REMARKABLE 6-YEAR DIARY OF GENERAL AUGUSTUS CHETLAIN DETAILING LIFE AMONG THE MORMONS AND THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR

 

Four-volume manuscript diary of Augustus Chetlain. Approximately 736 pages with manuscript entries. 

 

1. 5 March 1867 - 31 March 1868. 113 leaves, 225 pages with writing.  6 ½ x 8 ¼ in. 

 

2. 1 April 1868-5 June 1869. 72 leaves, 144 pp. 6 ½ x 8 ¼ in. 

 

3. 6 June 1869 - 14 September 1871. 94 leaves, 187 pp. 7 x 8 ¾ in. With approx. 11 engravings of European hotels tipped in to interior boards and rear endpaper. 

 

4. 15 September 1871 - 6 June 1873. 90 leaves, 180 pp.  7 x 8 ¾ in. 

 

5. Three-quarter length standing albumen CDV portrait of Chetlain in uniform. Unmarked. Modern pencil inscription to verso reads “Probably Augustus L. Chetlain / Colonel, 12 Illinois”

Augustus Louis Chetlain (1824-1914) was born in St. Louis to Swiss immigrants who settled in Galena, Illinois. He was educated in Galena and became a prominent businessman. At the outbreak of war, he is reported to have been the first man in Illinois to volunteer. He quickly helped organize a company of soldiers with his friend and fellow Galenian, Ulysses S. Grant.

 

Chetlain served valiantly during the war, rising to the rank of Major General before its conclusion. Though Chetlain commanded the 12th Illinois Infantry with distinction at the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh (where he was wounded), he is perhaps best remembered today for organizing African American soldiers in United States Colored Troops regiments. In December 1863, at the advice of General U.S. Grant, Chetlain was promoted to Brigadier General in charge of enlisting colored troops, many of whom were freed slaves, in Tennessee and Kentucky. By January 1864, he had raised a force of 17,000 men and was brevetted Major General. 

 

This set of four diaries chronicles his life after the war, beginning with Chetlain’s appointment as a tax assessor of internal revenue for the District of Utah, a position which took him to Salt Lake City to live among the Mormons. During his time, he became closely acquainted with Brigham Young and many of the other Elders. His diary continued when he was appointed United States Consul to Brussels, Belgium. During the appointment, he experienced the Franco-Prussian War, the violence of the 1871 Paris Commune, and the violent “Bloody Week”. The last portion of the diaries covers his return to the United States and the start of his banking career in Chicago. 

 

Chetlain was very well-read and wrote diligently and at length every day. His diaries provide extraordinary insight into both life in the early pioneer days of the Mormon community in Utah as well as the formative nation-building in Europe. In a distinct understatement, Chetlain described his own life as “somewhat eventful” in the preface to his autobiography, Recollections of Seventy Years (1899). What follows is an attempt at conveying the uncommon access Chetlain was afforded and the eloquence in which he recorded it. The diaries run to approximately 736 pages and contain even more fascinating encounters than could be included here. 

 

Life in Utah in 1867: Brigham Young and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 

Chetlain first arrived in Salt Lake City in March 1867 and was impressed by the frontier city which, he noted, “has a flourishing look.” (I, 28 March 1867). Very quickly thereafter, he had a formal meeting with Brigham Young, the leader and Second President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). In his entry of 30 March 1867, he gives his first impressions of Young: “In the afternoon called in Pres’t. Young with Gen. Burton. He welcomed me most cordially. He is a thick-set, flinty gentleman of say 60 years of age. Has a good face + a high prominent forehead. So evidently a man of considerable character, shrewd + a good judge of human nature, is moreover a good talker. I was introduced by him to his private Sec’y Mr. Cannon - an agreeable gentleman.”

 

The very next day, Chetlain made his first visit to the Salt Lake Tabernacle, at the time still under construction, and wrote his first impressions: “At 1 PM attended meeting at the Tabernacle. Found an immense crowd there - say 3500 people. The house was literally packed. They have a good organ + a large choir. A sermon, a speech rather, was delivered by John Taylor in one of the Twelve Apostles. It was a rambling affair…Nine-tenths of the congregation are evidently ignorant, coarse people but well-behaved, brought over from the lowest classes in Europe. A good deal of attention is being paid to the education of the children in the territory.” 

 

Later, he would give a detailed and awe-filled description of the impressive Tabernacle building: “I attend service at the new Tabernacle. The building was crowded to its utmost capacity. The room is sufficient for seating 8000 persons + there were in it at least 10,000 if not 12,000 persons. The new organ only partially built was used + sounded well. It is one of the largest organs in the world having 2000 pipes + has been built here entirely. This building is unlike any other in the United States + perhaps in the world + I look upon it as the best audience room I ever saw. Externally the building looks like a huge oval chafing dish.  It is in the form of an ellipse 250 ft. long 100 ft wide + 90 ft from the floor to the centre of the ceiling. It is the largest self-supporting arch of wood in the world. It will not cost when completed less than $250,000. They design to complete it by next spring for the April conference when it will be dedicated.” (6 October 1867).

 

Throughout his time in Salt Lake City, Chetlain witnessed several meetings of the Semi-Annual Conference. He noted with awe the “thousands of people from all parts of the Territory…to attend the conference. Some have come nearly 300 miles bringing their wives + children with them. There must be 12 to 15000 strangers in town.” (I, 5 October 1867) During the October 1867 conference, he reported on young men receiving their missions, an important tenant of the Church, as well as a speech on Joseph Smith’s unwritten revelation about the second coming of Christ: “Almost 200 young men living mostly in this city have been selected by this conference to go into the extreme southern portion of the Terr’y to strengthen the new settlements. They are sent on a Mission + are advised to many before going there. Elder Orson Hyde in a sermon a few days ago stated this fact. During Joe Smiths ministry he (Smith) asked the Lord for a sign of his second coming. He rec’d no reply for some time, but at length, the Lord told that if he Smith should live till he was 84 years of age he should see Christ + according by some of the Mormons look for Christ’s coming by or before the year 1889. The above Revelation made known to some friends but never put it in writing.” (I, 9 October 1867).

 

Chetlain became a frequent guest of Brigham Young. He describes an early visit to Young’s dairy farm: “I went with my wife. Prest. Y[oung] took one of his wives, Miss Snow + also Miss Alexander out with him. One of his wives is in charge of the household affairs on the farm. The dinner was elegant + the Pres’t. did the honor very gracefully. He is a very genial man in society + understands the art of entertaining. He has a large dairy on this farm + makes large quantities of butter + cheese. We visited the cheeseroom where we found a scene of very fine large cheeses. Some of his cows are blooded stock. The farm is a very valuable one.” (I, 5 June 1867). On 25 September 1867, he visited Young’s “grapery” where “he has several varieties - among which are the Isabella, Catawba, Muscat, +c. His crop will amount to 4 to 5 tons + be mostly turned into wine. We also visited the old homestead where his first wife is living. She is quite an old lady.” (I, 25 September 1867)

 

A man of culture, Chetlain was often a guest at parties, dinners, and cotillions, as well as an attendant of the Salt Lake Theater. He describes his first visit on 3 April 1867: “The Theater built by Prest. Young is a very fine affair. It is of medium size, well arranged inside with a very large stage, parquette, + three galleries. The decorations are very fine, especially the stage scenery. There is not as beautiful a theater west of St. Louis or Chicago. Brigham Young was present last evening, with one of his wives.” 

 

Chetlain and his wife were very social and active in the Mormon-dominated social scene in Salt Lake City. One of the most interesting engagements was when they had an excursion with the female poets Hannah T. King (1808-1886) and Eliza Snow (1804-1887), the latter both a wife of Church founder Joseph Smith and, after Smith's death, the 10th wife of Brigham Young. Chetlain writes of the day: “We met there Miss Eliza Snow, who is a poetess of some merit + who is one of the wives (sealed) of Prest. Young. We meet also a Miss King a poetess + a woodswoman who also writes bylines for the papers, a most splendid dinner was provided by Miss K - who is evidently a most excellent housekeeper - we all enjoyed the day very much.” (I, 24 May 1867). 

 

Chetlain visited with Young and other prominent Latter-Day Saints with great frequency, sometimes nearly daily. In September 1867, he even joined Young on an extended excursion around other Utah settlements. The party included “ten apostles with us Viz. Lorenzo Snow, Geo. A. Smith, John Taylor, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Erastus Snow, Geo Q. Cannon, Wilford Woodruff, Ezra Benson, + C.C. Rich. F.D. Richards is in England on a Mission + there is a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve occasioned by the defection of Elder Amasa Lyman whose place will be filled at the fall conference.” Other prominent Elders on the trip included Abraham Smoot (former mayor of Salt Lake City) and John Taylor (later 3rd president of the Church). Amelia Folsom Young (1838-1910), Young’s fifty-first plural wife who became one of his most prominent social companions in this period of his life, also joined the excursion. From September 2nd through 17th, the group traveled north to Centerville, Farmington, Ogden, Willard, Brigham City, Logan, Hyde Park, Franklin, Liberty (Bear Lake Valley), Paris, and St. Charles. At nearly every location, Chetlain noted the “crowds to see the President + his party” (I, 2 Sept. 1867), and how groups of “well-mounted militia” would meet them to escort them into town. Once there, they dined with local leaders, and Young and the other Elders would speak and give enthusiastically attended services. 

 

Mormon Theology & Polygamy

 

Throughout his time with the Mormons, Chetlain was proactive in educating himself on their beliefs. Within the first months of relocating to Utah, he read extensively - both works about Mormons by outsiders and their own theological texts, including the Book of Mormon (appendix, vol. I); Elder Orson Pratt’s Celestial Marriage, +c. (appendix, vol. I)  and Pre-Existence of Man (17 May 1867), which Chetlain describes as “a strange doctrine”; and “Joseph Smith’s account of the Mormon revelations made to him in 1831 & 1832.” (19 May 1867).

 

Chetlain’s interactions and writings range from a very neutral to favorable view of the Mormons, though he never converted and typically visited the Episcopal church on Sundays. In the appendix of the first volume, he includes an 8-page outline titled “What the Mormons Believe + Teach.” He lists 20 major tenets, including “11. Polygamy or plurality of wives,” followed by an essay that includes his own thoughtful impressions: “Polygamy is practiced by nearly all the leading Mormons, particularly if they are rich. No such marriage is contracted without the permission of Prest. Young. About one-fifth of all the men of this people practice polygamy. Schools are numerous in all parts of the Terr’y but their schools are not first class in part of management +c. The men almost universally favor polygamy while the women dislike the system + enter it only from a sense of religious duty. The people of this Territory are as a general thing industrious, thrifty, moral* (*barring polygamy) + temperate. The will of Prest. Young is law in the church in things temporal as well as in things spiritual. His power is absolute. Salt Lake City has a population of nearly 20,000. Its municipal reputations are admirable + licentiousness, drunkenness + rowdyness are unknown. There is not a bawdy house in the city.” Throughout the diary itself, he will often note when a person is married to multiple women and the number of children they have. 

 

On 4 January 1868, he writes on the occasion of Brigham Young’s 52nd marriage to Mary Van Cott: “It is said that Prest Young last evening was married to Miss Van Cott a young woman some years ago divorced from her husband Mr. Cobb a Mormon. She is some 26 to 28 years of age good-looking, intelligent, + lady like in her manners. At the same time + place, Gen. Clawson Merchant of this city was married to one of the President’s daughters, Miss Emily, a very beautiful + interesting girl of some 18 years of age. This is Gen C’s fourth wife, one of them being an elder sister of Miss Emily Young. Such is life among the 'Latter Day Saints.'” A few months later, he writes with incredulity on the occasion of his next marriage to Ann Eliza Webb: “It is reported that Brigham Young has recently married again. I doubt the correctness of the report. His last wife was taken less than four months ago.”

 

He also includes news from the United States government and others, in regards to their stance on the subject. Chetlain was a Mason and visited the local lodge several times where he learned that: “The Masonic Lodge here have refused to admit Mormon Masons 1st because of polygamy + 2nd because of the obligation assumed by them as members of that church which is believed to unfit them to be good masons.” (5 February 1868). He comments about the Federal government’s interest as well “A singular bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives at Washington looking to discouraging polygamy by giving women in this Terr’y the right of suffrage. Such a law will do no good. Mormon women will not vote against polygamy.” (16 March 1869)

 

In a meeting with Brigham Young, Jr. (1836-1903), Chetlain prognosticates on the succession of Brigham Young and the future of polygamy: “It is generally believed that he will be the success[or] of his father. Many Mormons believe that the rightful successor of Brigham Sr. is David Smith the posthumous son of Joseph Smith now residing in Iowa. David Smith is a young man of fair ability, + though a Mormon does not accept the doctrine of plurality of wives. It is the opinion of many that in the event of the death of the present head of the church, there will be a division among them. The believers in polygamy will adhere to Brigham Jr. while the Josephites or anti-polygamists will follow David Smith.”

 

Other Western Adventures: Native Americans, Gold Rush, & the Union Pacific Railroad

 

While in the West, Chetlain was also afforded the opportunity to meet with Native Americans. He frequently reported on raids and violence, noting Mormon militia groups: “Prest. Young started this morning for the southern part of this Territory to what sometimes called [like in] southern states, “Dixie”. He has a large mounted escort with him + may be absent here one month. He visits that part of the Terr’y every year. The Indian[s] are getting troublesome south of here, in this Ter’y. A company of Mormon militias left here today, well armed + mounted, to look after the Indians + protect the people. They will be gone all summer. It is understood the Gov’t has consented to give this company cavalry pay. Last year they were paid by the Church + by voluntary contributions.” (22 April 1867).

 

During his first summer, a memorable meeting took place between Chetlain and Washakie (ca. 1804/1810-1900), the leader of the Eastern Shoshones: “The Shoshones are around the Fort in great numbers. Their Chief “Washkie” is a most splendid specimen of the red man. He is a kind-hearted Indian + trusts that he never killed a white man.” (6 July 1867). 

 

On the same day, Cheltain heard his first reports that “Gold has been discovered 100 miles NE of here…men are flocking there in great numbers. Many are from Salt Lake City.” This was the beginning of the South Pass Gold Rush, and Chetlain would frequently report on the unabated excitement throughout his stay in Utah. The interest was so great that Chetlain tried “to get an interest in the Sweet Water gold mines” (12 November 1867) and even visited the gold rush town in April & May 1868. 

 

The Union Pacific Railroad was a part of the first transcontinental railroad which began in earnest after the conclusion of the Civil War. In the spring of 1868, the track advanced into Utah, and Chetlain reported that Brigham Young and others were able to secure contracts “to grade the line of the UPRR from the level of Echo Canyon to Salt Lake via Weber Kanyon distance about 90 miles. The work is to be commenced at once + to be completed in Oct. This contract will do the people of Utah a great deal of good pecuniarily.” (26 May 1868). Further contracts were secured in November: “Brigham Young has taken a contract from the UPRR to grad 100 miles west of the mouth of the Weber. Benson, Farr, + Nest, all Mormons, have a contract to grade 100 miles still further west. Brigham Young’s contract of over 60 miles east of the mouth of the Weber is about complete." (23 November 1868)

 

Final Days in Utah

 

Chetlain’s final meetings with Young were less than ideal. Writing on 9 April 1869: “Yesterday afternoon Pres’t Young delivered a terrible, bitter, + profane speech in the Tabernacle aimed principally at the US officials of the Territory. It is strange he allows himself to indulge in such remarks. No good can come of it.” Followed by his impressions from a meeting two days later: “Met Pres’t Young in the afternoon + he is not in very good health. I think he is gradually failing. He is not as robust now as he was two years ago.” Of his final meeting with Young, on April 13th, he wrote: “Called on Pres’t Young in the evening. He goes south tomorrow. He is not in good spirits.”

 

Shortly after Young’s departure, Chetlain received word of his new position under the Grant administration: “Have just learned of my appointment + confirmation as Consul to Brussels, Belgium. It is a first-class consulate + …will leave for the East soon, probably on Tuesday the 20th.” (17 April 1869). He indeed left on April 20th and headed east. While in Washington, he visited his old friend from Galena, President Grant: “paid my respects to Gen. + Mrs. Grant. We spent an evening with them + my wife + her mother lunched with them next day.” (June 1869). He then headed for his next adventure in Brussels, Belgium. 

 

Consulate in Brussels

 

After some tourism in England, he arrived in Brussels with his family. Early in his assignment, he witnessed the celebration of Mardi Gras: “another of the numerous holy days of the Roman Catholic country. The butchers of the city made a great display. A dozen or more of fat oxen were placed in platform wagons + taken around the city. Headed by a band of music, other wagons in the procession were filled with fat sheep. Troops of men + women fantastically dressed formed part of the procession.” (12 April 1870). 

 

Despite spending much of his time in Europe amidst the backdrop of war, he still managed to enjoy the arts and culture. He attended several operas including Wagner’s Lohengrin (28 March 1870), witnessed the launch of the Jules Favre balloon (25 September 1871), and went to many art exhibitions (29 September 1871). He also traveled extensively, including tours to Switzerland (June 1870),  England & Scotland (July 1871), and Germany (March 1872), along with frequent visits to France.

 

Franco-Prussian War

 

Not long after Chetlain's arrival in Europe, the Franco-Prussian War broke out. His astute observations regarding the war unfolding around him are no doubt informed by his own military background.

 

He writes of the outbreak: “Yesterday at 2 o’clock the “extras” were out containing telegrams concerning that the French government had formally declared war against Prussia. There is great excitement in this city in consequence. The French nature is united in its determination to punish the arrogant Prussians. The Prussians seem to be as United in resenting the insults the French have heaped on them. A battle will soon be fought probably on the banks of the Rhine or at some point near the frontier.” (16 July 1870). Two days later, he observed the first movements of troops: “The railroads are running as usual. Trains loaded with troops are passing towards the French frontier...Found no difficulty in getting along + had it not been for the trains loaded with troops I would never have suspected that war have been declared. Among the regular soldiers, I noticed a good deal of enthusiasm but the new troops just leaving their homes to join their regiments there was no enthusiasm apparent. The men looked sullen + spiritless.” (18 July 1870).

 

In the ensuing months, he writes regularly of the ongoing war, especially the Siege of Metz, the Battle of Sedan, the Surrender of Metz, and the Siege of Paris. After the battle of Sedan, he wrote: “We have news up to 4.40 yesterday pm from the battle near Montmedy. The carnage is represented as being frightful + the French were being driven back.” (1 September 1870). A few weeks later, he visited the battlefield himself: “We saw the village of Bazeilles which had been entirely destroyed by order of the Prussians by fire. In Sedan, all was life + activity. The city was very slightly damaged…There are many hospitals in Sedan + in some of the neighboring villages nearly every house is used as a hospital. We went over a portion of the battlefield, saw where the French troops were at the time of the capitulation. The city of Sedan is full of strangers, mostly persons who have come to see the battlefield. We returned to this city the morning of the 19th all having enjoyed the excursion.” (19 September 1870). 

 

He noted the vast numbers of French refugees in Belgium, growing daily due to the ongoing siege: “The city is literally full of strangers, mostly French families from Paris. The Hotels are filled + travelers have great difficulty in getting accommodations. The state of things will probably continue until there is a change at Paris.” (24 September 1870).

 

Interestingly, Civil War Generals Philip Sheridan and Ambrose Burnside came to Europe in order to observe the war as guests of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck and Prussian King Friedrich. In October, Chetlain hosted a reception for his former colleagues: “Last evening we gave Gen. Sheridan a reception at our house. There were present about 60 Americans. The evening passed off very pleasantly + all present seemed to enjoy themselves very much. We expected Gen. Burnside would have been present but he did not arrive in town in time.” (26 October 1870). 

 

1871 Paris Commune & the Communards

 

Paris ultimately surrendered at the end of January 1871 and Chetlain wrote extensively on the negotiations. During the Siege of Paris, the Paris National Guard and several radical and socialist political groups rallied the working class and became highly politicized. The National Guard units tried to seize power on 31 October 1870 and again on 22 January 1871. In March, however, the conflict escalated further when the regular army attempted to remove cannons from Montmartre, and the radicals formed the Paris Commune, flying a red flag in place of the French tricolour and beginning a brief civil war. 

 

Remarkably, Chetlain was in Paris during the earliest days of the conflict and was caught in the street violence. He wrote of his experience on 24 March 1871: “The crowd marched several thousands + as they marched they shouted Vive l'ordre + Vive la Republique at the end of the Rue de la Paix the men stopped by several hundred insurgents placed across the street at the Place Vendome. A party ensued, the shouting still continuing. Soon one of the insurgents fired in the air which was followed by ...  more shots of the same kind. The crowd did not falter. Another volley was fired over their heads, the shot taking effect on the second + third stories of the buildings on either side of the street. Soon after a terrific volley was discharged directly into the crowd of unarmed men producing a fearful slaughter + scattering the crowd. Mr. [illegible] by my side was wounded in the arm + another man was killed. I took refuge in a building, 220 10 Rue de la Paix + remained there until the firing had ceased. When I returned to look out on the street, it was entirely cleared. The bodies of six men were lying there. I after learned that 10 were killed in the spot + that some 25 men wounded, many mortally. The excitement that followed this fusillade was terrific - every store, shop, + cafe in that part of Paris was closed…One American named Hennel or Tirnnel was killed during this fusillade. I soon left for the Legation of the US to report what I had seen.”

 

Safely in Brussels, he reports of continued French refugees and violence in Paris, especially the culmination of the conflict called “Semaine Sanglante” or “the Bloody Week.” Writing on 24 May, 1871: “This morning we learn that the entire city is taken - that the tri coloure flag waves from the heights of Montmartre. The whole of France in fact all the civilized world will be rejoiced at the result achieved yesterday. It will be seen as a memorable day in France.” His jubilation is premature, however, as he writes of the massacre of prisoners by the Communards days later: “The Archbishop of Paris Abbe Degurerry + President Bonjeans with 64 other hostages held as prisoners in the M? Prison were brutally killed. The enemy of the Versailles Troops saved the lives of over one hundred other hostages. The slaughter on both sides for three days past has been frightful. Some 50,000 have been killed. The great part are insurgents, many being women + children.” (29 May 1871). 

 

Final Days in Europe & Return to America

 

After the conclusion of the violence in Paris, things quieted in Belgium. In autumn of the same year, Chetlain received word of the Great Chicago Fire: “By Today’s telegrams, we learn that a fire broke out the night of the 9th in the morning of the 9th in Chicago raging all day + destroying the business part of the city. It is reported that thirty squares are burnt, that 12,000 houses are destroyed, that 50,000 people are without shelter. Unless the matter is greatly exaggerated it is one of the most if not the most destructive fires that ever visited a city in the United States. It is even more destruction than the terrible fire in New York of 1834.” (10 October 1871). An Illinois native, Chetlain had many acquaintances and colleagues in Chicago, and the news clearly affected him greatly. He was involved in a fundraising campaign just a few days later: “The Americans held a meeting in Paris on Saturday last + raised over $50,000 for the sufferers in Chicago. The Belgians here …yesterday commenced raising funds for the same object.” (17 October 1871). 

 

Chetlain tendered his resignation and returned to the United States in the spring of 1872. He then pursued a career in business, establishing a bank with his colleague, Mr. O.E. Moore. He reports from Chicago on 26 July 1872: “With Mr. OE Moore, am getting up a National bank in the west side. A permit was obtained by Mr. M from the controller of the currency to establish a National Bank in the west side a month ago.” The plans proceeded accordingly and he wrote on October 5th: “Our bank opened for the transaction of business on the morning of the 3rd. We opened a number of accounts the first day. Business prospect good.”

 

In one of the final entries in the last volume of his journal, he gave an account of dining again with his fellow Galenian, President Grant: “Yesterday PM I went to the house of W.S. Collector Judd to join a lunch party given to Prest + Mrs. Grant. Some 25 ladies + 100 gentlemen were present, comprising many of our leading citizens. The affair was set up in remarkable good taste. In the evening with my wife…attended a reception given to the Prest + Mrs. Grant by Geo. L. Pullman. Some 200 persons were present. The affair was one of the most brilliant I have ever attended in Chicago. The Prest. + family leave for Washington this morning.’ (8 May 1873).

 

Over the course of 6 years and well over 700 pages, these diaries allow us as readers to experience a remarkable American life. The greatest diary we have encountered. 

 

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