--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Anderson, Edward H. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 23 number: 3 published: 1920-01 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Anderson, Edward H., "Mormon Battalion and Its Monument," *Improvement Era* 23, no. 3 (January 1920): 236–246.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2303unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera2303unse start_page: 236 end_page: 246 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1920-01) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2303unse publication_year: 1920 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1920, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Mormon Battalion and Its Monument 238 IMPROVEMENT ERA deep wells, which the future traveler will enjoy. With- out a guide who had traversed them, we have ventured into trackless table lands where water was not found for several marches. With crowbar and pick and ax in hand, we have worked our way over mountains which seemed to defy aught save the wild goat, and hewed a passage through a chasm of living rock more narrow than our wagons. To bring these first wagons to the Pacific, we have preserved the strength of our mules by herding them over large tracts, which you have guarded without loss. The garrison of four presidios of Sonora con- centrated within the walls of Tucson gave us no pause. We drove them out, with their artillery, but our inter- course with the citizens was unmarked by a single act of injustice. Thus marching, half naked and half fed and living upon wild animals, we have discovered and made a road of great value to our country. Arrived at the first settlement of California, after a single day's rest, you cheerfully turned off from the route to this point of promised repose, to enter upon a campaign and meet, as we supposed, the approach of an enemy; and this, too, without even salt to season your subsistence of fresh meat. Lieuts. A. J. Smith and George Stoneman, of the First Dragoons, have shared and given valuable aid in all these labors. Thus, volunteers, you have exhibited some high and essential qualities of veterans. But much remains undone. Soon you will turn your attention to the drill, to system and order, to forms also, which are all necessary to the — soldier. By order Lieut.-Col. P. St. George Cooke. The First Step The first step was taken in 1915 when Governor William Spry, in a message to the Legislature, recommended the building of a monument to the Mormon Battalion. His message was accompanied by an historical petition from the Daughters of the Mormon Battalion reading in part, as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen: It has been the custom in all ages and among all people for those who enjoy the advantages of a higher civilization to memorialize the achievements of those who, by heroic sacrifice, blazed the trails and laid the foundation of that civilization. Utah is unique among her sister states of the west, in that she has numbered among her citizens the members of a battalion that rendered a splendid service in that conflict which raised the standard of the United States over the Rocky Mountains, * * * and upon the shores of the Pacific ocean. After a lapse of almost seventy years, when the plain facts of history apart MORMON BATTALION AND ITS MONUMENT 239 from prejudices and personalities depend upon their own merits for their illumination; when the seeds of a great patriotic service have matured to a glorious fruition, we feel that the time is ripe to ask, not only for a site for this monument; but, further, that an appropriation be made for a monument to the Mormon Battalion. As a basis for such request we submit the following facts for your consideration: The Mormon Battalion was regularly enlisted into the service of the United States July 16, 1846, at Council Bluffs, la. The call for 500 volunteers came to the pioneers, the founders of this state and the vanguard of western civilization, when they were in the midst of their journey to the Rocky Mountains. While the enlistment of the Battalion entailed great sacrifice upon those who enlisted, and upon their families who were left behind homeless and unprovisioned, in an open country infested by savages and wild animals, it nevertheless was the means of rendering great assistance to the people as a whole in the preparations for their advent into these valleys. The fact that these 500 men were in the service of the United States was the plea effectually used by Colonel Kane at Washington in securing the privilege for the Utah pioneers to plant and harvest crops upon the Indian lands along the shores of the Missouri river. The seeds that matured upon these lands were brought here and planted in the virgin soil of Utah. The Mormon Battalion rendered financial aid to the pioneers of this state. Upon enlisting each soldier received from the government, besides his accoutrements, which he was to retain after his term of service had expired, forty-two dollars in cash, as clothing money for the year. The clothing was not purchased, and a good portion of the money was sent back to Council Bluffs for the use of the people there ; and thus doubtless assisted in completing the equipment of the pioneers who entered Salt Lake Valley July 24, 1847. Under the command of Col. Philip St. George Cooke the Battalion made an infantry march of 2,000 miles from the Missouri river to the Pacific coast. On account of the sacrifice which they had made in not purchasing appropriate clothing and shoes for the long, strenuous march, they endured excruciating hardships. * * * The chart of the road as made by Colonel Cooke's engineer was placed upon the files at Washington, D. C, and later formed the basis for the construction of the Southern Pacific railroad. Upon their return march the Battalion pioneered a road from the Cajon Pass northeasterly into Salt Lake Valley, a distance of between 500 and 600 miles. ,„'.. • tt i. tj i. They participated in that conflict which made California, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona a part of the United States. * * * They took part in the discovery of the first gold in California, which event to the nation's wealth; pacified the Calif ornians; added uncounted millions gave an impetus to emigration from many nations; and marked the beginning of the wonderful development of the West. which They brought from California to this state seeds of various kinds, were of inestimable value to the people here in early days. The pueblo detachment of the Mormon Battalion, comprising the at Pueblo, consisting of 143 sick and disabled who had winter-quartered ; soldiers and a number of families, entered Salt Lake valley July 29, 1847, five days after Brigham Young and his company. They reinforced the pioneers with wagons, horses, mules, cattle and guns. supplies of the in their occupation and defense of the land, lhey Thev ioined the pioneers seeds were among those who turned the first furrows; planted the first ; 240 IMPROVEMENT ERA and built the first houses. They built the first public edifice in the Rocky Mountains, the "Bowery," on the Temple grounds. They built the greater portion of the first "fort" in Salt Lake City; it occupied what is now Pioneer Park. The first white child born in this valley was the daughter of John Campbell Steele, a member of the Mormon Battalion. Connection with Irrigation. While passing through the valley or Sante Fe, members of the Battalion had made observations concerning a system of irrigation employed by the natives of that region. Our modern system of irrigation has doubtless evolved from ideas brought here by the Mormon Battalion. The Pueblo detachment was discharged after arriving in Salt Lake valley. Capt. James Brown was sent to California with power of attorney to collect their pay. He returned with $10,000 in Spanish doubloons,which was the first gold coin circulated in Utah. The Pueblo detachment of the Mormon Battalion was the first United Slates military organization to come here. They entered Salt Lake valley to the strains of martial music accompanied by Brigham Young and escort. They camped upon City creek, and Brigham Young thanked them in the presence of all assembled for the service which they had rendered to the people and their country. Conclusions. The Mormon Battalion rendered a service to the nation: In that they performed an important part in opening the highways between the east and the west; In that they assisted in establishing the United States government and in introducing American civilization upon the shores of the Pacific ocean; The Battalion rendered not only a national service, but a world service; In that they participated in the discovery of the first gold in California. The Mormon Battalion rendered a service to the State of Utah: In that they aided her pioneers in their preparations for coming to these valleys; In that they added splendid reinforcements to the supplies of the pioneers; In that they took part in the earliest activities; of the state In that much of the seeds sown in the virgin soil of Utah were fruits of their enlistment; In that they brought here the first ideas for that wonderful system of irrigation whicb made possible the fruition of those seeds. Further, we desire to express our appreciation that the United States government, through the enlistment of the Mormon Battalion rendered important aid to the Utah pioneers in their labor of founding this state. Government money paid to the Battalion assisted in equipping the pioneers of 1847. Government permission, obtained on account of the enlistment of the Mormon Battalion, gave the pioneers permission to pass through and settle temporarily upon Indian lands, and to plant and harvest crops; and Further, we feel that Utah's first memorial should commemorate the first national and patriotic event in her history as a state and a part of the United States. For the foregoing reasons we feel that it is right and fitting for the State of Utah to make an appropriation for a monument in honor of the MORMON BATTALION AND ITS MONUMENT 241 Mormon Battalion; and further that a site upon the capitol grounds be set apart for that monument; and we ask that such be granted. Daughters of the Mormon Battalion The petition and the Governor's message resulted in an act, approved March 16, 1915, creating and appointing a com- HARLEY MOW KEY Last Surviving member of the Mormon Battalion now residing (May, 1919) in Vernal, Utah, Born 1822, in Providence, Rhode Island. mittee of seven citizens who were to select a site on the Capitolgrounds, and procure a design for the monument. The commission was named as follows: B. H. Roberts, chairman, Mary Jones Clawson, George F. Goodwin, fm. H. Pettigrew, John S. Bransford, John K. Hardy, May Belle T. Davis, secretary. The personnel was later changed, and the present com- : 242 IMPROVEMENT ERA rnittee is composed of the following well-known citizens: Brigham H. Roberts, president; Samuel C. Park, vice-president; May Belle T. Davis, secretary and treasurer; Thomas N. Taylor, Charles H. Hart, and Annie M. Wallace. In 1917, the committee had secured a design for a monument by a nation-wide competition, which was presented to the Legislature. The Legislature passed a bill providing for the appointment of a Commission to proceed with the erection of the monument on the site selected. It also appropriated $100,- 000, available January 1, 1920, for the purpose, provided a like sum were secured from other sources and deposited with the state treasurer. Then the world war came, and the matter was necessarily delayed. But in 1919, the subject of the monument was again brought up, and the sentiment expressed by the legislative committee to whom the matter had been submitted "that the work of the Mormon Battalion Monument Commission should not be interfered with." So the work is going on, and the Commission is at present engaged in the task of raising the extra $100,000 to add to the state appropriation, to complete the monument a grand — achievement, in which every citizen of the state of Utah and the West will take pride. Readers of the Era will take delight in the following description of the monument by Samuel C. Park, formerly Mayor of Salt Lake City, a member of the Commission, who, with two other members, was appointed to inspect and pass upon the model Description of the Monument The base is in triangular form, with concave sides and rounded corners. A bronze figure of a Battalion man is mounted upon the front corner. Flanking him on two sides of the triangle are cut in high relief, on the left, the scene of the enlistment of the Battalion under the flag of the United States of America; on the right a scene of the march where the men are assisting in pulling the wagons of their train up and over a precipitous ascent, while still others are ahead widening a cut to permit the passage of the wagons between the outjutting rocks. The background is a representation of mountains of the character through which the Battalion and its train passed on the journey to the Pacific. Just below the peak in the center and in front of it is chiseled a beautiful head and upper part of a woman symbolizing the "Spirit of the West." She personifies the impulsive power and motive force that sustained these Battalion men and led them, as a vanguard of civilization, across the trackless plains and through the difficult defiles and passes of the mountains. The idea of the sculptor in the "Spirit of the West" is a magnificent conception and should dominate the whole monument. MORMON BATTALION AND ITS MONUMENT 243 MORMON BATTALION MONUMENT View from the South Side, the Monument faces West. The bronze figure of the battalion man is dignified, strong, and reverential. He excellently typifies that band of pioneer soldiers which broke a way through the rugged mountains and over trackless wastes. Hovering over and above him the beautiful female figure, with an air of solicitous care, guards him in his reverie. Her face stands out in full relief: the hairand diaphanous drapery waft back mingling with the clouds while the figure fades into dim outline in the massive peaks and mountains, seeming to pervade the air and the soil with her very soul. The Spirit of the West is but one of the many attributes of Deity symbolizing that Infinite Love and care which the Deity has for all his children, and it represents the hope, courage and determination which moved and impelled the Battalion man, his comrades and all the others 244 IMPROVEMENT ERA who have followed in their footsteps in the settlement and development of the great West. It is the Spirit back of the breaking of the soil by the farmer, back of the institution of our schools, back of our mines, back of our government and of our very hearthsides. It permeates the air, the soil and the hearts of men. It tempers the character of all who come within the influence of the boundless plains and majestic peaks. It has led men to make a garden of a desert and a treasure house of the mountain. It has justified and approved every sacrifice to make this part of the world a better place to live. It is constant, never ending— infinite. pleasant to contemplate these thoughts as expressed in the model, It is at this time when the world is all but overcome with the idea of individualism, and while new governments, shifting as the sands, conceived in greed, envy and malice daily are born, struggle and die. Our proposed monument represents and commemorates such ideals in cooperation, steadfastness and progress as should be a lesson and an inspiration to this and to succeeding generations. The back of the monument has been most happily designed. It the third side of the triangle and remains to be described. is Thecentral idea is the dimly suggested figure of an Indian woman, of the southwestern type, whose head shows in relief against the background peaks and whose body and outstretched arms draped in the customary blanket are faintly suggested in the crags and rocks. In fact the head is the only part of the figure that is chiseled clear in outline, the balance of the figure being only dimly suggested. Just as the "Spirit of the West" in the front dominates and pervades, so — figure has the air of receding and disappearance the evanish- this ment of a former race. The figure is heroic in size and beautifully conceived. On either side, really on the lower folds of the blanket or on ths rocks whereon the blanket is suggested, are two more scenes incidental to the journey and labors of the battalion. On the right half is a scene of Sutters mill where some of the battalion members in digging the tailrace for the mill turned up the first gold bearing gravel that led to the great gold rush to California in '49, and contributed so many millions to the wealth of the country. On the left half is shown a battalion man digging a ditch and leading the water from a creek to overflow the land so that the pioneers could break the ground that had shattered their plow points and broken their plows. This was the introduction of irrigation into Utah. The back of the monument in its conception and treatment, by its stateliness and suggested grandeur and what the artists call "atmosphere" made a distinct impression upon the committee, and no changes or modifications were thought of nor suggested. It seemed a very happy solution of a difficult problem. From the irrigating stream and the tailrace of the mill it is designed to have small streams of flowing water forming a pool in the shape of a half moon at the rear and so arranged as to pass this water through to the other side to form two pools or lagoons on the front side of the monument. Immediately surrounding the monument the architects have laid out a pavement in red brick tile with a border of an Indian design. This dark tile will save the glare and dazzling reflection of the bright sun of our clear atmosphere upon a white granite monument. There are also graceful and symmetrical walks, a granite coping, and MORMON BATTALION AND ITS MONUMENT 245 seats suitably located and arranged to give everyone ample opportunity for a casual or studied view of the monument and its parts. Beyond these walks and seats immediately around the monument, the pools, lagoon and walks are designed to join in and harmonize with the rest of the Capitol grounds. Nothing like this monument has ever been designed or built before. It is original and unique. Few states can boast the achievements such as are commemorated in this design. More than 70 years have elapsed since the battalion made its memorable march and the most of its members have passed to the great beyond. So this monument should be built at once if we are to proceed according to first hand evidence and information and not according to more or less fanciful and legendary tales concerning them and their difficult journey. It is sufficiently creditable and glorifying to tell their history as it THE MORMON BATTALION MONUMENT From a drawing showing the east side was and without adornment. The most important events are to be shown in bronze and stone upon this monument. Its execution will certainly tax the sculptor to his utmost, but I believe it is in thoroughly capable hands, and when built will be one of the really great monuments of the United States. were While, to be sure, these men were all of the "Mormon" faith they at the same time regularly enlisted soldiers of the United States army and acunder command of regular United States officers, and their sacrifices complishments are to be put in enduring form not only as belonging to this state and its people, but to the people of the whole great West purpose Therefore, let us adhere to the proposed model with steadfast build it not only as an added attraction to the many we have for the to : 246 IMPROVEMENT ERA tourist and visitor, but more especially as an object of great interest for study and inspiration for our children and our children's children. The Duty of the People of Utah Brigham H. Roberts, in his recently published 100-page History of the Mormon Battalion, makes the following appeal to the public, which all who read will heartily endorse, not in feelings alone, but with the substantial cash which may be handed to the committees now at work in Salt Lake City, and in every county and settlement of Utah and the surrounding States "Such is the Monument to be erected in commemoration of this great march of infantry whose achievements are so closely and inseparably connected with winning for the United States her present inheritance in the intermountain west, and on the shores of the Pacific; also whose achievements and glory are so inseparably connected with the founding of the State of Utah, as the work of part of her pioneer state builders. It is the duty of the people of Utah, to whom appeal is now made, to raise the $100,000 necessary to make the state's appropriation of a like amount available to build the monument. To fail in such a duty would be to disgrace the state. No other state in the Union has such a unique incident to celebrate as this Battalion incident in our Utah Pioneer history. It is both heroic and dramatic; and in the results achieved is one of the largest events contributed by any state to the history of our country. Utah owes it to the State and the Nation to build this monument, that memory of this greatest march of infantry in the world, and the heroism of those who made it, shall not perish from among men. "It is the purpose of the Utah State Mormon Battalion Monument Commission to raise this fund by the 30th day of — — January, 1920 Battalion Day being the seventy -third anniversary of the official ending of their march, and arrival upon the shores of the Pacific. The respective counties have been organized for the campaign for the funds, subscription lists have been opened. A campaign of public meetings in the interest of the monument is being conducted throughout Utah and the surrounding states, giving the people of the intermountain west every opportunity to honor themselves, their posterity, and their state, by fittingly memorializing the March and Achievements of the Mormon Battalion." Southern Sketches By Charles F. Steele HI. —The Pillar of Prophecy The predictions of the servants of the Lord never fail, although at the time of their utterance the fulfilment, in the eyes of men, may appear utterly impossible. This truth is attested by a silent witness which stands on the corner of Broad and Fifth streets of Augusta, Georgia. It is locally known as the Pillar of Prophecy. An interesting story is attached to this old landmark, and it often recalled from the dusty recesses of memory to im- is press one with the fundamental truth that God lives and never forgets the utterances of his authorized servants. The Pillar of Prophecy is a white, concrete shaft, perhaps twelve feet in height. It stands in the center of the sidewalk, the pavement having been laid around it, leaving the Pillar undisturbed. This fact is very significant in that Broad street is the principal thoroughfare of the city, and space is, therefore, valuable. The significance becomes plain when the story of the Pillar is told. It is a story that dates back more than thirty years, when Augusta was first catching the glimpse of her present greatness, when she was undergoing the process of transition from a city of the Old South to one of the New. The incident was known 248 IMPROVEMENT ERA then to Augustans, first hand, the old-timers handing it down to their posterity, as a thing worth remembering. And now for the story. There appeared on the streets of Augusta about thirty years ago a stranger. He was a man of mystery. No one knew whence he came, nor whither he departed. He was a preacher who, like the prophets of old, cried repentance unto the city. He is described as a man of average height, with hair of pure white and neatly trimmed, stately in appearance, and possessing a voice clear and pleasing, yet incisive, even to the piercing of the human heart. This unknown evangelist usually spoke in the Market Place. This was composed of two large sheds, extending about one hundred feet across the street (the street is one hundred and eighty feet from curb to curb), and about two hundred feet long. The sheds were supported by pillars. One shed was known as the "Upper Market," the other the "Lower Market." Here the people of the city gathered each morning to purchase their daily supply of produce from the farmers coming in from the surrounding country. Aremarkable prophecy was made by the Preacher. He predicted that the "Lower Market" would be destroyed by a storm, but that the southwest corner post would remain as a testimony to the people that he was a prophet of God, and that his warning message was true. He further solemnly averred that if anyone attempted to move the Pillar that person would die. Shortly after the utterance of this strange prophecy, a devastating electrical storm swept over the city of Augusta, destroying the "Lower Market" but leaving, as the Prophet had said, the south-west pillar. The Pillar of Prophecy still stands. No one has ventured to move it. Neither white nor colored exhibit any willingness to take the risk. The Pillar also survived the fury of the great fire of 1916, which practically obliterated the business district of Augusta. The Pillar escaped unscathed, although buildings around it are still lying in ruins. The mysterious Prophet was later entertained at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mack Little, of Groveland, Georgia, which is located about fifteen miles west of Augusta. In conversation with Mr. Little, the Prophet reiterated the direful prediction made on the streets of the city. The Little family still reside in Richmond county, and vouch for the truth of the story. They testify that the stranger never divulged his identity, and that he was never seen again. Who was this Prophet? Oldtime Augustans believe him to be John the Baptist, or some other of the Biblical prophets. But Latter-day Saints are of the belief that the stranger may have