San Diego Part III: The Mormon Battalion

We also went to the Historic Site for the Mormon Battalion while in San Diego. In case you don't know, here's a little summary: The Mormon Battalion is unique in US history. It is the only religiously based unit to ever serve in the military, and it made the longest march of any group of soldiers--over 2,000 miles. At a time when the US government had refused to help protect the saints from Missouri and Illinois mobs and shortly after Governor Ford had personally betrayed Joseph Smith by turning him over to those who wanted his death the very evening that he had dinner with Emma, the Mormons showed their patriotism and forgiveness by volunteering over 500 men to help with the Mexican War. The men of the Mormon Battalion were promised that they would never fight if they remained faithful, and they received that blessing, even though many suffered and died on the trail. When they reached San Diego, they were there the day that gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill. 

Grampa Griffith especially wanted to go because he is a descendant of Abraham Hunsaker, the owner of a mill in Nauvoo, and was an officer when he enlisted in the battalion. Abraham recounted an experience wading across an icy river when the men had run out of provisions in Indian country. He found some corn in baskets that the Indians had buried and was about to take it back to the camp when a couple of braves came across him with weapons brandished. He wrote that he must have looked so cold and hungry that they decided to spare his life, and even let him keep the corn. Abraham Hunsaker eventually settled Honeyville Utah and became its first Bishop. I also have have an ancestor on my Mom's side named Isaac Philo Carter that was part of the battalion. I happened to research his family last summer for a Family History class and found out he was enlisted even before he became a member of the church. So when I heard we were going to the site, I was ecstatic. Both Andrew and I are descendants of Mormon Battlion members. What a heritage!

Grampa signing the descendant's log

Here is a fun fact that I didn't know before that I can add to my research: "He [Isaac Carter] and Israel Evans, both 18 and quite short, were turned down by the recruiting officer as 'under size.' Then the two stood on a stump behind someone and were accepted."

Mykal and Rosie

The Wells (get it?!?)

Andrew Enlists

Sad to go home...or just sad about a slow elevator?