13 August 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Reports that he left Camp Floyd, Utah, to punish Indians who were murdering emigrants on the North California road; Moore's party attacked an Indian encampment at dawn, killing twenty and driving off the rest.

GLC04194.22

10 November 1859

Scott, H.L. (Henry Lee), 1814-1886

Document signed

Title: General orders No. 5

A printed copy issued by Headquarters, New York, commending Assistant Surgeon John Moore for his immediate and kind attention to the wounded after an engagement with Indians on 14 August 1853. Includes description of the skirmish near Box Elder, which Moore also describes in a letter to his sister (GLC04194.22).

GLC04194.23

10 October 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Describes being out with dragoons in pursuit of Indians who have committed robberies on the Emigrant Road. In spite of the vigilance of the troops, "two or three small trains have been robbed and burnt, and some twelve or fifteen people, men, women, and children killed." Moore describes the Indians responsible as a small, outlaw portion of the tribe. Moore is angry that "some of the very Indians concerned in these depredations have been in the Mormon settlements while we were looking for them in distant places," and the Mormons gave no word of it. Discusses good weather and fishing.

GLC04194.24

15 November 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary [Kelly]

Reports that Judge Eckles and General Johnston had affidavits showing that the Mormons had purchased artillery pieces and placed them in Salt Lake City. Comments that he had dinner with the governor and declined an invitation from the governor's wife to meet Mormon women, as he considers them no better than "professional women in a bawdy house." Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.25

14 December 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Discusses cold temperatures, the dancing that goes on at the balls at camp, and the numerous stores and saloons. Condemns the 15 October 1859 seizure of the arsenal at Harper's Ferry by John Brown, and hopes it does not distract politicians from Utah. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.26

January 16, 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Reports that General Albert S. Johnston sent him to make a professional visit on Bill Hickman, a Mormon who had been shot. Describes meeting Brigham Young's first wife. Disparages Young's wife and the other Mormon ladies he met. Comments on dancing halls. Reports that Mormons are making a great profit from the gentile merchants due to high rents. Mentions that Judge Eckles often takes care of families with attractive women. Moore considers Eckles "a humbug," but keeps it to himself. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.27

February 1, 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Discusses lawlessness in Utah. Moore reports that an opponent of Bill Hickman, a Mormon who was shot and Moore was treating, was murdered in Hickman's home. A group of Hickman's supporters committed the crime; one took the blame and the others swore it was self-defense. Also describes the lax punishments of a man who attempted to take stolen horses to California and a man who forged United States treasury drafts (GLC04194.19). Comments on theaters. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.28

19 April 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Explains that some of the troops stationed in Utah are to return to the east, but he will remain for a time. Comments that the Mormons are sad to be losing the market and the refuge from those straying from the church. Moore hopes to return east in the summer of 1861.

GLC04194.29

1 May 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Reports that the troops marching east will do so in four columns. A training area for teamsters has been set up. Mentions that Judge Eckles will travel to the east at the end of the month, and disparages him for his scandalous relationships with women. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.30

30 May 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Reports that he has been ordered to accompany the dragoons, who are going out to protect the Emigrant Road. He will camp near Fort Hall, or Lewis Fork of the Columbia River, in Oregon. He is to be sent because the only other doctor had been sent toward California, where the "Indians have been killing the mail and express men, as well as immigrants." Mentions the Pony Express. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.31

2 August 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Kelly

Explains that two thirds of the forces with him are out constantly escorting emigrants. Many of the travelers are extremely ignorant, and some sell their weapons to the "very Indians that lay an ambuscade for them at the first canyon they pass through." Moore believes the land east of the Mississippi is superior to the western lands. Mentions that Tom Flight is currently with him and will be going out the next day "as an escort to a train of emigrants going to Oregon." Reports that Judge Cadlebaugh was not killed. Mocks the pretended humility of Judge Eckles in accepting the nomination…

GLC04194.32

22 August 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Reports that there have been "no Indian troubles" around Fort Hall yet, and that the emigration is nearly over. Estimates 3,000 people have passed over the road near him and "probably twice that number over the road through Salt Lake and Camp Floyd." The river that runs through the camp is beautiful and full of fish. Mentions fishing on the Snake River, and music and readings among the troops. Moore is studying medicine and expects to undergo his second examination when he returns.

GLC04194.33

6 November 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Hopes Abraham Lincoln has been elected. Mentions a speech by Brigham Young on the possible return of the Mormons to Missouri. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.34

5 December 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Discusses balls, dramatic representations, and social meetings in camp: the first officer's ball of the season occurred last week, but soldiers' balls occur two or three times per week; dramatic representations occur twice weekly; social meetings occur nightly; and there is plenty of food. Mentions that he attended three women in labor the day before. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.36

2 January 1861

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Reports that New Year's Day passed enjoyably in the camp, where the "New York custom of calling on all your friends" was maintained. Although they "hear a good deal about secession, etc., it doesn't seem to oppress or weigh heavily on the spirits of the people in our camp." The camp continues to get news from the east, although the distance delays it seven to eight days. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.37

January 16, 1861

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Discusses secession. Wishes South Carolina could leave the Union, and laments its power to rent the nation. Forcefully criticizes the leadership of President James Buchanan. Hopes President Abraham Lincoln will be prepared for the coming conflict. Mentions the eight-day delay in news from New York, which reaches them via telegraph and pony express. Unlike paymasters in the east, their paymaster has funds enough for six months. Wonders if his brother Robert, a doctor in Alabama, has "been run out of the country for being a northern man." Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.38

4 April 1861

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Reports on a professional call he made on the surveyor general of the territory a few days before. Is disappointed that their brother, Robert, has become a surgeon for the Confederacy. Thinks that since there is to be daily mail over the route east as of 1 July, it is unlikely the troops will be removed from Utah.

GLC04194.40

circa July 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses Election Day in the territory. The gentiles have formed an opposition party, and since Judge Eckles has no opposition to the army voting, Moore believes the Mormons will be surprised and angered by the election results. Mentions that Horace Greeley recently visited Salt Lake City on a journey to California in July 1859.

GLC04194.41

circa 1865-1907

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Memoirs of the Utah Expedition of 1858-1860].

Contains descriptions of Utah during the years he was stationed there. The date of composition has been inferred from the manuscript and Moore's death in 1907; the Civil War appears to be noted in the past tense.

GLC04194.42

June 1862

Russell, Sallie, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Russell

Three letters on one sheet from Sallie Russell, Belle Russell, and Pennie Russell to their brother, who had left Salt Lake City on the overland trail. Sallie provides family news. She also discusses the force amassing to confront the Morrisites (a breakaway group of Mormons who imprisoned several members who wished to leave the group), the death of John and George Hendley at a battle at Blue Ridge, and the death of their sister the same day in Virginia. Belle's letter reiterates that their mother misses Samuel, and mentions that others miss him too. She also makes ambiguous reference to…

GLC05493.02

January 27, 1871

McCallaugh, Elizabeth, fl. 1871

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her sister

Written to her sister in the Mormon church, not by blood. Discusses family news and her desire to move to Utah. She lacks the means to make the journey and asks if money could be sent to her. She comments: "I hear Brigham Young is the wealthiest man in the world." She does not want her family, except for Maria, to be made aware of her request.

GLC05493.04

18 March 1876

Anderson, Eva, fl. 1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her sister

Discusses family news. Describes the actions of outlaws in the old west, particularly the actions of a man named John Holiday (not the infamous Doc Holiday).

GLC05493.05

1893

Carpenter, George, fl. 1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joe

Carpenter is happy to be back in Salt Lake. Cannot send money because he has been out of work and in debt for so long. Carpenter is now working in a dry foods department. Discusses various friends and relationships, his separation from the Mormon church and realization that it is "the only true one." Reflects on his past foolishness and attests to a desire to do "some good in this world outside of my own selfish self." Comments favorably on the early days of Utah, when all lived together and money considerations were secondary. Comments on impending marriages. Discusses the dedication…

GLC05493.06

10 February 1893

Alder, John, fl. 1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Son Joseph

Comments on recent changes in the Mormon church, lamenting that all Mormons have given up beliefs and practices to win favor with the world. People have put seeking money before seeking God. Discusses Mormon principles and his unwavering beliefs.

GLC05493.07

1862-1893

Russell, Samuel, 1835-1896

Letterbook

Title: [Samuel Russell, Letter Book].

Copybook of outgoing correspondence contains twenty letters to newspapers and individuals defending the Mormon faith. Topics include politics, anti-polygamy legislation, Church affairs, railroad right of way. Several were written and published (per Russell's notes) in the Richmond Conservator. Russell was a prominent church leader.

GLC05493.08