Show The Tue Battalion Drive RO ROM Santa Fc Jc N. N M. M r. r t to the tIle Pacific fic const coast through J F 2000 mires miles of trackless wilderness was a n big drive e There is another big drive on now to honor bonor the thc men nien who made the first one They were wele the thc men of the thc Mormon battalion enlisted for the war with Mexico equipped and officered by the United States government who made that historic march nearl nearly three quarters of ofa a L century ago The sacrifices they endured and he the hardships the they suffered are aro but little known and cannot b be easily imagined They were valiant men of the old stock American born and true pioneers and the they couldn't turn back The country they the traversed was uninhabited uninhabited un un- un- un inhabited c- c except by aborigines and und wild animals animal yet et they pressed on overcoming all aU obstacles until thc their r goal was reached If such a journey should be bc undertaken undertaken undertaken under under- taken and accomplished in this day under the difficulties difficulties ties which surrounded the Mormon battalion it would b be heralded throughout bout the world as little short of a mir mi- nir acle e. It was November 1 i 1846 the tho battalion set forth from froni Santa Fe Fc and md January 30 when the thc Stars and Stripes were unfurled over their first permanent camp camp camp- the journe journeys journey's s end end in in S of the blue Pacific It was wasa wasn a n perilous service During Daring the most of the journey they had been cut off from bases of supplies and from all communication with the world Many perished b by the way war The others carried on and reached rached their destina destina- tion Col P. P St. St George Cooke their commanding officer said at the time II History ma may be bc searched in vain for an equal march of infantry Half of it has been through a wilderness where nothing but savages rind hud wild beasts were found or deserts where for want of f water there is no li living ling ng creature Tre with almost hopeless labor we C have e dug deep wells iveUs which the traveler will ill enjoy They were the thc first to open up the tb-e southern highways highways high high- ways ays across the thc great west yg They were among the first to find gold in California They cro the first to intro intro- duce duc irrigation as a n. practical menus means of reclaiming arid land and Tho The people of or Utah are familiar with the history of that glorious march They have havo Ion long sought to perpetuate perpetu I ate tho the heroic deeds eeds of the battalion in some enduring fa way The m myn mn n themselves s have ha near neary all all jam lain their weary yeary bodies down to rest in that quiet et final sleep that comes to us all but their spirit yet ct lives in the breasts of their descendants and iu in the hearts of the citizens 01 of the flock Rocky mountain states who know and appreciate the value of their great achievements The Legislature of Utah in n recognition of their valorous deeds has appropriated towards a suitable memorial to be lie erected the grounds s of the the Capitol jn in in Salt SnIt Lake Cit City and this sum is is to be he made ninde available when A an all equal amount another amount another is is collected from public sub subscriptions A corn cora mission appointed l h. h by the governor is now engaged cd in collection of thu fund A A A. design desin for the monument has been agreed upon au anti aud it is in all respects s artistic and creditable bc being the handiwork of a Chicago artist artisto o of nati national nal reputation Accor According to the terms tenDS of the law lav the work of construction may not be begun until ille the ie funds arc paid in Experienced speakers under the direction of a spirited public committee consisting of Chairman B. B II H. Roberts Mrs Maybelle Thurman DaYis Davis and Sam C. C Park former mayor of Salt Snit Lake City arc now engaged ed in this drive for the necessary fun funds fund's s an and hope and expect to accomplish their task I in the next S. S few months The Tim committee and the s speakers and all who are arc len lending iut a helping hand han have dedicated their efforts to this lo loyal nl service ice without compensation or 01 hope of reward other than that which comes to requite good deeds successfully performed It t is an appeal that deserves generous g response It should have the wi widest e t possible publicity an and c every man mall woman and aud child chil should be proud to lo e. e |