1857, Utah LDS Stand Off turns into full war

July 2012, Room 658- History Lecture Blue Mountain State University:

The history lecturer sighs, again most of the class is hung over and staring into space. Yet he continues: The war of 1857 was a "perfect storm" or tensions and misunderstandings. It was also entirely avoidable.

First, there was the authrorization for the formation of two volunteer regiments. Unfortunatly, the Colorado regiment in particular was very poorly disciplined. Several Mormons were wantonly murdered and others "disappeared" as the unit moved up the Oregon trail. Men from the unit would later be accused of Jayhawking attacks in Missouri and the massacare of Indians at Sand Creek. Exaggerated reports soon begain to filter into Utah which enflamed memories of past Mormon suffering at the hands of irregular militias and led to fears that Mormonism, as a religion, was the target.

Secondly, there was Mormon isolation: Mormons had a limited understanding of how even hints of seperatism would be perceived given the building Dixie seperatist crisis. Even casual references to the "American Army" as if it were foreign had a big impact with Washington. Negotians broke down after the LDS refused to accept any but the most token federal military presence in Utah (two escort companies for the governor) and absolutely no Volunteer regiments. Meanwhile, Washington saw any compromise with the Mormons as encouraging Dixie seperatism....

How did the war of 1857 go?

-Does Brigham Young change his mind and attempt to hold the U.S. army at Echo Canyon?

- How long does Mormon resistance last?

-Can the Mormons fight the U.S. Army (arguably outnumbered, attacking through difficult terrain and operating at the end of very long supply line) to an embarrasing stalemate?
 
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