Description:
In 1905 the legislature passed an
act entitled "Medals for Indian War Veterans" (ch. 86 in Laws of the State of
Utah....1905. The Star Printing Co., Salt Lake City, 1905.). This authorized
the governor and secretary of state to procure a medal for each of the veterans
who actually served in suppressing Indian hostilities in Utah during the years
1850 to 1872, inclusive. These forms are the applications for a medal submitted
by the veteran or next of kin. Related correspondence also is included as are a
few actual medals which were never distributed. Most of the applications relate
to service in the Black Hawk wars. Other confrontations mentioned on the forms
include the Walker War, Navajo raids, Shoshone war, Paiute raids, Tintic
skirmishes, etc.
The form required county;
veteran's age; birthplace; current residence; name of war in which served;
enrollment date; rank; commander's name; and places, years, and type of actual
service followed by the applicant's signature. If being completed by next of
kin, there was a blank for the applicant to state his or her relationship to
the veteran. The statement was witnessed by a notary and attested to by two
individuals with personal knowledge of the applicant's service. The signature
of the commander stating that the individual was entitled to a medal might also
be included. The back of the form gives the date received, date approved, and
the signatures of the governor and secretary of state.
Correspondence is scattered
amidst the forms and clustered at the end of the series. Correspondence
includes requests for forms, manufacturing orders, inquiries regarding delays,
requests from veteran reunion groups, requests for receipts and the receipts
themselves, thank you notes, etc. By 1925, appropriations last made in 1921 had
lapsed to the general fund, and the applicant was required to pay a two dollar
fee; letters explaining the necessity of a fee may be included. Correspondence
as late as 1940 is noted where applicants were responding to 1939
advertisements listing unclaimed medals.
The medal could be
presented to the veteran, or if deceased, to his nearest relative. If the medal
was claimed, a signed statement acknowledging receipt of the medal by the
applicant is usually attached to the application form. A few unclaimed medals
remain in the series. The medals are bronze with the name of the veteran
inscribed on the back and suspended by a red, white, and blue ribbon, as
required by the legislation. Specifically, there is a bar pin at top with an
Indian head and the dates 1850 and 1872. Suspended from that on the ribbon is a
starburst with the state seal surrounded by the legend "Utah Indian War
Veteran."
Finding Aids:
A series inventory
is available in the Archives Research Center.
Related records:
Utah.Department of Administrative
Services. Division of Archives and Records Service, Territorial militia
records, 1849-1877; 1905-[ca.1917], series 2210,
available at this repository,
contains service data from many of the same individuals whose original war
records are present here.
Location of Holdings:
Utah State Archives Research Center , 300 South Rio
Grande St., Salt Lake City, UT 84101-1106. (801) 533-3535, or email.
Retention and Disposition:
Total retention is permanent.
Access Terms:
Black Hawk War (Utah), 1865-1872.( 1
Record Series.)
Indians of North
America--Utah--Wars.( 3 Record Series.)
Military history--Utah.( 1
Record Series.)
Navajos--Wars, 1850-1872.( 1
Record Series.)
Utes--Wars, 1850-1872.( 1
Record Series.)
Paiutes--Wars, 1850-1872.( 1
Record Series.)
Shoshone--Wars, 1850-1872.( 1
Record Series.)
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