1848

February. At the conclusion of the Mexican War, the Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo ceded territory to the United States which included what became the Utah Territory.

March 4. In SLC a committee was appointed to draft a constitution in hopes that Congress would create a Mormon state.

May 4. John Bernhisel was sent to Washington to lobby for Utah territorial status.

July. The territories were governed by political appointees of the President, approved by the Senate. These included the governor, secretary, three judges of three districts who also comprised the supreme court, U.S. marshal and U.S. attorney. Because these positions were likely to be filled by outsiders, the decision was made to apply rather for statehood.

December 27. Senator Stephen A. Douglas presented the memorial for statehood drafted by Bernhisel and Almon Babbitt to Congress, but asked that Utah be organized either as a state or territory.

September 9. Utah was made a territory by the Organic Act signed by President Millard Fillmore.

Harris, Brandebury and Brocchus soon left their offices and wrote very negative reports of their experience making serious accusations against Brigham Young and other Mormons.

February 3. Brigham Young took his oath of office becoming the first Governor of the Utah Territory.

August 31. Colonel Edward. J. Steptoe, head of a military and civilian party arrived in SLC on assignment to study the feasibility of road through the territory and to capture the Indians who murdered Captain John W. Gunnison and 7 others in 1853.

1855

January. Brigham Young's appointment as Governor was due to expire

February 18. Having heard that Pres. Pierce had appointed Col. Steptoe as governor to replace Brigham Young, Young spoke highly of Steptoe and endorsed his appointment in a sermon delivered at the Tabernacle: "...to the praise of the gallant gentleman referred to, if there was going to be a gentleman called upon to be our Governor, there is not a man, out of the Kingdom of God, that I would listen to sooner, and feel more confidence and cordiality towards, than to him." (JD 2:187-188)

June 29-30. Judge Leonidas Shaver was found dead, diagnosed as the result of a disease of the ear and brain. He was honored at his funeral by the attendance of Mormons and Mormon leaders who participated in the event expressing "more heart felt grief & sympathy than has ever been manifested for any person not a mormon who ever died in our midst." (Hosea Stout diary). Judge Drummond, in his March 30, 1857 letter of resignation, claimed he was poisoned on the order of Mormon leaders.

1856

The platform of the new Republican Party maintained that Congress had the right and duty to prohibit polygamy and slavery in the territories.

March 17. In a fifth effort (1849, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1856) to obtain statehood a constitutional convention assembled in Salt Lake City and ten days later completed a constitution. The effort was aborted upon the advice of Steven A. Douglas and others that the timing was bad. Congress refused even to hear the matter.

June 6. The Democratic Party Platform adopted "squatter sovereignty," the position that when territories become states they enter as slave or non-slave as elected by the people.

June 17. The new Republican Party Platform brought polygamy into the national political debate regarding slavery. It argued that since the Constitution gives Congress sovereign power over the territories it was "right and imperative" that Congress prohibit both slavery and polygamy in the territories. This created a dilemma the Democrats. Virtually all were offended at Mormon polygamy. The Republican Platform put the Democrats in the awkward position of explaining why a territory could become a slave state by the determination of the people, but could not self-determine the legality of polygamy.

August 25. Col. Almon W. Babbitt's train loaded with government property and traveling west, was plundered by Cheyenne Indians in Nebraska. Three were killed and one carried away.

September. Col. Babbitt and others were killed by Cheyenne Indians east of Fort Laramie.

May 20. President James Buchanan, relying upon the negative accusations of several, while ignoring Mormon denials, and without any investigation, was convinced that the Mormons were in rebellion against the United States. He decided to replace Gov. Brigham Young, and without giving him any notice, and without the required Congressional approval (Congress was in recess), proceeded to make his new appointments and issued orders for a large military escort.

May 26. Gen. Winfield Scott advised John B. Floyd against the expedition at that time for several reasons, including the lateness of the start.

May 28. Against Scott's counsel, Floyd ordered 2500 troops to assemble at Fort Leavenworth (1200 miles from SLC) to escort the new governor to Utah. Gen. William S. Harney, Commander of Fort Leavenworth, was appointed Commander of the Utah Expetition, receiving his orders from Secretary of War, John B. Floyd. No indication of the Army's mission was included.

June 10. The government contract to carry mail to Utah by the Brigham Young Express and Carrying Company (called the Y. X. Company) was cancelled. Mail service to Utah was thus discontinued, cutting off the normal flow of information which would have alerted Gov. Young that he was to be replaced and, further, that an army was preparing to march to Utah.

June 29. Instructions were given by Gen. George W. Lay, aid to General Scott, to Gen. William S. Harney regarding his command of the expedition to Utah. He was informed that the community and civil government were in rebellion and the Army's purpose was to assist the new governor to establish and maintain law and order as a posse comitatus. The troops were not to attack any body of citizens without orders, except for sheer self-defence.

July 1. Without explalnation, the postmaster at Independence, Missouri refused to release the mail to the Y. X. Company for delivery to Utah. They discovered that their mail contract had been cancelled and that a secret operation was planned to send 2500 federal troops to Utah.

July 4. Independence Day was celebrated as usual with intense patriotism.

July 18. The first contingent of the Utah Expedition left Fort Leavenworth with plans to be in Utah before winter.

Abraham Smoot, mayor of Salt Lake City, left Fort Laramie hastily on his way to alert the Brigham Young of the information he had gathered: that Governor Young was to be replaced and an army was on its way to Utah.

July 24. More than 2000 were gathered in Big Cottonwood Canyon to celebrate the 10th anniversary of arriving in Salt Lake Valley. Abraham Smoot and 3 others rode into camp with information that a new governor, judges and 2500 troops were coming to Utah. Brigham Young said that "if the Govornor & officers wished to come & would behave themselves well they would be well treated." (WWJ) The gathering was naturally concerned as to the purpose of the Army. Without any official notification of Pres. Buchanan's intentions Brigham Young and the Mormon community interpreted the sending of the army as religious persecution, anticipating perhaps a declaration of war to destroy Mormonism.

July 26. Abraham Smoot gave a public account of the information he collected regarding the Army and his 20 day journey from Independence to SLC. (complete text: Deseret News, Aug. 5, p. 170)

July 27. Alfred Cumming took his oath of office as Governor of Utah Territory, replacing Brigham Young, at St. Louis.

July 28. Gen. Harney wrote a letter to Pres. Brigham Young to be hand delivered by Capt. Stewart Van Vliet, which he did on Sept. 9. The letter announced that the purpose of Army headed for Utah Territory was to establish a base for a new military district like those established elsewhere. No mention was made of a new governor, the charge that the Utah community and civil government were in rebellion or that the Army was sent to assist the new civil officers in the performance of their duties. (complete text: Mormon Resistance, 30-34)

Capt. Van Vliet, having a favorable acquaintance with some Mormons a few years earlier, was ordered by Gen. Pleasanton to SLC ahead of the Army to arrange for the purchase of supplies, deliver Gen. Harney's July 28 letter to Pres. Young and find a location for the troops within 30 miles of SLC. (complete text: Mormon Resistance, 36-38). He arrived in SLC Sept. 8.

August 7. Seven, including Apostles John Taylor and Erastus Snow, return from various missions reporting very hostile feelings towards the Mormons in the States. (Hosea Stout diary).

August 13. Brigham Young sent Samuel W. Richards from SLC to Philadelphia to enlist the help of a friend of the Mormons, Thomas Kane. Richards travelled to New York to find Kane, arriving Sep. 16.

August 13-17. More than 100 men were sent out to protect the ongoing immigration and to watch the movements of the advancing Army. (Hosea Stout diary)

August 28. Col. Albert Sidney Johnston was appointed successor to Gen. W.S. Harney as commander of the Utah expedition and set out to catch up with the Army which took him until November.

August 31. John M. Bernhisel was elected Utah delegate to Congress.

September 8. Captain Stewart Van Vliet arrived in SLC and was greeted by Brigham Young and others.

September 9-13. Meetings were held with Cap. Van Vliet. He requested help with provisions for the troops and informed Brigham Young that an army station was to be established. within 30 miles of SLC. He presented Brigham Young with a July 28 letter from Gen. Harney which announced that the purpose of the Army was to establish a new military district in Utah Territory. This was the first official notification of the impending Army presence, coming four months after Pres. Buchanan's decision and two months after the first troops left Ft. Leavenworth for SLC.

Brigham Young was well aware of charges that the Territory was in rebellion and rumors that the Army was sent to expel or exterminate the Mormons. He emphatically expressed to Van Vliet his distrust of Harney's declaration of the Army's purpose. Van Vliet acknowledged to Brigham Young his belief that Drummond's letter of resignation was the main cause of Pres. Buchanan sending the army to Utah and pledged that he would resign if the Army waged war. (CHC 4:217).

September 14. The conclusion of discussions at meeting in the Historians Office was to declare martial law. (Hosea Stout diary)

Delegate John M. Bernhisel started from G.S.L. City for Washington, D.C., in company with Capt. Steward Van Vliet and others.

September 16. Capt. Van Vliet wrote his report to Gen. Pleasanton of his mission to SLC. He relayed Mormon belief that the Army's purpose was to continue previous religious persecution and would resist to the death the Army's entrance into SLC. If the Army were too large to resist, the Mormons would burn everthing and flee to the mountains. He wrote of his kind and hospitable treatment and his regret that he could not dissuade the determination to resist the Army. (complete text: Mormon Resistance, 50-55)

September 29. Daniel H. Wells, general of the Territorial militia, the Nauvoo Legion (about 3000 troops), left SLC for Echo Canyon, 65 miles east, where he established headquarters. The militia he commanded employed various measures to block the progress of the army through the canyon.

Gov. Young wrote a Proclamation to the commander of the Utah Expedition explaining that he was the legitimate Governor and forbade the Army's presence in the Territory. (complete text: CHC 4:276)

October 1-3. With the approach of the Army imminent, Fort Supply and Fort Bridger, two Mormon outposts twelve miles apart in now southwest Wyoming, the hopeful winter quarters for the Army, were burned by the Mormons.

October 4. Gen. Daniel Wells issued instructions to annoy the federal troops in every way possible: stampede their animals, burn their wagon trains, burn the country around them, surprise them at night to interrupt their sleep, block their way, but "Take no life." A Mormon, Major Joseph Taylor, who had a copy of these orders was captured by the Army. (complete text: CHC 4:279-280. Some sources leave off the important P.S. with the command: "Take no life.")

October 12 & 14. Col. Alexander on the 12th and Gov. Young on the 14th exchanged strong letters stating their positions, both warning the other of great loss of life. (complete text: Mormon Resistance, 74-81).

October 14. Due to losses from Mormon raids and a foot of snow which fell this day, Col. Alexander called a council and decided to retrace his path. He received communication that day of the approach of Col. Albert S. Johnston to take command who ordered the troops assemble at Black's Fork. (Atlantic Monthly 3:370)

November - December. Mormons evacuate San Bernardino to return to Utah.

November 6. Col. Johnston began moving the Army to winter near the Mormon outpost of Fort Bridger. That night more than 500 animals died. (Atlantic Monthly 3:370)

November 16. The Army began arriving at Fort Bridger, abandoned and burned the week before by the Mormons. The Army set up their winter-quarters at a site 2 miles from Fort Bridger in now southwest Wyoming, 115 miles from SLC. This was named Camp Scott.

November 20. After a very difficult journey from Ft. Leavenworth, Gov. Cumming and a company of dragoons arrived at the winter camp.

November 21. Gov. Cumming wrote a letter to Brigham Young informing him that violent acts authorized and commanded are treasonable; that those involved are subject to the penalties accorded traitors; and the Territory is in a state of rebellion. He also issued a Proclamation to the people of Utah stating his duty "to enforce unconditional obedience." He assured that there would be no interference with their right to religious freedom.

1858

January 26 - March. Varied opinions were presented in Congress regarding the Utah situation. The one extreme was to drive Mormons out or exterminate them. Others suggested seeking peace through investigation to determine the Mormon position, which President Buchanan had neglected.

February 25. Thomas L. Kane arrived in SLC and met with the First Presidency and the Twelve. He said that he came as an ambassador from the President and encouraged that they assist the "poor suffering soldiers" to come to SLC and "bid them a hearty welcome." (Wilford Woodruff diary)

March 24. Gov. Cummings wrote to Sec. Cass of his intention to visit SLC before the Army advanced.

April 5. Governor Alfred Cumming left Camp Scott, Wyoming, for Salt Lake City (115 miles) with Col. Kane and two attendants to assume his office, but with no military escort.

April 6. Pres. Buchanan issued a Proclamation to be hand carried by L.W. Powell and Major Ben McCullough, peace commissionors, to Utah. It listed some 42 accusations against the Mormons and gave his reasons for sending the army, and offered a conditional pardon.

April 12. Cumming arrived in Salt Lake City. Over several days of meetings with Brigham Young, he began his office as Governor with the help and support of Brigham Young.

April 15. Gov. Cumming wrote a favorable report to Col. Johnston of his respectful reception in SLC and Brigham Young's willing assistance in turning over to him public property including all records which Gov. Cumming reported had not been destroyed.

April 24-25. Gov. Cumming, responding to the popular notion of extreme tyranny in Utah, offered to assist those who "considered themselves unlawfully restrained of their liberties." His notice was read in the Tabernacle on the 25th.Only 56 men, 33 women and 71 children responded. They wanted to leave "from a desire to improve their circumstances, and realize elsewhere more money by their labor." Mormon leaders pledged their assistance in leaving the territory. (Cumming's account: Mormon Resistance, 307-308; also, Normon F. Furniss, The Mormon Conflict, 1850-1859 [Yale University Press, 1960] 187.)

May 2. In a letter Gov. Cumming reported to Secretary of State Lewis Cass: Drummond's claim that territorial records had been destroyed was false; he considered Mormons law-abiding citizens; denied the portrayal of a cruel tyranny in Utah which denied freedom to leave the territory; despite his reassurances of safety, the Mormons were leaving their homes and going south "resigned, but cheerful." (Furniss, 186-187; complete text: Mormon Resistance, 304-314).

May 13. Col. Kane left SLC to return to the States. He travelled with Gov. Cumming to Fort Bridger; from there to Council Bluffs, Iowa arriving June 8; then to his home in Philadelphia June 18; only to head to Washington on June 19 with dispatches from Governor Cumming.

May 27. Gen. Harney reported 2,588 troops under Col. Johnston with reinforcement 3,912 troops to be added (complete text of his report: CHC 4:373)

June 10. President Buchanan announced to Congress that order had been restored in Utah.

June 18. The eastern mail, accumulating for a year, was sent from Col. Johnston's camp and arrived in Provo. Many of the letters had been opened.

June 26. The Army marched through Salt Lake City which they found had been abandoned by the Mormons. They passed through Salt Lake City and camped on the west side of the Jordan river. It subsequently marched to Cedar Valley, and there located Camp Floyd, about forty miles from the city where they remained until the outbreak of the Civil War.

The war ended in a compromise with both sides somewhat disappointed. Brigham Young did not want the army in the territory. Numerous sources establish that the army was anxious to fight and kill Mormons to assert complete suppression. President Buchanan's pardon eliminated trials and executions for treason of Brigham Young and other Mormons for which some had hopeful anticipation.

June 30. The announcement was made in Provo that all who wished to return to Salt Lake City were at liberty to do so.

August 24. Statement of the negotiations of June 11-12 was signed by both sides. (complete text: CHC 4:436-438)