Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-11-11
From the Missouri Rspu0lican.

49, 49, Inc MdTCn U OtdHs1 -
1t sives US pleasure to learn by adyices as late
as October 7th, from Fort Kearny, that the
rear guard ut the "sAuny for Utah, compos-
ed Of Elk companies of, United States Dragons,
under the command of Lieut., Col. Cooke, had
passed that point in fine health and spirits. and
are, now doubtless near Laramie. Considering
the lateness Of the season and the nature of the
country which this command must traverse in
order to reach its destination, their safe arrival
in Utah in fit condition for immediate service is
beyond the hopes of the most sanguine of those
acquainted with the difficulties which must
surround them. This portion of the Utah ar
my will probably reach the Salt Lake City as
early as the Goth of November. To give some
idea of the natural obstacles to contend with in
this march, extract the following from wri-
ter whose frontier service has falniliarized him
with hardship and danger: y asaH
"In 1916 marched with COL Kearny to the
South Pass with six companies 1st Dragons; it
was the most favorable season. We passed
Fort Laramie in June in front of the immigra-
ton; the first march was 81 miles before water
and grass in spfficiency We're found together"
(Note-the ordinary march of cavalry is IL
miles) "a desolate artemesia country prevails
beyond Repeatedly we had to make difficult
ford of the North Fork Platte River to reach
grass. On the Sweetwater there was in June
and July frequently black frost. Leaving the
worst horses at Laramie end in one or two ofthe
best spots beyond, think not the half Of the
command went as far as the South Pass. This
Pass is in Latitude 49, The extensive Pied
monte to the east-near 1000 feet Highland
to the west, where there is very little descent
and mountain range beyond, have snow by the
end of September. At later period, however,
small parties of much experience-mail carriers
and travellers with extra mules and supplies of
corn, knowing all the best small spots OF grass
and places of refuge from storms-may get
through, but these advantages are not possessed
by large bodies of troops"
1t is an unquestonable fact, that cacal'y, I'M
der the most favorable circumstances, after a
march of 1900 miles, would not have horses ca
pable of immediate dctire service but march,
as it were, commenced with frost, through a
treeess desert, which must be prolonged through
the SHOWS of fall and winter we can scarcely
hope will escape disaster, nay, rather, dnnahala-
tion Such march, if successful, would rank
beside the Retreat from Moscow, or the more
famous Retreat of the Ten Thousand"
1t is not the equal-handed foe with which
this army have to contend on the march, but
the stern, never varying unrelenting, inexora-
BILE, though just laws of nature, holding their
mysterious and undisputed sway over the unin-
habited waste,
The officers engaged in this perlous under
taking have, by their long, able and faithful SER
vice, given to their country the assurance that
whatever can be done, aoill be.
We bid them God speed, and if their lucky
star should prevail. the praise which greatful
country will bestow. will be proportionate to
the magnitude of the difficulties over which
they will have triumphed.
If they should fail, nobler sacrifice was new
er made to "honor and duty" y.