The Kanzas news., 1857-12-26

respondent of that journal, writing from
s.Tbe Camp, $50 miles from Fort Laramie, y
on the 18th of October, says:
''On the 9Th of October the two regiments
of infantry, and the artillery and ordnance
batteries were encamped on Hams Fork,
which branches from Blacks Fork, which
is fork of Green River. The two nearest
supply trains were but few miles distant
! from Green River, on the east bank, and
about 80 miles from Col. Alexander's camp.
| The next on the road had advanced about 90
miles west from Pacific Springs, which rise
at short distance beyond the South Pass.
About 10 O'Clock at night these three trains
were surprised and seized by parties of
Mormons, their contents examined, and
what was worth pillaging was stolen, and
the remainder destroyed by fire. Each
| train consisted of 26 wagons, and belonged
to the number sent out by Messrs. Russell
4 Waddell, of Leavenworth city, contract
ors for the transportation of stores to the
army, and for the supply of beef cattle
]. The teamsters made no resistance, and were
unharmed. These Mormon bands are un-
derstood to be under the command of ''Bill'
| Hickman, although it is rumored that Heber
G. Kimball attends. They are well mount
| ed and armed, each man being provided
with California horse, and with rife and
from one to three revolyers. Hickman Is
supposed to have directed the proceeding
near Pacific Springs, while a man named
Locksmith commanded near Green River.
Immediately upon the receipt of the news
of this attack, Col. Alexander sent Captain
Marcy, of the 9th infantry, with five COM
panies, back to Grand River. He arrived,
however, only in season to take charge of
the cattle of the trains, which the Mormons
had left, with the polite request that the
| troops would fatten them over winter, when
they would be in condition for Mormon eat
ing in the spring. Another of their jeuz
d'esprt was remark to the teamsters that
they chad only burned the wagons this
time, but would be likely to burn the wag
oners the next" Col. Alexander also sent
dispatches to Brevet-Col Smith, from whose
camp l am writing, and Capt. Marcy sent
by another messenger circular letter to the
trains on the road, advising them, for the
sake of safety, to place themselves under
Col. Smiths protection. Both expressmen
were intercepted by the Mormons, but as
nothing suspicious was fou nd on their per-
sons, and it did not appear on what errands
| they were bound, they were released. The
one from Col Alexander, perceiving that it
was impossible to avoid arrest, destroyed the
dispatches to Col. Smith, according to his
instructions, and we are ignorant of their
contents. The other brought Capt. Marcy's
circular safely through in the toe of his
moccasin.
We know, however, in the absence of the
official dispatches, that Capt. Marcy has re-
o1 4 fha
force has moved to the north along Bear
will probably await the arrival of the re-
naming supply trains. the suffers trains of
the 9Th and 10th infantry, and of Colonel
Smiths battalion. The reasons for this
movement do not appear by glance at the
map to person unacquainted minutely with
the conformation of the country and the
character of the climate. The direct road
to Salt Lake City, passing Fort Bridger,
Medicine Butte and the Needles, which Col.
Alexander has abandoned. is possibly by this
time impossible to wagons or artillery, on
account of the weather. The season, which
has been uncommonly favorable up to the
beginning of October, has resumed its nat
ural severity. The Mormons have probably
burned the grass along that entire route,
and obstructed the defiles in which it abounds
in such manner that only artillery could
clear them. But if the army concentrates at
Soda Springs, it will have before it road
along valley, open, it is said, even at mid
winter, direct to Salt Lake City.
The Mormons who intercepted the ex-
pressmen told them they had force of 700
men scattered along through the mountains
as far east as the DEVILS Gate, through
which the Sweetwater flows, about 200 miles
from Fort Laramie, and near which is dis
mantled Mormon mail station, at a fire from
some of whose logs we warmed our feet not
week ago. But this must be a gross ex-
ageration. Neither of the parties which
burned the trains exceeded 100 in number,
and it is difficult to conceive how force of
even that strength could have gained the
rear of the army unobserved. It is fact,
however, that ever since the Mormons set
| tied on Salt Lake, they have been assidious
in collecting information concerning the
| topography of the country, and many of
| their leaders understand il as thoroughly as
the most experienced mountain guide. The
employment of a great part of their young
men in herding cattle has made them &C
! quainted with every little stream and kan
! yon, and Injured them to the saddle. It is
these young men, and these almost solely,
who constitute the element of the Mormon
military force, from which there is danger
to be apprehended. They possess the abil
ity, if they have the will, to carry on an
annoying guerilla warfare, sweep ping Gown
from mountain passes upon single travellers
and unprotected trains"
Further dispatches received at Washing
and show the determination of Col. John
ston, who is in command of the forces, to
winter in Salt Lake valley. They also bring