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89-886: Inconclusive Utah War Peace Commission United States Army The Utah War (1857–1858), also known as the Utah Expedition , the Utah Campaign , Buchanan's Blunder , the Mormon War , or the Mormon Rebellion , was an armed confrontation between Mormon settlers in the Utah Territory and the armed forces of the US government . The confrontation lasted from May 1857 to July 1858. The conflict primarily involved Mormon settlers and federal troops, escalating from tensions over governance and autonomy within

178-516: A direct confrontation with the federal government. On August 29, Brigham Young instructed Daniel H. Wells to draft a second proclamation of martial law." On September 15, the day after Van Vliet left Salt Lake City, Young publicly declared martial law in Utah with a document almost identical to that printed in early August. This second proclamation received wide circulation throughout the Territory and

267-635: A few were down-right reprobates. On the other hand, the Mormons had no patience for the federal domination entailed by territorial status and often showed defiance toward the representatives of the federal government. In addition, the Saints sincerely declared their loyalty to the United States and celebrated the Fourth of July every year with unabashed patriotism, but they were undisguisedly critical of

356-524: A group of local Mormon militia. The Mormon militia responsible for the massacre first claimed that the migrants were killed by Natives but it was proven otherwise. This event was later called the Mountain Meadows Massacre , and the motives behind the incident remain unclear. The Aiken Massacre took place the following month. In October 1857, Mormons arrested six Californians traveling through Utah and charged them with being spies for

445-614: A king in the Book of Mormon . In Mormon scripture, King Limhi organized an expedition that lasted 22 days, the same duration it required the Mormon missionaries to reach the Salmon River. Consequently, they named their mission after King Limhi, and Limhi eventually became "Lemhi." Over time the surrounding valley, mountains, pass, a branch of the river, county, and Native Americans took on the name "Lemhi." Gaining Native American allies

534-569: A large body of troops. Van Vliet continued on to Washington, D.C., in company with Dr. John M. Bernhisel , Utah Territory's delegate to Congress. There, Van Vliet reported on the situation in the west and became an advocate for the Latter-day Saints and the end of the Utah War. As early as August 5, Young had decided to declare martial law throughout the Territory, and a document was printed to that effect. However, historians question

623-618: A paramilitary organization called the Danites . The Danites were formed by a group of Mormons in Missouri in 1838. Most scholars believe that following the end of the Mormon War in the winter of 1838, the unit was partially disbanded. These factors contributed to the popular belief that Mormons "were oppressed by a religious tyranny and kept in submission only by some terroristic arm of the Church ... [However] no Danite band could have restrained

712-467: A pardon granted to the Mormon settlers for any potential acts of rebellion. This settlement significantly reduced the tensions and allowed for the re-establishment of federal authority over the territory while largely preserving Mormon interests and autonomy. In 1857–1858, President James Buchanan sent U.S. forces to the Utah Territory in what became known as the Utah Expedition. Members of

801-589: A reconnaissance unit were sent east from Salt Lake City with orders to observe the oncoming American regiments and protect LDS emigrants traveling on the Mormon trail . On July 18, 1857, U.S. Army Captain Stewart Van Vliet , an assistant quartermaster, and a small escort were ordered to proceed directly from Kansas to Salt Lake City, ahead of the main body of troops. Van Vliet carried a letter to Young from General Harney ordering Young to make arrangements for

890-551: A rescue. On February 28, 1858, Ezra J. Barnard and Baldwin J. Watts snuck away from the fort and travelled the four hundred miles to arrive in Salt Lake on March 8. The last two days of their journey they had no food and only one horse. Details of the attack were stitched into the lining of Barnard's coat. Brigham Young ordered his followers to abandon the mission. He also ordered Colonel Andrew Cunningham to lead three companies of men from Davis, Weber, and Utah Counties to aid

979-452: A settlement on June 15, 1855 on land used by Bannock , Shoshone , Nez Perce and Flathead peoples. Access to each of these nations made the location ideal for a missionary outpost. The Nez Perce and Bannock leaders agreed to let the missionaries use the land for fishing, hunting, and logcutting, as long as it was not done to make a profit. The community grew to over 200 people. The settlers brought stock raising and irrigated farming to

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1068-481: The 2nd Dragoons , was kept in Kansas for the same reason. Because of Harney's unavailability, Col. Edmund Alexander was charged with the first detachment of troops headed for Utah. However, the overall command was assigned to Col. Albert Sidney Johnston , who did not leave Kansas until much later. As it was, July was already far into the campaigning season, and the army and their supply train were unprepared for winter in

1157-605: The Latter Day Saint movement . Brigham Young and other LDS Church leaders believed that the isolation of Utah would secure the rights of Mormons and would ensure the free practice of their religion. Although the United States had gained control of the settled parts of Alta California and Nuevo México in 1846 in the early stages of the Mexican–American War , legal transfer of the Mexican Cession to

1246-863: The Salt Lake Valley to form the Salmon River Mission and preach to the "remnants of the House of Jacob," meaning the Native Americans Thomas S. Smith led the group and George Washington Hill served as their main Shoshonean language interpreter. The party travelled about 380 miles north of Salt Lake City to the Salmon River valley (then in Oregon Territory ). They selected a permanent site to build

1335-675: The United Order , also violated the principles of republicanism as well as the philosophy of laissez-faire economics. James Strang , a rival to Brigham Young who also claimed succession to the leadership of the church after Joseph Smith's death, elevated these fears by proclaiming himself a king and resettling his followers on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan , after the main body of the LDS Church had fled to Utah. People also believed that Brigham Young maintained power through

1424-578: The Army directly, the Mormon strategy was one of hindering and weakening them. Daniel H. Wells , Lieutenant-General of the Nauvoo Legion , instructed Major Joseph Taylor: On ascertaining the locality or route of the troops, proceed at once to annoy them in every possible way. Use every exertion to stampede their animals and set fire to their trains. Burn the whole country before them and on their flanks. Keep them from sleeping by night surprises; blockade

1513-596: The Bitterroot valley and beyond. After a prayer circle meeting with Young where they discussed Fort Lemhi, Wilford Woodruff wrote, "This [Fort Limhi] is the key of this continent and I think we had better keep near the lock and keep the key in our own hand." While the local Native American tribes had agreed to a small mission outpost, they were against a permanent settlement. The colony required more buildings, fences, and land, which soured relationships with local native tribes. Furthermore, Flathead leaders throughout

1602-630: The Church and to send with him sufficient military aid to enforce his rule. 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. There were further charges of treason, battery, theft, and fraud made by other officials, including Federal Surveyors and Federal Indian Agents. Furniss states that most federal reports from Utah to Washington "left unclear whether

1691-573: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), also known as Mormons or Latter-day Saints, fearful that the large U.S. military force had been sent to annihilate them and having faced persecution in other areas, made preparations for defense. Though bloodshed was to be avoided, and the U.S. government also hoped that its purpose might be attained without the loss of life, both sides prepared for war. The Mormons manufactured or repaired firearms, turned scythes into bayonets, and burnished and sharpened long-unused sabres . Rather than engaging

1780-692: The Democratic principle of popular sovereignty with the party's acceptance of polygamy in Utah and turned this accusation into a formidable political weapon. Popular sovereignty was the theoretical basis of the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854. This concept was meant to remove the divisive issue of slavery in the Territories from the national debate, allowing local decision-making and forestalling armed conflict between

1869-580: The Governor of Missouri, who issued the infamous Extermination Order . Mormons' state of mind was further alarmed when they learned in late June 1857 that LDS Apostle Parley P. Pratt had recently been murdered while serving a mission in Arkansas. Fearing the worst, Young ordered residents throughout Utah territory to prepare for evacuation, making plans to burn their homes and property and stockpile food and stock feed. Guns were manufactured, and ammunition

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1958-454: The Indians (who often differentiated between "Americans" and "Mormons"), acceptance of the common law , the criminal jurisdiction of probate courts , the Mormon use of ecclesiastical courts rather than the federal court system for civil matters, the legitimacy of land titles, water rights, and various other issues. Many of the federal officers were also appalled by the practice of polygamy and

2047-557: The Lakota, Blackfoot, Bannock, Nez Perce, Shoshone, and Flathead nations. Brigham Young visited Fort Lemhi in spring of 1857 to turn the mission into a more permanent settlement. He traveled in a mile-long caravan of 115 men, 22 women, 5 boys, 168 horses and mules, 54 carriages and wagons, and two light boats for river crossings. Notable members of the party included Heber C. Kimball , Daniel H. Wells , Chief Arapeen and his wife Wispit, and interpreter Dimick B. Huntington . Young

2136-581: The Latter-day Saint community and were genuinely mourned for their deaths. Others had severe difficulties adjusting to the Mormon-dominated territorial government and the unique Mormon culture. Historian Norman Furniss writes that although some of these appointees were basically honest and well-meaning, many were highly prejudiced against the Mormons even before they arrived in the territory and woefully unqualified for their positions, while

2225-409: The Mormon belief system in general and would harangue the Mormons for their "lack of morality" in public addresses. This already tense situation was further exacerbated by a period of intense religious revival starting in late 1856 dubbed the " Mormon Reformation ". Beginning in 1851, a number of federal officers, some claiming that they feared for their physical safety, left their Utah appointments for

2314-467: The Mormon fortifications then being built in Echo Canyon (see below). 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. He also reported that they were ready to burn their homes and destroy their crops and that the route through Echo Canyon would be a death trap for

2403-463: 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. At the height of the tensions, on September 11, 1857, at least 120 California-bound settlers from Arkansas , Missouri and other states, including unarmed men, women, and children, were killed in remote southwestern Utah by

2492-588: The Mormons at Fort Limhi held mountaineer John W. Powell in custody when asked to by the Nez Perce, which angered the Bannocks, with whom Powell had connections. In need of supplies to survive a winter encampment, Albert Sidney Johnston sent a party northward from Camp Scott to buy 500 cattle from the mountaineers around the upper Columbia and Missouri rivers. Led by Benjamin Franklin Ficklin ,

2581-554: The Mormons but to enter the territory, enforce the laws under the direction of the new governor, and defend themselves if attacked. 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. The troops were originally led by Gen. William S. Harney . However, affairs in " Bleeding Kansas " forced Harney to remain behind to deal with skirmishes between pro-slavery and free-soiler militants. The Expedition's cavalry,

2670-413: The Nez Perce, Walla Walla, Snakes, and Flatheads with weapons, inciting hostilities, and encouraging them to fight against the U.S. Government. The commissioner of Indian Affairs J.W. Denver reprimanded Young, writing "you fitted out an expedition yourself, and conducted it northward, out of your superintendency, to give presents to Indians not under your control." This letter, along with 46 other files from

2759-525: The North and South. But during the campaign, the Republican Party denounced the theory as protecting polygamy. Such leading Democrats 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. The Democrats believed that American attitudes toward polygamy had the potential of derailing

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2848-740: The Northwest worried the Mormons "should overrun and occupy their lands in force." Brigham Young's visit to Fort Lemhi also came under federal scrutiny. The journey took Young outside of his jurisdiction as Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Utah Territory. His visits with Native Americans of the Oregon Territory, and the gifts he gave them, violated federal law; Young later documented these items as gifts for Utah Indians. The visit also spawned rumors from Native American leaders and U.S. Indian Agents that Mormons were supplying

2937-618: The Office of Indian Affairs, was included in President Buchanan's report to Congress justifying his order to send troops into Utah. Native tribes became less friendly with the settlers as they awaited the outcome of the impending Utah War and more colonists arrived to the fort and competed for resources. The settlers also interfered in a Bannock, Shoshone, and Nez Perce tribal dispute over horses, though they were largely ignorant of their complex relationships. In December 1857,

3026-559: The President with the advice and consent of the Senate, but without any reference to the will of Utah's population—as was standard for all territorial administration. Some federal officials sent by the President maintained essentially harmonious relationships with the Mormons. For instance, from 1853 to 1855, the territorial supreme court was composed of two non-Mormons and one Mormon. However, both of these non-Mormons were well respected in

3115-402: The President would not wait. Under massive popular and political pressure, President Buchanan decided to take decisive action against the Mormons soon after his inauguration on March 4, 1857. President Buchanan first decided to appoint a new governor in place of Brigham Young. The position was offered to several individuals who refused, and the President finally settled on Alfred Cumming during

3204-561: The Rocky Mountains. The army was not given instructions on how to react in case of resistance. The Mormons' lack of information on the army's mission created apprehension and led to their defensive preparations. While rumors spread during the spring that an army was coming to Utah and Brigham Young had been replaced as governor, this was not confirmed until late July. Mormon mail contractors, including Porter Rockwell and Abraham O. Smoot , received word in Missouri that their contract

3293-456: The Saints raise their hands in a unanimous resolution to guard against any 'invader ' ". Van Vliet found it impossible to persuade resentful Mormon leaders that the Army had peaceful intentions. He quickly recognized that supplies or accommodations for the Army would not be forthcoming. But Young told Van Vliet that the Mormons did not desire war, and "if we can keep the peace for this winter, I do think there will be something turned up that may save

3382-406: The Saints vacillated between all-out war, a more limited confrontation, and retreat. 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. Young had generally adopted a policy of conversion and conciliation towards native tribes. Some Mormon leaders encouraged intermarriage with the Indians so that

3471-498: The Territorial Legislature, which largely consisted of popularly elected Latter-day Saints. Additionally, LDS Church leaders counseled Latter-day Saints to use ecclesiastical arbitration to resolve disputes among church members before resorting to the more explicit legal system. Both President Buchanan and the U.S. Congress saw these acts as obstructing, if not subverting, the operation of legitimate institutions of

3560-400: The Territory, he believed his religious authority was more important among a nearly homogeneous population of Mormons. Young and the Mormon community feared renewed persecution and possibly annihilation by a large body of federal troops. Mormons remembered previous conflicts when they had lived near numerous non-Mormons. In 1838, they were driven from Missouri into Illinois under the direction of

3649-403: The U.S. Army. They were released but were later murdered and robbed of their stock and $ 25,000. Other incidents of violence have also been linked to the Utah War, including a Native American attack on the Mormon mission of Fort Lemhi in eastern Oregon Territory , modern-day Idaho . They killed two Mormons and wounded several others. The historian Brigham Madsen notes, "[T]he responsibility for

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3738-557: The U.S. came only with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ending the war in 1848. LDS Church leaders understood that they were not "leaving the political orbit of the United States", nor did they want to. When gold was discovered in California in 1848 at Sutter's Mill , which sparked the famous California Gold Rush , thousands of migrants began moving west on trails that passed directly through territory settled by Mormon pioneers. Although

3827-588: The US army to show their peaceful intentions, but was unsuccessful in persuading them to pursue peace. Kane then prepared to visit the US army at Camp Scott to attempt brokering peace. News of the Fort Lemhi attack reached Brigham Young on March 8, the day Kane planned to leave. Kane noted a dramatic change in Brigham Young's demeanor, though Young did not mention the attack to the ambassador. While enroute to

3916-447: The United States. Numerous newspaper articles continued sensationalizing Mormon beliefs and exaggerated earlier accounts of conflicts with frontier settlers. These stories led many Americans to believe that Mormon leaders were petty tyrants and that Mormons were determined to create a Zionist , polygamous kingdom in the newly acquired territories. Many felt that these sensationalized beliefs, along with early communitarian practices of

4005-452: The Utah Territory under Brigham Young. Young had been appointed territorial Governor by Millard Fillmore. In addition to popular election, many early LDS Church leaders received quasi-political administrative appointments at both the territorial and federal level that coincided with their ecclesiastical roles, including the powerful probate judges . In analogy to the federal procedure, these executive and judicial appointments were confirmed by

4094-573: The [Fort Limhi raid] lay mainly with the Bannock ." David Bigler concludes that the raid was probably caused by members of the Utah Expedition who were trying to replenish their stores of livestock that had been stolen by Mormon raiders. Taking all incidents into account, William MacKinnon estimated that approximately 150 people died as a direct result of the year-long Utah War, including the 120 migrants killed at Mountain Meadows. He points out that this

4183-421: The [Mormons] habitually kicked their dogs; otherwise, their calendar of infamy in Utah was complete". 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. This call for an investigation was renewed during the crisis of 1857 by Bernhisel and even by Senator Stephen A. Douglas . However,

4272-616: The area's agricultural, defensive, and transportation potential as a new home for Young's followers. Furthermore, Brigham Young felt there might be more security living on the upper Missouri among the Native peoples of the Northwest, as they would be stronger military allies than the tribes of the Great Basin. After receiving the report on the Bitterroot Valley, Young decided to visit the area himself and attempt alliances with

4361-497: The army, Kane was overtaken by messengers with a letter from Young, stating he had just found out the army needed provisions and he would be happy to supply them as a show of good will. On April 14, 1858, the Deseret News reported that Johnston's soldiers had instigated the attack on Fort Lemhi and "offered the Indians $ 150 for every Mormon they delivered to them." Although Ficklin was a private citizen, Johnston had authorized

4450-405: The citizens of Utah to accommodate and supply the troops once they arrived. However, Harney's letter did not mention that Young had been replaced as governor, nor did it detail what the mission of the troops would be once they arrived, and these omissions sparked even greater distrust among the Saints. On his journey, reports reached Van Vliet that his company might be in danger from Mormon raiders on

4539-485: The compromise on slavery . For the Democrats, attacks on Mormonism had the dual purpose of disentangling polygamy from popular sovereignty and distracting the nation from the ongoing battles over slavery. In March 1852, the Utah Territory passed Acts that legalized black slavery and Indian slavery . Many east-coast politicians, such as U.S. President James Buchanan, were alarmed by the semi- theocratic dominance of

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4628-641: The conflict in Illinois . The Nauvoo Legion was under the command of Daniel H. Wells and consisted of all able-bodied men between 15 and 60. Young ordered the Legion to take delaying actions, essentially harassing federal troops. 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. Thus, in mid-August, militia Colonel Robert T. Burton and

4717-469: The damned rascals that administer the government." The Mormons also maintained a governmental and legal regime in "Zion", which they believed was perfectly permissible under the Constitution, but which was fundamentally different from that espoused in the rest of the country. The Latter-day Saints and federal appointees in the Territory faced continual dispute. These conflicts regarded relations with

4806-414: 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". Van Vliet's instructions were to buy provisions for the troops and to inform

4895-494: The east. The stories of these " Runaway Officials " convinced the new President that the Mormons were nearing a state of rebellion against the authority of the United States. According to LDS historians James B. Allen and Glen M. Leonard , the most influential information came from William W. Drummond , an associate justice of the Utah territorial supreme court who began serving in 1854. Drummond's letter of resignation of March 30, 1857, contained charges that Young's power set aside

4984-532: The emigrant wagon trains to keep away from the Territory. Despite Young's efforts, Indians attacked Mormon settlements during the course of the Utah War, including a raid on Fort Limhi on the Salmon River in Oregon Territory in February 1858 and attacks in Tooele County just west of Great Salt Lake City. In early August, Young re-activated the Nauvoo Legion . This was the Mormon militia created during

5073-481: The evacuation. The military escort of 150 militia men led the remaining members of the Salmon River Indian Mission home. An advance party of ten men were ambushed and missionary Bailey Lake was killed. This attack took Brigham Young by surprise and frustrated his plans to evacuate his followers north. Young had hoped the northern tribes would welcome their alliance and join the Mormons in

5162-438: The federal government broke down. During this time period, the leadership of the LDS Church supported polygamy , which Mormons called " plural marriage ". An estimated 20% to 25% of Latter-day Saints were members of polygamous households, with the practice involving approximately one-third of Mormon women who reached marriageable age. The Mormons in territorial Utah viewed plural marriage as religious doctrine until 1890, when it

5251-408: The federal government, which they felt had driven them out from their homes in the east. Like the contemporary abolitionists , Latter-day Saint leaders declared that the judgments of God would be meted out upon the nation for its unrighteousness. Brigham Young echoed the opinion of many Latter-day Saints when he declared "I love the government and the Constitution of the United States, but I do not love

5340-451: The fight against the United States. In contrast, the attack demonstrated the Bannocks' hostility and a willingness to work with the US army. The attack also forced the closure of Fort Lemhi, a key supply station in the event of a northern evacuation. With nowhere to go, Young began peacemaking efforts with the U.S. government. Throughout the first week of March, Thomas L. Kane had attempted to convince Brigham Young to send provisions to

5429-470: The flight of freedom-loving men from a Territory possessed of many exits; yet a flood of emigrants poured into Utah each year, with only a trickle ... ebbing back." These circumstances were not helped by the relationship between " Gentile " (non-Mormon) federal appointees and the Mormon territorial leadership. The territory's Organic Act held that the governor, federal judges, and other important territorial positions were to be filled by appointees chosen by

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5518-407: The fort to propose to native women and were refused. General Daniel H. Wells drilled the Fort Lemhi militia. Upon his return to Salt Lake, Young told his followers the purpose of the trip north had been to "rest the mind and weary the body" and downplayed the quality of land he had visited. However, to his inner circle he praised the abundance of good soil and grazing land and made plans to settle

5607-408: The intent of this proclamation as it was never widely circulated, if at all, and while copies of the document exist, there is no mention of it in any contemporary sources. 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

5696-436: The land. Unable to convince any remaining non-Mormons to trade, Ficklin turned his attention toward the 250 cattle and 40 horses at Fort Lemhi. He was possibly aided by Powell, who had some influence among the Bannocks. On February 25, 1858, Bannock Chief Le Grand Coquin led 250 Bannock and Shoshone warriors in a surprise attack on Fort Lemhi, possibly with John Powell. They killed two Mormon settlers, wounded five, and forced

5785-525: The migrants brought opportunities for trade, they also ended the Mormons' short-lived isolation. In 1849, the Mormons proposed that a large part of the territory that they inhabited be incorporated into the United States as the State of Deseret . Their primary concern was to be governed by men of their own choosing rather than "unsympathetic carpetbag appointees", who they believed would be sent from Washington, D.C. if their region were given territorial status, as

5874-496: The mission without army supervision. Because Ficklin failed to include the attack in his initial report but later claimed in an affidavit that the Mormons had brought it on themselves, it appeared to coverup a US army attack on civilians. Johnston's official investigation attempted to separate the US army from the Fort Lemhi attack and maintain favorable public opinion. Fort Lemhi was reoccupied in 1862 by miners, who grew vegetables there for sale. The name Lemhi became applied to

5963-406: The party was made up of entirely civilian volunteers, and not directly under army supervision. On January 4, 1858, around fifty miles east of Fort Lemhi, the party realized the mountaineers had abandoned the area, taking their animals with them. The mountaineers had abandoned their normal winter quarters due to rumors originating from Fort Lemhi that the Mormons were to soon emigrate north and overrun

6052-530: The peaceful entrance of the U.S. Army into Utah. Mormons began settling in what is now Utah (then part of Alta California in the Centralist Republic of Mexico ) in the summer of 1847. Mormon pioneers began leaving the United States for Utah after a series of severe conflicts with neighboring communities in Missouri and Illinois resulted, in 1844, in the death of Joseph Smith , founder of

6141-641: 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. Van Vliet's arrival in Salt Lake City was welcomed cautiously by the Mormon leadership. Van Vliet had been previously known by the Latter-day Saints in Iowa, and they trusted and respected him. However, he found the residents of Utah determined to defend themselves. He interviewed leaders and townspeople and "attended Sunday services, heard emotional speeches, and saw

6230-467: The region, and dug ditches which are still in use. At least three of the Mormon missionaries at Fort Lemhi married Shoshone women. According to tradition, Sacajawea was born in an area near where the fort would eventually stand. She led Lewis and Clark's company through the Continental Divide through what is now known as Lemhi Pass. The mission was named Fort Limhi for King Limhi ,

6319-518: The remaining 69 colonists to retreat to the log fort. They also captured over 200 cattle and 30 horses. In March, after a rescue effort made by Lehi militia members, the colonizers abandoned the fort and returned to Utah. Ficklin returned with Powell to Camp Scott in April, with only about thirty horses, as Le Grand Coquin kept the rest of the animals for himself. The people at Fort Lemhi endured siege conditions for roughly three weeks while waiting for

6408-474: The road by felling trees or destroying the river fords where you can. Watch for opportunities to set fire to the grass on their windward so as, if possible, to envelop their trains. Leave no grass before them that can be burned. Keep your men concealed as much as possible, and guard against surprise. The Mormons blocked the army's entrance into the Salt Lake Valley , and weakened the U.S. Army by hindering them from receiving provisions. The confrontation between

6497-404: 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. He further charged the Church with murder, destruction of federal court records, harassment of federal officers, and slandering the federal government. He concluded by urging the president to appoint a governor who was not a member of

6586-445: The shedding of blood". 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. Nevertheless, Van Vliet told Young that he believed that the Mormons "have been lied about the worst of any people I ever saw". He promised to stop the Utah Expedition on his own authority, and on September 14, he returned east through

6675-504: The summer. While Young became aware of the change in territorial administration through press reports and other sources, he received no official notification of his replacement until Cumming arrived in the Territory in November 1857. 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. They were ordered not to take offensive action against

6764-409: The territory. There were several casualties, predominantly non-Mormon civilians. Although the war featured no significant military battles, it included the Mountain Meadows Massacre , where Mormon militia members disarmed and murdered about 120 settlers traveling to California. The resolution of the Utah War came through negotiations that permitted federal troops to enter Utah Territory in exchange for

6853-443: The trail. The Captain, therefore, left his escort and proceeded alone. Van Vliet arrived in Salt Lake City on September 8. Historian Harold Schindler states that his mission was to contact Governor Young and inform him of the expedition's mission: to escort the new appointees, to act as a posse comitatus and to establish at least two and perhaps three new U.S. Army camps in Utah. Conversing with Van Vliet, Young denied complicity in

6942-644: The two peoples might "unite together" and their "interests become one". Between August 30 and September 1, 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). This meeting may have been Young's attempt to win Indian support against the United States and refrain from raids against Mormon settlements. In sermons on August 16 and again one month later, Young publicly urged

7031-559: The wicked should be destroyed from the face of the earth, and that the Indians would be the principal means by which this object should be accomplished." Fort Lemhi was particularly significant to Brigham Young's war strategy, as it would be a waystation in case of a northern evacuation from Utah. As tensions between the US government and the Utah territory increased, Young developed a contingency plan to evacuate his followers north via Fort Lemhi as far north as Canada if necessary. In October 1856, Fort Lemhi missionary Pleasant Green Taylor

7120-489: Was a key part of Brigham Young's strategy to maintain independence from the United States. Brigham Young and other church leaders taught that by accepting baptism and intermarriage with Mormons, Native Americans would fulfill a Book of Mormon prophecy that Lamanites would return to the House of Israel. While it is no longer a core tenant of the Latter-day faith, at the time leaders taught that "the time had arrived when all

7209-538: Was canceled and that the Army was on the move. The men quickly returned to Salt Lake City and notified Brigham Young that U.S. Army units were marching on the Mormons. Young announced the approach of the army to a large group of Latter-day Saints gathered in Big Cottonwood Canyon for Pioneer Day celebrations on 24 July. Young disagreed with Buchanan's choices for governor of the territory. Although Young's secular position simplified his administration of

7298-552: Was cast. Mormon colonists in small outlying communities in the Carson Valley and San Bernardino, California were ordered to leave their homes to consolidate with the main body of Latter-day Saints in Northern and Central Utah. All LDS missionaries serving in the United States and Europe were recalled. Young also sent George A. Smith to the settlements of southern Utah to prepare them for action. Young's strategies to defend

7387-476: Was close to the number of people killed during the seven-year contemporaneous struggle in " Bleeding Kansas ". In the end, negotiations between the United States and the Latter-day Saints resulted in a full pardon for the Latter-day Saints (except those involved in the Mountain Meadows murders), the transfer of Utah's governorship from church president Brigham Young to non-Mormon Alfred Cumming , and

7476-434: Was customary. They believed that only through a state run by church leadership could they maintain their religious freedom. The U.S. Congress created the Utah Territory as part of the Compromise of 1850 . President Millard Fillmore selected Brigham Young, the LDS Church's president , as the first governor of the Territory. The Mormons were pleased by the appointment, but gradually the amicable relationship between Mormons and

7565-425: Was delivered by messenger to Col. Alexander with the approaching army. The most important provision forbade "all armed forces of every description from coming into this Territory, under any pretense whatsoever". It also commanded that "all the forces in said Territory hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's notice to repel any and all such invasion." But more important to California and Oregon bound travelers

7654-469: Was instructed to contact an agent of the Hudson's Bay Company about purchasing Fort Hall . Taylor and three other missionaries travelled to the Bitterroot Valley to meet with Hudson's Bay agent Neil McArthur. McArthur agreed to pass Young's interest along to Hudson's Bay, and the four Fort Lemhi missionaries returned to Brigham Young with a map and favorable reports of the valley. They were impressed with

7743-503: Was pleased with the growth of the mission and friendly relations he felt the colonizers had with the local Native American tribes. He told the missionaries to move their families to Fort Lemhi. Young also made plans for a second fort on the Salmon River's east fork. In a sermon, Heber C. Kimball reminded the missionaries of their duty to intermarry with the Native Americans and become one people. Nine men responded by leaving

7832-488: Was removed as an official practice of the church by Wilford Woodruff . However, the rest of American society rejected polygamy, and some commentators accused the Mormons of gross immorality. 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". The Republicans associated

7921-702: Was the third section that stated "Martial law is hereby declared to exist in this Territory ... and no person shall be allowed to pass or repass into, through or from this territory without a permit from the proper officer." Utah War Peace Commission Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.133 via cp1102 cp1102, Varnish XID 546751215 Upstream caches: cp1102 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 05:36:09 GMT Fort Lemhi Brigham Young called twenty-seven men from

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