Civil War Skirmish at Pleasant Grove

Civil War Skirmish at Pleasant Grove. 12 April 1863. Not all Federal Troops fought Confederates during the Civil War. Some were posted in the West to protect Union interests. Battles and skirmishes in the West were considered part of the Civil War. , The 3rd Reg. California Volunteer Infantry were sent to Utah in 1862, to protect mail routes, telegraph lines, travelers and to watch the Mormons. They established Camp Douglas in Salt Lake City. Indians started attacking the Overland Stage Route. In April of 1863, as events escalated, troops were sent to find the hostile Indians. They had skirmishes with them near Cedar Fort and in Spanish Fork Canyon. A squad of gunners with a howitzer, under Lt. Honeyman, was dispatched from Camp Douglas. , They reached Pleasant Grove 11 April 1863. The morning of the 12th, Ute Indians used the walls of the Pleasant Grove Fort to sneak up on the soldiers and attack them. The gunners took refuge in the Green’s home outside the fort. The family left but realized that the baby was still in the home. The Utes stopped firing to allow Mrs. Green to retrieve the baby. During the fighting the gunners fired the howitzer killing mules and damaging property. The skirmish ended at 8 p.m. when the Utes left, stealing the remaining mules. No soldiers were killed. It is unknown if any Utes died. Estimated damage to the home was $1000. The Cavalry arrived in Pleasant Grove on the 13th and proceeded to Spanish fork Canyon where the Indians were routed. , An old monument, at the homesite, can be reached by walking 3 blocks south using the east sidewalk along 100 East. , A book listing Battles and Skirmishes of the War Of The Rebellion (Civil War) was compiled from official records by Newton A. Strait and was used by the Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions. The Pleasant Grove skirmish is listed in this book.