January 29, 1847, they reached San Diego on the Pacific Ocean. That was the end of their march, but since the soldiers were enlisted for one year’s service, they still had six months left to serve. California was now in the hands of the United States, so the Battalion men served as occupation troops in making secure the conquest was achieved. While serving garrison duty in San Diego, San Luis Rey, and Los Angeles, many of them helped build houses, burned brick, dug wells, and significantly contributed to the building of the communities. On July 16, 1847, at the end of their year’s enlistment, the battalion members were discharged at Ciudad de Los Angeles.55 (See Map8)
According to one unidentified officer, Zemira had proven to be an able and obedient aide, quote: “The following names Zemira Palmer (among others), have been sent to me as having served as servants to officers in the Mormon Battalion, and as they were mostly too young to be received as soldiers, are entitled to much praise for their youthful patriotism and bravery.”56
In a history written by his daughter Sarah Arletta Palmer Cox, “while the Battalion stayed in California Zemira worked as a bartender in San Bernardino, where he worked nights and went to school in the day, where he had a Spanish teacher.”
55- Concise History of Mormon Battalion, p. 298 – Soldiers are discharged
56- Ibid, p. 125 - Zemira and other orderlies praised for bravery.
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