Mormon Battalion Trail Marker No. 7
Posted by: 
outwest63
N 31° 30.624 W 109° 02.253
12R E 686359 N 3487836
The Mormon Battalion Trail Marker No. 7 is a Wood and Stone monument located on the Geronimo Trail. The marker is in Hidalgo County, New Mexico South of Annimas, New Mexico
Waymark Code: WME1RM
Location: New Mexico, United States
Date Posted: 03/22/2012
Views: 3
The inscription on the monument reads:
Historical Marker No. 7
U.S. Mormon Battalion Trail
History of Trek through Mountains
On November 28, 1896 the Mormon Battalion of the U. S. Army West crossed these mountains near this sumit enroute to California during the Mexican War. Co. Cooke had dispatched scouts ahead to find the best route. An Indian guide, Charonneau, while scouting ahead was attacked by three grizzly bears. He killed one bear which provided meat for the troops.
Lt. Stoneman with 21 men could not find a suitable route down the mountain. The began cutting a road but the task was to laborious and the progress to slow. Col. Cooke then ordered the wagons unloaded and the supplies packed on horses and the mules for transport down the mountain. The wagons were lowered down the 40% grade by ropes. One wagon crashed to the canyon bottom. Henry Bigler wrote, "no other man but Cooke would attempt to cross wagons at such a place. Cooke had the spirit of a Bonaparte".
Dedicated to the Soldiers of the U. S. Mormon Battalion
Col. Fred M. Reese - C&CH US Mormon Battalion
Project Supervisors - Marvin E. Follet and Ralph Mangum
Masonry - Denis Gregg
Sponsors - Douglas Boy Scouts Scout Troup 414
Lumber by Kiabab Lumber Inc.
Dedicated Nov. 1, 1986
Wagon being lowered down steep slope with ropes
Artist - Ralph Reese
Sign built and designed by Robin Button
Thomas L. Kane Company
The Monument can be reached by traveling East from Douglas, Az. on the Geronimo Trail and is approximately 1.5 miles East of the Az. New Mexico Border. The site is located on a mountain pass with views of the valley towards Douglas and the valley looking East towards the Annimas Valley. County Rd C002 is the offical name given by Hidago County for the Geronimo Trail.
TITLE: Mormon Battalion Trail Marker No. 7
ARTIST(S): Ralph Reese
DATE: November 1, 1986
MEDIUM: Stone and Wood
CONTROL NUMBER: IAS 71501015
Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link]
PHYSICAL LOCATION:
The monument is located on the Geronimo Trail (Hidalgo County, NM C002) approximately 1.5 miles East of the Az. NM border and is on the North side of the road.
DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH:
There are no differences between the inventory listing and my observations.
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