Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, August 17, 1864

In this letter from August 17, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing new instructions from Union Pacific headquarters in Omaha. He is directed to survey a new line from Utah Lake to the Bear River Valley (Utah).

Salt Lake City
August 17, 1864

I have just received a telegram from Omaha, in which I am directed to run a new line from Utah Lake about 40 miles south of here, to Bear River valley which will take about six weeks. I am told the Indians have stolen all the stage stock west of Fort Kearney to Julesburg, which interrupts mail communication and all letters will be sent via California until stage communication is resumed and perhaps I may go home that way.

My tent is pitched in President Young's yard where I have nightly a guard of fifty men in my immediate vicinity to keep off all outsiders.