THE MORMON BATTALION
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| http://californiapioneer.org/historic-events/mormon-battalion
The artist of this painting, George Ottinger married into one of Sister Breksa's ancestor's family and traveled with his wife's family during the exodus to Utah.
Another of George Ottinger's paintings is of the driving of the golden spike at Promotory Point, Utah - Another one of Sister Breksa's ancestors, Abraham Hunsaker, was at that event and was a member of the Mormon Battalion.
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“In June of 1846, there were approximately 15,000
Latter-day Saints strung out across Iowa in about a half dozen makeshift
encampments. They had been forced to leave their comfortable homes in the city
they had built, Nauvoo, Illinois. They had endured a tragic exodus across Iowa.
Many had died of starvation, exposure, and disease during the cold winter and
wet springtime. They had no homes, no property, and no clothing except what
they carried in their wagons or wore upon their backs. By crossing the
Mississippi River, these pioneers had left the United States, and were moving
west to a destination they knew not, where they hoped to live in peace.”
(http://californiapioneer.org/historic-events/mormon-battalion)
Church
leader Brigham Young sought a solution for the Saint’s dire financial problems.
He sent a messenger to President Polk with a proposal. The Saints would ‘fortify
and defend the West.' With the start of the Mexican-American War, President
Polk responded with the offer to form a Mormon battalion of 500 men.
President
Young agreed. 500 men volunteered. While they did not participate in a battle, the battalion completed the longest military march in
US history.
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