| Description |
During the period of United States History typified by the westward movement, military posts were established along the main routes of travel for the principal purpose of providing protection to those hardy souls who looked to the setting sun for a better way of life. There was at least one exception to this practice, however, and it is the topic of this thesis. The author has an abiding interest in military movements in the West and a desire to learn more of the contribution made to America by dusty cavalrymen and footsore infantry men. This study of Camp Floyd, Utah Territory, grew out of this interest, which bordered at times on obsession. Though Camp Floyd was typical of western outposts in many respects, it was still unique in the purpose of its establishment- to quell the reported rebellion of subjects of the United States. An attempt has been made in this work to capture the excitement and romance experienced by the frontier soldiers stationed at Camp Floyd, as well as to discuss their several contributions to the development of the West. Appreciation is expressed to the many people and institutions who aided the author in preparing this work; to Dr. Leland H. Creer, Head of the Department of History at the University of Utah, for his guidance and encouragement in supervising this thesis, to Dr. David E. Miller, Professor of History at the University, for his detailed reading of this work and for his helpful suggestions on style and phraseology, to the University of Utah Library, Utah State Historical Society, the Bancroft Library, and the L.D.S. Church Historian*s Office for making available the primary material used in this thesis, and to the author's grandfather, Henry George Mathis, a pioneer of Utah, who was directly influenced by the topic of this paper. Especial appreciation is due the author*s wife, Sara-Beth, for her untiring efforts in typing this thesis and for the patience, understanding, and encouragement she has expressed to him in the preparation of this work. |
