Called to War

Sherman L. Fleek's "Called to War: Dawn of the Mormon Battalion" offers a detailed historical examination of one of the most remarkable military units in American history. The Mormon Battalion, formed during the Mexican-American War in 1846, represents a unique intersection of religious persecution, westward expansion, and military service that continues to fascinate historians and general readers alike.

Fleek, who served as a command historian for the U.S. Army, brings both military expertise and historical rigor to this subject. His work focuses on the formation and early days of the battalion, providing context for understanding how approximately 500 Latter-day Saints came to enlist in the U.S. Army even as their community was being driven westward from Illinois. This paradox forms the heart of the narrative: a persecuted religious minority agreeing to serve the very government that had failed to protect them from mob violence.

The book explores the complex negotiations between Mormon leader Brigham Young and U.S. government representatives that led to the battalion's creation. Fleek examines the motivations on both sides of this unusual arrangement. For the United States, the battalion provided much-needed troops for the war effort in the Southwest. For the Mormons, military service offered wages to support their impoverished community and demonstrated loyalty to the nation, despite their grievances. The enlistment also provided a measure of protection for the Mormon migration westward.

One of the strengths of Fleek's work lies in his attention to the human dimension of this story. The men who joined the battalion were not professional soldiers but farmers, craftsmen, and laborers who left their families at a critical moment in Mormon history. The decision to enlist meant separation from loved ones during the arduous trek to the Salt Lake Valley, creating profound personal sacrifices that Fleek documents through various sources. The battalion members understood they would miss the establishment of their new settlement and would be absent during a vulnerable period for their community.

The narrative covers the recruitment process, the organization of the unit, and the beginning of their historic 2,000-mile march from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to San Diego, California. Fleek provides insight into the military structure, leadership challenges, and the tensions that arose between Mormon and non-Mormon officers. The appointment of regular Army officers to command positions created friction, as these officers often misunderstood or showed little respect for the religious convictions of the men under their command.

Fleek's research draws from a variety of primary sources, including journals, letters, and official military records. This documentary foundation allows the book to present a balanced view of events, acknowledging both the achievements and difficulties faced by the battalion. The author avoids hagiography while still recognizing the significance of the battalion's service and the hardships endured by its members.

The book also addresses the broader historical context of the Mexican-American War and westward expansion. Fleek situates the Mormon Battalion within the larger story of Manifest Destiny and the territorial ambitions that drove American policy in the 1840s. This context helps readers understand why the federal government sought to raise troops from an emigrating religious group and how this military unit fit into broader strategic objectives in the Southwest.

The physical challenges of the march receive appropriate attention, including the harsh terrain, extreme weather conditions, and limited supplies that tested the endurance of men already weakened by poverty and the disruptions of their community's forced migration. Fleek documents how these challenges were compounded by health issues, inadequate provisions, and the demands of military discipline.

For readers interested in Mormon history, military history, or the American West, Fleek's work provides valuable scholarship. The book serves as both an accessible introduction to the Mormon Battalion and a detailed resource for those seeking deeper understanding of this episode. While the focus on the battalion's formation and early stages means that later portions of their service receive less coverage, this concentrated approach allows for thorough examination of the critical decisions and circumstances that brought the unit into existence.

"Called to War: Dawn of the Mormon Battalion" stands as a solid contribution to the historical literature on this unique military unit. Fleek's combination of military knowledge and historical research produces a work that illuminates an often-overlooked chapter in American history, revealing the complex interplay of religion, politics, and warfare in the nineteenth-century American West.