would arrive in time to aid in the conquest, but they might probably be utilized in garrison duty during the military occupation, and they would cer- tainly serve as a nucleus for the Americanizing of the new province, either by remaining at the close of the war as settlers or-in case of unlooked-for happen- ings-by being disbanded in Oregon, to return as immigrants, and await or hasten the operations of manifest destiny. This newly revealed phase of the project naturally made the Stevenson letter a text for much comment in congress and elsewhere, but without important results.3

ably on an unpublished narrative by Col Stevenson, and printed as part of Clark's First Regiment, 52-68, gives some particulars, to the effect that Ste- venson in the legislature had made a speech in support of the administration's policy in declaring war. Soon visiting Washington and hearing of the pro- posed Mormon battalion, he mentioned his desire to go to Cal. Postmaster- general Kendall, his friend, reported the remark to President Polk, who at once conceived the idea of sending a regiment of volunteers, an idea which, with the choice of a commander, was approved by John A. Dix, Daniel S. Dick. inson, W. L. Marcy, and other prominent men consulted. At a subsequent interview the president questioned the colonel closely as to his previons pur- suits and experience. The appointment was approved by the cabinet and by Gen. Scott. Stevenson returned home, received his instructions of June 26th, applied to the governor for permission to raise a regiment on June 30th, and on July 4th made the project public at a meeting of militia officers, the matter being published in the next morning's papers, and the work of re- cruiting being begun on the 7th. Frisbie, Remin., MS., says that Stevenson owed his place to the friendship of Marcy.

8 See speech of Ashmun of Mass., July 27, 1846, in H. of R. Cong. Globe, 1845-6, appen. 809. Mr A. caused to be read the Stevenson letter, and ex- tracts from the administration orgau in Washington. 'From these papers it will be seen, Ist, that the administration now openly proclaims that con- gress has declared war upon Mexico-that our government has made war openly in the face of the world! It is no longer half reluctantly asserted that the war exists by the act of Mexico; but boldly and unhesitatingly,

502

NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.

Recruiting offices were at once opened at different points in New York City, and also at Albany, Bath, and Norwich, three companies being raised outside of the city, and seven mainly within its limits. The recruiting officers were for the most part those who became commissioned officers of the respective com- panies. No secret was made of the regiment's desti- nation and prospective service, though in consequence of the precautionary instructions already cited, there was perhaps no formal publication of the colonizing scheme. No volunteer dreamed of conflict with any foe; all regarded themselves as immigrant adventurers bound for a distant land of many charms, under the protection of government. There was but slight pre- tence of patriotism, and no fear of danger; neither did there present themselves at first any obstacles more serious than the declamations of politicians who disap- proved the Mexican war. By the end of July the ranks of all the companies were filled, and they were sent to Governor's Island, where on the 1st of August the regiment-except apparently one or two com- panies from the interior-was mustered into the United States service by Colonel Bankhead, com- mandant of the post.4 The regiment was mustered as the 7th N. Y. Volunteers, because arrangements

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History of California, Volume XXII, Part 52

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe Publication date: 1885-1890 Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers Number of Pages: 816

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885-1890
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 816