US MORMON BATTALION THE VALIANT

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US MORMON BATTALION THE VALIANT Editor Cpt Earl Gillmore mtnews@hotmail.com www.mormonbattalion.com Spring 2005 Vol 10 No 2 May 1, 2005 Time marches on and so must we.

LTC Max Jamison has been charged with the Chairmanship of the committee and is working on the program for this special day.

25-26, 2005. We appreciated their gracious hosting. It was a special honor for the Battalion s honorable remembrance in the San Diego area. WELL DONE! THANK YOU!

1 US MORMON BATTALION THE VALIANT Editor Cpt Earl Gillmore Spring 2005 Vol 10 No 2 May 1, 2005 Time marches on and so must we. A great event is coming, so put Saturday, June 11, 2005 on your calendar for a special Heritage Day celebration which will be held at THIS IS THE PLACE PARK. LTC Max Jamison has been charged with the Chairmanship of the committee and is working on the program for this special day. Anne and I want to thank Kathy Marler, Frank Szeles, Randy & Kathy Madsen and all the other committee members for their invitation to attend the San Diego Old Town parade and activities February 25-26, We appreciated their gracious hosting. It was a special honor for the Battalion s honorable remembrance in the San Diego area. WELL DONE! THANK YOU!! We also had a special experience in the San Juan Capistrano, California area March 18-19, 2005 thanks to the efforts of Dennis Holland, Guy Dickson and their great committee. THANK YOU for extending your hand in friendship and comradeship. There were many people informed of the great accomplishments of the Battalion men and women, who are often lost in the history due to the more notorious events of the gold discovery and the Civil War. These special activities are great to attend but as we are a volunteer organization these activities come at our own expense. Thanks to Gloyd and Nadine Sprouse, Terry and Sharee Wirth, Robert and Helen Paul, Don and Merle Schurtz for their support in San Diego. It was great to have Norma Bench, Caroline Park, Richard and Erma Bullock, Robert Paul, Dan l Adams, and Dennis Hoeh with us at San Juan Capistrano. There are movements afoot to have Mormon Battalion activities in many other areas of this great country. Omaha/Winter Quarters area, River of Time in Michigan, parades and programs in Arizona and other areas are on the drawing board.. If you will send information and photos to Capt Gillmore he can get all your local news out through the Valiant. Thanks to the generosity of Maj Bullock the Battalion now has a new laser printer that will greatly enhance our ability to keep the members informed of things. Thanks to all who spend so many hours in all the many facets and activities that occur. It is because of you that the Prophet Brigham Young s prophecy is continuing to be fulfilled. God bless you all. Col Norman T. Erekson Nadine and Gloyd Sprouse A Valiant Man Makes the Difference by LTC Robert Pettegrew Paul, Fund Raising and Building Chairman From time-to-time, in the hour of great need, the providence of all goodness sends a man of diligence to the rescue. A compelling need was to re-establish leadership for the Dixie and A Companies and to find the gravesite of James Phenias Pettegrew, a faithful Mormon Battalion man. To the rescue, five years ago, a couple unexpectedly came to my home. Their humble but earnest request to serve in the Mormon Battalion historical legacy organization brought a compelling feeling of gratitude and amazement. They introduced themselves as Gloyd Sprouse, descendant of David Pettegrew and Elizabeth Alden and Nadine Sprouse, a descendant of Johnathan Pugmire and Elizabeth Barnes. Continued on page 2

Brian Cole http://www.mormonbattalion.com Brian Cole is the webmaster for the Mormon Battalion Internet Web Site. Brian started the web site in 1997 as an Eagle Scout project.

Brian recently graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Electrical Engineering, is currently working for GE Healthcare, and was recently married to Sarah Elwood in the Logan Temple.

Below is a letter authorized for publication and written by David L Bigler to Robert Pettegrew Paul: Bob, My dear friend Norma Ricketts sent this brick to me because she knew I was related to Albert

They had excavated the well the Battalion dug on the Plaza in Old Town and found this original brick made by the Battalion. She wanted me to give it to someone who would care for it.

2 Brian Cole Brian Cole is the webmaster for the Mormon Battalion Internet Web Site. Brian started the web site in 1997 as an Eagle Scout project. Since the web site was started it has been viewed over 60,000 times. It is a fantastic information resource and a great contact and recruiting tool. The web site is full of great information about the Battalion, including a picture gallery of original Battalion members, Battalion history, a roster, past newsletter issues, a calendar of events, many links, and more. Brian recently graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Electrical Engineering, is currently working for GE Healthcare, and was recently married to Sarah Elwood in the Logan Temple. He was honored with a Life Time membership for his efforts and continued help with the online web site. Below is a letter authorized for publication and written by David L Bigler to Robert Pettegrew Paul: Bob, My dear friend Norma Ricketts sent this brick to me because she knew I was related to Albert Smith, Azariah Smith and Henry Bigler of B Company. A group called Company B at San Diego gave it to her. They had excavated the well the Battalion dug on the Plaza in Old Town and found this original brick made by the Battalion. She wanted me to give it to someone who would care for it. Of course I thought of you. I'll deliver it in August and look forward to seeing you then. Warmest regards, Dave David L Bigler Brian Cole at the Computer Continued from page 1 A Valiant Man... San Diego Mormon Battalion Monument Both David Pettegrew and Jonathan Pugmire were members of Company E of the Mormon Battalion. They were and are still very best friends. Gloyd Sprouse's diligent labors resulted in strong and capable leadership for the men and women in the Dixie and A Companies, which are thriving today. The long and arduous search for the J P Pettegrew gravesite was an odyssey of spiritual manifestations only a higher power could have directed. From the old dusty burial records of the Salt Lake City Cemetery to government census records. On to Mormon Station at Carson, Nevada and finally the Evergreen Cemetery in a very old part of Los Angeles, California. Nadine and Gloyd finally found the actual gravesite of J P Pettegrew. Time and space will not afford the remarkable story of the spiritual manifestations regarding this great find. In addition, Gloyd found many family members, unknown heretofore. Proper records were completed and presented for temple sealings. On February 2005, the San Diego Company invited the U.S. Mormon Battalion leaders to join with them in the annual Old Town San Diego Parade In addition, Gloyd arranged to memorialize the grave of J P Pettegrew with a Battalion Marker along with the proxy sealing of J P Pettegrew family members in the San Diego Temple. The Mormon Battalion bronze plaque was secured at the site. Tearful prayers of thanksgiving were offered for J P Pettegrew by all in attendance. On the following day, in the beautiful San Diego Temple, Patriarch Averil Pugmire, a temple ordinance sealer, performed the sacred family sealing for J P Pettegrew as submitted by Gloyd Sprouse. This concluded five years of diligent work. This writer, in tribute to the man who came to the rescue says Thank You for such a great experience. I think this best describes Gloyd Sprouse: "the diligence of a righteous man is sacred unto the Lord." Thank you my brother. I love you for your great work. There is only one man that could have accomplished this great work, my Brother Gloyd Sprouse. Thank you forever. Robert Pettegrew Paul

US MORMON BATTALION WOMEN AND WIVES MEDALLIONS AUXILIARY by Margaret Larson, Memorialization Chairperson We, the members of the Mormon Battalion Auxiliary Board would like to encourage our members to

Identifying women, who served at home or on the trail, to their Company and the National Memorialization Chairperson can be an exciting process.

Two graveside memorialization medallions are available for the women of the Battalion. The first, Women of the Mormon Battalion, is for those women who participated in the march.

The Women of the Mormon Battalion graveside memorialization medallion i s placed to honor the gravesite of a woman who participated in the actual Battalion march.

3 US MORMON BATTALION WOMEN AND WIVES MEDALLIONS AUXILIARY by Margaret Larson, Memorialization Chairperson We, the members of the Mormon Battalion Auxiliary Board would like to encourage our members to search out, identify and memorialize names and gravesites of the women of the Mormon Battalion. We recommend this as an excellent activity for any Mormon Battalion Company. Identifying women, who served at home or on the trail, to their Company and the National Memorialization Chairperson can be an exciting process. This helps to avoid duplication and enables your leaders to become involved in helping to make this a wonderful event. Two graveside memorialization medallions are available for the women of the Battalion. The first, Women of the Mormon Battalion, is for those women who participated in the march. The second, Wives of the Mormon Battalion, is for those pioneer wives who were married to Mormon Battalion Members. The Women of the Mormon Battalion graveside memorialization medallion i s placed to honor the gravesite of a woman who participated in the actual Battalion march. Filing identifying documents with the National Mormon Battalion Auxiliary, will allow confirmation of which women, daughters and infants participated with the Battalion. Daughters who accompanied their mothers are eligible, as are infants who were born to Mormon Battalion women during the March. The second memorialization medallion, Wives of the Mormon Battalion, is for the woman who was married to a Mormon Battalion member. First in line are those wives married to a Mormon Battalion member during the time of the enlistment and return, July 16, 1846 to (approximately) December 31, Wives after this period will be reviewed by the National MB Auxiliary Board to determine the appropriate course of action. Documents filed with the MB Womens Presidency prior to the memorialization marker placement, are needed to confirm that the woman was married to a Mormon Battalion member. In addition, the gravesite must be authenticated. The gravesite needs to have a headstone to indicate who is buried there. Doing this can be an exciting and wonderful activity for a family. We are glad to share our knowledge and time to help you to accomplish these worthy goals. Doing a memorialization is memorable and a wonderful honor for families and descendants. Who will finish this story? Martha Jane Sargent was born to Abel M. Sargent and Sarah Edwards in Floyd County, Indiana, September 24, After her mother died in childbirth, Martha was left to care for her younger siblings. After joining the Church, Martha married Norman Sharp in September of They were driven from their home in Nauvoo and Norman Sharp joined the Mormon Battalion at Council Bluffs by encouragement from Brigham Young. Martha and her younger sister Caroline Sargent (about age 10), accompanied the men on the arduous journey. Imagine the untamed West and their feelings as they traveled with the Mormon Battalion to stop the War with Mexico, waged by the dictator Santa Anna, who had invaded Texas to destroy the Americans there. Imagine being pregnant and marching along with the Mormon Battalion! They went as far as the crossing of the Arkansas River where they were re-assigned to depart with the Higgins Sick Detachment that left for Pueblo, Colorado, in September of On the way to Pueblo, Private Sharp s gun accidentally discharged as he was taking it from the wagon, inflicting a severe wound to his arm. He was sent back a few miles to a friendly Indian village for treatment. Martha (who was now 6 months pregnant) and her sister, Caroline, refused to leave him, so one of the Mormon Battalion men, a Private Thomas Woolsey remained with them as they fought for his life....the medicine man appeared friendly and seemed almost certain he could cure him in a very few days. However, this did not happen, and Private Norman Sharp died a stranger in a strange land... (A Concise History of the Mormon Battalion in the Mexican War" by Daniel Tyler, p165). Private Woolsey and an Indian woman buried him, then Thomas, Martha and Caroline left to catch up to the detachment, where they continued on to Pueblo. While at Pueblo, Martha gave birth to a daughter, Sarah Ellen. Martha, Caroline and the baby stayed in Pueblo for the winter, then in May of 1847 left with Capt James Brown s Company (the Missouri Saints) for the Salt Lake Valley. Before arriving in Salt Lake, Martha married Harley Mowrey from Company C on July 4, 1847, at Independence Rock, Wyoming. Martha shared with her husband all the privations and dangers of pioneering in Utah, California, and Idaho. She was a woman of the highest and noblest character and was always an active worker in the Church. Her life was adventurous and eventful. She was the mother of ten children, three of whom preceded her in death. Martha and her husband Harley lived for a number of years in Vernal, Utah, where she passed away on December 20, 1920, at age 93. Tested and tried, true to the faith, her example is worthy to both emulate and honor. We are anxious that Martha Jane, Caroline, Sarah Ellen, and many other women be remembered and memorialized. We hope to locate the families of these women and share in the joy of honoring their ancestors. This is a program that works, that touches the heart and helps to teach the continuing importance of family and living an honorable life. Margaret Larson CORNER

4 Old Town San Diego Parade Old Town San Diego Parade Biscuits on a Stick LTC Norm Erekson John Bascom Senator Orrin Hatch Nadine and Gloyd Sprouse Glenda Sears C A L I F O R N I A

5 Please post at your church or show to your friends and invite them to come For Tickets Major Jerome Gourley or Capt Earl Gillmore ext 74 Please post at your church or show to your friends and invite them to come

6 US MORMON BATTALION FOUR-MONTH CALENDAR Starting 1 May 2005 May 3 Tuesday Dixie Company Monthly Meeting. 7:00 pm, Cottonmill Dance Hall, 300 West Telegraph, Washington, UT. Captain Leo G Richardson, Commanding Thursday Company B Monthly Meeting. 7:00 pm, Old Rock Church, 1135 West 7800 South, West Jordan, UT. Captain Duane Sutherland, Commanding Friday Company A Monthly Meeting. 6:30 pm, Granite Tabernacle, 20th South 9th East, Salt Lake City, UT. Captain Jay Bowen, Commanding Saturday Mormon Battalion Executive Board Meeting. 9:00 am; Battalion National Staff, and National Auxiliary, 11:00 am; all at 420 S 800 E, SLC. The Historic 10 th Ward. Colonel Norm Erekson, Commanding. 26 Thursday Company C Monthly Meeting. 7:00 pm, Roy City Library, 1950 West 4800 South, Roy, UT. Captain Dale Read, Commanding Gene Session will be guest speaker. 26 Thursday Company D Monthly Meeting. 7:00 pm, Logan Senior Citizen Center, 240 North 100 East, Logan, UT. Captain Rodney Rasmussen, Commanding Mormon History Association Annual Conference. To be held at Killington, Vermont. Killington Grand Hotel. Contact Larry & Alene King June 7 Tuesday Dixie Company Monthly Meeting. 7:00 pm, Cottonmill Dance Hall, 300 West Telegraph, Washington, UT. Captain Leo G Richardson, Commanding Saturday Mormon Battalion Heritage Days Picnic. 10:00 am This Is The Place Heritage Park, 2601 East Sunnyside Ave, Salt Lake City. This is also a fund raising project. Tickets available through Captains of the Companies, MAJ Gourley, or LTC Jamison. 16 Thursday Company B Monthly Meeting. 7:00 pm, Old Rock Church, 1135 West 7800 South, West Jordan, UT. Captain Duane Sutherland, Commanding Friday Company A Monthly Meeting. 6:30 pm, Granite Tabernacle, 20th South 9th East, Salt Lake City, UT. Captain Jay Bowen, Commanding Thursday Company D Monthly Meeting. 7:00 pm, Logan Senior Citizen Center, 240 North 100 East, Logan, UT. Captain Rodney Rasmussen, Commanding July 5 Tuesday Dixie Company Monthly Meeting. 7:00 pm, Cottonmill Dance Hall, 300 West Telegraph, Washington, UT. Captain Leo G Richardson, Commanding Friday Company A Monthly Meeting. 6:30 pm, Granite Tabernacle, 20th South 9th East, Salt Lake City, UT. Captain Jay Bowen, Commanding Thursday Company B Monthly Meeting. 7:00 pm, Old Rock Church, 1135 West 7800 South, West Jordan, UT. Captain Duane Sutherland, Commanding Saturday 24th of July Parade. 9:00 am Salt Lake City. Details in Summer Edition. 28 Thursday Company D Monthly Meeting CANCELLED. Captain Rodney Rasmussen Commanding Reports that The Trek Starts Friday we ll get together there Friday-Saturday Company D Trek at Bear Lake. Contact Captain Rodney Rasmussen, Commanding Saturday Ship Brooklyn Association Annual Picnic. To be held in Cache Valley. Contact Major Richard H Bullock for details All Mormon Battalion members are invited. August 2 Tuesday Dixie Company Monthly Meeting. 7:00 pm, Cottonmill Dance Hall, 300 West Telegraph, Washington, UT. Captain Leo G Richardson, Commanding Thursday-Sunday Cowboy Poetry Festival. In Richfield, Sevier, UT. Details from Colonel Norm Erekson Wednesday-Saturday Oregon-California Trails Association National Convention. Sheraton Hotel. For registration, call For more information. 18 Thursday Company B Monthly Meeting. 7:00 pm, Old Rock Church, 1135 West 7800 South, West Jordan, UT. Captain Duane Sutherland, Commanding, Friday Company A Monthly Meeting. 6:30 pm, Granite Tabernacle, 20th South 9th East, Salt Lake City, UT. Captain Jay Bowen, Commanding Saturday Mormon Battalion Executive Board Meeting. 9:00 am; Battalion National Staff, and National Auxiliary, 11:00 am; all at 420 S 800 E, SLC. The Historic 10 th Ward. Colonel Norm Erekson, Commanding. 25 Thursday Company D Monthly Meeting. 7:00 pm, Logan Senior Citizen Center, 240 North 100 East, Logan, UT. Captain Rodney Rasmussen, Commanding

US MORMON BATTALION MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS by MAJ Gloyd Sprouse ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP is from January 1st through December 31. Men s dues are $30.00 per year and ladies $10.

It s a good time to make a commitment towards raising the Mormon Battalion Visitor Center and Museum, also. Gloyd Sprouse gsbearlk@cut.

the Corner of 8th East and 4th South SLC. The real end to the Mormon Trail. History Tours available upon request call Captain Gillmore 801 359-7055.

Erekson 3800 S 1900 W #142, Roy, UT 84067 801 731-3538 zye@juno.com Vice President: Norma Bench 13250 S 2164 W Riverton, UT 84065 801 254-3163 nrbench@juno.

net Secretary: Callie McMurdie 2522 S 1700 E, SLC, UT 84108 801 486-2088 Treasurer & Membership: Erma Bullock 9458 Quail Hollow DR, Sandy, UT 84093 801 943-9393

com Life Membership: Martha Rasmussen 165 N 200 W, Hyrum, UT 84319 435 245-4814 Memorialization: Margaret Larson 623 S 1700 E, Spanish Fork, UT 84660 801 798-3661 margaret.

edu (* ex officio members of the Executive Committee) DIVISION COMMANDERS North America Southwest: LTC Lloyd Smith 2219 N 26th ST, Mesa, AZ 85213 480 827-9022 ldsmith38@juno.

7 US MORMON BATTALION MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS by MAJ Gloyd Sprouse ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP is from January 1st through December 31. Men s dues are $30.00 per year and ladies $10.00 per year. Want to be a Life Member? Call me. Early payment keeps our costs minimized by keeping memberships current. It s a good time to make a commitment towards raising the Mormon Battalion Visitor Center and Museum, also. Gloyd Sprouse gsbearlk@cut.net, or Membership can be mailed to: US Mormon Battalion PO Box 1983 Sandy, UT st Lieutenant Captain The Historic 10th Ward, Located at the Corner of 8th East and 4th South SLC. The real end to the Mormon Trail. History Tours available upon request call Captain Gillmore The Original Mormon Battalion Ward Established 1849 Soldiers from American Mexican war 1846 to 1848 AUXILIARY NATIONAL OFFICERS President: Annie P. Erekson 3800 S 1900 W #142, Roy, UT zye@juno.com Vice President: Norma Bench S 2164 W Riverton, UT nrbench@juno.com Chief Advisor: Shirley Maynes 9037 S 440 E, Sandy, UT maynes5@earthlink.net Secretary: Callie McMurdie 2522 S 1700 E, SLC, UT Treasurer & Membership: Erma Bullock 9458 Quail Hollow DR, Sandy, UT silver2a@earthlink.net Historian: Roselyn Slade 460 E 100 N, Kaysville, UT rwslade@juno.com Life Membership: Martha Rasmussen 165 N 200 W, Hyrum, UT Memorialization: Margaret Larson 623 S 1700 E, Spanish Fork, UT margaret.larson@nebo.edu (* ex officio members of the Executive Committee) DIVISION COMMANDERS North America Southwest: LTC Lloyd Smith 2219 N 26th ST, Mesa, AZ ldsmith38@juno.com Utah North: LTC Sheldon Teeples 6079 W Jocelyn Way, WVC, UT sheldonteeples@aol.com Utah South: LTC Phil Baker 166 N 200 W, Washington, UT H Cell philynette@peoplepc.net North America: LTC Dan l Adams 3104 Larrynell Dr Ceres, CA H W Ext 232 dadams@ciginsurance.com North America Midwest: LTC Max W Jamison 181 W Plumtree Lane Apt 5A Midvale, UT maxjamison@comcast.net US MORMON BATTALION PO Box 1983, Sandy, UT BN Phone Directors: Kirk & Janet Jameson 975 E Searle Ave, Holladay, UT

National Staff Of the Mormon Battalion April 2005 Commander: COL Norman T Erekson 3800 S 1900 W #142, Roy, UT 84067 801 731-3538 zye@juno.

8 National Staff Of the Mormon Battalion April 2005 Commander: COL Norman T Erekson 3800 S 1900 W #142, Roy, UT zye@juno.com Executive Officer: LTC Robert P Paul 5293 S Cottonwood Club DR, Holladay, UT Fax Adjutant: MAJ Richard Bullock 9458 Quail Hollow DR Sandy, UT silver2a@earthlink.net Finance Officers: MAJ Tom Coyne 1910 Spring LN, Holladay, UT tpatcoyne@msn.com Enlistment Officer: MAJ Gloyd Sprouse PO Box 133, Garden City, UT gsbearlk@cut.net Publicity Officer: MAJ Robert D Welti 3696 E Lois Lane, SLC UT rdw@xmission.com Chief Adviser: COL Carl V Larson 623 S 1700 E, Spanish Fork, UT *Auxiliary President: Annie P. Erekson 3800 S 1900 W #142, Roy, UT zye@juno.com NATIONAL STAFF * Chaplain: MAJ Roger Grua 4895 S 1075 E, Ogden, UT rgrua@comcast.net *Judge Advocate: MAJ Stanford P Fitts 683 E Capitol Blvd SLC, UT sfitts@strongandhanni.com *Building Chairman: LTC Robert P Paul 5293 S Cottonwood Club DR, Holladay, UT Fax *Finance Officer: LTC Gaylen Maynes 9037 S 440 E, Sandy, UT maynes5@earthlink.net (* ex officio members of the Executive Committee) Electronic Media Officer: MAJ Robert Cole 1886 Western Charm Dr, Riverton, UT mormonbattalion@hotmail.com Liaison Officer: MAJ Jerome G. Gourley 650 E Downing ST, Midvale, UT jerome.gourley@t-mobile.com Historian: MAJ Doug Williams 1303 N Devon, Kaysville, UT Williamsdg44@msn.com Historic Trails Officer: MAJ Terry Wirth 3276 S 4610 W West Valley, UT terrywirth@comcast.net Life Membership Officer: MAJ Kenley Mauerman 3010 S 2900 E SLC, UT kmaumerman@sisna.com *Memorialization: COL Carl V Larson 623 S 1700 E, Spanish Fork, UT Public Relations Officer: MAJ Val John Halford 243 E 2200 S Bountiful, UT vhalford@wfrc.org Quartermaster: MAJ Don Schurtz 7254 Dorset Circle, SLC, UT Trail Awards Officer: MAJ Brent Bryner 244 N 500 W, Logan, UT brynerrocks@msn.com Valiant Editor, Historic 10th Ward Historian, Tour Guide and Keys for Historic 10th Ward for MB: CPT Earl Gillmore PO Box , SLC, UT mtnews@hotmail.com Historic 10th Ward Caretaker & Calendar Bldg Use: Grant Fetzer Off gfetzer@utah.gov not a BN Member US Mormon Battalion PO Box 1983 Sandy, Utah

Building a New Musical Legacy

Mormon Battalion THE VALIANT LTC Max W. Jamison, Publications Officer www.mormonbattalion.com FALL 2008 ISSUE Volume 13, No. 3 News Release: Building a New Musical Legacy 250-Voice Mormon Battalion Choir