Mahonri M. Young (1877-1957),
Mormon Battalion (Sketch), 1917, plaster, 10 1/4 x 27 3/8 x 1/2 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchase/gift of the Mahonri M. Young Estate, 1959.On May 13, 1846, the United States officially declared war with Mexico in what would be know as the Mexican-American War. This conflict, often overlooked, resulted in the death of over 38,000 soldiers. It was during this war that the Mormon Battalion was formed. The Mormon Battalion was comprised of about 550 Latter-day Saint volunteers, who made the 2,000-mile march from Council Bluffs, Iowa to San Diego, California.