, 1857-12-18
Capt. Van VIeil'S Official Account Of his
Visit 10 Utah.

HANS FORK, Sept. l6, 1851.
CArrAlN-I have the honor to report
for the information of the Commanding
General, the result of my trip to the Terri
tory of Utah.
In obedience to special instructions, da
ted Headquarters Army for Utah, Fort
Leavenworth, July 2S, 1857, left Fort
Leavenworth July 80; and reached Fort
Kearney in nine travelling days, Fort Lar.
mie in ten, and Great Salt Lake City in
thirty-three and half AT Fort Kearney
| was detained one day by the changes
had to make and by sickness, and at Fort
Larmie three days, as all the animals were
forty miles from the post, and when brought
in, all had to be shod before they could
take the road | Travelled as rapidly as it
was possible 10 do with six mule wagons.
Several of my teams broke down, and at
least half Of my animals are unservicable,
and will remain so until they recruit. Du-
ring my progress towards Utah l met
many people from that Territory, and also
several mountain men at Green river, and
all informed me that would not bc allow
ed to enter Utah, and if did, would run
great risk of losing my life l treated oil
this, however, as idle talk but it induced
me TO leave my wagons and escort at Hams
Fork, l43 miles this side of the city, and
proceed alone.
1 reached Great Salt Lake City without
molestation, and Immediately upon my ar
rival 1 informed Gov. Brigham Young that
| desired an interview, which he appointed
for the next day. On the evening of the
day of my arrival, Gov. Young, with many
Of the leading men of the city, called upon
mc at my quarters. The Governor re-
ceived me most cordially, and treated me
during my stay, which continued some six
days, with the greatest hospitality and
kindness. In this interview the Governor
made known to me his views with regard
to the approach Of the United States
troops in plain and unmisiakable language
He stated that the MOFmons had been
prosecuted, murdered and robbed, in Mis-
souri, and Illinois, both by the mob and
State authorities, and that now the United
States were about to pursue the same
course, and that, therefore, be aud the peo
pie Of Utah had determined to resist all
PeIseCutiOh Nv IuS cViniheuceuentl auu tuht
the troops n0'o on the march for Oiah should
net enter the Great Sak Lake VALLEY, As
he uttered these words, all those present
concurred most heartily in what he said
The next day, as agreed upon, / called
upon the Governor and delivered in person
the letters with which l had been entrusted.
In that interview, and in several subse-
quent ones, the same determination to re-
sist TO the death the entrance Of the troops
into the Valley was expressed by Governor
Young and those about him. The Gov
ernor informed me that there was abund-
ance ofeverything required for the troops,
such as lumber, forage, &C., but that none
would be sold 10 US.
Tn tbe course Of nv conversation with the
Goyerncr and the influential men in the
Territory told them plainly and frankly
What I conceived Would be the resnlt of
their nresent course told them that
tbsv might nrevent tie small military force
now a1proachinr Utah from getting
throuob the narrow defiIes and Tu0ged
masses Of the mountains this wear. but that
next season the United States government
would send troops sufficient TO overcome All
onnosition The answer 10 this was inva.
riably the same: I'VE are aware that such
will be the case, but when. those troops ar
rive they will hnd Utah a desert, every
house will be burned 10 the ground, every
tree cut down, and every 6eld laid waste.
We have three years provisions on hand,
which we will "cachep and then take 10 the
mountains aud bid defiance to all the pow
ers Of the governpentp 1 attended their
service on Sunday, and In the course OF 81
sermon delivered by Elder Taylor, he re-
ferred to the approach Of the troops and
declared that thoy should not enter the
Territory. He then referred 10 the proba-
bility of an Overpowering force being sent
against them, and desired oil persons who
would apply the torch TO their own bull
dings, cut down their trees, and lay waste
their fields, to hold up their hands; every