73

Martha M. Wells.

Letter from the sister of a 16-year-old who had enlisted "to quiet the Mormons."

Sacramento, CA, 12 September 1861
Autograph Letter Signed to sister Melissa M. Wells. 4 pages, 7¼ x 5¾ inches, on one folding sheet; mailing folds, minor wear, some pencil underlining. With an unused patriotic envelope reading "The Loyal States, California, Union." 

  • Notes: "I have an only brother that won't be seventeen untill next December that has joined the cavalry known as the Sacramento Rangers. . . . He joined with the expectation of going to Salt Lake to quiet the Mormons, whitch needs to be done, and if he goes I hope the first thing he does will be to put a bullet through old Brigham's head, and then cut his throat from ear to ear. He will either go there or Texas. . . . If our brothers are to die on the battle field, it will be an honor instead a disgrace. . . . He was drest in what is called their fatigue suit, gray pants, blue shirt, and blue cap just to set on top of his head." 

    Martha Wells (1828-1886) and her husband Seymour were New York natives who went west circa 1851. We don't know what grudge she held against the Mormons, but the 1860 census shows that her son James was born in Utah circa 1852, so she likely had some personal experience. 
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