—consists of three aids and two topographical engineers with the rank of colonel, a military secretary with the rank of lieutenant colonel, and two chaplains. The present adjutant general is Mr. William Ferguson, one of the few Irish Saints, originally sergeant-major in the Mormon battalion, who, after the fashion of the Western world, combines with the soldier the lawyer and the editor. The minutest directions are issued to the Legion in "An Act to provide for the farther Organization of the Militia of the Territory of Utah (Territorial Laws, chap. 35), and it is divided into military districts as below.[1] There is, moreover, an independent battalion of Life Guards in Great Salt Lake County not attached to any brigade or division, but subject at all times to the call of the governor and lieutenant general. There are also minute-men, picked fighters, ready to mount, at a few minutes' notice, upon horses that range near the Jordan, and to take the field in pursuit of Indians or others, under their commandant Colonel Burton. These corps form the nuclei of what will be, after two generations, formidable armies. The increase of Saintly population is rapid, and from their childhood men are trained to arms: each adult has a rifle and a sabre, a revolver and a bowie-knife, and he wants only practice to become a good, efficient, and well-disciplined soldier. Grants amounting to a total of $5000 have at different times been apportioned to military purposes, buildings, mounting ordnance, and schools: Gentiles declare that it was required for education, but I presume that the Mormons, like most people, claim to know their own affairs best. As in the land of Liberty generally, there is a modified conscription; "all free male citizens"—with a few dignified exceptions and exempts—are subject to soldier's duty within thirty days after their arrival at any military district in the Territory.
- ↑ There are eleven originally established, viz.:
1st. The Great Salt Lake Military District shall include all the militia within the boundaries of Great Salt Lake City.
2d. The Davis Military District shall include all the militia within the limits of Davis County.
3d. The Weber Military District shall include all the militia within the limits of Weber County.
4th. The Western Jordan Military District shall include all the militia in Great Salt Lake County west of the Jordan River.
5th. The Tooele Military District shall include all the militia within the limits of Tooele County.
6th. The Cotton-wood Military District shall include all the militia in Great Salt Lake County south of the south line of Great Salt Lake City and east of the Jordan River.
7th. The Utah Military District shall include all the militia in Utah County.
8th. The San Pete Military District shall include all the militia within the limits of San Pete County.
9th. The Parovan Military District shall include all the militia within the limits of Millard County.
10th. The Iron Military District shall include all the militia within the limits of Iron County.
11th. The Green River Military District shall include all the militia within the limits of Green River County.
