Council Grove in Morris County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Mormon Battalion at Council Grove, Kansas
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 19, 2011
1. The Mormon Battalion at Council Grove, Kansas Marker
The Mormon Battalion camped here for five days beginning 27 August 1846. The battalion's more than 500 volunteers and officers had been recruited from the Mormon pioneers (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) at Council Bluffs, Iowa, to fight in the war with Mexico.
The commanding officer, Colonel James Allen, had died at Ft. Leavenworth because of a lingering illness, and was replaced by Lieutenant Andrew Jackson Smith, who took command here on 30 August. Smith then led the Mormon Battalion to Santa Fe, about half of the 2,000-mile march to San Diego.
Council Grove was a government way-station used by soldiers and traders preparing for travel along the Santa Fe trail. While awaiting the change in command, the Mormon soldiers repaired their wagons and equipment, gathered supplies, and held religious services here.
The battalion acquired two cannon drawn by six horses each, a portable blacksmith shop, forty provision wagons, twelve family wagons, and a few private baggage wagons. Merchants in twelve wagons also joined the battalion here for the march to Santa Fe, selling the soldiers clothing, water, and other goods.
Erected 1982 by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Kansas State Historical Society.
Topics and series.
this page online
Location. 38° 39.94′ N, 96° 29.611′ W. Memorial is in Council Grove, Kansas, in Morris County. It can be reached from North Mission. Marker is on the grounds of the Kaw Mission State Historic Site. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 500 North Mission Street, Council Grove KS 66846, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Kansas’ Flint Hills. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, on the Southern Plains, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kaw Mission (here, next to this marker); Mill Stone (a few steps from this marker); Kaw House Reconstructed (a few steps from this marker); Hermit's Cave (approx. Ό mile away); a different marker also named Hermit's Cave (approx. Ό mile away); Old Bell (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Cottage House Hotel and Motel (approx. 0.3 miles away); Neosho Crossing (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Council Grove.
Also see . . .
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 19, 2011
2. The Mormon Battalion at Council Grove, Kansas Marker
Kaw Mission State Historic Site in background
1. Kaw Mission State Historic Site. Kansas Historical Society website entry (Submitted on July 26, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. The Moron Battalion. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 9, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,453 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 26, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
