General P. Edward Connor was born in County Kerry, Ireland, and migrated to the United States, with his parents, at a very early period of life.
Having reached the age of manhood, he enlisted in the regular army of the United States, and served an honorable term, as private, for five years, on the frontier.
At the breaking out of the Mexican War, he raised a company of Texas Volunteers, and as captain, led them with distinguished success and heroism at the battle of Buena Vista. He was mentioned in official dispatches, with high encomiums for bravery. At this battle he was severely wounded, and received a pension from the Government. At the close of the war he settled upon the Pacific coast.
Captain Connor resided in Stockton, California, for ten years, prior to the rebellion, engaged in private business, wherein he attained a handsome competence.
He was married at Stockton, and now has two children living. During his residence in Stockton, Captain Connor took an active interest in military affairs, and commanded a uniform company.
At the breaking out of the present rebellion, he was tendered the appointment of Colonel of the Third Regiment of Infantry, California Volunteers. With the expectation that his regiment was to be sent East, he promptly raised and organized it.
The exigencies of the service, however, required his presence in Utah, and in the summer of 1862 he led the 3d Infantry, and part of the 2d Cavalry, Cal. Vol., across the Plains, in a most successful, though arduous march, and established his camp where it would command the City of the Saints.
Amid the snows and storms of the winter of 1862-63, he planned and prosecuted a successful campaign against hostile Indians, and on the 29th of January, 1863, fought the hard battle of Bear River, defeating and almost annihilating the savages, under the leadership of Bear Hunter and Lehigh.
For the brilliancy of this action, Col. Connor was promoted by the President to be Brigadier-General of United States Volunteers, which rank he now retains.
He is a man of strong common sense, excellent and quick judgment, invincible energy and determination, firmness amounting to obstinacy, and the strictest integrity.
His administration in Utah has been eminently successful. By Brigham Young he is at once hated and feared. He is but little past forty years of age.