Patrick Edward Connor
Biographical Sketch by Hubert H. Bancroft
Patrick Edward Connor was born near the Lakes of Killarney, in County Kerry, in the West of Ireland, March 17th, 1820. At an early age he emigrated with his parents to New York City, and there he received his schooling.
In 1839 while the Florida war was in progress, he entered the regular army, although but nineteen years old. Five years later, in November, 1844 he left the army and returning to New York, engaged in mercantile pursuits.
Early in 1846, he removed to Texas and as the Mexican war broke out in the same year, joined a regiment of Texas volunteers, of which Albert Sidney Johnson was elected Colonel. Young Connor, with the rank os Captain, was the second volunteer officer mustered into service in this regiment. In the course of the war, he was in the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma and Buena Vista, and during the latter engagement was severely wounded. General Conner bears the honorable distinction of being the first officer wounded in the battle of Buena Vista; he received a shot in the left hand with a musket ball, but did not leave the field. For this gallant conduct he was given a full captain’s pension. Soon after the close of the Mexican War, Captain Connor left Texas and passing through Mexico reached California on January 22nd, 1850. Shortly after his arrival great excitement arose throughout the state over the discovery of gold on Trinity River, which at that time was generally supposed to empty into the ocean– for the northern part of the state was almost wholly unexplored then. Believing this idea a true one, Captain Connor, in company with Lieutenants Blunt, Bache and Browning, of the navy, organized a party in March of that year for the purpose of locating the mouth of the stream and of founding a settlement there. They chartered the brig Arabian, and sailed north. After sighting Point St. George, near where Crescent City now is, they discovered a schooner, anchored, as they supposed, at the mouth of Trinity River, but as there was a light headwind, Captain Connor’s vessel made but slow progress.
Anxious to reach the point where the schooner lay before dark, if possible, and finding that the brig could not do so, Captain Conner manned a whaleboat and started for the place. Lieutenant Bache acted as steersman, and he was accompanied by Lieutenant Browning. The wind increased, so that at length they decided to head for the shore. They rode the first breaker safely, but the second one struck them in such a way as to cause Lieutenant Bache to lose control of the boat, which broached to and upset, throwing its occupants into the water three-quarters of a mile from shore. One of the sailors, who probably was struck and stunned by the boat, never rose again. The remainder of the party when they rose to the surface clung to the boat, with the exception of Lieutenant Browning, who at once swam for the shore, and soon signaled back that he had touched a bar– fortunately it happened to be low water. The Lieutenant then continued on towards the beach, and succeed in getting through the breakers safely, but was caught by the undertow and was drowned. The last to reach there was John H. Peoples, who was editor of the American Star, when General Scott took possession of the city of Mexico. He was completely unable to stand up. Captain Connor thereupon directed the remaining sailor to support Peoples, while the remainder of the party righted the boat, which had floated in.
A large rock rose at one end of the bar and toward this the party made their way, one of the party towing the boat by the painter. Meanwhile Lieutenant Bache became exhausted and asked assistance of Captain Connor; the captain grasped the gunwale of the boat, and told the Lieutenant to hake hold of his shoulders. But another breaker struck them and caused him to lose his hold on the boat. Both sank, and as they rose to the surface, Captain Connor looked over his shoulder and said: “Bache, you will drown me as well as yourself, if you hold on much longer.” The Lieutenant loosened his hold and sank, and as the captain looked around he saw the unfortunate officer’s hair floating on the water as he went down the last time. One of the party, named Robinson, managed to climb the rock, and succeeded in getting hold of the painter. Captain Connor on reaching the rock was completely exhausted, and had not strength enough to climb to its top, for the weather was cold as there was snow on the shore; and all were chill through. Robinson caught him by the hair of the head and pulled him up, just in time to prevent his being step away by a breaker. Two more of the men also managed to reach the rock, and one was drowned in the attempt.
The four then got into the boat, and as the oars had been lost, Captain Connor pulled off a seat with which he steered her toward the shore. The last breaker that struck them threw the boat on the beach; they reached the shore so completely exhausted and chilled that they were unable to man the boat and pull back for Peoples and the sailor. At length the sailor, seeing that he would have to save his own life, let go of Peoples who thereupon drowned. The sailor then stripped himself of his clothing and struck out for the shore. As he reached the beach the undertow was carrying him back, when Captain Connor, summoning his little remaining strength, dashed into the water and helped him out. The five survivors then walked up the beach as fast as possible, until the reached a little fresh water creek running into the ocean. There they bathed and satisfied their thirst and then continued on until they reached the schooner.
She proved to be the Paragon, on the same mission as Captain Connor’s vessel. The schooner was high and dry, having dragged her anchor and been driven ashore, but all the passengers were aboard. They took the shipwrecked men aboard, treated them kindly and gave them a bed. On the next morning they were none the worse for their exposure.
The brig Arabian, which was beating up and down off the Point, was signaled; she sent a boat ashore and took off Captain Connor and his party, who had ascertained from the men on the Paragon that Trinity River, instead of running into the ocean, emptied into the Klamath River. He thereupon returned to San Francisco and dismissed the party.
Captain Connor did not attempt to recover the whale boat, and during the night some Indians broke the bow of the boat in order to obtain nails with which to make arrow heads. Subsequently a party of five who were bent on the same mission that had let Captain Connor’s party there, repaired her and sailed along the shore to find Trinity River, but a storm overtook them and the boat was driven ashore and dashed to pieces on the rocks; three out of the five were drowned.
Captain Connor, however, was still determined to reach Trinity River, and in the following May he organized a party at Sonoma of forty men with six wagons and six pack mules. Leaving Sonoma he led his party to Eel River, but there he found a rough mountainous country ahead with considerable snow and no roads. Thereupon he concluded to follow down Eel River to the ocean and find out where he was. Reaching Humboldt Bay he cut a trail through the redwoods and took his party up to the Big Bar on the Trinity River. Returning from there, however, he obtained a tract of woodland and went to work cutting piles for the San Francisco market.
Captain Connor had a small boat with which he examined the bar and became in this way familiar with its currents, eddies and shoals, so that later on when he chartered two brigs to carry the piles to San Francisco, he was able to pilot them both in and out again. He arrived at San Francisco but was unable to get ten cents per foot for his cargo, while at the time of his departure they had been worth eighty cents per foot. It turned out a losing venture. Captain Harrison, who subsequently has been superintendent of the Saucelito Ferry, was owner and captain of one of the brigs.
During the gold bluff excitement in 1851, Captain Connor piloted the steamships General Warren and Seagull over the Humboldt Bar, for he was the only man at that time familiar with its waters. He is, therefore, entitled to the distinction of being the first pilot on that bar. Thence he removed to Stockton, California.
In August, 1854, Captain Connor was married to Miss Johana Connor then a resident of Redwood City, but who was a native of the came county that the Captain was born in. In October of the same year, he was appointed postmaster at Stockton. During his residence there he was elected president of the board of trustees of the Stockton Insane Asylum. He was also serving as Adjutant-General of the Third Brigade and Captain of the Stockton Blues. He was treasurer of the Joachim Agricultural Society, being a charter member of that association. Besides holding these offices he owned and managed the Stockton Water Works; all holding a contract of ninety-nine and odd thousand dollars to build the foundation of the State Capitol at Sacramento. He was afterwards released from this contract, however, by the Legislature of 1861 and 1862, being ordered to Utah with his command at that time. General Connor was also engaged in grading the streets of Stockton with gravel from his ranch two miles from the city. His income then was over $8,000 a year.
Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, Captain Connor at once tendered his services to the Governor of California, who appointed him Colonel of the Third California Infantry. His command was stationed at Benicia Barracks, California, during the winter of 1861 and 1862, pending transfer to Utah, where to the surprise of the volunteers it was ordered, instead of to the South as had been anticipated when they enlisted. But whatever of disappointment may have been felt, Colonel Connor was too much of a soldier to express any. In May, 1862, Colonel Connor and his regiment were ordered to Utah. His command, embracing 850 men, consisted of the Third California Infantry, and four companies of the Second California Cavalry. He commenced his march for that Territory in July, 1862. On assuming command of the military district of Utah, he issued the following military order:
Headquarters, District of Utah. Fort Churchill, Nevada, August 6th, 1862.
Order No. 1– The undersigned, pursuant to orders from Department Headquarters, hereby assumes command of the Military District of Utah, comprising the Territories of Nevada and Utah.
In assuming command of the district I especially enjoin upon all disbursing officers the necessity of being particularly attentive, careful and economical in their disbursements of the public funds; and that they in no instance purchase from persons who have at any time, by word or act, manifested disloyalty to the Federal Government.
Being credibly informed that there are in this district persons who, while claiming and receiving protection in life and property, are endeavoring to destroy and defame the principles and institutions of our Government, under whose benign influence they have been so long protected; it is therefore most rigidly enforced upon all commanders of posts, camps and detachment, to cause to be promptly arrested and closely confined until they heave taken the oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States, all persons from this date who shall be guilty of uttering treasonable sentiments against this Government; and upon repetition of the offense shall be arrested and confined until the fact shall be communicated to these headquarters. Traitors shall not utter treasonable sentiments in this district with impunity, but must seek some more genial soil, or receive the punishment they so richly merit.
By order of P. Edward Connor,
Col. 3rd Infantry, C.V. Com. Dist. of Utah.
James W. Stillman, A.A.A. General.
This strong declaration was an earnest that Colonel Connor’s course with the Mormons would not be like that of Albert Sidney Johnston, who in 1858 had been compelled by them, although surrounded by three-thousand men, to enter winter quarters in the mountains, and who in the following spring, was forced by a treaty made by Commissioners McCullough and Kane, appointed by President Buchanan, not to locate his camp within forty miles of Salt Lake City.
The volunteers were encamped temporarily at Ruby Valley, and the men began to express great dissatisfaction with their destination. They were extremely anxious to go East and participate in suppressing the rebellion. They voluntarily agreed to allow the paymaster to withhold a large portion of their pay, provided they were transferred to the seat of war. The sums that individuals agreed to contribute were very large; the majority of the men agreed to forego all their pay; second lieutenants volunteered to surender $100 to $3000; Captains from $300 to $500, and one man, Corporal Goldthwaite, of Company G, subscribed $5,000. As a result Colonel Connor sent the following dispatch to General Halleck with the consent of General George Wright, Commanding Department of the Pacific:
Major General Halleck, Secretary of War, Washington, D.C.:
The Third Infantry, California Volunteers, has been in service one year, and marched six-hundred miles; it is well officered and thoroughly drilled; is of no service on the Overland Mail Route, as there is cavalry sufficient for its protection in Utah District. The regiment will authorize the paymaster to withhold $30,000 of pay now due if the Government will order it East; and it pledges General Halleck never to disgrace the flag, himself or California. The men enlisted to fight traitors and can do so more effectively than raw recruits; and ask that they may at least be placed on the same footing in regard to transportation. If the above sum is insufficient, we will pay our own passages from San Francisco to Panama.
By request of the Regiment,
P. Edward Connor,
Col. Commanding.
Ruby Valley, Nevada Territory, September 24th, 1862.
By the middle of October the volunteers advanced to Fort Crittenden. This post, sometimes called Camp Floyd, which had been the former encampment of U.S. troops, was erected at an expenditure of $3,000,000 but the property was afterwards sold to private parties for little more than a song. The purchasers of the post were extremely anxious to have Colonel Connor buy the property and make his headquarters there. Indeed, while on the march to Utah, Colonel Connor had often been solicited to make the purchase, by agents of the owners, who felt that, under pressure of near approaching winter, necessity would compel him to take these quarters already prepared. Among the owners were Mormons, who did not scruple to endeavor to intimidate the Colonel into compliance, by inciting the Mormon community to an uprising against the troops. A certain chief of the Danties was especially active in this way; he was reported to have ridden through the streets of Salt Lake City, offering to bet $500 that the troops would never cross the Jordan and found no takers. But they were dealing with the wrong man; all their bluster did not avail to turn Colonel Conner from his purpose. In spite of threatening rumors that the Mormons would never allow the troops to approach nearer their city than the river Jordan, he left Fort Cittenden, crossed the Jordan, without opposition, and marched straight into Salt Lake City, to the astonishment and consternation of the Mormons, who lining the sidewalks and filling the windows and roofs, silently watched the progress of the troops. The command halted in the very heart of the city before the residence of Governor Harding who publicly addressed the troops in terms of creating and admonition. At the close of the Govenor’s speech Colonel Connor called for three cheers for our country and flag, and three more for Governor Harding; he then continued his march with bands playing, to the neighborhood of the site of his permanent camp, and four days later, October 24th, 1862, established what is now known at Fort Douglas.
Meanwhile Colonel Connor had his attention drawn to other matters. Indians had murdered many immigrants who had taken the northern route to California. To suppress these Indians he sent a cavalry expedition from Ruby Valley against them, and the force succeeded in destroying many of the savages. But the Indians continued their atrocities, especially interfering with whites traveling to and from the mines in Idaho, Montana and Dakota. Since the arrival of the volunteers at Salt Lake City two expeditions had been sent against the Indians in Northern Utah; one was to recover a white boy held by them, and the other to regain some immigrant property. At length, however, Colonel Connor received reliable information of the exact location of the hostile Indians, who had been carrying on their murderous work for fifteen years, and he at once commenced preparations for their annihilation.
This expedition resulted in the Battle of Bear River, fought January 29th, 1863, against the Snake and Bannock Indians, who were lead by Bear Hunter, and other noted chiefs. It is well described in Colonel Connor’s official report.
Report of the Battle of Bear River
Eighteen of Colonel Connor’s command were killed, forty-nine were wounded and seventy-six were confined to the hospital suffering from frost-bitten feet, making a total of 142 casualties. When the battle was ended Colonel Connor gave every attention to his wounded men. The dead were placed in the baggage wagons, ready for transpiration to camp. He destroyed the lodges, eighty in number and all the provisions of the Indians, with the exception of what would be needed for the squaws and children or could be used by the troops, or sold for the government. On the morning after the battle the wounded were hurried on to camp in advance of the main body, receiving on their way every attention possible. The remainder of the force was detained by the mountain snows, and did not reach Camp Douglas until the evening of the 4th of February, 1863. The dead were buried in the graveyard of the post with all military honors. On February 8th, 1863, while the volunteers were out on dress parade, the following order was read by Adjutant Wm. D. Ustick:
Headquarters District of Utah. Camp Douglas, Utah Territory, February 6th, 1863.
The Colonel commanding has the pleasure of congratulating the troops of this post upon the brilliant victory achieved at the Battle of Bear River, Washington Territory.
After a rapid march of four nights in intensely cold weather, through deep snows and drifts, which you endured without murmur or complaint, even when some of your number are frozen with cold, and faint with hunger and fatigue, you met an enemy who have heretofore, on two occasions defied and defeated regular troops, and who have for the last fifteen years been the terror of the emigrants, man, woman and children and citizens of those valleys, murdering and robbing them without fear of punishment.
At daylight on the 29th of January, 1863, you encountered the enemy, greatly your superior in numbers, and had a desperate battle. Continuing with unflinching courage for over four hours, you completely cut him to pieces, captured his property and arms, destroyed his stronghold and burnt his lodges.
The long list of killed and wounded is the most fitting eulogy on your courage and bravery. The Colonel commanding returns you his thanks. The gallant officers and men, who were engaged in this battle, with out invidious distinction, merit the highest praise. Your uncomplaining endurance and unexampled conduct on the field, as well as your thoughtful care and kindness for the wounded, is worthy of emulation. While we rejoice at the brilliant victory you have achieved over your savage foe it is met that we do honor to the memory of our brave comrades, the heroic men who fell fighting to maintain the supremacy of our arms. We deeply mourn their death and acknowledge their valor.
While the people of California will regret their loss they will do honor to every officer and solider who has by his heroism added new laurels to the fair escutcheon of the state.
By order of Colonel Connor.
(Signed) Wm. D. Ustick.
First Lieutenant and Adjutant, Third Infantry, California Volunteers Acting Assistant Adjuant General.
When the report of this victory reached the War Department at Washington, through official reports the following acknowledgement was made;
Headquarters of the Army, Washington D.C., March 29, 1863.
Brig-General George Wright, Cond’g Department of the Pacific, San Fransisco, California.
General: I have this day received your letter of February 20th, inclosing P. Edward Connor’s report of his serve battle and splendid victory on Bear River, Washington Territory. After a forced march of one-hundred and forty miles in midwinter and through deep snows, in which seventy-six of his men were disabled by frozen feet, he and his gallant band of only two hundred, attacked three hundred warriors in their stronghold and after a hard fought battle of four hours, destroyed the entire band, leaving two hundred and twenty-four dead upon the field. Our losses in the battle were eighteen killed and forty-nine wounded. Colonel Connor and the brave Californians derserve the highest praise for their gallant and heroic conduct.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) H.W. Halleck, General-in-Chief.
This victory, the result of vigorous strategy and bold execution, completely subdued the Indians, who never afterwards ere troublesome in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho. In recognition of this conduct in the battle of Bear River, Colonel Connor was promoted on March 29th, 1863, to the rank of Brigadier-General of Volunteers; he was now noted as the best Indian fighter in the West. The news of Colonel Connor’s promotion reached Camp Douglas late at night, and was at once celebrated by the firing of cannon and martial music. The sudden demonstration, breaking out in the night, alarmed the Mormons, whose relations with the United States Government representatives there, were at the time, in an exceedingly tense state. They thought it the signal of attack by the troops upon Salt Lake City; and rallied at once for defense at Brigham Young’s residence, but in this they were disappointed.
General Connor’s position in Utah, in view of the growing bitterness of the Mormons, required cool judgment and determined strength. How he met these difficulties is shown by the following circular letter:
Headquarters, District of Utah, Camp Douglas, Utah Territory, March 1st, 1864.
Circular: The undersigned has received numerous letters of complaint and inquiry from parties within and without the district the former alleging that certain residents of Utah Territory indulge in threats and menaces against the miners and others desirous of prospecting for precious metals, and the latter asking what, if any, protection will be accorded to those coming hither to develop the mineral resources of the country.
Without giving undue importance to the thoughtless words of misguided, prejudice, or bad-hearted men who may be guilty of such threats as those referred to, and indulging in the hope that they are but individual expressions rather than menaces, issued by any presumed or presumptuous authority whatsoever, the undersigned takes occasion to repeat what no loyal citizen will gainsay, that the Territory is the public property of the Nation whose wish it is, that it will be developed at the earliest possible day, in all its rich resources, mineral as well as agricultural, pastoral and mechanical. To this end, citizens of the United States, and all desirous of becoming such, are freely invited by public law and national policy to come hither to enrich themselves and advance the general welfare from out of the public store, which a bountiful Providences has scattered through these richly laden mountains and fertile plains. The mines are thrown open to the hardy and industrious, and it is announced, that they will receive the amplest protection in life, property and rights, against aggression from whatever source, Indian or white.
The undersigned has abundant reason to know that the mountains of Utah, north, south, east and west, are prolific of mineral wealth. Gold, silver, iron, copper, lead and coal, are found in almost every direction, in quants which promise the richest results to the adventurous explores and the industrious miner.
In giving assurance of entire protection to all who may come hither to prospect for mines, the undersigned wishes at this time most earnestly, and yet firmly, to warn all, whether permanent residents or not, of the Territory, that should violence be offered, or attempted to be offered to miners, in the pursuit of their lawful occupation, the offender or offenders, one or many, will be tried as public enemies, and punished to the utmost extent of martial law.
The undersigned does not wish to indulge in useless threats, but desires most fully and explicitly to apprise all of their rights, and warn misguided men of the inevitable result, should they seek to obstruct citizens in their rights, or throw obstacles in their way of the development of the public domain. While miners will be thus protected they must understand that no interference with the vested rights of the people of the Territory will be tolerated, and they are expected to conform in all things to the law of the land which recognize in their fullest extent the claims of the bona fide settlers on public lands.
While the troops have been sent to this district to protect from a savage foe the homes and premises of the settlers, and the public interests of the Nation, they are also here to preserve the public peace, secure to all inestimable blessings of liberty, and preserve intact the honor, dignity and rights of the citizens vested by a free constitution, and which belongs to the humblest equally with the highest in the land.
This, their mission, it is the duty of the undersigned to see fulfilled by kindly and warning words if possible, but if not, any cost. He cannot permit the public peace and the welfare of all to be jeopardized by the foolish threats or wicked actions of a few.
P. Edward Connor
Brig. General, U.S. Volunteers, Comd’g District.
Four months later, General Connor felt that the time was ripe for establishing a provost guard for Salt Lake City. He accordingly issued the following order:
Headquarters District of Utah, Camp Douglas, Utah Territory, Near Great Salt Lake City, July 9th, 1864.
Special Order No. 53–
1st. Capt. Charles. H. Hempstead, Commissary of subsistence, U.S. Volunteers, is hereby appointed Provost Martial of Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, and will immediately enter upon the duties of his office. He will be obeyed and respected accordingly.
2nd. Company L, 2d. Cav. C.V., Capo. Albert Brown is hereby detailed as Provost Guard, and will immediately report to Capt. Charles H. Hempstead, Provost Martial, Great Salt Lake City, for duty.
3rd. The Quartermaster’s Department will furnish the necessary quarters, offices, etc.
By command of Brig-General Connor.
Shortly after issuing these orders he outlined his views and policy in a letter to the War Department.
Headquarters District of Utah,
Camp Douglas, Utah Territory.
Near Great Salt Lake City, July 21st, 1864.
Colonel: Having had occasion recently to communicate with you by telegraph on the subject of the difficulties which considerable excited the Mormon Community for the past ten days, it is perhaps proper that I should report more fully by letter relative to the real causes which have rendered collision possible.
As set forth in former communications, my policy in this Territory has been to invite hither a larger Gentile and loyal population, sufficient by peaceful means and through the ballot box to overwhelm the Mormons by mere force of numbers, and thus wrest from the Church– disloyal and traitorous to the core– the absolute and tyrannical control of temporal and civil affairs, or at least a population numerous enough to put a check on the Mormon authorities, and give countenance to those who are striving to lose the bonds with which they have so long been oppressed. With this view, I have spent every energy and means of which I was possessed, both personal and official, towards the discovery and development of the mining resources of the Territory, using without stint the soldiers of my command, whenever and wherever it could be done without detriment to the public service. These exertions have in a remarkably short period, been productive of the happiest results and more that commensurate with my anticipations. Mines of undoubted richness have been discovered, their fame is spreading east and west, voyagers for other mining countries have been induced by the discoveries already made to tarry here, and the number of miners of the Territory is steadily and rapidly increasing. With them, and to supply their wants, merchants and traders are flocking into Great Salt Lake City, which by its activity, increased number of Gentile stores and workshops and the appearance of its thronged and busy streets, presents a most remarkable contrast to the Salt Lake City of one year ago. Despite the counsel’s threats, and obstacles of the Church, the movement is going on with giant strides.
This policy on my part, if not at first understood, is now full appreciated in its startling effect by Brigham Young and his coterie. His every efforts, covert. His every efforts, covert and open, having proved unequal to the task of checking the transformation so readily going on in what he regards as his exclusive domain, he and his apostles have grown desperate. No stone is left unturned by them to rouse the people to resistance against the policy, even if it should provoke hostility against a Government he hates and daily reviles. It is unquestionably his desire to provoke me into some act savoring of persecution, or by the dexterous use of which he can induce his deluded followers into an outbreak, which would deter miners and others from coming to the Territory. Hence he and his chief men make their tabernacles and places of worship resound each Sabbath with the most outrageous abuse of all that pertains to the Government and the Union– hence do their prayers ascend loudly from the housetops for a continuance of the war until the hated Union shall be sunk– hence the persistent attempt to depreciate the National currency and institute a “Gold Basis” in preference to “Lincoln Skins,” as treasury notes are denominated in Sabbath day harangues.
Hence it was that the establishment of a provost guard in the city was made the pretext for rousing the Mormon people to excitement and armed assembling, by the ridiculous stories of persecution and outrage of their rights, while the fanatical spirit of the people and inborn hatred of our institutions and government were effectually appealed to, to promote discord and provoke trouble. I am fully satisfied that nothing but the fairness and determination with which their demonstrations were met, at every point, prevented a collision, and the least appearance of vacillation on my part would surly have precipitated a conflict. I feel that it is not presumptuous in me to say that in view of what has already been accomplished in Utah, that the work marked out can and will be effectual and thoroughly consummated if the policy indicated be pursued and I am sustained in my measures at department headquarters. I am fully impressed with the opinion that peace is essential to the solving of the problem, but at the same time conscious that peace can only be maintained by the presence of force and a fixed determination to crush out at once any interference with the rights of the Government by persons of low or high degree. While the exercise of prudence in inaugurating measures is essential to success, it should not be forgotten that the display of power and the exhibition of reliance on one’s self have the salutary restraining effect on men of weak minds and criminal intent. Deeply as Brigham Young hates our Government, malignant and traitorous as are his designs against it, inimical as he is against the policy here progressing of opening the mines to a Gentle populace, and desperate as he is in his fast waning fortunes, he will pause ere he inaugurates a strife, as long as the military forces in the Territory are sufficiently numerous to hold him and his deluded followers in check. The situation of affairs in Utah is clear to my own mind, and without presumption, I have no fear for the result, if sustained by the department commander as indicated in this and former communications. Desirous as I am of conforming strictly to the wishes and the judgment of the Major-General commanding the department, and having fully set forth my views and the facts bearing on the case, I beg leave respectfully to ask form the department commander an expression of opinion as to the policy of the course pursued and such suggestions or instructions as he may deem proper as a guide in the future.
Very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
P. Edward Connor.
Brig. Genl. U.S. Volunteers, Commanding District. Lieu. Col. R.C. Drum, Asst. Adjt. Genl. U.S.A. San Franciso, California.
But in 1865, the hostility between Camp Douglas and the city subsided. This was brought about by mutual desire, on the part of Volunteers and Mormons, to celebrate the victories of the Union army in the South, and the second inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. The celebrations was arranged and carried out with enthusiasm by troops and Mormons, on the 4th of March. A little later, when General Connor had been called to command the District of the Plains, a ball was given in his honor by the city authorities.
On receiving a petition of the Legislatures of Nebraska and Colorado, President Lincoln appointed General Connor, in 1865 to command the District of the Plains, a district which had been created for him, as at that time the Indians were very hostile there. This district embraced the state of Nevada, and the Territories of Utah, Colorado, Nebraska and parts of the Territories of Dakota and New Mexico.
As the Sioux and the Arapahoes had been molesting the Overland Mail route, General Conner, in the summer of 1865, organized an expedition of two thousand cavalry against them. In August he met the Arapahoes and fought what is knows as the battle of Tongue River. He killed sixty-three Indian warriors, captured a number of women and children, besides six-hundred horses, and destroyed their village.
A few days after the battle he received orders to return to Fort Laramie and send the volunteer troops under his command, who numbered 16,000 men back to their respective states that they might be mustered out of service. He was himself ordered to return to the command of the District of Utah. Soon after he was promoted to the rank of Brevet-Major General, for gallant and meritorious services during the war. Later, he was offered a colonelcy in the regular army but on account of his mining interests he declined. In 1866, by the final general mustering out order, he was mustered out of service with the last of the generals of volunteers.
But although General Connor’s military career was a striking one, he made his impress on Utah in other ways, which were as important and as lasting. Indeed, the establishment of Fort Douglas marked the beginning of a new Era, that saw the downfall of Mormon isolation, and the growth of a true American civilization.
As he has been so intimately connected with Utah during a critical period of her development, the following letter to him, while in command of the District of the Plains with headquarters at Denver, Colorado, from Lieutenant General Grant is of special interest.
H’dq’rs Armies of the United States, Washington, May 4th, 1865.
Gen. P.E. Connor, Denver, Colorado Teritory;
Sirs– A copy of your report of April 6th, 1865, has been forwarded to the Lieutenant General commanding, and he desires me to express his appreciation of your efforts. It is not believed that an institution like Mormonism can exist permanently, in free and close proximity to the civilized world. Our efforts should therefore aim to make such communication safe, by through protection of Gentiles
against Mormons, where as transient visitors or permanent settlers, and trust mainly to the ordinary laws which govern civilization for the gradual removal of what is believed to be the opposition to those laws which can derive vitality only from persecution.
Very Respectfully,
Lt. Col. Adc. and Bvt. B.G.
How he is regarded by the community, which was once under his controls is shown in Tullidge’s Quarterly Magazine for January, 1881.
General Connor is the first Gentile in Utah in historical importance and rank. We scarcely think this affirmation of him will be questioned. Nearly twenty years ago he was in effect the chief representative of the Federal Government in Utah. Thus he was looked upon, not only by the administration at Washington, but by the Commander-In-Chief of the National forces. He was sent there at a most critical time and to execute for the Nation a most critical mission. No matter how imperfect may have been the views of those earlier days, or how inharmonious the relations which existed at first between the camp and the city, the facts abide in history and are themselves the best witness that General Connor had a part to perform towards the Territory and its people of an extraordinary nature. His was a part that that required at once the honorable soldier and the magnanimous and humane man. Had not Connor been all this, Utah would certainly have had a second military difficulty with the Nation– in plain words there would have been another “Utah Rebellion” and another “Utah War.” What these events would have signified in there consequences we shall never fully know, though we can well imagine. We verily believe that in those days, view that case from any side we please, General Connor held the fate of Utah in his own hands, speaking aside from the intervention of Providence which overruled human affairs and designs; and it is, moreover, a sound axiom of philosophy that in such cases Providence is best seen in that which was in the past or which now is in the present. In such a view, a providence to Utah was General Connor, and the preserving spirit which he manifested towards the people of this Territory, at the most critical period of Utah’s history’ for it was indeed more critical to us all in that day of the Nation’s furry, with an army of vigilance sent to Utah to watch– and act as well as watch– than it was in the day of Albert Sidney Johnston and Camp Floyd.
Furthermore, General Connor’s military service to Utah was active and direct as well as restraining and preservative. Scarcely had he arrived with his command ere his coming and military service proved to be one of the greatest blessings which had happened to this Territory we refer to his famous battle with the Indians at Bear River. That service, which cost General Connor’s command. So much suffering from cold, and loss of life and wounds in the fight, substantiality ended the Indian rule over this country and the constantly recurring Indian difficulties with our people. In Cache Valley, the old settlers speak of General Connor’s service as a providence to their valley. Indeed, the Battle of Bear River is thus recorded in specific words in the official records of the settlements of than magnificent and flourishing vale. For instance, in the records of the city of Logan it is said: “We believe General Connor’s coming to Cache Valley to be a Providence of the Almighty.” So, also may it be said his coming with Camp Douglas was a providence to Salt Lake City. Camp Douglas gave to the city its supplies to its merchant, business; to its people, money; and to hundreds of Mormons, employment. In fine, Salt Lake City owes much to Camp Douglas and General Connor; and for this and his record as the Pioneer of the Utah Mines, we give P. Edward Connor place as the first Gentile of Utah.
Out of his own private means, General Connor established and supported the first daily paper in Utah. It was also the first secular paper in the Territory and was called the Daily Union Vedette. Its purpose, as outlined by its editor, Captain Charles H. Hempstead, was to educate the Mormon people to American views
–to break the absolute rules of Brigham Young over the people– to convince them by moral suasion, that they owed their loyalty to the United States, and that it was disloyal to attempt to establish a theocracy in Utah. The publishing of the Daily Union Vedette caused the birth of the Daily Telegraph, now merged into the Salt Lake Herald. The Telegraph was established to fight Camp Douglas. At Camp Douglas, also the Peep O’ Day was started. It was the first magazine published west of the Missouri River. Although this magazine was short-lived, it was, however the parent of the Utah Magazine and the Salt Lake Tribune.
General Connor also owned the first steamer on Salt Lake, the Kate Connor, and also the schooner Pioneer. Soon after reaching Utah, Colonel Conner saw many indications of mineral wealth there and he encouraged prospecting by every available means, as the surest and quickest way to introduce a healthy outside element into Mormon territory.
In 1863 he was directly interested in recording the Jordan Mine, which was the first mine recorded in Utah and was entered in favor of a man named Ogilvie and others. Ogilvie found a piece of ore while logging in a canyon, and sent it for inspection to the Colonel, who, finding, after assay, that it was good grade ore, organized a party of officers and ladies in the camp to visit the place. The mine was located, and a day or two after, General Conner having written some mining laws, held the first miner’s meeting at Gardner’s Mill on the Jordan River. The meeting adopted Connor’s laws, and elected Bishop Gardner recorder.
Colonel Connor at once published the discoveries, so that the outside world might know that there were minerals on the public domain in Utah, and that the prospectors might flock in, with the assurance of protection by his troops. He also, as his men had little to do, issue an order that a certain number of his troops would be furloughed, and given every opportunity to travel within certain boundaries and push their prospecting. To these men, acting under the Colonel’s direction, is due the first mineral discoveries in Utah.
In the supper of 1864 Genera Connor incorporated the Jordan Mining Company under the laws of California. To open the mine a tunnel was dug at the cost of $60 a foot. This high price, which is six times what the work could be done for now was caused by the comparative scarcity of labor and high price of blasting powder, which then was worth $25.00 a keg.
In 1864 General Connor erected the Pioneer Smelting Works in Utah, at Stockton, the first Gentile town of the Territory. In this smelting enterprise he enlisted a large number of his California friends. Not long after, the General build a second furnace, which having an inclined flue, 150 feet long, was of the reverberatory type. Californians, however, who were accustomed to the methods of milling gold in their own state, found the process of smelting the Utah ores a new and difficult task, that received little aid from their previous experience. Charcoal, too, was high priced and difficult to obtain. The very high rates of transportation were a heavy tax on the enterprise, and the materials used in constructing the furnaces, and also those used in operating them, could be obtained only at great cost. At length, however, when the right methods are discovered, it was found that the ores were easily treated; but it was learned, too, by dear experience, that the business was fatally handicapped by the high rates of freightage, and that the mining industry would have to wait the coming of the railroad.
In the summer of 1864 one of General Connor’s men made the discovery of silver bearing lead ore, in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Mountain Lake mining district, in the Wasatch range of mountains. But these discoveries were not developed until four years later, when mines of remarkable richness were opened up there, including among others, the famous Emma Mine.
Though often away from California, General Connor considers this place his home. His first child, a son was born at Stockton, in 1856 and died at Benicia Barracks before his march for Utah. A second boy was born, in 1859 but he died the same year in Sacramento, where Connor was attending the State Encampment, with his company of “Stockton Blues.” A third son, Maurice Joseph, who is now living in Montana, was born in 1861. His daughter, Katherine Frances, was born at Salt Lake City in 1863, while he was in command of the Utah District. She was married January 19th, 1884 to B.P. Oliver, who was a nephew of D.J. Oliver. She is the mother of two daughters. In 1866, Patrick Edward was born at Salt Lake City. In 1869 Eugene Titus was born in San Francisco; and in 1873, Hillary Grant at Redwood City, where Mrs. Connor, with the two younger boys is living now. None of the sons have married. General Connor, also, has a sister living in San Francisco who is married to William J. Douglas, and is the mother of five children. At the present times General Conner is the only office of that rank who served from this coast during the rebellion that is now resident of the Pacific Slope.