Question

What was the significance of the Mormon Battalion?

Answer 1

The Mormon Battalion was the only religious "unit " in American military history serving from July 1846 to July 1847 during the Mexican war.

Answer 2

The Mormon Battalion was the only religion-based unit in the United States military history.

It was a group of about 500 Latter-day Saints volunteers who joined the United States army in 1846 during the Mexican-American war.

From July 1846 to July 1847 they marched nearly 2000 miles across the southwestern United States, from Council Bluffs to San Diego. Although the battalion never joined a battle, nearly 20 people died during the journey.

The soldiers of the Mormon Battalion played an important role in the settlement of the west as in California, Arizona, Utah, etc. They improved trails and helped Sutter's Mill in finding gold.