Moore, John (1826-1907) to James Kelly

Camp Scott, March 17th 1858

My dear Sir:
The mail for the States will leave here in two or three days, and so I proceed to give you a bulletin of news here from last dates. We have had no mail since the one that arrived on the 8th of February, bringing dates to the 24th of December. We hope the country is still safe, but are anxiously awaiting letters and newspapers. We have heard from the mail on the way; it is expected to be here this week. It will arrive I hope before I send this away. A brother of the celebrated [Dr Kane] of [article] notoriety reached here four days ago, from Washington, by the way of California and Salt Lake City, bearing despatches to Brigham Young, and Gouvernor Cummings, who is here in our camps. But the nature of his communications is entirely unknown to anyone except the [Government]. It appears he once belonged to the Mormon fraternity, and [illegible], perhaps the reason for his having been selected by the President, as he might naturally be supposed to [2] have some influence with the saints. It is feared by the ambitious young men in the army that the president has been making some overtures to Brigham that may induce him to permit us to come in without a fight. This would be a more serious disappointment than you would suppose. To come this far, have our trains burnt, our arrivals stolen, and then to be kept all winter in tents, and on short rations, and after all this to march quietly in without a fight or two, is considered to be a little more than human nature can quietly submit to. In addition to all this if they will fight we may hope to overcome them in a short time and that then they will leave the country those of them who are not hanged, and so we shall be permanently rid of them. If they remain they can only be kept in subjection by keeping a strong military force in their vicinity.
I cannot suppose the President would make any concessionns to them short of an unconditional surrender, with the certainty of having their leaders tried for treason and some of them hanged. - provided they can be caught, Brigham sent word to Col. Jonson that as he had been informed that we were [3] starving, if the Colonel wishes he would send us a lot of flour, as he had and abundance of it. This message was sent in by Mr. Kane, before mentioned. Brigham was informed that we had no need of his assistance, that when his provisions were wanted we would come in and get them. A party of them fired upon a small picket guard three miles from our camp, on the Salt Lake road, day before yesterday, and stole seven mules. We have learned from an Indian that hey have a force of 1100 men, within twenty or thirty miles of us; but nothing has occurred to confirm this rumor.
The health of the whole army is excellent; and if the animals expected from New Mexico arrive as soon as expected we shall probably move towards the Polygamous City by the 1st of May. Through an expressman who arrived a day or two ago, we learn that base reinforcements are ordered out, to start as early as practicable in the Spring. It is hoped matters may be settled before they can reach us, which cannot be earlier than about the last of July. Altogether will be an enormous expense to put the government to, for the sake of so pitiful a set of miscreants and freebooters. [4] As for myself, I had only cheering accounts to give you of good health and cheerful spirits. The letter I take to be the natured result of a conscience void of offense. Be virtuous, says some safe moralist, and you will be happy. Verily, a true adage and a wise. As we have but little sickness, I have but little to do, and having a good supply of books and a number of pleasant, jovial fellows to visit, time flies as rapidly here, as in the most favored states of civilization. If you look out for Harper in May or June you will probably see some account of life here accompanied with illustrations. A very fair representation of it may also be found in the letters of the State Correspondent of the Cincinnati Enquirer. One or two of them were read to me before being sent off. They are written by a son of a former well known resident of Bloomington - John Lee.
When the mail arrives I hope to hear good accounts from Mother and the rest of you. I hope Kate is in better health then when I last heard from her. I regret now I did not go to see her when I was home. I will write to her by this mail. Give my kindest remembrances to your father's family. With love to mother Mary and children and yourself, adieu,
Yours sincerely
J. Moore