The Brigham Young Center

Great Salt Lake City Feby. 24 1855

Benjamin F Cummings Esq

Dear Brother

I am informed that two Soldiers who deserted from the forces located in this city in the command of Col Steptoe are secreted in Box Elder among the German Brethren and they refuse to let them be taken, and ever use threatening language themselves towards the Officers, this is wrong, and involves all who participate either in aiding or secreting in heavy fines if not imprisonment in addition to desertion these men I am informed are guilty of stealing you will therefore if writ shall be placed in your hands as I suppose there will be go to the Bishop, and his counsellors, Jonathan C Wright and John Fosgren, who can talk the german language and explain to those brethren who are strangers in this country and do not understand our laws that our laws are good and must be magnified and it is their duty to assist the authorities in executing them tell them they can easily bring themselves and brethren into to trouble unwisely and to no purpose. that men who enlist and covenant to serve in the Army should prove themselves men and not break their own covenants and the mere fact of their being countrymen should not enlist their sympathies as to involve themselves in difficulty unwisely and cause them to do wrong as it certainly is for them to interfere in this matter these men have been guilty of both desertion and larceny and I am applied to for assistance in using an influence for their arrest-- You will therefore use your best endeavors to bring this matter to a hearing and have the  men arrested if they can be found and safely delivered to the authorities at this place I have been informed that one of those men has said he will never be taken alive and threatens to kill any person who shall undertake it a word to the wise is sufficient-- I mention this to put you on your guard as I trust that you ar any of the brethren who may be with you will be active enough to anticipate any such threatened event if occasion requires relying upon your energy and wisdom in the execution of this matter

I remain your Brother in the Gospel of Christ

Brigham Young