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Retracing history: Mormon Battalion's journey revisited
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| Walking in the past: Denise Denny, left, and Kevin Henson explain the history of the Mormon Battalion after their re-enactment trek came through St. David last weekend. (Adam Bernal/photo.) |
Adam Bernal/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Over the last half year, a group of re-enactors have been retracing the steps of the Mormon Battalion, which marched from Iowa to California in the 1800s and recently came through St. David on their long journey west.
The trek is a memorial to battalion members who came from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to southern California as a part of Gen. Kearny's troop movements in support of the Mexican-American War.
To help aid the war campaign, U.S. President James Polk requested the Mormons raise a battalion of 500 men to trek to California and aid in the occupation of upper Mexico.
Brigham Young and other leaders of the Mormon Church were able to convince their people this was something that needed to be done, even if it required nearly a one-fourth of their able-bodied men.
The battalion came together at Council Bluffs, Iowa, on July 16, 1846 and took 194 days to march 2,000 miles to San Diego, Calif. It was the longest infantry march in U.S. military history.
One major incident involving the battalion in the San Pedro Valley happened near the old town of Charleston, where the Battle of the Bulls is believed to have taken place.
While moving up the San Pedro River, the group was suddenly attacked by wild cattle. A large number of bulls were killed and only two men were wounded in the battle.
This unique era of American history is being re-enacted with a journey that started in Iowa in July and is expected to conclude in San Diego this upcoming February.
The organizer, Kevin Henson of Midland, Mich., and his wife, Denise Denny, have been trekking westward through several states and have been attempting to follow the steps of Mormon Battalion members the whole way.
"The opportunity to do this comes once in a lifetime, and no one has done this for 162 years," Henson said.
During their journey, others have joined Henson and his group to walk in the footsteps of the Battalion members and experience the same sights as many of their ancestors. Scout groups and residents who want to get in touch with their history are some of people who have joined Henson on his journey.
"We have worked really hard to give a reasonably authentic experience of what the trek was like," Henson said.
Henson said they have tried to stay as close to the original trail as possible and have been able to find the more accurate sites of different locations, such as the gravesite of battalion member Ellisha Smith. Henson says he wanted to start the trek for research and as a way to help others understand what the battalion went through.
Last weekend, the trek came through St. David and Henson recognized several important landmarks of the soldiers' journey westward.
After their journey had ended, several battalion members returned to Arizona, including Philemon C. Merrill, one of the founding members of what is now St. David.
St. David resident Ron Higginbotham was one of several participants who joined the trek and marched 12 miles with his son, Ronnie, from Fairbank to St. David last weekend.
Higginbotham said he has always had an interest in historical events, especially if it pertains to his community or his family. Since St. David was established as a result of the battalion's passing through the area, retracing the steps made it that much more significant, he said.
"What makes it special for us locally is that they remembered the San Pedro Valley and wanted to come back," Higginbotham said.
Higginbotham said it was special that his son participated since he is descended from Philemon C. Merrill on the other side of the family.
"That was important to me because he was walking in the footsteps of his ancestor eight generations later," Higginbotham said.
Safford resident Jeremy Sanders, who joined the hikers on the trail in Fairbank, is descended from Christopher Layton, another one of the original battalion members. Sanders wanted to experience the trek for himself and was impressed by how much the battalion members went through.
"The thought they had to do this for eight months is amazing," Sanders said.
Over the last half year, a group of re-enactors have been retracing the steps of the Mormon Battalion, which marched from Iowa to California in the 1800s and recently came through St. David on their long journey west.
The trek is a memorial to battalion members who came from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to southern California as a part of Gen. Kearny's troop movements in support of the Mexican-American War.
To help aid the war campaign, U.S. President James Polk requested the Mormons raise a battalion of 500 men to trek to California and aid in the occupation of upper Mexico.
Brigham Young and other leaders of the Mormon Church were able to convince their people this was something that needed to be done, even if it required nearly a one-fourth of their able-bodied men.
The battalion came together at Council Bluffs, Iowa, on July 16, 1846 and took 194 days to march 2,000 miles to San Diego, Calif. It was the longest infantry march in U.S. military history.
One major incident involving the battalion in the San Pedro Valley happened near the old town of Charleston, where the Battle of the Bulls is believed to have taken place.
While moving up the San Pedro River, the group was suddenly attacked by wild cattle. A large number of bulls were killed and only two men were wounded in the battle.
This unique era of American history is being re-enacted with a journey that started in Iowa in July and is expected to conclude in San Diego this upcoming February.
The organizer, Kevin Henson of Midland, Mich., and his wife, Denise Denny, have been trekking westward through several states and have been attempting to follow the steps of Mormon Battalion members the whole way.
"The opportunity to do this comes once in a lifetime, and no one has done this for 162 years," Henson said.
During their journey, others have joined Henson and his group to walk in the footsteps of the Battalion members and experience the same sights as many of their ancestors. Scout groups and residents who want to get in touch with their history are some of people who have joined Henson on his journey.
"We have worked really hard to give a reasonably authentic experience of what the trek was like," Henson said.
Henson said they have tried to stay as close to the original trail as possible and have been able to find the more accurate sites of different locations, such as the gravesite of battalion member Ellisha Smith. Henson says he wanted to start the trek for research and as a way to help others understand what the battalion went through.
Last weekend, the trek came through St. David and Henson recognized several important landmarks of the soldiers' journey westward.
After their journey had ended, several battalion members returned to Arizona, including Philemon C. Merrill, one of the founding members of what is now St. David.
St. David resident Ron Higginbotham was one of several participants who joined the trek and marched 12 miles with his son, Ronnie, from Fairbank to St. David last weekend.
Higginbotham said he has always had an interest in historical events, especially if it pertains to his community or his family. Since St. David was established as a result of the battalion's passing through the area, retracing the steps made it that much more significant, he said.
"What makes it special for us locally is that they remembered the San Pedro Valley and wanted to come back," Higginbotham said.
Higginbotham said it was special that his son participated since he is descended from Philemon C. Merrill on the other side of the family.
"That was important to me because he was walking in the footsteps of his ancestor eight generations later," Higginbotham said.
Safford resident Jeremy Sanders, who joined the hikers on the trail in Fairbank, is descended from Christopher Layton, another one of the original battalion members. Sanders wanted to experience the trek for himself and was impressed by how much the battalion members went through.
"The thought they had to do this for eight months is amazing," Sanders said.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
Jim Winters wrote on Dec 13, 2008 10:39 PM:
" Brother Kevin and Sister Denny Henson are members of my Ward in the Midland , Michigan Stake Midland 2nd Ward. "
Jon Henson wrote on Dec 15, 2008 11:26 AM:
" Kevin and Denny Henson are my parents and I'm really proud of them for hiking as long as they have been. It is a rare thing to find somebody that is passionate about history and about a legacy. The Battalion men and women have helped build the west in a way nobody would have imagined! I am very proud of my parents! "
Paul Sandor wrote on Dec 17, 2008 11:01 PM:
" Kevin and Denny are very special individuals, both are very intelligent. Though, Kevin may be a little of a kidder, he is passionate about those things that are both spiritual and uplifting. He has a way of teaching that makes learning fun. I miss my friend (Kevin) and look forward to seeing him again in the spring of 2009.
Paul AKA Rock "
Paul AKA Rock "
Jim Winters wrote on Dec 13, 2008 10:36 PM: