National Guard Mexican border campaign records, i 1916-1917.

This series provides a comprehensive account of the activities of the National Guard when they were called into service by President Woodrow Wilson on June 18, 1916. The Guard protected against raids which were being conducted by Mexican revolutionary factions across the border into the United States. The series consists primarily of administrative records and correspondence of individual units of the Guard. The records include internal memoranda and orders plus memoranda and orders between the units and the federal government, namely the War Department in Washington D.C. and regional headquarters of the Regular Army Replies to a memorandum are normally made on the same or attached sheet and are referred to as endorsements (abbreviated "ind."). There are also communications between the units and the state National Guard Adjutant General in Salt Lake City.

The service of the First Utah Cavalry (formerly the First Utah Infantry) is the most thoroughly documented. In fact, the seriesincludes administrative papers of that unit before it was called into active duty. The First Utah Cavalry consisted of two squadrons: the first made up of Troops A, B, C, and D and the second of Troops E, F, G, and H. Also documented are the activities of the Field Hospital and the Sanitary Department. Less well documented is information about the First Field Artillery which completed Utah's contribution to the campaign.

Mobilization activities are outlined in detail. Units were ordered to report to their armories where processing was initiated. Additional recruits were also sought or volunteered. Men were issued equipment and given physical examinations. They were then mustered into service at Fort Douglas. At the same time, there were many requests for discharge as men learned they were to be activated. All these activities are documented in the form of correspondence, orders, memoranda, and muster rolls. Muster of individual Utah Guard units into federal service occurred betweenJune 26, 1916 (First Field Artillery) and July 12, 1916 (Field Hospital and second squadron of cavalry).

Activities at the border are well documented in memoranda and orders from field commanders and federal District Headquarters, particularly the Nogales Headquarters Logistical issues, including the issuing and inspection of rations, supplies, equipment, and animals are all covered. Personnel issues include absences, changes in rank, discipline, payroll, transfers, etc. Those who had not taken oaths under the National Defense Act of June 3, 1916, did so. Dependent families under financial stress received funds from the Relief Committee for Dependent Families; less commonly, a soldier received a discharge.

Activities of the units and their members are noted in appointments, assignments, and details. Also outlined are the activities required to combine two squadrons of cavalry from Utah with one squadron of cavalry from California to form the Provisional Regiment. Various marches,maneuvers, and practices were held. There were few hostile encounters. There is information about the role of the field hospital in caring for soldiers in both the National Guard and Regular Army who became sick or were involved in accidents. Also cited are the efforts taken to see that the camps had adequate sanitary conditions.

The mustering out procedures are recorded in detail, involving both men and horses or equipment. After completing a practice march with the Provisional Regiment, the First Squadron Utah Cavalry and the sanitary detachment were mustered out on November 10, 1916. The Utah Artillery Battery was mustered out on December 22, 1916. The Field Hospital was mustered out on December 29, 1916. The Second Squadron Utah Cavalry was finally replaced by the 10th United States Cavalry and mustered out on March 8, 1917.