connor remained in command of the district of utah until it was merged in march 1865 into the district of the plains, established at his suggestion that a "department of the plains" be created which he would command. the new district, in the department of the missouri, combined the former districts of utah (redesignated west subdistrict), nebraska territory (east subdistrict), colorado territory (south subddistrict), and the territory of idaho (north subdistrict). connor was named commander of the new district.