G. S. L. City, April 30, 1862.
Captain Lot Smith and Company,
Brethren:
As already advised, you have been mustered into the service of the United States for ninety days, under authority from President Lincoln to me through the War Department, to be employed in protecting "the property of the Telegraph and Overland Mail companies in or about Independence Rock."
In this movement I trust you will readily recognize the hand of Providence in our behalf, and place a secondary consideration upon the compensation you are entitled to, realizing that you are not laboring merely for pay or money but chiefly for your own good. Let not a thought of pay swerve you from that high moral tone derivable only from an upright performance of all duties. This is the time to permanently establish the influence God has given us, wherefore in all your acts and sayings in public and private, in going, tarrying, and returning, that we may greet you with pleasure as those who have faithfully performed a work worthy of great praise.
The Officers are enjoined to conduct themselves with all due courtesy and kindness toward the men, and the men to yield prompt and strict obedience to the commands and requirements of the Officers, and all to conduct themselves with the propriety, toward each other and those you may meet, that becometh gentlemen; thus you may again prove that noble hearted American citizens can don arms in the defence of right and justice, without descending one hair's breadth below the high standard of American manhood.
Let there be no card playing, dicing, gambling, drinking intoxicating liquors, or swearing indulged in by any one of the Company; and if cards or dice or any thing of the kind are found with the Company, let the Captain at once see that they are destroyed.
Do not be in the Stations; but, when a portion or the whole of the command is camping in the neighborhood of a Station, be sufficiently near to be able to promptly extend any requisite protection.
Ever be kind to your animals and give them the best care in traveling, grazing, feeding, &c., your judgement and the circumstances will permit; and be ever on the alert that they neither stray nor are stolen from you, having both day and night guard mounted on good animals, and the night guard amply stro[?]
Wherever the command or a portion of it tarries at one place for a time, reasonably contiguous to poles or timber, I recommend that they improve their leisure time in building good corrals for their own use, the use and accommodation of the Mail Company, and of our own immigration when convenient for them.
A liberal use of molasses will be more healthy than too freely partaking of salt meat, which should, whenever practicable, be dispensed with for fresh meat. We will endeavor to keep you timely supplied with every thing requisite for your health, comfort, and efficiency.
You will be your own sappers and miners, for which purpose you have picks, spades, shovels, axes, &c., and it is expected that you will improve the road as you pass along, so much so as practicable diligence in reaching your destination will warrant, not only for your own convenience but more particularly for the accommodation of the Mail Company and general travel. Further, be mindful that a day lost in idleness is beyond recovery, wherever the command or a detachment remains a sufficient time, it is recommended that they make such improvements, within their time and ability, as will most conduce to the convenience and comfort of the Mail and Telegraph Companies and the public at large.
Wherever the Command reaches its required destination <whether> at Independence Rock or elsewhere, they should immediately build a good storehouse, in readiness for the supplies which will soon be forwarded. Rock should be picked up, mud made, and ovens constructed at once, and the proper persons be selected for bakers, that you may have palatable and healthy bread instead of that rendered unwholesome by the use of saleratus.
Morning and evening of each day let prayer be publicly offered in the Command and in all detachments thereof, that you may constantly enjoy the guidance and protecting care of Israels God and be blest in the performance of every duty devolved upon you, for which you have also the faith and prayers of,
Your Fellow Laborer and Brother in the Gospel,
Brigham Young