removing the prejudices of the Government and the community at large, and
I am satisfied that another year's service would place you on a level
with other communities." This speech hardly helped in inclining the men
toward extension of a service in which it was felt all that had been
required had been delivered. Stevenson, a politician rather than a
soldier, seemed to have a theory that the Mormons were seeking
reenlistment of a second battalion or regiment, that California might be
peopled by themselves. There was opposition to reenlistment among the
elders, especially voiced by "Father" Pettegrew and by members Hyde and
Tyler. Even promise that independent command would be given to Captain
Hunt did not prove effective. Only one company was formed of men who were
willing to remain in California for a while longer. In this new company
were Henry G. Boyle, Henry Brizzee, Lot Smith and George Steele, all
later residents of Arizona.

Most of the soldiers of the Battalion made haste in preparation to rejoin
the main body of the people of their faith. Assuredly they had little
knowledge of what was happening in the Rocky Mountains. On the 20th of
July, four days before the Mormon arrival in the Salt Lake Valley, most
of the men had been organized to travel "home" after what Tyler called
"both the ancient and the modern Israelitish custom, in companies of
hundreds, fifties and tens." The leaders were Andrew Lytle and James
Pace, with Sergeants Hyde, Tyler and Reddick N. Allred as captains of
fifties.

The first intention to travel via Cajon Pass was abandoned, and the
companies took the northern route, via Sutter's Fort on the Sacramento
River, to follow Fremont's trail across the Sierras. On the Sacramento
they received the first news of their brethren since leaving Fort
Leavenworth, a year before. They learned that the Saints were settling