Mounted on back of monumentMormon Battalion Crossing
This monument marks the approximate site of the crossing of the Colorado River by the Mormon Battalion on 10 and 11 January 1847.

The Mormon Battalion consisted of 500 volunteer soldiers from among the Mormon pioneers as they crossed Iowa in 1846. They were mustered into the United States Army at Council Bluffs, Iowa, on 16 July of that year to serve in the War with Mexico. they marched down the Missouri River to Fort Leavenworth where they joined the Army of the West under general Stephen W. Kearney.

The Mormon soldiers, all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, proceeded to Santa Fe, New Mexico, which advance elements of the Army had already occupied. The Battalion was then assigned its unique mission: to carve out a wagon road from New Mexico to California. Thus the U.S. army could more easily supply its outpost in southern California and others planned for the Southwest. The Mormon Battalion completed its march on 29 January 1847 in San Diego.

This monument was erected in 1992 by B.C. Smith and members of Boy Scout Troop 97 as an Eagle Scout project.

Located on front of monument
1846 U.S. Army 1848
Colorado River Crossing
Mormon
Battalion
Trail

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