| Lot Smith Cavalry Company | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1861 |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | Utah Territorial Militia |
| Branch | Army |
| Role | Cavalry |
| Size | 100 |
| Engagements | American Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Captain | Lot Smith |
| First Lieutenant | Joseph S. Rawlings |
| Part of a series on |
| Mormon Militias |
|---|
 |
The Lot Smith Cavalry Company was a military unit that fought in the American Civil War. It was formed from volunteers from the Nauvoo Legion, Utah's territorial militia. [1] [2] [3]
History
The unit was founded at the request of the War Department. [1] Telegram to Brigham Young:
Washington, April 28, 1862
Mr. Brigham Young,
Salt Lake City, Utah:
By express direction of the President of the United States you are hereby authorized to raise, arm, and equip one company of cavalry for ninety days’ service. This company will be organized as follows:
One captain, 1 first lieutenant, 1 second lieutenant, 1 first sergeant, 1 quartermaster-sergeant, 4 sergeants, 8 corporals, 2 musicians, 2 farriers, 1 saddler, 1 wagoner, and from 56 to 72 privates. The company will be employed to protect the property of the telegraph and overland mail companies in or about Independence Rock, where depredations have been committed, and will be continued in service only till the U.S. troops can reach the point where they are so much needed. It may therefore be disbanded previous to the expiration of the ninety days. It will not be employed for any offensive operations other than may grow out of the duty hereinbefore assigned to it. The officers of the company will be mustered into the U.S. service by any civil officer of the United States Government at Salt Lake City competent to administer the oath. The men will then be enlisted by the company officers. The men employed in the service above named will be entitled to receive no other than the allowances authorized by law to soldiers in the service of the United States. Until the proper staff officer for subsisting these men arrive you will please furnish subsistence for them yourself, keeping an accurate account thereof for future settlement with the United States Government.
By order of the Secretary of War:
L. Thomas, Adjutant-General. [1]
Brigham Young's reply:
Adjutant General Thomas, U.S.A. Washington, D.C.
Upon receipt of your telegram of April 27, I requested General Daniel H. Wells, of the Utah militia to proceed at once to raise a company of cavalry and equip and muster them into the service of the United States army for ninety days, as per your telegram. General Wells, forthwith issued the necessary orders and on the 29th day of April the commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers and privates, including teamsters, were sworn in by Chief Justice John F. Kinney, and the company went into camp adjacent to the city the same day.
Brigham Young [1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "The Lot Smith Cavalry Company: Utah Goes to War | Religious Studies Center". rsc.byu.edu. Brigham Young University. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ "Lot Smith Company | Utah Historical Markers". Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ "Utah and the American Civil War". University of Oklahoma Press. Retrieved 2024-04-23.