Customer Reviews

Mormon Battalion: United States Army of the West, 1846-1848

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It is about time that I write a review of Norma Ricketts' the Mormon Battalion U.S. Army of the West 1846-1847. I bought the book when it first came forth. I found it to have many short comings, especially with depth and inadequate background of major events and it provided no new intrpretation, just continuing the old themes. Yet, since that time I have come to realize that Mrs. Ricketts' has assembled an outstanding research and resource tool. I have nearly worn out my copy from my hundreds of times in looking up information and facts. It is invaluable to any serious student of the Mormon Battalion. I recommend it to all readers, especially those who desire to write or publish anything dealing the Mormon Battalion. Even with its weaknesses and old school approach in scholarship, it is still an important asset.

Norma Ricketts' new book is a valiant attempt to shed more light on the history of the Mormon Battalion, but it sadly misses the mark. It has perhaps some of the finest maps on the march of the battalion and wonderful period artwork that conveys a sense of timelessness to the work. Sadly, the remainder of the book is merely a rehash of archaic concepts and provides no new scholarship for battalion historiography. She continued the theory that the men of the Mormon Battalion were more pioneers than soldiers, an old and cliche approach. Mrs. Ricketts has assembled perhaps the finest collection of primary sources to date; unfortunately, her use of these valuable sources was weak. She did not understand the importance of proper referencing and careful documentation. Many of her facts and points are incorrect. Her scope and purpose are too narrow, because she does not place the battalion in its proper historical context of the broader view of Mexican War and American history. For example, her causation of the Mexican War and the aspects of Manifest Destiny of the 1840s is very lacking. Not one apsect of the conflict with Great Britain over Oregon was mentioned. She gave the incorrect date of the battle of Buena Vista on p.138. This is just one of many errors in conveying simple historical information. Her understanding of military terms, procedures, tactics, rank, training, firearms and equipment is discouraging. Confusion of rank and position and proper military terms were constant problems throughout the book. Mrs. Ricketts spend much of her time and the book narrating the travels of the men after they were discharged, and their journey to Utah or back east. The flow and organization of the book suffered because of this. Also, there is not a thorough effort to review and employ other major works and sources on Mormon Battalion scholarship. I even found great difficulty with the writing, the flow, the content and organization of the book. I find it difficult to recommend.

I just finished Norma Ricketts book on the Mormon Battalion and unfortunately, I find it difficult to recommend. She made so many mistakes that I really think that she should have had some other historians review it before it went to press. She stated that Santa Ana surrendered to Gen. Zachory Taylor in Mexico City, when Taylor was not there but Gen. Winfield Scott. She also made a error witht he battle of Buena Vista. It was fought on 22-23 February 1847 and not in May 1847 as she wrote. She has no understanding of the Mexican War and the army. I also thought that the writing and editing was very poor. She really does not understand the military and history very well. I know she spent a great deal of time writing her book, but I think writing history is out of her league. The story of the Mormon Battalion is an outstanding story, too bad this book does not tell it very well. This story deserves a better history.

Ms. Rickett's work is a necessary addition to the cannon of scholarly research on the subject of the Mormon Battalion. Her work is the best attempt to date at reconstructing a battalion roster. She has filled in many "gaps" that previous historical accounts have overlooked, e.g. her treatment of non-enlisted service personnel, her excellent treatment of post-war activities, and the inclusion in Appendix A of the names of men who were crossed out on the original muster-in rolls.

The Mormon Battalion is a result of apparently careful scholarship brought to print with an eye for anecdote straight from the original diaries of the participants. Characters come to life through their own words. Anyone interested in the early frontier period of western US history should own this book. Unfortunately, several "typos" throughout were distracting

The author's purpose was to fill in holes in the previously existing historical record, especially pertaining to the people involved in the battalion. She is the first to compile complete rosters, etc., and to catalogue what happened to the members of the battalion until they actually made it back to their families. (Many texts stop at their discharge.) By relying on personal accounts, especially from the diary of William Coray, she provides a clear view of what it was like to actually be on the march. Perhaps the complete historical context must be learned from other sources, but that does not lessen the relevance of this book. I recommend it highly, and look forward to future revisions.

As a historical geographer and recent author of a related work covering the 1846-50 period of Mormon history, I found this book to be quite illuminating -- and a great reference. It was particularly good at weaving the numerous diaries of actual members of the Mormon Battalion together into an understandable fabric. This book is the result of a lifetime of devoted research by Ms. Ricketts. While she may be faulted for her lack of military acumen and historical context, she is at her best in fathoming the emotions of these oft ignored and long forgotten volunteer Mormon soldiers who became a benevolent postwar occupational army the likes of which has seldom been seen since. This is particularly interesting in the light of their recent forcible expulsion by mobs and night riders from their homes in Nauvoo, IL. If anyone had a right to revolt against the nation by whom they had been "ethnically cleansed," these men did. Instead, they honored the country they yet loved by leaving their families at the Missouri River to suffer through countless privations in one of the longest (if not THE longest) forced infantry marches in U. S. military history -- from Council Bluffs, IA to Fort Leavenworth, KS to Santa Fe, NM to Tuscon, AZ and finally to San Diego, CA. Once arrived, rather than adding privations upon the local Californios, they set about finding ways to serve them. Today, such a unit would likely be a much honored National Guard unit. Then, they were quickly forgotten. In fact, within ten years, most of these men were forced to defend their homes and families against the very same Army of the West in which they had so loyally served. Great work, Norma!

This book was recommended to me by the Sons of the Mormon Battalion. They consider this to be one of the most accurate accounts. This book provided me with lots of insights and a new respect for these 500 men. I would suggest this book to anyone you wants a complete, historically accurate, and interesting account.

This could have been an excellent book if the author had taken the time to do appropriate research. Such as stating on page seven "the volunteers had no knowledge of army regulations, no marching experience" She seemed to not recall the Nauvoo Legion which at its heights numbered some 5000 mormon members. Just a little though would had let her to check out just how many of the Mormon Battalion had served in the Nauvoo Legion.
On the internet looking up the legon pointed out that several members of the Mormon Battalion were former members of the Legion. As such they would have been familar with military law and regulations and certainly participate in drills.

The starting point is given as Council Bluffs, Iowa and refered to as such from the journals. This is most interesting in that the town was named named Kanesville at that time and remained so from 1846-52 then was named Council Bluffs. Easy to look up and check out.

Any author that makes mistakes early on in the book raised serious questions about the other parts of the book.

This book was not worth the paper it was printed on. This bookwas a very difficult read because of the poor editing, and many factmistakes. Havn't they ever heard of a spell checker? I would not recommend this book for anyone interested in the mormon battalion. Rather, try to get your hands on a copy of Daniel Tyler's book. END