Near Columbia in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Mormon Battalion Monument

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, March 21, 2008

1. Mormon Battalion Monument Marker

Inscription. While they were crossing the plains with their families, five hundred Mormon men were inducted into the United States Army in July, 1846 to aid in the war against Mexico in California. The Mormon Battalion marched 2,000 miles from Council Bluffs, Iowa to San Diego, California – the longest infantry march in U. S. history. After they were discharged in 1847, some proceeded to what became known as Mormon Gulch, now Tuttletown. The Battalion panned for gold in Mormon Creek, often using baskets made by the Indians. Mormon Creek runs along the east side of Highway 49.

Erected 1995 by Sonora I & II Wards, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Topics and series. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • War, Mexican-American. In addition, it is included in the Mormon Battalion series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1846.

Location. 37° 59.317′ N, 120° 26.516′ W. Marker is near Columbia, California, in Tuolumne County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 49 and Rawhide Road (County Highway E5), on the right when traveling north on State Highway 49. Marker is 5.8 miles north of the town of Sonora. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia CA 95310, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and monument is in California’s Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At

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least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Tuttletown (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Humbug Mine (approx. 1½ miles away); Mark Twain Cabin (approx. 1½ miles away); a different marker also named Mark Twain Cabin (approx. 2 miles away); a different marker also named Mark Twain Cabin (approx. 2 miles away); Shaw’s Flat (approx. 2.4 miles away); 75 Pound Nugget (approx. 2.6 miles away); Red Light District (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Also see . . . Mormon Battalion. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on September 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Richard Wisehart, March 21, 2008

2. Mormon Battalion Monument Marker

View is northerly. Highway 49 is in foreground with Sonora to the right and Angels Camp to the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. This page has been viewed 3,678 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 2, 2008, by Richard Wisehart of Sonora, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.