American Historical Ephemera & Photography

13 letters spanning June 1861- August 1865, comprising one letter written from California, ten letters written from Camp Douglas, Utah Territory, and two letters written from Denver, Colorado Territory. Letters exhibit toning and wear consistent with age, though the 4 January 1864, 14 January 1864, and 7 May 1865 letters each have a large loss affecting text. 

Thomas B. Thompson (1841-ca 1880?) was a gold miner who went west to California from Wayne County, Ohio, as part of the California Gold Rush. The earliest letter in the collection was written by Thompson to his aunt on 2 June 1861 from "Alegany Sierra Co. Cal": "There was a grate crowd here yester day we Raised a poll and hoisted the Stars and Stripes and Their was a Ball at the golden Anchor well their is lots of Drunk men in town and plenty of gambling going on to day. Merchants are Busy Delivering goods to the miners That is the Business of Sunday." It is unclear what motivated Thompson to enlist one year later in September 1862 with the CA 3rd Regiment Infantry Volunteers. The next letter is dated 4 January 1864, nearly two and a half years later, while Thompson is at Camp Douglas, Utah Territory. Thompson makes his Unionist sentiments clear in this letter, stating that "if there is one thing that I do despite it is a traitor I go in for the administration & Abe Lincon the Union the whole hog or none And i hope the Devil may get all that don't." 

Though Thompson's Union sentiments and descriptions of camp life in many ways reflect the experiences of other Civil War soldiers, his experience as a Civil War soldier in Utah Territory is incredibly unique. Camp Douglas was established by Colonel Patrick Connor in 1862 to protect the overland mail route and telegraph lines. Its strategic location also placed it near crossroads of emigrants traveling to and from the California and Nevada mine fields and, situated just miles from Brigham Young's Mormons in Salt Lake City, the camp was well-positioned to quell a possible Mormon uprising. Thompson's letters contain widespread references to Mormons and Mormonism. Additionally, discussion of mining and prospectors is frequent. Encounters with Native Americans and the migration of emigrants likewise receive mention. 

Tensions between the Mormons and troops at the post are clearly evident in Thompson's letters. He writes on 26 March 1864: "There is Soldiers prospecting All over the territory And if their is any Mines here they will be opened The Mormons are down on the Miners they are afraid that They will be overrun with emigrants And miners and they will lose Their women and mormonism Will go to the Devil their is over six thousand men In this territory which has more than one wife and the Devil only knows how many children...." In another letter he writes: "The Mormons are divided the Brighamites and the Josephites and i shouldn't be surprised if they had a fight i hope they will...." Thompson one year later references the Josephites camped nearby who are splitting from the Brighamites and seeking a military escort to Missouri. he writes on 18 July 1864: "Their was a provo guard put on in Salt Lake City And the Mormons didn't Like it very well But they had to stand it for we are ready for to fight when their is a chance." 

Though he has left the California mines, Thompson remains interested in the prospects of mining. He writes of the large silver lodes found in his part of the country and indicates he has taken his 40-day furlough to go explore the nearby mines. His optimism regarding striking it rich has faded, however, as he notes: "Their is large traines of Emigrants passing Daily that will find a harder Country than the one that they left." 

In a letter written two days after Lincoln's assassination Thompson describes the mood at Camp Douglas: "Great Excitement in camp and G.S.L. City at the present Time on account of the death of President Lincon we expect to hang some of these Mormon Rebels they are shooting their mouths Off pretty free we are wishing for orders to hang evry one that shows any simpathy For the rebels...."

Brigadier General Patrick Connor, known for his harsh treatment of Native Americans, had founded Camp Douglas. He is referenced in Thompson's letters, including the start of his Powder River Expedition. 2 May 1865: "Brig General P E Conor is about to commence a campaign Against the indians on the plains Their is soldiers leaving this camp daily on the Overland Stage For Denver City Colorado territory which is the General's head quarters...." Again in August 1865, writing this time from Denver, Thompson references the expedition: "Great Excitement about indians Affairs &c. Brig gen Connor started with an expedition against the indians on the 27th of July...The indians are getting quite bold they say they are going to clear out the whites on the mail line and they are coming pretty near doing it...there are a good many whites Amongst the indians they captured some emigrants last week they killed the men and took the women prisoners one of the prisoners was a young girl of 11...."

HDS indicates that Thomas B. Thompson enlisted as a private on 9/23/1862 at Sacramento, CA. On 1/20/1864 he mustered into Co. D, CA 3rd Infantry and received an intra-regimental company transfer from company D to company C. He was Mustered Out on 9/24/1865 at Denver, Colorado Territory. After his enlistment, he returned home to Ohio.