1857 Mormons

[martin goddard]

A great potential campaign for WESTERN is the US government versus the mormons of Utah.

Here are few short notes on the matter.


In short, Buchanan, the sitting US president decided to send a force against Salt lake city (Mormon capital) .The main quoted resaon was against the mormon practice of men having many wives, in order to increase the mormon numbers.

This force was overall lead by AS Johnston of later ACW Confederate fame.
The campaign starts with the mormon militia effectively raiding and taking parts of the US supply train, sent in advance of the US army! Great potential for games.

The US army spent a year in various movements towards the mormon capital Salt Lake city.
At several points the mormon militia had prepared defensive positions in preparation for battle. This would have given rise to battles involving a few hundred each side at the minimum.
Eventually the campaign was called off for political reasons.
The overall point however is that it could be the basis for an interesting campaign.

The government side had a well equipped army. The mormon side had a well equipped militia, help from the Indians (Shoshone etc) and good defensive positions.

Probably army versus Settlers.

[Sean Clark]

Very interesting take on Western. I wonder where else this could go.

Indian Mutiny?
Bushwackers v Jayhawkers (I've mentioned this before...)?
Maximillian Adventure?
French Indian wars?

[Leslie BT]

Sean, Maximilian is already there.
Army v Mexicans.

[FifteensAway]

There was a Mormon battalion in the Mexican American War, too.

And I have some Mormons in my Old West collection of civilians 2:1 women to men.  Though would nice to be have a Jean Seberg character from Paint Your Wagon: "Is that what you've been admiring, Mr. Rumson?"