George Washington Hancock–Payson Pioneer
Part 2
Mormon Battalion March
Mt. Pisgah to Ft. Leavenworth
The following is told in the words of members of the Mormon Battalion:
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Their longing eyes turned westward peering into the future as their hopes seemed about to be realized. At this time, in view of the many losses of the saints and their present reduced circumstances a representative of the Church was sent to Washington D.C. to apply to the government for some compensation to assist the saints in their contemplated exodus. There the Mormons were represented as "true hearted Americans" and the petitioner stood ready to pledge himself as their representative to answer any call the government might make upon them in their country's defense. Half were refused, but as the United States at that time was engaged in war with Mexico the representative was taken at his word and Captain Allen was sent at once to Mount Pisgah where on the 26 of June he made known his mission, and a call of 500 Mormon men to give active service were enlisted.
After a conference with the Church council, Captain Allen went to Council Bluffs where on the 1st of July it was determined by Brigham Young that the requested Battalion should be raised and this was the answer: "We will take our young men first and if there is not enough we will send our old men, and if necessary we will send women. We will furnish our quota if it takes every one of the twelve apostles to do so.
Just as a new sun seemed to be dawning upon the horizon of their hopes the call from the government came to these destitute saints to furnish a battalion of 500 volunteers to serve one year in the United States army to engage in the Mexican war, and at that time the Mountain Mission was abandoned. It has been recorded that "like all other grave situations confronting the saints this one was met with calmness and determination, promptness and order." Their leader, Brigham Young, advised men to volunteer that by doing so the United States president and all the world might know of their love, sincerity and loyalty to their country.
The people were in dire circumstances, refugees from mob violence no homes but covered wagons, no clothes, and a scant supply of food. A year before it would have been easier to have enlisted 2000 men in 24 hours than now to enlist one hundred men in a week, said their prophet, "but we will raise our number now." The number was raised only because of the council and efforts of the leaders of the church and the confidence in which they were held for the people of that time and no reason to believe or trust in the officers of the Nation. This is verified in the words of Captain James Brown after the war, "I do not suppose there is an individual in the Battalion who had he been left to his own thoughts and feelings, independent of council, would have enlisted. I would have felt very reluctant under the circumstances had it not been for the council of my brethren whom God authorized to dictate the affairs of his Kingdom." An American flag rescued from the wrathful mob of former days and secretly tucked away with their most precious relics was hurriedly produced. It was masted to a pole and under its stars and stripes, on the 13th of July 1846 enlisted commenced. George and his brother were among the first to sign their names to serve their country as volunteers to this call. On the 16th of July the enlistment was completed. Five hundred men and boys had enlisted to fight the battles and defend the rights of those at whose hands they had suffered hunger, mobbings, burnings, and driving, being deprived of homes and property.
Captain Allen took the Battalion under command. Teamsters had been withdrawn for this campaign and much heavy work fell upon the women and children and the aged and infirm. George, now a youth of twenty, and his older brother, Charles, twenty-three, with no preparation left their father in his 53rd year with a family of seven and his aged mother, living in a covered wagon. On 18 July under the cottonwoods, President Young called the Battalion together and blessed them and exhorted them to live up to the ideals of their religion and in no way compromise with things of the world. He exhorted them to be loyal to their country and to their God, that through their loyalty they would be able to alley prejudices of the people. He told them that this call would prove to be a temporal salvation of Israel. "Through your services to our country," he said, "Indian lands for residences will be granted to the Mormon families left on the banks of the Missouri river, a stretch of fifty or sixty miles in length and thirty or forty miles on its east side. Food will be produced on its farm lands and gathered to carry with the saints on their contemplated move west."
He advised volunteers to be conservative with their means to send home all they could spare and this would prove to be as manna from Heaven for the saints. He promised protection and help to the families of these volunteers and promised to see them safe in the Rockies, fed and cared for even by the last crust divided with them. In power and majesty he blessed them with the promise that if they would live their religion at all times, under all. circumstances they would not have to fight anything but the wild beasts. "None of you will fall into the hands of your enemies," he said. You will pass over battlefields and there will be battles in front of you and battles in the rear, on your right and on your left, but you will not be harmed and your enemies shall flee before you." This promise was fulfilled and after the war was over William Hawks bore testimony to its fulfillment in these words.
I want to bear testimony that the President promised the Battalion that inasmuch as they would go forth and do right there should not be a ball shot at them, and I can say for one, that I realized the truth of that saying; I have experienced it--I have seen those words fulfilled and that promise to the very letter, when placed in the midst of my enemies with nothing but these little Mallets (fists) to defend myself with and they were well armed with bows and arrows, knives and rifles, but they burnt the priming, the powder flashing in the pan and not a gun aimed at me went off and their arrows broke.
Brigham Young further promised them "In the name of Israel's God if you will do these things, trusting in God and uncomplaining you will come back alive." I am willing to bet my right arm that this will be true, promised their prophet" and when your time of service is over you will be discharged at a distance of about eight hundred miles from the place where the body of the church shall be located, and your names shall be held in honorable remembrance to the latest generation." The distance between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles is today 748 miles. On 19 July a farewell ball was given to honor and cheer the departing soldiers. A bowery had been constructed for shelter and the dance floor consisted of hard earth tromped down by anxious feet. Violins, horns, tambourines and sleigh bells were assembled. The dance started at an early hour and lasted until the sun dipped behind the shore line of the Omaha hills.
Courage was inspired in the hearts of both the volunteers and their families and when the parting came it was one of cheer as they marched away to the tune of "the girl I left behind me" played on the fife by Levi Ward Hancock, George's Uncle who enlisted in Company E.
Five hundred wagons were left without teamsters and as many left without fathers or brothers. On 20 July 1846 the line of march was ordered and these two youths Charles and George, assigned to Company C and their Uncle Levi, the musician of Co. E equipped but with one blanket each and no tents again traversed the plains of Iowa and Missouri and marched to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, 2000 miles away encountering terrible storms and heavy rains and deep mud. The weather was very warm and the men in poor physical condition to start with and at once they became exhausted. The second day out a rain fell during the forenoon and in the afternoon they traveled but four miles in mud. They crossed the Nishnabotany river at Hunsaker's Ferry and camped near Lindon in Missouri.
Captain Allen was in favor of moderate marches but some of the other officers having horses to ride urged long marches. Thus many began to fail at almost the beginning of their journey. On 25 of July they found themselves out of flour and many retired to bed fasting, while others made a meager meal of parched corn. No flour was obtained for two days afterwards, during which time a distance of thirty-eight miles was traveled in the heat and dust of a July sun. They crossed the Nodaway river and camped at the town of Oregon and there flour was delivered to them. On 29 they passed St. Joseph Mo. and camped one mile outside the town. On the 30 they passed through Bloomington and camped on a small creek where the wind commenced to blow and continued until trees fell in all directions around the camp. The howling of the wind and the crashing of trees as they fell the vivid lighting and the roar of thunder made the scene one of terror, but not one tree fell in camp. Surely God was with the Mormon boys. The next day they passed through the town of Weston and from there they marched nearly five hours to cross the river opposite Ft. Leavenworth. It took them nearly five hours to cross the river and get to the garrison. They arrived at Ft. Leavenworth on the 3 of August. Tents and arms were furnished to Company C. and on the 5th of Aug. they were paid $42.00 each in advance for the year for clothing money. The Mormon volunteers used their old clothes and sent the greater part of their pay back to the saints, which proved a heat benefit to the saints in their distress.
Col. Allen, their honored and beloved commanding officer was taken ill after their arrival at Ft. Leavenworth and was forced to remain. Captain Jefferson Hunt was ordered to advance in command of the company.*
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