Battalion Trek - Adventures and Aha Moments Hiking the Mormon Battalion Trail

One of the highlights of the trek was the four days the Dow and Lynne Wilson family joined us near Maricopa, Arizona. Having opted to participate as “Cooke’s Cadre --- they hiked with all the period accoutrements, slept in 1846 tents, and cooked their own meals over the fire with replica army issue camp kettles.

Bright and early Christmas morning,  (just after we finished talking with our son Brian, who was on a mission in Mongolia) the Wilson family drove up to our rendez-vous point in their Toyota Highlander. We were amazed as we watched all ten of them pile out of the car and wondered how they fit!

In this episode Lynne Wilson was kind enough to share her memories with us and the significance of the Battalion Story to American History. You’ll also hear Peter Guilbert, who was with us along that stretch, share his memories of hiking on those days.

Note: This was the first interview we did - and have learned much about audio recording since then.    

Part 2 of Margaret’s story will explore the Battalion’s commitment to honor their word to her relatives by trading buttons for food.  It’s an incredible story and as she says, "It took BOTH sides to make it work."  She also shares her memories of the three days she spent with us in Tucson.

Photo:  Ebenezer Brown & Phoebe Draper Palmer Brown

Prepare to be amazed as you hear Margaret Jorgenson tell how she had ancestors both in Presidio Tucson, AND in the Mormon Battalion. In Part 1, you’ll hear how her “cousins” felt when they heard about the “rag tag” army that was headed their way.

Atanacia Santa Cruz Hughes ( my 2nd Great Grandmother born 14 August 1850 about 3 1/2 years after the "Invasion".  She was alive when the US army came thru Tucson after the Mex/Amer war was over. She recalled the day they marched past her doorway with the US flag claiming her families home and lands as now belonging to the US.)  Her parents, sister Petra and aunt Guadalupe (born 15 Feb 1807 in Tucson) were at the Presidio during the M Battalion arrival.  Atanacia's parents died in 1851 when 25% of the residents of the presidio died from cholera. Aunt Guadalupe raised the girls.

Photo:  Left to Right  Atanacia Santa Cruz Hughes, Guadalupe, Petra (both Aunts)

Val John Halford re-joined us to hike the San Pedro River Valley - most well known in the Battalion Story for the Battle of the Bulls.  He'll share his impressions of the area, how being on site enabled him to see just how easy it would have been for the bulls to surprise the line of Battalion volunteers, and what challenges he had hiking through the veggetation and terrain that day.

The video by Jim Mahoney (BLM) who hiked with Kevin and Val that day - is of Jim demonstrating how the Mormon Battalion built a road to California is found on Battalion Trek's YouTube Channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqJAKBepjj8&t=3s 

As a BLM employee, Mike decides he should "monitor" the Trek and joins us near Soccoro.  He talks about 1846 shoes (Brogans), Rations, wonders if the Battalion met Kit Carson, and shares some tips about hiking the trail and acquiring period clothes.    

News Article about Mike's 2021 Bataan Death March participation:  https://www.alamogordonews.com/picture-gallery/news/local/community/2021/04/20/2021-bataan-memorial-death-march/7285535002/ 

Bataan Memorial Death March Event website:  https://bataanmarch.com/ 

Videos mentioned in this episode:

Equipment:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6wDUZDbonU

Clothing:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svBcvjiL2gA 

With 30 years as a infantryman, a passion for reenacting military marches, and experience managing public lands, Mike Bilbo brings a truly unique perspective to The Battalion Trek reenactment.

His help obtaining permits to allow us to cross public lands was invaluable.  He was able to hike with us twice in New Mexico and what a treat it was to have him along.

News Article about Mike's 2021 Bataan Death March participation:  https://www.alamogordonews.com/picture-gallery/news/local/community/2021/04/20/2021-bataan-memorial-death-march/7285535002/

Bataan Memorial Death March Event website:  https://bataanmarch.com/

Our introduction to Ron Kirkpatrick couldn’t have come at a better time. He relates his experiences hiking the week Kevin was laid up with foot surgery, the people he met on the trail, what things intrigued the Battalion members as they passed through this area in 1846, and  how the Battalion did their duty to God and Country. 

Ron has supported Kevin in his research of the trail and shares his memories about being there for the discovery of 'thought-to-be-lost' Emery’s Butte.  Since we received his first email volunteering to help,  his sense of humor and his ability to know just what we need has made Battalion Trek a greater adventure for all of us.  

We invite you to sit back and prepare to be entertained as he shares his perspective of our time in the Albuquerque area and what the Mormon Battalion saw when they passed through.

Peter Guilbert joins us again to remember the time we spent in Santa Fe, at Rancho de los Golondrinas Harvest Festival Event, walking into Old Town Plaza, visiting the Palace of the Governors, a fireside event, and walking to Albuquerque.  He, Kevin, and Mark Cummings braved the truly "miserable" day of hiking out of Aqua Frieta with cold rain.  Just before the fireside we had a hailstorm which was fun because that is what actually happened to the Battalion while they were in Santa Fe.

Rancho de las Golondrinas website:  https://golondrinas.org/ 

Brent continues about Life in “Mormon Town”, recognizes more tender mercies, helps us contemplate the sacrifices of the early saints.  We giggle about romance in 1846, and he spotlights some “firsts” that took place in Pueblo. The photo for this episode is provided in Brent's resouces and is titled:  Pueblo Pioneers – William Johnson, Iva Melton, Laura Bell

Note: Regarding the discussion about whether or not Pueblo was one of the first religious colonies in the west. It is our understanding that the Brooklyn Saints became part of the San Francisco community so Brent’s sources may be correct for another first in Pueblo.

What do southern belles and wealthy plantation owners have to do with the Mormon Battalion Story?  Brent Holladay, descendent of one of the "Mississippi Saints", shares the fascinating story of how this well outfitted group come to be invited to winter over in Pueblo Colorado creating a major miracle for themselves and the Mormon Battalion.