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Show CHAPTER 10 Albert and Myron Join the Battalion Of much interest and some concern was the enlisting of what be known as the Mormon Battalion, while the Saints were on the exodus between the rivers. On June 26, 1846, Captain James Allen arrived at Mt. Pisgah where a number of the Saints were tem came to and announced that he had come to accept services for twelve months of four or five companies of Mormon men who were willing to serve their country for the present period of the war with Mexico.' porarily located, The enlistees would receive pay and clothing allowances the other United States enlisted men, and would march to Cali fornia where they would be mustered out at the close of their en same as listment period. Men between the ges of would be accepted if in good health. eighteen and forty-five So much has been written about the Mormon Battalion that it unnecessary to repeat the story. However, it may be wise misconceptions relative to this important event. At the time of the filling of the quotas, church officials counted the advantages and disadvantages in regard to the recruiting, and decided the advantages outweighed the disadvantages. In other words the church leaders favored the enlistment of the Mormon Battalion. 2 seems to correct a few In later years, especially during the period of raids on Mormon polygamists in Utah, many harsh charges were hurled at the United States government for taking five hundred men the flower of the - Mormon manpower to fight the enemy of the United States, when the government had treated them so shabbily. Some have gone to the extent of charging the United States with a conspiracy to interfere with the westward movement of the Saints. - |
