American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-12-25


was identified as belonging to an srtil.
leryman who had been missing for sew
eral days. The prisoners stated that
the man passed Fort Bridger on his way
to Salt Lake, and there exchanged belts
with him.
Oct. 15.--Continued up Hams
Fork for the last three days route
very rough; and camped about four
M les below the California Road Dab.
bits Cut-ofl,) Yesterday Jefferson
Hickman was released, and sent with
an express to Brigham. An express
was also sent to Col. Johnson, inform.
ing him of our movements. The ad.
vance party this morning nearly cop.
tured some Mormons who were setting
fire to the grass in this bottom. 1t
has been decided to remain here until
we receive some intelligence from Col.
johnson and the trains on the road.
Oct. ia party of about 100
mounted volunteers, Soldiers and team
sters, under the command Of Capt.
Marcy, of the 5th Infantry, left camp
this morning at daylight, for the pur-
pose OF exploring the country between
this and Muddy Greek, ia stream mid
way between this point and Fort Bridg-
err Capt. NcalandLieutenants Bantch-
ard, Lewis and Lynde, of the 9Th, aud
Lieut.. Gore, of the 10th Infantry, ac-
companied him.
They had not gone more than two
miles from camp before party Of SIS
mormons came suddenly upon them
from the rear. Our party Immediate
ly formed OH hill side, and the Nor
mons drew up in a line, two deep with
in about $50 yards. Their Captain
then advanced half way, and held
talk with Capt. Marcy. He declared
1t to be the purpose of the Mormons
to resist any attempt on the part of the
United States troops to advance, and
also that it was by Brigham order
that the trains had been burnt.
After this parley they were permit
ted to move of unmolested. They had
not gone far before they commenced
shaking their blankets, yelling loud
curses and shouts of defiance. The
ANIMALS OF our party were so weak that
pursuit would have been useless.
Soon after some men of our party,
headed by Jim Baker, and old noun
taineer and guide, for the command,
rode to the top of a hill and discover
ed the Mormons at the foot, on the
bank of a creek. The Mormons no
sooner saw them than one of them fir
ed, where-upon cur party returned
the fire, wounding one and putting
them all to flight, they no doubt sup
posing that our whole party were up
on them. Baker pursued them more
than mile, and found scattering along
the route several packages of provisions
which had been dropped in their hasty
flight.
Our party arrived at Lower Spring s,
about II miles from Hams Fork. -
Soon after starting on our return to
camp we surprised party Of five Nor
mons who We're carrying supplies to
the party seen in the morning, two Of
whom we're captured, and proved to
be the leaders and important persona
ges. They gave their names as Col
onel Taylor and Adjutant Stowell. -
Their pack animals (hree mules and
two horses) were captured, with their
loading, some 600 lbs. -four and other
provisions.
Important dispatches were found up
on the person Of Taylor, from Lieu
tenant General Wells, at Fort Bridg-
es, directing all the parties in the neigh
| borhood of Green River to return and
concentrate in advance Of the troops
on Bear River, and stating that there
were some 800 United States dragons
on their way to reinforce our command.
They were further directed to burn
the grass, steal the animals, fell trees
IN our path, and in every possible man
ner annoy US by night and by day.
In consequence of this information,
Capt. Marcy was sent back oct. 1S)
with two companies, to meet Colonel
johnson, as we apprehend that our ex-
presses may have been captured, and
1t was also decided that we should re-
turn ana 60 into winter quarters on
Henry's Fork of Green River, as the
cattle and mules of the command were
very weak. Soon after Capt. Marcy
had left, two expresS.men came into
camp bringing word from Brigham
Young, the purport Of it being that
he did not blame the officers and SOL
diers, as they were merely tools in the