Utah Military Records
Many military records are found at the Family History Library, the National Archives, the National Archives—Denver Branch, and the Utah State Archives. The Family History Library also has military histories for the various military engagements. The U.S. Military Records Research Outline provides more information on federal military records and search strategies.
The Mexican War and the Mormon Battalion (1846-1848)
In July of 1846 a battalion of over 500 Mormon men left Council Bluffs, Iowa, to reinforce the United States Army in California during the Mexican War. After they were discharged, most battalion members came to Utah while a few chose to stay in California.
The Family History Library and the Church History Library of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have some records and indexes. The "Military Records" sections of the Tracing LDS Families Research Outline, and the Iowa Research Outline, 3rd edition describe the Mormon Battalion military records.
Utah Militia (1849-1887)
The Constitution of the Provisional State of Deseret officially created the Utah Militia in 1849 to protect the settlers. The constitution required all men between the ages of 18 and 45 to participate. Organizations for boys ages 14 to 17 and men ages 45 to 75 also existed. The federal government took control of the militia in 1887 with the passage of the Edmunds-Tucker Act.
The Utah State Archives has the largest collection of Utah Militia records. The Family History Library has some Utah Militia records such as muster rolls and payroll lists found in:
United States. War Department. Utah Territorial Militia Muster Rolls, 1849 to 1870. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966. (FHL films 485554–58.) These are arranged by military districts. Most districts are connected to each county.
Utah State Archives. Utah Territory Militia; Nauvoo Legion Correspondence Orders and Reports, 1–2126. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966. (On six FHL films beginning with 497709.) This manuscript includes correspondence, orders, and reports. It is indexed by place names, subjects, and personal names.
Gardner, Hamilton. Pioneer Military Leaders of Utah. Typescript, 1952. (University of Utah, Marriott Library, Ms 57.) This is a military history of Utah from 1847 to 1898, focusing on the activities of the Territorial Militia. A register is available.
Indian Wars (1849–1868) and (1879–1880)
Although American Indian and pioneer relations were generally peaceful, there were a few serious conflicts, including:
- Incident at Battle Creek, 1849
- Walker War, 1853–1854
- Goshiute War, 1863
- Battle of Bear River, 1863 (Including part of Idaho)
- Black Hawk War, 1865–1868
- Ute Indian Campaign, Colorado and Utah, 1879–1880
United States troops from Fort Douglas were involved in the Goshiute War and the Battle of Bear River. In the other Indian wars, only the settlers and the American Indians were involved.
The Utah State Archives have several important collections of records for Utah soldiers who were involved in Indian wars. Several records are also available at the Family History Library. Some of the more important records are:
Utah State Archives. (Salt Lake City, Utah). Card Index to Military Records of the Indian Wars in Utah, 1866–1867; A–Z. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966. (FHL film 536221.) This is in alphabetical order. The sections from J. M. Smith to Robert William are out of order and are filed after James Barlow.
Utah. Board of Commissioners of Indian War Records. Service Records of Indian Wars in Utah, 1853–1868. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966. (FHL films 485506–16.) These records give the name, town of residence, years in the county, age, service information, residence and age at joining, length of service, date of release, engagements, and affidavits of two witnesses.
Correspondence Records Concerning Indian War Pensions (1914–1928). Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966. (FHL films 485517–31.) These records are arranged alphabetically. They include proof of service for benefits.
Besides the Utah records of correspondence for pensions, federal records exist for these men. For information about federal pension records see the U. S. Military Records Research Outline.
Historical accounts of the Indian war period are in:
Peterson, John Alton. Utah's Black Hawk War. Salt Lake City, Utah: University of Utah Press, 1998. (FHL book 979.2 H2pe.) This history of the conflict includes an index with personal names in it.
Gottfredson, Peter. History of Indian Depredations in Utah. Salt Lake City, Utah: Skelton, 1919. (FHL book 979.2 F3g; film 1421844 item 10.) This source contains accounts from histories, diaries, newspaper files, and interviews. It identifies many of the settlers who were killed during the Indian wars. This book is indexed in:
Index to History of Indian Depredations in Utah [by] Peter Gottfredson. Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Historical Society, 1942. (FHL book 979.2 F3g index.)
The Utah War (1857-1861)
The Utah War began when President James Buchanan appointed a governor to replace the Latter-day Saint leader Brigham Young. He ordered several thousand United States troops to the Utah Territory in 1857 to enforce the appointment and challenge an alleged Mormon rebellion. When the Army arrived in 1858, the conflict was settled peacefully. The army built Camp Floyd, southwest of Salt Lake City, and the soldiers remained there until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.
Records of Utah participants are found in the Utah Militia records mentioned previously. The United States Army records have information of the troops involved in this "war." Registers of Enlistment in the U.S. Army, 1798–1914 includes the U.S. troops who came to Utah. Information about these records is found in the U.S. Military Records Research Outline.
The library has several published accounts of the Utah War, such as:
Johnston, Connor and the Mormons: An Outline of Military History in Northern Utah [Salt Lake City, Utah: N.p.], 1962. (FHL book 979.2 M2j; fiche 6117855 [set of 5].) This book is a history of Camp Floyd and Fort Douglas. It includes the names of individuals buried in the post cemeteries and lists a few marriages from 1863 to 1868. It also includes a bibliography.
Moorman, Donald R. Camp Floyd and the Mormons, the Utah War. Utah Centennial Series, Volume 7. Salt Lake City, Utah: University of Utah Press, 1992. (FHL book 979.2 M2mo.) This history of the Utah War includes a name and subject index and a bibliography.
Civil War (1861-1865)
Utah's participation in the Civil War was minimal. Two small units of Utah Militia were called to guard the stage coach routes, telegraph lines, and the mail. A few men enlisted and went east to fight in the war. Their records are located with the federal records.
The Family History Library and the National Archives have the service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in the Lot Smith Company from the Territory of Utah.
United States. Adjutant General's Office. Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the Territory of Utah. National Archive Microfilm Publications, M0692. Washington, D.C.: National Archives, 1967. (FHL film 821588.) This includes data about Lot Smith's Company, Utah Calvary. The alphabetical index to these service records is found separately in:
United States. Adjutant General's Office. Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the Territory of Utah. National Archives Microfilm Publications, M0556. Washington, D.C.: National Archives, 1964. (FHL film 1292645.)
A few Utah veterans applied for Civil War pensions. These records are at the National Archives. The Family History Library has a microfilmed index to the pension records. The information is found in the U.S. Military Records Research Outline.
The Family History Library has the 1890 census of Union Veterans. This includes union veterans and their widows living in Utah in 1890. See the "Census" section of this outline for more information.
The most dramatic event of the Civil War for Utah was the arrival of Colonel Patrick E. Connor and 750 volunteer soldiers from California and Nevada. They founded Fort Douglas in 1862. Information about these soldiers can be found in:
Utah State Archives (Salt Lake City, Utah). Military Records of the Civil War. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966. (FHL film 536239.) This is the official record of the veterans of the 3rd California infantry and the 2nd California cavalry. The record is from the Utah State records.
Orton, Richard H. Records of California Men in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1867 Sacramento, California: State Office, 1890. (FHL book 979.4 M2a; film 1000133 item 4; fiche 6051180.) This has a roster of the California troops. It lists their name, rank, place of enrollment, date of enlistment and muster, and remarks. This book is indexed in:
Parker, J. Carlyle. A Personal Name Index to Orton's "Records of California Men in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 to 1867. Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research, 1978. (FHL book 979.4 M2a index.)
By 1890, about 40 percent of the Civil War Union veterans were members of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). The descriptive books of each GAR post usually show each member's name, age, rank, birthplace, residence, occupation, and enlistment and discharge information. The Family History Library has membership records for some posts. Some are found in:
Grand Army of the Republic. Department of Utah. Grand Army of the Republic Utah Membership. Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Archives, 1981. (On three FHL films beginning with 1666083.) This film contains membership information for posts 1–5, 7, and 22.
The GAR organization has published Civil War history books. A history about the Civil War and veteran organizations in Utah is:
Fisher, Margaret M. Utah and the Civil War. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1929. (FHL book 979.2 H2f.) This contains the rosters of the Lot Smith expedition and the Robert T. Burton expedition. The J. Q. Knowlton GAR post directed the writing of this history.
Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902)
About 700 men from Utah volunteered to serve during the Spanish-American War. Utah units fought in the Philippines and also served in Florida, San Francisco, and Hawaii.
Utah State Archives (Salt Lake City, Utah). Spanish-American War; Index to Utah Units Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966. (FHL film 536240.) This volume lists the soldier's rank, age, place of birth, residence, next of kin, occupation, and enlistment information. The original manuscripts are at the Utah State Archives.
Utah muster-in rolls for 1898 to 1899 are at the Utah State Archives and on film at the Family History Library:
Military Records, Spanish-American War, 1898–1899 (Utah). Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966. (FHL film 485751.) They contain the soldier's name, rank, age, place of birth, and occupation. The muster-out roll has date last paid, destination, and place of discharge
Published histories of Utah volunteers include:
The History of the Utah Volunteers in the Spanish-American War and in the Philippine Islands. Salt Lake City, Utah: W. F. Ford, 1900. (FHL book 979.2 M2p; film 1697617 item.) This source includes the names of volunteers for wars from 1898–1901. It gives biographical sketches of officers and men from Utah. There is a roster of men listing name, rank, and residence along with the official reports.
Mabey, Charles R. The Utah Batteries: A History. [Spanish American War 1898] Salt Lake City, Utah: n.p., 1900. (FHL book 979.2 M2m; film 1000615 item 5.) This book includes each soldier's name and place of residence at time of enlistment.
The pension index for soldiers from this war are found with the Civil War Pension indexes. See the U.S. Military Records Research Outline for information on this index.
Mexican Border Campaign (1916-1917)
In 1916 the United States had trouble at the United States-Mexico border. The Utah National Guard served with other state units on the Mexican Border from March 1916 to February 1917.
The Family History Library has some records from the Utah State Archives on this campaign. These records include the Mexican Border Service muster rolls and the Index to Utah participants:
Utah State Archives (Salt Lake City, Utah). Mexican Border Campaign (15 March 1916–5 February 1917). Index to Those Who Participated From Utah. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966. (FHL film 536225.) This record is arranged alphabetically by surname. It gives each person's name; rank; unit; and dates and places of enlistment, muster, and discharge
The pension index for soldiers from this campaign is found with the federal pension indexes. See the U.S. Military Records Research Outline for further information.
World War I (1917-1919)
More than 24,000 men from Utah served in World War I. The Family History Library has a copy of the set of service questionnaires for World War I soldiers from the Utah State Archives:
United States. War Department. World War I Service Records of Utahns. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966. (FHL films 485733-50.) The records are arranged alphabetically and contain such information as the soldier's date and place of birth, names of parents, and names of spouse and children. Photographs are included for many soldiers.
The Family History Library and Utah State Archives have service records which list the person's residence, date and place of birth, injuries, residence at time of joining, enlistment place, service, and discharge date. They are arranged alphabetically. Records for both the Army and Marine Corps are:
United States. Marine Corps. World War I Service Records, Marines (from Utah). Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Archives and Record Service, 1973. (FHL film 1643885.)
United States. Adjutant General's Office. World War I Service Records, Army (Utah). Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Archives and Record Service, 1973. (FHL films 1643886–94.)
A published roster of soldiers is found in:
Warrum, Noble Utah in the World War. Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah Council of Defense, 1924. (FHL book 979.2 M2w; film 1033897 item 8.) This book lists the soldier's name, place of residence upon enlistment, and dates of service
World War I draft registration cards for men age 18 to 45 may list address, birth date, birthplace, race, nationality, citizenship, and next of kin. Not all registrants served in the war. For registration cards for Utah, see:
United States. Selective Service System. Utah World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. National Archives Microfilm Publications, M1509. Washington, D.C.: National Archives, 1987–1988. (On 20 FHL films beginning with 1983881.)
To find an individual's draft card, it helps to know his name and residence at the time of registration. The cards are arranged alphabetically by county, within the county by draft board, and then alphabetically by surname within each draft board. All the counties, except Salt Lake and Weber, had only one board. Weber County has several for Ogden and one for the rest of Weber. Salt Lake County has several boards. Salt Lake City boards are separated from the county.
World War II (1942-1945)
More than 65,000 Utah men and women served in the armed forces during this World War II. They are included in an alphabetical card index that lists date and place of birth, name and address of next of kin, marital status, name and address of spouse, and military history for each individual.
Utah State Archives (Salt Lake City, Utah). Index to Military Records of World War II. Veterans from Utah. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966. (FHL films 536228–38.) This record is arranged separately by branch of service, then alphabetically by surname.
Additional Military Records
For more information about veteran burials in Utah, see the "Cemeteries" section of this outline.
The Utah State Archives has a large collection of military records. A current listing of their holdings is available at the Internet site. A published inventory of their military holdings in 1981 is:
Utah State Archives and Records Service. Inventory, Military Department, Record Group 027, Microfilms and Microfiche. Salt Lake City, Utah: Archives, 1981. (FHL book 979.2 M2.) This gives the accession number, title, period covered, subject, and geography covered by the records.
Many records are also located at the Family History Library. Histories of each war are available. This outline gives some of the records for Utah. More will be listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:
UTAH - MILITARY HISTORY
UTAH - MILITARY RECORDS