Mormon Battalion Commemoration 2022

01/27/2023

When the Mormon Battalion left San Diego to be discharged from the Army in Los Angeles, the people of San Diego begged for them to come back. Eighty-two members of the Battalion reenlisted and were called the “Mormon Volunteers.” They continued to serve in San Diego from June 1847 thru March 1848. Along with their
garrison duties, they continued to fire bricks, white-wash adobe structures, helped preserve San Luis Rey and San Diego Missions, and worked to repair the seaport. Some of them served in other positions such as Indian agent and Justice of the Peace. After a report that a Mexican Army of 3000 well-armed troops were marching across the Colorado River to re-capture California, the small company of Mormon Volunteers proved their courage and commitment to the citizens of San Diego as they stood their ground and refused to flee. Fortunately, the report proved to be false. Come hear their amazing story at the Mormon Battalion Commemoration on January 28, 2023, at Old Town State Park Historic Park from 10:00am-3:00 pm.

01/23/2023

It has been 175 years since the Mormon Volunteers left San Diego. They had been part of the Mormon Battalion and had reenlisted to protect San Diego until they could determine where their families who were crossing the plains had settled. Upon discharge, a small group of Battalion members along with young Charles Colton blazed a trail through the San Bernardino mountains, through Las Vegas and southern Utah to Salt Lake City. That trail is now much of Interstate 15. Come learn more about the Mormon Battalion and Mormon Volunteers at the Mormon Battalion Commemoration fun-filled community event on January 28, 2023, at Old Town State Historic Park from 10:00-3:00.

01/23/2023

https://youtu.be/BXfVq2Y9Q2k
Learn about the San Diego Mormon Battalion Historic Site from Wesley Adventures

01/23/2023

https://youtu.be/62HVkH84j5k

The Mormon Battalion Commemoration Day is held annually in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. There will be children's crafts, games, displays, photos, ...

01/23/2023

01/29/2022

Before the Mormon Battalion arrived in San Diego, the Mexicans had to travel long distances for water of very poor quality from wells only about a foot deep. Some of the Battalion members were skilled brick makers. They built a kiln and fired bricks that could be used to line deep wells. They dug wells in town that were 30 feet deep. The local men were so proud of their new wells that each morning they would sit around the well with their “cigaritos” while one of them drew a bucket of clear, cold water. Come to the Mormon Battalion Commemoration tomorrow and learn how to make bricks and what other things the Battalion did with them.

01/27/2022

At first, the Mexicans were suspicious and wary of the Mormon Battalion. The Missouri Volunteers and the First Dragoons, stationed in San Diego previously, had prejudiced the natives against the Mormons, saying they would rob them and insult their women. The natives grew more friendly when they observed the industriousness of the Battalion and realized the men were different from what they had been told. Because of their service to the community, the Mormon Battalion earned the love of the people. Come watch the natives dance in celebration of the Mormon Battalion.

01/27/2022

At Fort Leavenworth, Melissa Coray, age 18, washed clothes for Samuel Rogers, one of the other soldiers. She found it difficult because the water was only three inches deep and the bottom was very muddy. John Tippets tried to wash is own clothes, but the mud got on the clothes and he couldn’t wash it out! Company B had only a small amount of soap. Melissa was paid 18 ½ cents for her efforts. Come experience how the Mormon Battalion laundresses washed clothes at the Mormon Battalion Commemoration.

01/24/2022

When the Mormon Battalion left Council Bluffs, Iowa, William and Melissa Coray each had a blanket, a few clothes, a tin cup, and eating utensils. What was missing was food, except for a little flour and parched corn, and a kettle to cook in. They did not want to take food from their families who were stranded across the plains. Come hear their amazing story of faith, service, and sacrifice at the Mormon Battalion Commemoration.

01/23/2022

Jean Baptiste Charbonneau was a mountain man and Indian guide for Col. Cooke who led the Mormon Battalion from Santa Fe to San Diego. He was the son of Sacajwea, the Indian woman guide for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Her face and baby (Jean Baptiste) are depicted on the US Dollar coin. Jean Baptiste was well educated in Germany and spoke German, French, and Spanish, along with Shoshone and other western Native American languages. He was also the alcalde (mayor) of Mission San Luis Rey. Come hear Jean Baptiste Charbonneau tell his story at the Mormon Battalion Commemoration.

01/20/2022

On the fourth day of the march, the meager supply of flour had run out. Most of the men of the Mormon Battalion went to bed without supper, while others ate only parched corn. Two days later, flour arrived from Fort Leavenworth. Dough was made by adding a little water. The men cut a branch and wrapped their dough around the stick and held it close to the fire until it baked. Come join us at the Mormon Battalion Commemoration and cook your own biscuit on a stick!

01/20/2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97PsqNO-jYg

Annual Mormon Battalion Commemoration event held in Old Town San Diego that features FREE family friendly entertainment with parade, musical guests, story te...

01/20/2022

https://youtu.be/v16_mYON3Zc

U.S. Mormon Battalion Community Event 2015

01/20/2022

K**I Mormon Battalion Commemoration 2015

01/20/2022

NBC7/39 Mormon Battalion Commemoration 2017

01/20/2022

Mormon Battalion 175th Anniversary
Pioneer Dutch Oven Competition
Saturday, Jan 29, 2022
Featuring Your Best Dutch Oven Creation!
Setup & Cook Begins @ 8am; Judging @ 11am, Prizes @ 2pm
To pre-register, contact
Jay or Marla Farnes at
[email protected]
or
[email protected]
, 858-484-9390

01/20/2022

Did you know that 9 year old Charles Colton, all alone, arrived in camp about 7 days after the newly formed Mormon Battalion, US Army of the West, had left Council Bluffs, Iowa. He had run away to join his father in the Army. He walked all the way to San Diego, up the coast of California, over the Sierras, and to the Great Salt Lake Valley only to find that his mother and siblings were not there. He and his father returned back to Council Bluffs and then returned with the family to Salt Lake.

01/04/2022

Come show off your Dutch oven cooking skills on January 29, 2022 at the Mormon Battalion Commemoration Dutch Oven Cook-Off in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Judges and prizes. For more information go to: . All contestants must be pre-registered. Registration is completed by contacting either Jay or Marla Farnes @ [email protected] or [email protected], 858-484-9390.

11/16/2021

11/16/2021