Existing comment:
Formation of the Mormon Battalion:
President James K. Polk and members of Congress had adopted the policy of "Manifest Destiny," which was the idea of extending the United States boundaries from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Only the Mexican Provinces of California and New Mexico prevented the "Manifest Destiny" from becoming a reality. President Polk also did not want the area to fall under British or French rule. Neither did President Polk want a large body of Mormons joining forces with Britain or France. Trouble had existed for some time between Mexico and the United States in 1845, it reawakened the anger of the Mexican government, which bitterly disputed the borders of Texas set up by the United States. So, as a result, in May of 1846, war became the outcome of the disputes between the two countries.
When James C. Little, representing President Brigham Young, met with President Polk requesting help for the Mormons stranded on the Iowa prairie, he was advised that the United States government would render aid by having the Mormons provide a contingency of men to join the Army of the West in the Mexican War. President Polk then sent word to Colonel Stephen W. Kearny who was stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, authorizing the Mormon camps to recruit the men. After being mustered in a t [sic] Council Bluffs, Iowa, on July 16, 1846, the Mormon Battalion began their March to California from Ft. Leavenworth on July 20, 1846. Their 2,000 mile March is one of the longest recorded in history. |