The Walker War: Defense and Conciliation as Strategy BY HOW 7 ARD A. C H R I S T Y
Early Utah weapons. USHS collections.
1853 W A L K E R W A R I N U T A H was not much of a war by most standards. Yet a close examination of that episode reveals much more than a string of uncoordinated and ineffectual raids by the Utes. Behind descriptions of the few bloody contacts that occurred lies the fascinating story of a war in fact and the extent to which the Utah territorial government was successful in carrying out an unusual experiment in defense and conciliation as strategy in that war. The Mormons were no strangers to either defense or conciliation. They had consistently emphasized community security and military preparedness since launching their great westward emigration in 1846. Mormon policy also included conciliation, although the ideal often broke IHE
Mr. Christy is the historical editor at Brigham Young University Press.
