The Brigham Young Center

G. S. L. City, August 22, 1861.

Elder Joseph W. Young,

Rocky Ridge, on the route from the Missouri River to
G. S. L. City,

Dear Brother:-

Your letter of Aug. 16 is at hand, and I cordially commend your coming here sufficiently in advance of your foremost train to enable you to properly fix up the necessary papers and return and meet the foremost as far east as may be necessary to effectually accomplish the object you mention, viz:- the procuring all requisite settlements & signatures previous to those in the trains having a chance to scatter by stopping on Weber, or going down Weber or Provo Canon, &c.

It will be well, if convenient, for you to so arrange that br's Pratt and Snow can come in with you in advance of the trains.

The pony of the 21st inst brought State dates as late as the 15th, from which we learn that Fremont has proclaimed martial law in St Louis and throughout that County, a step that will be likely to add still more fuel to the fire. On the 10th Gen'l Lyon had a battle with secession troops near Springfield, in the southwest part of Missouri, in which he was killed, and some 800 or 900 of the Union troops killed and wounded; secession loss not reported. Gen'l Lyon was reputed the best Government military officer in the west.

Elders Jones, Gates, and Spencer arrived on the 15th inst., and Cap. D. H. Cannon and Company on the 16th

The hay and wheat crops are abundant, and your family, friends, and the people generally are well, peaceful, and happy, with so much to do that they hardly know what to do first

Your Brother in the Gospel

Brigham Young