Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-11-27
The mormon War.


The official dispatches from the militia
nv now marching to Utah confirm the &C.
counts previously received of the hostile
attitude of the Mormons toward the gov
ernment. Brigham Young does not leave
his intentions at all In doubt. And the
country awakes toSfnd itself in war with
q strong body of fanaticalitraitors lodged
in wilderness, walled in by mountains.
and separated from us by a vast and. al
most trackless desert. We shall be glad
when we see the other end ofthe difficulty.
The following seems to be the present
position Of the military:
Col. Alexander is west of the Rocky
Mountains, near the borders of Utah. pos
ted on Hams Fork, tributary Of Green
River which flows into the Californian
Colorado. The Mormon General is thir-
ty miles distant at Fort Bridger. directly
in Col. Alexsnder's path to Utah. Col.
Johnston. with the1fear body OF the o; s.
troops is east OF the Rocky Mountains on
the Sweet Water, tributary OF Platte
He is about eighty or hundred miles be-
hind Col. Alexander, and the road be-
tween is beset with companies of Mormon
troops, interrupting or destroying com
munication. Col. Alexander was think
ing of forsaking the direct route and en-,
tering Utah by the circutious valley oil
Bear River, which first makes great
sweep to the North. and then turning,
empties into Great Salt Lake on its nor
thern shore. 1t is said that the Mormons
have burnt up the grass on the regular
route, and on which trains must rely for
the support of their horses and CATTLE
Col. Johnston thinks Col. Alexander
would do better to winter where he is,
but fear he cannot get to him to tell him
SO.
Gov. Cumming who is on his way out
to Utah was three days journey behind
Col. Johnston. He is accompanied by
his wife, and the new Secretary for the
Territory, and escorted by Col. Cook,
who protects the Utah mail train. When
informed Of the destruction Of the provi'
sions trains by the Mormons. Gov. G.
quitely remarked, TELL all my friends.
sir, that | started TO obey instructions
and to go into Salt Lake City, and lam
going"
Old mountaineers are predicting the
most disastrous consequences If the
troops are not able 10 fight their way into
| tho cry. nO 3 aSo OuIuOub Iuo 1o'oSS
well-Digh eaten up. winter setting in with
several deep SHOWS. much OF the com.
mand far in the rear. and a great range
Of mountains shutting it out from the
northern wintering grounds, all seemed to
give weight to the suPposiiion that the
expedition will not be successful one.
On the other hand it is asserted that
the late destruction Of the Government
wagons cannot possible embarrass the
troops now on the way to Utah. They
contain nothing but provisions-neither
arms, munitions. nor accoutrements; and
sufficient provisions for $500 men have
been sent forward; whereas but 1900
troops have been sent thither. II was
originally designed to send twice as many
there. but the state of things in Kansas
and in the Spirit Lake country caused tile
destination Of half of them to be changed.
Brigham Young has been preparing
for tue issue which he now presents. He
has called in his outposts and concentrR.
ted his strength.
On the twenty sixth of September the
Mormon colony, in Carson Valley depar.
ted in one grand train, numbering 985
men. women and children l48 wagons
and 700 head of live stock. for Salt Lake.
in obedience to his summons.