1857 Iron County Militia Project

In fall 1857 in southern Utah about 100 men in the Iron County Militia were involved in the disastrous Mountain Meadows Massacre.

• Who were the members of the 450-man militia?
• Who were those involved in the massacre?

This site is designed to facilitate exchanging information about the 1857 Iron County Militia and its members, to answer questions as accurately as the historical record will allow and to increase understanding.

Introduction Map utah 2.jpg In 1857, there were approximately 450 men in the Iron County militia. At the outbreak of the Utah War of 1857-58, rumors of invasion by the United States Army set the militia in motion. Militiamen were organizing, drilling, patrolling, scouting and carrying expresses. Infamously, about a hundred militiamen were involved in the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Who were the members of the 450-man militia? Who were those involved in the massacre? This site explores the events in southern Utah at the outset of the Utah War. The Iron County militia was the Tenth Regiment of the territorial militia and was also known as the Iron Military District. It was the local militia unit in southern Utah. As word of the approach of the United States expeditionary army reached Utah, particularly southern Utah, it touched off fears of invasion and dispossession. This was due to the experiences of many Mormons in the Mid-West. Because of conflicts with the original settlers in these locales they were driven from their homes and lands, first in western Missouri, then in western Illinois. The misunderstanding over the intentions of the approaching army touched off a conflict known as the Utah War of 1857-58. By August 1857, the southern Utah militia had been reorganized and was on heightened alert. They undertook what seemed vital at the time: harvesting grain, caching foodstuffs, guarding the approaches to southern Utah, sending scouting parties in search of the approaching army and surveilling passing emigrant trains. As this crisis broke, disaster befell the first passing train, the Fancher-Baker party, at Mountain Meadows. This site discusses the unfolding crisis and ensuing massacre. It also provides biographical sketches of many of the militiamen. Our desire is to provide the most accurate information possible. We solicit feedback and corrections from our visitors. We will update the site with corrected information. We appreciate your comments and feedback. Thank you for visiting! Send comments or corrections to editor@1857ironcountymilitia.com