The Saints and the Union: Utah Territory during the Civil War

Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1981. Hardcover. Small 4to. Blue cloth, dust jacket. xiii, 310pp. Illustrations, map, map endpapers. Near fine/very good. Minor jacket edgewear. First edition, tight and superb, of this study showing how "While the Civil War raged in the East, the Mormons in Utah Territory zealously continued to guard their cultural identity and church practices from federal control." The half-title is inscribed and signed boldly by the author in blue ballpoint: "Inscribed for Charles Wesselhoeft / a fine student of / our past. / Best Wishes, / E.B. 'Pete' Long / Chicago / March, 1981." Wesselhoeft (1917-2002) was a noted member of the Civil War Round Table of Chicago. This inscription, though dated simply "March," actually dates to Monday, March 30: the day before Long's death at the age of 61. Long had attended a Civil War Round Club meeting that night -- at which event this book, which was officially released that same day, was signed and inscribed -- the only book signing held for this title. For this reason, signed copies rarely surface -- only the second time we've encountered one, having handled dozens of unsigned copies. Laid in is an Autograph Letter Signed from Long's wife Barbara, 1p, 5 3/4" X 7½", Laramie, WY, 1981 August 18. Same recipient. On pale grey letterhead, she pens a gracious thank-you. In part: "... I have been inundated by over 400 letters & have had to resort to answering them alphabetically -- otherwise I couldn't keep track of who had been answered... I sometimes still have trouble believing it's true -- It hasn't been easy, but I can here Pete telling me to be brave and carry on & try to make a meaningful life along. It is difficult to find that meaning, but I am trying -- I still feel as if I'm existing in a strange & terrible dream...." With original envelope. DORNBUSCH IV, 2104. EICHER 953.