Nauvoo Legion

Nauvoo Legion
General Joseph Smith commanding the Nauvoo Legion infantrymen in formation between 1841 and 1844 in Nauvoo, Illinois, with the Nauvoo Temple on a hill in the background
Active	1841-1845
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States  Illinois Mayor of Nauvoo
Branch	Illinois State Militia (1841–1845)
Type	Militia
Role	Protect Mormon settlers from domestic and foreign enemies
Size	Illinois State Militia (2,500)
Engagements	Illinois Mormon War (1844–1846) Battle of Nauvoo (1846)
Commanders
Notable commanders	Lieutenant General Joseph Smith Lieutenant General Brigham Young Major General John C. Bennett Major General Wilson Law Major General Charles C. Rich Daniel H. Wells Hosea Stout

Part of a series on
Mormon Militias
Lieutenant General Joseph Smith Addresses the Nauvoo Legion
Military Units Caldwell County Militia Danite Lot Smith Cavalry Company Mormon Battalion Nauvoo Legion Spartan Band State of Deseret Territorial Militia Utah Territorial Militia Whistling and Whittling Brigade Zion's Camp
Conflicts 1838 Mormon War Battle at Fort Utah Battle of Crooked River Battle Creek massacre William McBride Massacre (1851) Morrisite War Mormon War (Illinois) Utah War Wakara's War Mountain Meadows Massacre Black Hawk War (1865–1872)
Notable leaders George M. Hinkle Joseph Smith Brigham Young Sampson Avard John C. Bennett Daniel H. Wells William H. Dame Lot Smith
Related Topics Expulsion of Mormons from Jackson County, Missouri Missouri Executive Order 44
v t e

The Nauvoo Legion was a state-authorized militia of Nauvoo, Illinois, United States from February 4, 1841 until January 29, 1845. Its main function was the defense of Nauvoo and surrounding Latter Day Saint settlements, but it was also occasionally used as local law enforcement and paraded at ceremonies such as the laying of the cornerstone for the Nauvoo Temple. The Nauvoo Legion was unique among contemporary militias for its chain of command structure, its expanded functions of the court martial, and for operating at a city level.

The Legion's presence was a significant factor in tensions between Nauvoo and its neighbors. The militia received criticism for its loyalty to Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement and mayor of Nauvoo. In 1843, Legion members controversially helped Smith avoid extradition into Missouri. In 1844, Joseph Smith ordered the Nauvoo Legion to destroy the Nauvoo Expositor newspaper. Smith was charged with inciting a riot and placed in Carthage Jail where he was killed by a mob.

In 1845 the Legion lost its official sanction as an arm of the Illinois militia, though activities continued under command of Brigham Young until the expulsion of the Latter-day Saints from the state. The final conflict in Illinois involving remaining Legion members occurred in September 1846.