 In 1858, Colonel Kane prevented the "Utah War" between 2500 US Army soldiers, under A.S. Johnston, and the Mormons, under Kane's personal friend, Brigham Young.Thomas L. Kane was offered the Utah Territorial Governorship, but insisted that the position go to Brigham Young.Although never a religious convert to the Latter-day Saints, General Kane remained a personal, political, and legal adviser to Brigham Young until Young's death.