On September 19, 1846 a 500 man Morman Battalion arrived at the Springs on their way to California to fight in the Mexican War. Thirsty and weary from a forced march 50 miles across one of the most dreary deserts that ever a man saw, where no moisture but contaminated and dirty rainwater could be found, the little army finally located sufficient water to quench its thirst under the sand of the Cimarron River. With water to drink, plenty of grass for their horses, and buffalo chips to fuel fires, man and beast refreshed themselves before continuing the long march to California.
