Civil War Markers
Utah Cavalry
This monument lists the names of the men who were called to join the only military unit from Utah to serve in the U.S. Civil War. During this time, Utah was still in the process of applying for statehood. The marker is located on the west side of the Utah State Capitol Building.
On April 28, 1862, Brigham Young received a telegraph from secretary of war, General Lorenzo Thomas by direction of President Abraham Lincoln asking for a company of men to protect the Overland Trail and the delivery of the mail for 90 days.
Less than 2 days later, a cavalry of men was organized under the leadership of Lot Smith. They were commissioned by the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to see this as an opportunity from God to be “emissaries of the Church” and to show loyalty to the United States. They were directed to hold high standards of conduct and to improve the trail and bridges along the way.
It took 26 days traveling through snow, mud, rivers and streams to get to Independence Rock in Wyoming. There they joined Lieutenant Colonel William Collins’ cavalry. The Utah company returned home in August 1862. Together they earned $35,000 for wages and expenses.
The Mormon Battalion Monuments
Utah State Capitol & This is the Place Heritage Park
On the southeast side of the Utah State Capitol is a monument depicting the different stages of The Mormon Battalion. Pictured above is the east side of the monument with scenes of the Peublo detachment arriving in the Salt Lake Valley (on the left) and the California gold rush (on the right).
At This Is The Place Heritage Park, there is a Mormon Battalion Plaza with several monuments and plagues dedicated to the story of The Mormon Battalion.