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Show 'Mormon War' ended without shedding blood By TOM McHOES The Daily Herald It was a war in which no one was killed. In 1857, a group of pioneers known as the Mormons, found themselves facing military opposition from their country which they had fought to protect just before entering the Utah territory. In 1846. while they were migrating across the plains, fleeing from religious persecution, they had volunteered 500 men to fight in the war with Mexico. According to a Lehi tourism publication of the city's Historical of and Chamber Commission Commerce and the Utah County Mormon the Travel Council, Batallion was instrumental in securing all of the states of California, Arizona, Nevada. Utah and parts of Colorado and New Mexico during that war. The religious group, despite its pleas for help, had been forced on numerous occasions to flee its opposers and had been unable to obtain the help of U.S. leaders in overcoming harsh persecution. Still. Mormon leader Brigham Young agreed to the national government's request to send 500 volunteers to fight against the Mexican military. "Yei. just a short decade later, the W- - Pnn-- i rr- - " ' J--".. mj WW 'V t 4 Photo courtesy of Donald R. Moorman Territory and the troops were sent to enforce the civil laws of the territory. The army was later called away to fight in the Civil War. If the military did enter the settleBuchanan sent to Utah over 2,500 armed men." ment, the Mormons were determined Angered by the announcement but that it would find nothing but burned buildings. realizing his group's vulnerable position. Young commanded the religious Why the United States would send militia to delay the U.S. forces' entry (See WAR, Page 29) into the territory w ithout bloodshed. Here is an artist's rendering of Johnston's Army Federal Court judges were enroute to Utah in 1857-5threatened by the Mormons' sole presence in the Utah States sent to the Utah Territory the largest military detachment then in existence to quell the rebellious Mormons." the tourism publication reads. "With orders issued from the War Department on May 28, 1857. President James United PUT SOME UTAH HISTORY M fcflWHEN H$t YOU REALLY NEEDgf A PAY AT THE BEACH H 7flCfQ5?- M tJI FUkHfitr IN YOUR OWN HOME! E Better Grade Antique Furniture FOURWlNNSjl osoSsra cnaMiana H Over 12,000 sq. ft. American Oak, Pine & Walnut Furniture Lai Quality Preservation Work Since 1976 See Our Large Selection Today & Save Owner Warren Hyer Says: 1 feU s MARINE! & lSS jS BOAT SALES & SERVICE IpF 1305 North 1200 West O rem 225-384- 4 ft h "Your satisfaction is 'Warrenteed' with pur 'Hyer' Quality Furniture" THEANTIQUER Proud to Preserve The Past 4203 South State, Murray 262-965- 28 8 |