During the American Civil War, the District of Utah was a subordinate district of the Army's Department of the Pacific.
Contents
On August 6, 1862, the Department of the Pacific absorbed the District of Utah, the territory of the former Department of Utah which had been discontinued on July 3, 1861; the remaining troops had marched out August 9. The District of Utah was composed of the Territory of Nevada and the Territory of Utah. General Connor established its headquarters at Fort Ruby on August 6, 1862. After a visit to Salt Lake City he returned and on October 20, moved his headquarters to Camp Douglas, about three miles east of Salt Lake City, Utah where his forces could overlook and intimidate the Morman leadership who he regarded as traitors to the Union. On August 20, 1863 the area of Soda Springs, Idaho Territory was added to the district. His District also provided a garrison for Fort Bridger. The Territory of Nevada became the State of Nevada and was admitted to the Union on October 31, 1864.
Commanders
On February 17, 1865 the District of Utah was transferred from the Department of the Pacific into the Department of the Missouri. On March 28, 1865, the district was merged into the Department of the Plains, under Connor's command. On June 27, 1865, the State of Nevada and Territory of Utah became part of the expanded Department of California that also consisted of the State of California and the Territory of New Mexico and Territory of Arizona.