Little more remains than desert grass and sagebrush. But some 130 years ago, the rather bleak valley was bustling with more than 3,000 federal troops who had come to Utah to put down the "Mormon rebellion," and another 1,000 civilian employees.

"That would have made Camp Floyd the largest military camp in the United States prior to the Civil War," said Brigham Young University archaeologist Dale Berge.BYU archaeologists will return to Camp Floyd - renamed Fort Crittenden in 1861 - this summer to resume excavations started in 1983 and continued every summer since. This season, researchers will dig into the actual headquarters of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, as well as an ordnance shop and a large well.

In past years, researchers uncovered a headquarters building, a barracks for the 10th Infantry Regiment, a mess hall, an officer's quarters and several trash areas.

A smorgasbord of 19th century artifacts have been unearthed ranging from cattle bones to bullets to buttons.

"We have a lot of historical data about Camp Floyd, even information on the people who were there," said Berge. "We want to fill in our understanding of the daily lives of the people here, what they ate, how much they relied on the local populations."

Camp Floyd was one of the most important 19th century historical sites anywhere in the United States.

It was home to 10 companies each of the 5th, 7th and 10th Infantries, the 2nd Dragoons and three batteries of the 4th Artillery.

Patrols ranged from Washington to California and New Mexico with troops fighting hostile Indians, escorting wagon trains and providing a deterrent to any potential Mormon rebellion.

It also played a significant role in the buildup to the Civil War.

An 1859 map showed some 200 buildings at Camp Floyd, and researchers hope that some day the site can be purchased and restored to its 19th century glory.

"It would make an ideal historical park," said Berge, noting its proximity to I-15 and Salt Lake County. Most of Camp Floyd is on private property, though a portion is on state land adjacent to where the BYU researchers are working. Camp Floyd is just west of Utah Lake, in Cedar Valley.

Field work runs from May 3 to June 23. In past years, the excavations have been immensely popular among schoolchildren and adult visitors alike.

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"We get all sorts of letters back that it was the best field trip they'd ever been on," said Berge.

"They've actually touched history, which is rare for them. They get a thrill and they remember it forever."

Volunteers are welcome, and no previous archaeological experience is required. "It's a slow process and we have a small crew," said Berge. "We can use all the help people want to offer."

For more information about participating in the dig, contact Berge at 378-6110.

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