Edwin A. Sherman to Joun W. Davidson, September 14, 1861

Capt. Joun W. DAVIDSON, Commanding U. K. Dragoons, Camp Fitzgerald, Los Angeles : SIR: We, the undersigned, members of the Union Club of San Bernardino, would most respectfully state that a company of cavalry has been organized by Mormons in this place under the name of the home guard; they pretend to be Union men while we have every reason to doubt their sincerity and loyalty. They are commanded by Mr. Clarence E. Bennett, late a lieutenant in the U. S. Army, stationed in Utah Territory, who resigned his commission and married the daughter of a Mormon high in that church of a damnable heresy and imposture she being an actress on the stage. His sympathies being necessarily with that class of people who are sworn foes to the United States Government, and the present indications being of such a nature as lead us to believe that hostilities will break out between them and the Government ere long, we would most solemnly protest, as Union men who hold our country dearer than life, against any arms whatever being issued to these men. We believe it to be unsafe and injudicious, and we do [know] that some of these same men, when your command arrived here, insulted you by cheering for Jeff. Davis in your presence. Hoping that this protest of ours may have due weight with you, and that the contents of this letter may be made known to General Sumner and Governor Downey, we subscribe ourselves, Your respectful and obedient servants,

EDWIN A. SHERMAN,