[Brigham Young] Manuscript Letter from J.P. Taylor, Office Commissary General of Subsistence to Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War Recommending Payments for Utah Militia Feb. 1863

Item Details

[Brigham Young][Civil War] Manuscript Letter from J.P. Taylor, Office Commissary General of Subsistence to Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War Recommending Payments for Utah Militia Feb. 1863, Washington D.C, 

Bifolium sheet of blue lined paper measuring 9 5/8 x 7 3/4 inches. Previous folds. Extremely small separation at fold corners and foxing along fold lines. On "Office Commissary General of Subsistence" letterhead. Very good condition.

Great little piece of Civil War history from what I suspect is a relatively unknown role Utah played in the war.

In April 1862, a letter from the War Department to Brigham Young, Salt Lake City, stated:
"By express direction of the President of the United States you are hereby authorized to raise, arm, and equip one company of cavalry for ninety days’ service."  The expressed mission of what would be known as the 'Lot Smith Cavalry Company' was to "be employed to protect the property of the telegraph and overland mail companies in or about Independence Rock (Independence Rock is located in what is today south-central Wyoming), where depredations have been committed...." The order further stated, "Until the proper staff officer for subsisting these men arrive you will please furnish subsistence for them yourself, keeping an accurate account thereof for future settlement with the United States Government."

In other words, Brigham Young and the Utah Territory (i.e. Mormon Church) were required to raise a company of up to 100 men, including 2 musicians, and pay the company including provisions until the federal government could provide payments.

Within two days of Young's receipt of the War Department telegram, the full company was sworn in.  The First Presidency of the Mormon Church gave instructions to the company which "emphasized the spiritual aspect of their mission, urging the troops to acknowledge divine intervention in their efforts and to prioritize their service over financial compensation. The company was to represent the Church and foster its influence through their conduct, being exemplary in both public and private settings to earn commendation as noble citizens. The presidency also advised against gambling, drinking, and swearing, and stressed kindness toward their animals."  

Lot Smith, who served as a major in the Nauvoo Legion was chosen to lead the company. Smith had prior service in the Indian wars plus in the Utah War and was something of a folk hero with his Mormon brethren. 

The swiftness of organization was not surprising as the Mormons already had a quasi-military in the Nauvoo Legion, from which volunteers were called for this assignment. See this website https://rsc.byu.edu/civil-war-saints/lot-smith-cavalry-company-utah-goes-war, for a wonderful review of Utah in the Civil War. The Lot Smith Company was honorably discharged on August 16, 1862.

All told, the company earned more than $35,000 for wages, and other expenses. 

Our document, from J.P. Taylor, Office Commissary General of Subsistence in Washington D.C. to Secretary of War Stanton recommends that the U.S. Government pay the Utah Military Cavalry, as requested by Brigham Young. "I would therefore respectfully suggest that the funds be placed in the hands of the Office of the Q.M. (Quartermaster Department) and these papers forwarded to him with directions to have the proper vouchers made out and pay them."  

J.P. Taylor was at the end of a long military career by 1863. He was the brother of Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States.

Very nice, one-of-a-kind item of Mormon militariana from the Civil War.