The Utah War Journal of Albert Tracy 1858-1860

J. Cecil Alter, Editor

Albert Tracy was an officer in the army of General Albert Sidney Johnson during the Utah Expedition, in May of 1857. In just a few paragraphs, I am struck with the importance of seeing two sides of the story. This episode is the meeting of two opposing forces, the United States Army and the Nauvoo Legion. Although both are American, each side has unique social and cultural factors influencing it. For the United States, the general distaste for large standing armies inhibited the philosophy within the army.

The men were not happy to be encamped in Utah. Conversely, the religious bond and history of persecution of the Mormon Church fostered an environment of mistrust for the Nauvoo Legion. There was definitely a clash of armies, but in the very end, there was no war. How that came to be will be the subject of this book report. Another exciting adventure ahead.