Civil War Monument

Utah lost only one man to the fighting of the Civil War, and this monument remembers him: Lieutenant Henry Wells Jackson, the first known Latter-day Saint killed in a national American conflict. Jackson had lived a full frontier life first — a musician in the Mormon Battalion, a gold-panner at Mormon Island, a settler in Tooele and San Bernardino, a mail carrier on the overland route. Owed back pay he couldn't collect, he traveled east in the war years to chase it down, was drawn into the conflict, and was killed in 1864, far from home.

What the plaque says

Lieutenant Henry Wells Jackson (March 10, 1827-May 27, 1864), was the only Utah battle fatality of the Civil War and the first-known Latter-Day Saint to be killed in a U.S. national conflict. Jackson marched in the Mormon Battalion, Company D, musician; panned for gold at Mormon Island (now Folsom Lake), California; and used gold to pay for his wedding. He and Eliza Ann Dibble were married in Salt Lake on February 3, 1850, by Brigham Young. Henry and Eliza started a family and helped establish settlements in Tooele Valley and San Bernardino, California. In 1858, Henry carried mail for George Chorpenning on the Overland Mail Route, a precursor to the Pony Express. Due to bad management, Henry was owed $1,300 in back pay for his mail service. He decided to go back East to try and collect the money. Payment was delayed, so Henry took employment as a wagon master and was ultimately captured by the Confederate Army and held as prisoner for three months. He was later released in exchange for Confederate prisoners. Because of the way he was treated, he decided to fight for the Union. Henry enlisted with the First Regiment, District of Columbia, Volunteer Cavalry and was commissioned as a lieutenant due to his previous service in the Mormon Battalion. On May 8, 1864, Henry took part in the Battle of White Bridge near Jarrett's Station, Virginia, and was shot. Due to Infection, he died on May 27, 1864, leaving behind his wife and three children. Henry Wells Jackson is buried in Hampton National Cemetery and is remembered for his great sacrifice and love for family and country.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Salt Lake City — 0.4 mi
  Utah's capital and largest city — where the Wasatch Range meets the Great Salt Lake.
• Temple Square — 0.4 mi
  The spiritual and architectural heart of Salt Lake City
• Ensign Peak — 1.0 mi
  A short hike to the spot where Brigham Young surveyed the valley
• Liberty Park — 2.3 mi
  Salt Lake Citys beloved 80-acre urban park since 1882

More markers nearby

• Utah and the Civil War (4) Markers — steps away
• The Constitution Revered — steps away
• Ensign Peak - Capitol — steps away
• Lest we Forget — steps away