Salt Lake City
July 23. 1873.
His Excellency
George L. Woods Governor of Utah Territory.
Sir:
Yours of the 14th inst. with enclosed copy of a letter to you from the War Department for information of the force known as Captain Lot Smith's Company for Overland mail defense, were duly received.
Agreeably thereto I have the honor to inform you that on the 28th day of April, 1862. Ex-Gov. Brigham Young received an Official telegram from Gen. L. Thomas of which the following is a copy:
"Washington, April 28. 1862.
Mr. Brigham Young,
Great Salt Lake City.
By Express direction of the President of the U. S. you are hereby authorized to raise, arm & equip one company of cavalry for ninety days service. This Company will be organized as follows:-- One Captain, One first Lieutenant, One second Lieutenant, One first Sergeant, One Quarter Master Sergeant, Four Sergeants & eight Corporals, Two Musicians, Two Farriers, One Saddler, One Wagoner & from Fifty-six to Seventy-two Privates.
The Company will be employed to protect the property of the Telegraph and Overland Mail Companies in or about Independence Rock where depredations have been committed & will be continued in Service only, until the U. S. troops can reach the point where they are so much needed. It may therefore be disbanded previous to the expiration of ninety days.
It will not be employed for any offensive operations other than may grow out of the duty herein before assigned to it.
The Officers of the Company will be mustered into the U. S. Service by any civil officer of the U. S. at Salt Lake City competent to administer an oath. The men will then be enlisted by the Company Officers. The men employed in the service above named will be entitled to receive no other than the allowance authorized by law to soldiers in the service of the U. S. Until the proper Staff Officers for subsisting these men arrive, you will please furnish subsistence for the yourself, keeping an accurate account thereof for future settlement with U. S. Gov't.
By order of the Sec'y of War.
L. Thomas. Adj't. Gen'l."
Ex-Governor Young immediately notified me to furnish one full company from the Territorial Militia. The call was made, and, accordingly, on the 30th day of April, Hon. J. F. Kinney, then Chief Justice for Utah Territory administered the required oath to Captain Lot Smith and 22 other officers.
On the same day Capt. Lot Smith mustered into service 72 privates and 10 teamsters.
On the first day of May. Ex-Gov. Young apprised Gen. Thomas by telegram that the Company was organized, armed and equipped, and on the march. It consisted of 23 officers, (of the required grades) 72 privates, 10 teamsters, 10 baggage-wagons, with full teams, forage, commissary stores and complete outfit.
In the vicinity of Pacific Springs, the Company was attached to Col. Collins' command of Brig. Gen. Craig's Division. It operated chiefly between Fort Bridger and Independence Rick, and returned to Salt Lake City, where on the 14th day of August, I mustered them out of service, having been on duty 107 days, or 17 days in excess of the time for which they were enlisted.
Papers relating to the adjustment of the Accounts &c. passed between Quartermaster General Meigs and the Secretary of War, one of which was dated January 21. 1862. Also one from Gen. W. Scott Ketchum to the War Department, dated March 21, 1863, and, sometime in the fall of that year a Paymaster of the U. S. A. came to Salt Lake City, and paid off the men.
I have not succeeded in learning the Paymaster's name, which I regret the more, as, waiting for it, has caused some delay in answering your communication.
I have honor to be Yours respectfully.
Daniel H. Wells