The district was composed of territorial areas that later became parts of the modern U.S. states of Idaho, Nevada, and 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 Mormon leadership who he regarded as traitors to the Union.
[1] On August 20, 1863, the area of Soda Springs, Idaho Territory was added to the district.
On March 28, 1865, the district was merged into the Department of the Plains, under Connor's command.