Anthony Ethier to Brigadier-General CONNOR, April 1, 1863

Brigadier-General CONNOR, Camp Douglas :

I do hereby certify to the statement* as being correct, and as regards the Mormons on horseback riding up to the Indians. I think there is treachery on their part. y

W. M. S. WALLACE, Agent Overland Mail Company.

Report of Lieut. Anthony Ethier, Second California Cavalry.

Camp DOUGLAS, UTAH TER., April 6, 1863.

Sir: I have the honor to report to the colonel commanding that in pursuance of orders of the 26th of March I started with twenty-five men of Company A, Second California Volunteer Cavalry, at 6 p.m. from this camp en route for Skull Valley and surrounding [country]. After traveling thirty miles, encamped that night at the mills on the borders of Great Salt Lake. Next morning, the 27th, raised camp at 7 o’clock and arrived at Knowlton’s ranch, Skull Valley, at 6.30 p. m. Distance of fifty-five miles from the mills. Next morning, the 28th, at 7 o’clock started across Skull Valley to Hastings’ Springs, accompanied by Mr. Knowlton and five of his men. Finding no sign of Indians, crossed the Cedar Mountains and traveled ten miles due west on a desert. Finding no sign of Indians returned to west side of Cedar Mountains and camped at 8 p. m., without water. Distance traveled, thirty-five miles. On the morning of the 29th raised camp about daylight; traveled six or eight miles southward on the western side of Cedar Mountains, examining all the ravines for Indian signs; finding none, recrossed Cedar Mountains nearly opposite the Beckwith Springs, then returned to Knowlton’s ranch; distance traveled, thirty-five miles. Next morning, the 30th, raised camp at 6 o’clock; traveled southward down Skull Valley toward the mail route, and arrived at Simpson’s Springs at 9 o’clock that night. Distance traveled, sixty miles. Men and horses very tired. Horses very sore-footed by reason of traveling through a rocky and uneven country. Next morning, the 31st, raised camp at 10 o’clock and traveled to Point Lookout. Distance, eighteen miles.

Started from camp at 3 a. m. the 1st instant, and proceeded to Rush Valley and took breakfast there. Here I received General Connor’s dispatch to return to Camp Douglas immediately. Started again at 8 o’clock for Camp Crittenden. Arrived there at 2.30 p.m. At3p.m., while looking through a spy-glass, saw some Indians coming out of Trough Cañon, traveling on the eastern side of the western hills. My horses being very much jaded and sore footed, I required the mail agent, Mr. Wallace, to furnish me with a coach. Myself with thirteen men in the coach and eight mounted on the best horses proceeded to overtake the Indians, which we did at Cedar Fort, they having taken a position for battle previous to my arriving there. The natural defenses of the position were very strong, which you will see by the diagram* accompanying this report. The Mormons, through treachery, I suppose, and wishing to see my party destroyed, gave me false report as to the position of the Indians and also in regard to their numbers, there being at the time but two Indians in sight, chiefs on horseback riding the war circle. In examining the ground I saw what I thought was their actual position. [acted on my own judgment, not on the information received, which I firmly believe saved my party from destruction. After forming my line of battle, as you will see by the diagram, my men advanced gallantly to the attack, but receiving a withering fire from a quarter we least expected, we were forced to give way. Returning again to the attack, had the pleasure of seeing one of the chiefs fall mortally wounded. There being no more Indians in sight, and continuing to receive a severe fire from an unseen foe, I concluded to

withdraw my men, when Mr. Wallace, who was present on the field, came and informed me that my horses were in danger of capture. Although the Mormons were at the spot where my horses were at the time, not farther than 100 yards from the Indians, not a shot was fired at them. On arriving at the place where my horses were and repulsing the Indians 1 concluded to return to Camp Crittenden, but before going offered to leave a guard of twelve men at Cedar Fort, which they refused; but after consulting among themselves they asked me to leave a guard of eight men, which I promised to do, at the same time having no idea of fulfilling my promise for fear of treachery, of which I was convinced immediately afterward by seeing, while I was not more than 100 yards from the fort, a Mormon riding off to Indians, and meeting several of them on the trail, proceeded to the hills with them, where they held conversation in plain sight of me. I then being satisfied that there was treachery, returned to Camp Crittenden, from which place I reported the facts to General Connor. On the 2d instant I found out from the wife of Mr. Savage, the Mormon who went up on the hills to speak to the Indians, that after returning from the Indian camp he held a council with the Mormons at the fort, and then left for Salt Lake City to inform Brigham Young of my doings there. This man Savage is the same who reported to General Connor of his wagons being robbed last winter on Bear River. I have since learned that those Indians were called Old Soldier’s Band, of San Pete Valley, and numbered 150 warriors, of which two-thirds were present at the battle. The 3d instant, according to orders, I reported to Captain Price at Cedar Fort at 9 a. m. All of which is

respectfully submitted.