Battalion of Saints by Richard Wormser (1961)

Battalion of Saints
by Richard Wormser
Publisher:  David McKay Company, Inc.
Copyright:  1961
Book Club Edition

This novel is the story of a battalion of Mormons, or Latter Day Saints, attached to the United States Army.  The battalion was formed near Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1846 and marched to Santa Fe to join in the new war against Mexico.  The dramatic events of the march have been available for research for many years, but for the first time they now form the core of an extraordinarily exciting and rewarding book.

Following the bloody and illegal expulsion of the Mormons from Missouri, Brigham Young was of no mind to do a favor for the United States Government, but the chance to see five hundred of his best men armed, clothed, fed, and transported toward what might turn out to be the Land of Zion they all sought, was too good to be missed.  So the battalion was formed, and accompanied by Mormon wives and daughters traveling as cooks, laundresses, and nurses, the battalion (marching between two regiments of Missouri volunteers) started its long and bitter journey.

Ned Springer, a fiercely independent young mountain men hired to lead the column through the wilderness, had great difficulty adjusting himself both to the military and to the Mormons.  And falling in love with Nancy Wakefield, the celestial-bride-to-be of Lewis Moses, didn't help much.

Day after day of back-breaking travel under the brutal sun brought nerves, minds, and hearts to the breaking point, and it is, as with all fine novels, the study of character under stress that makes this novel so engrossing.  Men died during the trek -- variously -- and young men found their manhood as well. Army careers were blasted forever and other distinguished careers born.  True to history and true to life, this novel illuminates and enriches the reader's knowledge of the American past and as such becomes a deserved part of the American heritage.

Condition:  Used.  Hardcover.  Dust cover is discolored and shows wear, creasing and tears in the edges.  There's a pencil mark on the front dust cover.  Dust cover spine is creased.  Back dust cover is badly creased and discolored.  Pages are tanned and darkening from age.  Previous owner's name is blacked out on the front endpaper with date written underneath.  There's an envelope pasted to the front endpaper as a way to keep track of their books. Binding is in the beginning stages of splitting throughout the book, but pages are in tact.

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