Mormon battalion in 1846

Mormon battalion rendering from brochure

Fort Leavenworth had a major role to play in the history of Mormon battalion. A brochure, "The Mormon Battalion at Fort Leavenworth," is available at the Leavenworth Convention and Visitors Bureau office or online at https://home.army.mil/leavenworth/application/files/4614/9755/6852/PAO-Mormon-Battalion-Brochure.pdf

 

Several sites are mentioned in the brochure, including the grave marker of Col. John Allen, first commander of the Mormon Battalion in 1846. He is buried at the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery on post.

According to the brochure, President James K. Polk sent out a request for a battalion of Mormon men in 1846. Brig. Gen. Stephen W. Kearney at Fort Leavenworth sent Col. Allen to raise a battalion of more than 500 men in Iowa territory. After spending about two weeks at Fort Leavenworth, the battalion marched 2,000 miles to San Diego, one of the longest marches in U.S. Army history.

 

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