Near Santo Domingo Pueblo in Sandoval County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Mormon Battalion

Photographed by Thomas Chris English, July 1, 2010

1. The Mormon Battalion Marker

Inscription. The Mormon Battalion Council Bluffs, July 16, 1846 Fort Leavenworth, Aug. 2, 1846 Santa Fe, Oct. 9, 1846 San Diego, Jan 29, 1847
Erected June 16, 1940 [ Map of Mormon Battalion Route ] The Mormon Battalion, composed of 500 men mustered into the service of the United States in the war with Mexico was called to the colors as the Mormon pioneers were beginning their historic trek to the Rocky Mountains at the conclusion of the 2,000 mile march from Council Bluffs Iowa to San Diego California. The leader who took command at Sante Fe paid tribute to his men in part as follows....History may be searched in vain for an equal march of infantry. Half of it has been through a wilderness where nothing but savages and wild beasts are found, or deserts where for want of water there is no living creature. Here with almost hopeless labor we have dug wells which the future traveler will enjoy without a guide who had traversed them. We have ventured into trackless tablelands where water was not found for several marches. With crow bar and pick and axe in hand we have worked our way over mountains which seemed to deny

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aught save the wild goat, and hewed a pass through a chasm of living rock more narrow than our wagons to bring these first wagons to the Pacific. We have preserved the strength of our mules by herding them over large tracts which you have laboriously guarded without loss.

"Thus marching half naked and half fed, and living upon wild animals, we have discovered and made a road of great value to our country."

Lieutenant Colonel P. St. George Cook
Official Order issued January 30, 1847, upon the safe arrival of The Battalion in San Diego, California

Erected 1940 by Committee for the Erection of the Mormon Battalion Monument in New Mexico and the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association. (Marker Number 99.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • War, Mexican-American. In addition, it is included in the Mormon Battalion, and the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is January 30, 1951.

Location. 35° 27.098′ N, 106° 21.231′ W. Marker is near Santo Domingo Pueblo, New

Photographed by Thomas Chris English, July 1, 2010

2. The Mormon Battalion Marker

As mounted in its pyramid

Mexico, in Sandoval County. It is on West Frontage Road (U.S. 85), on the left when traveling north. Take exit #257/Budaghers - go 0.2/0.3 mi/km Turn Right on Budagher Boulevard Turn Left on West Frontage Road - go 1.4/2.3 mi/km Arrive at 35.451635,-106.353852, on the Right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Budiger's Offramp #257, Santo Domingo Pueblo NM 87052, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the San Juan Basin

and in Greater Albuquerque.

It is also in the American Southwest

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kewa Women's Co-op (approx. 3 miles away); Pueblo of Santo Domingo Kiua (approx. 4.4 miles away); La Bajada (approx. 7½ miles away); La Angostura (approx. 9.6 miles away); Women of Cochiti (approx. 12.3 miles away); Gold and Turquoise (approx. 12.3 miles away);

The Mormon Battalion Marker Map Closeup image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Thomas Chris English, July 1, 2010

3. The Mormon Battalion Marker Map Closeup

Amelia Elizabeth White / Mary Cabot Wheelwright (approx. 12.3 miles away); Bicentennial Celebration / La Bajada (approx. 12.3 miles away).

More about this marker. This can be seen by both north and southbound traffic.

Regarding The Mormon Battalion. The missing text on the marker was provided from, "Historic Sites and Markers Along the Mormon and Other Great Western Trails" by Stanley Buchholz Kimball.

Additional commentary.
1. Monument stonework
The stonework appears different in the current monument (4)from the 1941 photo (8). Was the monument rebuilt at some time?

— Submitted September 3, 2013, by Ronald Kay of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Additional keywords. Mormon Battalion

Photographed by Thomas Chris English, July 1, 2010

4. The Mormon Battalion Marker

Photographed by Thomas Chris English, July 1, 2010

5. The Mormon Battalion Marker

Looking north along the walkway from the parking lot to the monument.

The Mormon Battalion Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 22, 2011

6. The Mormon Battalion Monument

You can estimate the height of the monument at 25 feet as my wife is only 5 feet tall.

A 1941 View of the Mormon Battalion Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Max R. Hunt, circa 1941

7. A 1941 View of the Mormon Battalion Marker

Photo submitted by Catherine H. Ellis of Oracle, Arizona.

A 1941 View of the Mormon Battalion Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Max R. Hunt, circa 1941

8. A 1941 View of the Mormon Battalion Monument

Photo submitted by Catherine H. Ellis of Oracle, Arizona.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2010, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. This page has been viewed 6,238 times since then and 124 times this year. Last updated on June 2, 2020, by Cathy Ellis of Oracle, Arizona. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 9, 2010, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. 3. submitted on July 13, 2010, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. 4, 5. submitted on July 9, 2010, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. 6. submitted on August 3, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 7, 8. submitted on May 19, 2012. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.