The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-29
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENTS FROM THE
UTAH EXPEDITION

HEADQuARTns Army or UTAH,
Blacks Fork three miles below
Mouth Of Ham Fork route TO
Salt Lake City, Nov. 8, 1857
MAJOR / have the honor TO inform you that arrived
here ON the 30 inst This place designated in com
muncton TO Colonel Alexander subsequent TO my let
ter to you Of the 18th of October from the South f as
the at which the force consisting OF one squadron OF
dragoon two companies of the tenth infantry and one
company OF vounteersn all about three hundred men,
under the command of Col c. Il. Smith, charged with
the duty of protecting the trains OF supplies for the
could with the most facility join the main body Colonel
smith, with his command and the numerous trains guar-
cd by il, reached here the Sd instant The march
slow and tedious, and effected in eight daysayer-
aging eleven miles per day Although the road was
cellent and the weather fne 1t not possible to
make any more rapid progress, on account o. The
broken down condition of the daught animals Trains,
including settlers and merchants, destined for Salt
Lake, (Which / would not allow to go on in as
close order they could be made to travel, oecu-
pied q space of five or six miles. No molestation
whatever attempted by the Momons, which may be
attributed to the presence of the cavalry and the udicous
dispositions aud vigilance of Col smith Yesterday and
to-day have been occupied in making arrangements neees-
safy for forward movement, which my orders will ex-
plain. Tomorrow viii march upon Fort Bridger and
dslodge any force may find there and await the arrival
of Col Cook when as the approach is too near
to attempt the passage of the Wasach range OF mountains
with probability Of success will seize upon the district
mentioned in my letter from South Pass, and occupy il
until an advance Is practicable.
The communications from Brigham Young to Colonel
Alexander, and Elder Taylor to Captain Marcy, and the
orders of ID. Wells, the commander of the Mormons,
herewith enclosed and the acts of the legislative assem-
bly, at the last session, show matured and settled de-
sign the part of the sect of Moons TO hold and oc
cupy this Territory independent of and irrespective of the
authority OF the United States They have with pre-
meditation placed themselves in rebellion against the
Union and entertain the insane design of establishing
form of government thoroughly despotc and utterly re-
pugnant to our institutions Occupying they do,
n he
connected with overt acts of reason ec or
ders and commissions herewith issued by the leaders,
have ordered that whenever they met with in arms
they may be treated as enemies. L
In my letter from the South Pass submitted to the
consideration of the general chief the necessity on the
part of the government OF prompt and vigorous action
that the time for any further argument is past and in
my opinion the people OF the United States must now act
submit to usurpation of their territory, and enga
ing upon institutions social organization and pot
cal principles incompatible with Lest that let
may not have been received, send herewith copy
The state of things existing has not been brought
about by the movements of troops in this direction for
these people understand the relation OF the military to the
civil power of the government as well as any other por
ton Of the inhabitants of the Union, and that the arms
of soldiers designed for the preservation OF the
peaceful condition society and not for its disturbance
Their conduct have before stated my opinion,
suits from settled determination their part not to
submit to the authority of the United States or amy other
outside Of their church. @ . Ea.4.#. r.
Enclosed is statement of the chief commissary of the
of subsistence destroyed under the orders of Brig
ham Young The loss although great is less than APP
pretended supply early in the spring must be for
warded 1t should reach here by the first of june The
supplies of the contractors suttles &c. for the employees
have been exhausted long detention with the
army not anticipated by them. 1t has become me-
cessary to give them bread, there is other
from which they obtain it. Should long interval
intervene without hearing from me- you need only attrib
ute it to the difficulty of sending expresses across the
mountains in the winter months The officers and men
in fine health and animated with ardent desire to
discharge their duties faithfully. !.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
A. s. JOHNSTON,
Col "a Cavalry, Commanding the Army Of Utah
To Major IRWIN Mcdowell,
Assist Adj Gen, Headquarters Of the Army.
p S.-We have made days march since the date
of this, and November y awaiting the arrival
of trains delayed yesterday by storm. Our trains
cupy in close order they travel the road for
thirteen fourteen miles. Therefore the cannot
move till late in the day. A. S. j. &