Even Brigham Young’s counselor Daniel H. Wells ordered blood atonement in November 1857 for a sexual act. After Governor Young declared martial law for Utah at the approach of federal troops, Wells as commanding general ordered the execution of a Mormon soldier for “committing the sin of Sodomy or Bestiality [sexual intercourse with an animal—] one of the most heinous crimes.” This court-martial occurred on 30 November, and Wells assembled all his troops the next day, requiring them to approve the judgment that twenty-one-year-old Willis Drake “be shot publicly & also the mare.” However, despite the upraised right hands of the entire company, Wells delayed the execution long enough for Brigham Young to pardon Drake. Apparently his horse was not so lucky.