Mormon Battalion
From Hanksplace
Contents |
Scouting for the Mormons on the Great Frontier
Chapter VI
THE MORMON BATTALION
After the martyrdom of the Prophet, the Saints were advised by Brigham Young to prepare for their westward journey. No one heeded this advise more keenly than did Ephraim K. Hanks. There had been a feeling of kinship between himself and Brigham Young at their first meeting which was to endure throughout their lives.
Eph immediately began to make preparation to go westward with a company of Saints. Before he was ready to leave he was sent by the authorities to Indianapolis to pilot a company of Saints to Nauvoo. They experienced some difficulty crossing the Wabash River for the ice was not sufficiently thick to hold up the teams and wagons.
The company reached Nauvoo safely. However, just in time for Eph to join one of the pioneer companies on its journey westward. At Mt. Pisgah they made camp, remaining there until President Brigham Young overtook them with some astonishing news. The United States had declared war on Mexico, and President Polk had sent Colonel Kane and Captain Allen to raise a Mormon army. Five Hundred volunteers were needed. Ephraim was among the first to offer his services.
It was no easy task for Ephraim to still the conflict in his mind. He had hoped to remain with the Saints and assist them in reaching their new home, but his country had called as well as his Prophet. He urged with himself that, inasmuch as he was not married, he was better able to make this trip than many of the others who had to leave wives and children behind. Then too, his years in the Navy had prepared him for any hardship that might confront him.
Brigham Young, taking the two Hanks brothers aside, congratulated Ephraim upon his quick response to call of his country and promised him that the Lord would be at his side. He counseled Sidney that it would be best for him to remain with the Saints and assist them on the westward journey. He also stated that all the money Ephraim could spare from his army pay should be sent to Brother Sidney to further the work of the Lord.
The send-off for the boys who joined the army was elaborate, and everyone put on his cheeriest countenance. The afternoon before their departure, a farewell ball was given in which all participated. The mid-July sun was warm as they danced Virginia reels, sang songs, and made merry.
As Brigham Young bestowed him farewell blessing on these boys and men, he gave this advice: They must all be true to their country and true to God. On not a single occasion, he added, prophetically, would they be required to shed human blood. They were to remember their prayers, to refrain from profanity, obscene language, and improper use of the name of deity; to be strictly virtuous, and never to take, that which did not belong to them, even from the worse enemies in time of war, if they could possibly avoid it.
As they took up their line of march to Fort Leavenworth, where they were to receive supplies, Eph was in the front ranks; and as Pitt's Band, which accompanied them part way, played "The Girl I Left Behind Me," Eph waved a last farewell to his brother Sid and his friends. Among the five hundred men were many sad hearts as wives and children were left behind, but to Eph this was a new adventure, which set his blood tingling.
At Fort Leavenworth the Mormon soldiers obtained their muskets, ammunition, and provisions, and drew their pay. The fact that every man in the battalion could write his own name was a cause of great surprise to the officer in charge. Greater astonishment still was manifest when each of the men turned over all his surplus money to the brethren who were returning to the Saints, with instructions that it was to be used to assist in building up a new Zion.
On August 12, 1846, they left the fort on their long trek to the coast by way of Santa Fe. Their march was interrupted by a great deal of sickness and many deaths. Eph played an important part during this period with his use of consecrated oil and the gift of healing, which he possessed to a marked degree.
One of the army doctors would treat the men with calomel for every complaint, even to a bruise. One day he left some pills for Eph's companion to take. Eph loaded the pills into a gun with some shot and at close range knocked over a sage hen. The two men enjoyed a good meal, and the next day Eph's companion was well enough to take his place in the ranks. That was the first and last time that the doctor ever heard of sickness in this tent. The boys laughed about it many times after their discharge. One of them remarked that Eph should have shot the doctor in the seat of his pants with the pills and made him run as he had made the men.
One night Eph asked his mate to answer his name at roll call. Inasmuch as they were in desperate need of meat to round out their diet, he slipped away, took a horse, and rounded up twelve head of wild cattle. The battalion had just started to march off when they saw him coming with the cattle. The men formed a hollow square into which he drove the cattle, and they had fresh beef for some time.
In a region where the cane grass grew high, they encountered a vicious herd of wild bulls, which attacked the men and the mules. Two of the mules were gored to death and several men were badly hurt. After the bulls were driven off, it was discovered that a number of them had been killed. The meat was jerked, and as much as they could carry was taken along.
Eph Hanks and his companions found the forced marches long and tiresome. Often they would be without water for days at a time. Many of the men were unable to keep up during the day and would try to catch up with the company before camp was broken the next morning. The men did not hesitate to drink any water they could find, no matter how muddy or stagnant it might be.
While traveling through the Pima Indian villages, the soldiers sometimes traded buttons off their uniforms for cakes. When they reached the mesquite brush country, where the growth was heavy, it was necessary for them to burn a trail through. It was not unusual for an occasional wagon to catch fire from the live coals, and the glowing embers were hard on the feet of both men and animals. Often, when water could not be found, it was necessary for the men to stop and dig wells to save all from perishing. Ofttimes the camp was overtaken by scurvy and malaria, which added to their distress.
It was the latter part of January when they reached Warner's Ranch and viewed their first house in California. When they arrived in San Diego, they were overjoyed to find a warm sun and abundant vegetation, which, coupled with cool water from the mountain streams, added immeasurably to their comfort.
The Mexicans were discouraged by five hundred or so men in possession of San Diego and made no trouble. Colonel Cooke, the commanding officer who led the battalion on the final lap of its march, wrote this letter of commendation:
January 30, 1847
The Lieutenant Colonel commanding congratulates the Battalion on their safe arrival on the shores of the Pacific Ocean and the conclusion of their march of two thousand miles.
History may be searched in vain for an equal march of infantry. Half of it has been through a wilderness where nothing but savages and wild beasts are found, or deserts where, for want of water, there is no living creature. There, with almost helpless labor, we have dug deep wells, which the future traveler will enjoy. Without a guide who had traversed them we have entered into trackless tablelands where water was not found on 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 laboriously guarded without loss. The garrison of four presidios of Sonora concentrated within the walls of Tucson, gave us no pause. We drove them out, with their artillery, but our intercourse with the citizens was unmarked by a single act of injustice. This, marching half naked and half fed, and living upon wild animals, we have discovered and made a road of great value to our country.
By order Lieut. Colonel P. St. George Cooke
P. C. Merrill, Adjutant
- - -
The Mormon soldiers were put to work building brick houses, walks, and a church in the little town. This was slow work and uninteresting to Ephraim Hanks and the other young men who had hopes of more exciting experiences.
One day excitement in the village grew to a high pitch because of a Spanish fiesta being held in honor of St. John's Day. Leading the parade which began the festivities were richly dressed Spaniards from neighboring haciendas, showing off their high-stepping horses. Bringing up the rear were gaudily dressed Mexicans. By eleven o'clock the parade had ended and cockfights and horse racing were in full swing. Everyone was chattering about the bullfights, which were to take place in the afternoon.
The Battalion boys had caught the spirit of the gay celebration and were as excited as the participants. A number of the boys had assembled where the horse races were taking place. In their patched and worn clothes they appeared shabby and unimportant in comparison with the ornately dressed Spaniards.
A few of the boys were listening eagerly to a heated discussion about the toreadors who were to fight the bulls in the afternoon, when one of the Spaniard turned to them and remarked, "Maybe some of these Americanos would like to fight the bull."
Bill Caspar spoke up. "From the experience we had with the wild cattle in the cane grass country, we should be able to fight them."
The Spaniards laughed in derision and bantered the Americans about being afraid of bulls, until Eph Hanks stepped forward and said, "Get us some good horses for this afternoon and we'll show you what Americans can do."
Senor Hernandez, a kindly man who had been a silent listener up to this point, offered two horses for the event; and then invited Hanks and Caspar, the would-be bullfighters, to be his guests for the day. They were introduced to his charming daughter, Conchita, who warned the boys of the dangers in fighting bulls. She tried to persuade her father not to let these young men risk their lives in such a foolish venture. The more she argued, the more determined Eph and Bill became to see it through.
News that the two Americanos were going to fight the bull that afternoon spread rapidly, with many expressing the doubt that the two soldiers would show up at all. At the appointed time the arena was jammed to capacity, and the spectators were electrified to see the two untrained Americanos ride into the ring. The boys did some hard riding to stay out of reach of the enraged bull's horns, managing to outguess him on every charge he made.
Suddenly the bull turned on Caspar unexpectedly, forcing the horse against the wall. To the spectators it appeared that the bull could not miss goring horse and rider. Many of the women covered their eyes with their hands, and all held their breath.
Alert to the danger, Eph spurred his horse to the rescue. He seized the bull by the tail and with a mighty pull turned him half way around, giving Bill a chance to ride to safety. The crowds shouted and cheered, throwing armful after armful of flowers into the ring.
Senor Hernandez and Conchita were at the gate when the two bull fighters came out, and the senor insisted that the Americanos accompany them to their hacienda. The feast set before them there was one to be long remembered. Conchita stood at Eph's side during the entire meal, serving him, as was the Spanish custom. This was a new experience for Hanks and made him somewhat uneasy.
As the boys were preparing to leave the rancho, Senor Hernandez took Eph to one side and showed him a small bag of gold and much larger bag of silver, telling him that half was his if he would stay and marry his daughter, Conchita. He also told Eph that he could have of all the calves and colts branded on the rancho.
Eph thanked him for the offer, but explained that he was determined to return to the Saints. When he saw Eph's resoluteness to leave, the kindly Spaniard gave him ten saddle horses and a good pack and riding outfit, expressing his hope that some day Eph would return to San Diego. This string of horses proved a godsend, helping Eph not only to get to Salt Lake but also to carry on afterwards.
From San Diego the Battalion was ordered to Los Angeles to help exterminate the wild dogs, which were overrunning that small village.
From the pen of John R. Young comes an account of an interesting episode that took place while the boys were stationed in Los Angeles. The Mexicans believed that these boys were greenhorns with horses. They had an ugly, vicious burro, which they controlled with the use of two lassoes, as he would charge on any man with open mouth, meaning "business."
The Mexicans succeeded in getting the beast into the street in front of a cafe, and they offered Eph five dollars if he would ride the burro and stay on him.
The burro was blindfolded and held until Eph was seated on his back and the onlookers had found places of safety. Then the ropes were carefully removed, the last man jerking the blind from the burro's eyes and making a dash through the cafe door, with the burro close on his heels. Through the swinging doors went the animal, with Eph astride him. A large, valuable mirror, which the owner of the cafe desired to sell, was leaning against the counter. When the burro saw himself in the glass, he stopped a moment; then, with teeth bared, he pitched into it, smashing the glass to bits.
The customers went pell-mell out the back door, followed by the owner, who did not even have time to put down the bowl of soup he was carrying, for the burro was reaching with open mouth for the seat of his trousers. The street was quickly cleared.
With a couple of ropes the burro was finally subdued. The Mexicans who had made the bargain were standing on the roof of a low, adobe house, utterly amazed, when Hanks found them and collected the five dollars. It is said that the cafe owner did not return to his place of business for two days.
On July 16, 1847, the Battalion boys were given their honorable discharges from the army at Los Angeles. Ephraim, with the fine horses and outfits given him by the rich Spaniard, was leader on the march north in the direction of Sutter's Fort, which they had been told was six hundred miles away.
On the 24th of August they came to a white settlement, the first they had seen since leaving Fort Leavenworth a year before.
Here they met a man named Smith who had accompanied Samuel Brannan to meet the leaders of the Church and persuade them to come to California. He informed them that five hundred wagons were on their way to Salt Lake Valley. This was the first news they had had of the westward trek of the Saints. On the 6th of September they met Sam Brannan himself, and the next day they met Captain James Brown with letters from the Church leaders advising those who had not the means of subsistence to stay in California until spring and find work. About half the number turned back but Eph with his fine horses was well prepared to journey on.
See: You Tube - A Legacy More Precious Than Gold, The Story of the Mormon Battalion
Links
- Orson Pratt Brown photo gallery
- Mormon Battalion Pension Application.pdf- Physical description & affidavits. BYU Libary microfilm collection. (Researched by Joy Pinckney, transcribed by Sherry Smith).
- Mormon Battalion Roster
- Official Mormon Battalion Soldiers Site
- Battalion - KUED Television Production
- Map of the Mormon Battalion March
- Ol' Buffalo Mormon Battalion Page by Blaine S. Nay
- The Longest Infantry March in History by Stanley B. Kimball
- "Battalion" KUED Televison Documentary
- George Washington Taggart, Mormon Battalion Volunteer - Letters to his wife, Fanny. Part of the story of George's service in the Mormon Battalion. He explains simply but eloquently, why he volunteered and how difficult it was for him to do so. He also expresses his deep love and abiding concern for his wife and young daughter whom he had left in Nauvoo to fend for themselves. in short, the reader is able to get a glimpse not only of the pathos and emotional upheaval that he experienced but also of his personal integrity and pure devotion as he expressed it - to "the roling on of the Kingdom of God."
- Artist Impression by Rick Reeves:The Mormon Brigade, back from the War with Mexico; reunited with family members near Devil's Gate, Wyoming
100th Anniversary of the Death of Ephraim K. Hanks
A Mormon Battalion Commemoration, Descendants Gather
 Anniversary Program, Outside Cover |
 Anniversary Program, Inside Cover |
 Scouting Grandsons Present Colors |
 Author of the Ephraim Hanks' Master Thesis |
 Mormon Battalion Representatives |
 Grandson of Jane Capener |
 4th great grandson |
 Honorable Remembrance |
 Mormon Battalion Marker - Caineville, Utah |
 Oldest Grandchildren of Ephraim K. Hanks |
 Descendants Gather |
 Celebration Dress as worn by Great Granddaughter |
 Descendants of Jane Capener |
 Firing of an Original Mormon Battalion Gun |
 Ephraim Hank's Gun These Springfield ball and cap guns were carried in holders attached to the saddle. Since they were carried on the horse, these are often referred to as "horse pistols." - Teton Hanks Jackman Collection |
 E K Hank's smoothbore .54 caliber single shot percussion pistol bearing his carved initials in the wood above the trigger. Markings on the pistol indicate it was made in 1847 in Middletown, Connecticut, model #1842, by H. Aston Company - photo by Chris Hanks |
 Eph's pistol with 2 notches etched under the trigger might indicate people that needed to be handled by using this weapon. The number 34 is the issue number from the Mormon Battalion - photo by Chris Hanks |
 Eph's Powder Horn. The horn contains black powder, which of course is the propellant to the firing of the pistol. - photo by Bret Remington |
 More Descendants of Ephraim K. Hanks |
Image Gallery
 Arza Erastus Hinckley- Mormon Battalion and Handcart Rescuer |
 Edward Martin Mormon Battalion Member and Captain of the Martin Handcart Company |
 Ebenezer Brown, Company A |
