Yuma in Yuma County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Mormon Battalion Crossing / Colorado River Crossing
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, December 15, 2012
1. Mormon Battalion Crossing Marker
Mounted on back of monument
The Mormon Battalion consisted of 500 volunteer soldiers from among the Mormon pioneers as they crossed Iowa in 1846. They were mustered into the United States Army at Council Bluffs, Iowa, on 16 July of that year to serve in the War with Mexico. They marched down the Missouri River to Fort Leavenworth where they joined the Army of the West under General Stephen W. Kearney.
The Mormon soldiers, all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, proceeded to Santa Fe, New Mexico, which advance elements of the Army had already occupied. The Battalion was then assigned its unique mission: to carve out a wagon road from New Mexico to California. Thus the U.S. army could more easily supply its outpost in southern California and others planned for the Southwest. The Mormon Battalion completed its march on 29 January 1847 in San Diego.
This monument was erected in 1992 by B.C. Smith and members of Boy Scout Troop 97 as an Eagle Scout project.
Located on front of monument
Colorado River Crossing
Mormon
Battalion
Trail
this page online
Erected 1992 by B.C. Smith and members of Boy Scout Troop 97 as an Eagle Scout project.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • War, Mexican-American. In addition, it is included in the Mormon Battalion series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 11, 1847.
Location. 32° 42.735′ N, 114° 43.326′ W. Marker is in Yuma, Arizona, in Yuma County. Marker can be reached from West 8th Street, half a mile west of Somerton Avenue. Marker is on west side of canal. You can cross the canal 0.5 miles north of West 8th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yuma AZ 85364, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hernando De Alarcon Expedition - 1540 (approx. 1.8 miles away in California); Site of Camp Pilot Knob (approx. 3.3 miles away in California); The Island of California (approx. 3.7 miles away in California); Immaculate Conception Parish (approx. 4.2 miles away); U.S. Army of the West — Mormon Battalion (approx. 4.6 miles away); Yuma Crossing (approx. 5.7 miles away); Robert G. Fowler (approx. 5.7 miles away); a different marker also named Robert G. Fowler (approx. 5.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yuma.
Related marker. Click
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, December 15, 2012
2. Colorado River Crossing Marker
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, December 15, 2012
3. Mormon Battalion Crossing / Colorado River Crossing Monument
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, December 15, 2012
4. Colorado River Crossing Monument
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, December 15, 2012
5. Colorado River Crossing Monument
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, December 15, 2012
6. Colorado River Crossing Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,038 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 20, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
