The Kanzas news., 1857-12-26

their geographical position To reach Salt
Lake from the east, il is necessary to pass
through canon of twenty-five miles, under
hills SO steep and rocky that dozen men
could hurl down an avalanche of stones on
an approaching caravan and even in the
event of several thousand troops reaching
the valley, the besieged, with their herds,
would take to the mountains, and, reinforced
by their savage allies, would in turn besiege
their besiegers, and cut off supplies until
the invaders had been starved out.
They have, it is said, 10000 Indian al
lies, whom they are ready to furnish with
arms and horses on an emergency. These
Indians are partially instructed in the Nor
mon religion-enough to make them super
stitious in regard to the God of a superior
race, yet modifying none of their ferocity
With allies like these, and fighting for theil
homes, and, according to the belief of the
Ignorant. under the direct supervision of the
God of Battles, and from the ramparts with
which nature has surrounded them, it is
easy to see what would be the fate of few
thousand troops, who travelled a thousand
miles to fight their own countrymen, brave
as themselves, as we'll armed, better used to
field life, and stimulated by their love Of
home and family, and assured of victory by
the revelations of their prophets"
We CLEAN few more items relative to the
Utah movement, which will be found inter
esting:
Brigham Young, who, if he does moi
flee, may be the first man around whose
neck the halter Is to be drawn in the United
States for high treason, was born at White
haven, Vermont, on the 1st of June, 1901.
His father was farmer, originally from a
town in the vicinity of Boston, and young
Brigham is said never to have been at school
but thirteen days. He has manifested a
very strong mind since he has presided over
the Mormons, and has spread that imposture
over the whole civilized world, sending hun
dreds of missionaries to make proselytes.
Col. Cook, who commands the rear guard
of the Utah expedition, was near Fort Lara
mie when the express met him, and doubt
less delivered orders from Col. Johnston
He had FIVE days previously encountered
the snow storm, which the express related
as having extended hundred miles west,
and fully seven inches deep all the distance.
Accounts from Washington generally
concur in stating that the War Department
anticipates no inconvenience from the loss
of the wagons destroyed, or the provender
they contained There was an abundance
of supplies of every description to last till
October next, and the trains destroyed con-
stituted only one-sixth part of the whole
The supplies destroyed were such things as
could be readily spared or replaced-and
there need be no apprehension on that ac-
count.
Among the documents is letter from
Col. Johnston, dated from the camp on the
three wings of the Sweetwater, addressed to
Adiulant General Mcdowell, New York, in
which he confirms the burning of the con-
tractors trains by the Mormons. He says
the Governors escort is four days march
behind him, with two companies of dra-
goons. He knows of no reason why Col.
Alexander should attempt to reach Salt Lake
by Bear River, excepting from fear that the
Mormons have burnt the grass on the short
er route He adds eff could commu-
nicate with Col. Alexander, l would direct
him to take up a good position for the win
ter at Hams Fork. The road is beset be-
tween this and Hams Fork with companies
OF 0lOTInOHS, 81 IL 10 OOuOIlul IL SId1 DC
able to communicate with Col. A"
1t is supposed at the War Department that
the troops are all in good condition, as no
thingto the contrary is said in the dispatches.
A letter from an officer of the army saws
the troops will concentrate at Soda Springs,
from whence there is a road along valley
to Salt Lake City, open. it is said, even in
mid winter. 1t is thought that early in the
spring the Mormons will quit Salt Lake,
and enigrate to Vancouver's Island or the
Sandwich Islands.
Washington news. of the Gath ult., state
that orders were issued On that day from the
War Department for two columns of troops
one from California and the other from
Oregon-to proceed to Utah, as soon as the
necessary substance for them can be OBJ
tanned"