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.