A Brief History of
Mesa, Arizona
Mormon Battalion
Meanwhile, Mormons were settling Utah in
order to escape persecution in the Midwest. The migration was partially
subsidized by men who joined the U.S. Army during the Mexican War
(1846-47) to donate their pay to the church. Because all except the
officers were Latter Day Saints, the unit was called the Mormon
Battalion. The soldiers created a wagon trail through Southern Arizona
during their journey to San Diego. Their experience in Arizona made it
possible for them to inform the church leaders that the native peoples
were friendly and that the land was very suitable for agriculture.
 
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