P. Edw. Connor to R. C. Drum, April 9, 1863

COLONEL:

I have the honor to inform you that at present all is quiet in this district. The Indians who committed the late depredations on the Overland Mail Route west of here, I have reason to believe, were Goshutes, who have lived in the Mormon settlements of Tooele Valley this winter, and were encouraged and instigated to the raid by Mormons. The Indians, finding that I had the line well protected and cavalry scouring the country in every direction in pursuit of them, made their way back to Cedar Valley near Fort Crittenden on their way south. At that point they were encountered by Lieutenaut Ethier, of the Second California Volunteer Cavalry, with twenty-three men. I herewith inclose Lieutenant Ethier’s report, by which you will perceive that the Mormons instead of assisting to punish Indians for bad conduct actually encouraged them. I also inclose a telegram from William S. Wallace, agent of the Overland Mail Company at Fort Crittenden, verifying the statements made by Lieutenant Ethier as to the conduct of the Mormons, &c. From the evidence before me I am well satisfied that the Mormons are the real instigators of the late raid. Brigham Young has sent commissioners to Washington for the purpose, I am told, of proposing to the Government to take charge of the overland mail and emigrant route in this Territory for half the amount it costs at present, provided the troops are withdrawn. And also to use their influence with the President to have the Governor and Judges Waite and Drake removed. Until the return of the commissioners I have no fears of any further trouble, but upon their return, and if their mission prove unsuccessful, then I have every reason to fear there will be trouble, as they are determined that the laws shall not be executed, and the three officers named are as equally determined that the laws shall be enforced. If the troops should be withdrawn the Mormons are well aware that the Governor and judges would be compelled to leave with them, as their lives would not be safe one hour after the withdrawal of the troops if they remained. The object of Brigham in encouraging Indian raids at present is, undoubtedly, to induce the Government to withdraw the troops from this post and have them stationed at different points on the mail line. They also wish to impress upon the Government the idea that his people can protect the line better than troops can, and there is no doubt but he can, as the Indians are completely under his control and do just as he tells them. I have taken all necessary steps to protect the mail line from further depredations, and am sanguine of being able to punish the perpetrators of the late outrages. I would most earnestly urge the necessity of sending with the re-enforcements two cannon of large caliber, say 24 or 32 pounders, and two 12-pounder field guns with caissons, battery wagons, &c., which, with the two 6-pounder field guns at this post, will make a light battery of four guns. I would also recommend that one 12-pounder mountain howitzer be sent for the post at Fort Bridger. With the above guns and a force of at least 3,000 men I can be of service to the Government, and in all probability prevent a civil war; otherwise the result is doubtful. I again respectfully call the attention of the general commanding to the fact that this people are at heart disloyal, and are only waiting a favorable opportunity to demonstrate that fact, consequently I would recommend that unless strongly re-enforced, my command be withdrawn. I consider that I would be derelict in my duty to my country and to my command, whose lives are in my hands, did I not urgently represent the dangers menacing them, or if I asked for a smaller body of men than the number called for in this and previous communications. The danger, in my opinion, is not immediate, and perhaps may not be until the season shall have so far advanced that re-enforcements cannot be sent here.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,