Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-11-20
From the Washington Union.
Important from Utah-Burnlng Of Cove lment Wag
by the Mormons.

From the Washington Union
Important from Utah-Burning Of Cove lment Wag-
by the MoImons.
The following important news appears in the ST.
Louis Republican of the 18th instant. 1t will be seen
that news had reached Lawrence that the Mormons had
burnt se7enty-fve government wagons We regret to
add that letter received in this city yesterday
from entirely reliable source confirming that ntel
gence:
Highly important intelligence has Just been received
at Fort Leavenworth, by express from Fort Laramie
with advices OF October Odd Lieut.. Col. Cookies
mand of second dragons four miles this sde and
had encountered snow-storm five days previously Col
Albert S. Johnston last heard from two hundred
and thirty miles beyond Fort Laramie and snow was
seven inches deep hundred miles this side of where
the express left him. Owing to the slim supply of
and entire absence of grass the teams of the entire
mand and the horses Of the second dragons failing
rapidly.
News had reached Laramie that the Mormons had
burnt three government trains seventy wagons near
Green river ninety miles behind Col. Alexanders com
mand doth infantry) which constituted the vanguard
of the army. It rumored that the ] 9th and 18th
infantry and the batteries of artillery would go over and
take possession Of Mormon village on Bear river fo1
winter quarters 1t is stated that the dragons had
months supply of corn at halfallowance, and not
particle of grass. With the ground at that
seems like madness for them to proceed beyond Lara
certainly such step could only be justified in view
of the prospect of actual hostiities this winter of which
| no one at this distance can Judge.
There was probably never before any portion of our
army subjected to such prvations and to whom the flu
ture presents such gloomy picture as in the case al
present with the army for Utah And it can be said
without dsparagement to others that no portion of our
army could have been better selected to battle with the
hardships of campaign which more than all Others
proves the soldier, than the army for Utah. The
commander, COL Albert S. Johnston, of the End caval
ry, stands among the first in ability in the army with
the indeatigable Major Ftzjohn Porter at his elbow
Under his command, and emulating him in his zeal o.
warriols and the respective commanders of the 10th
infantry, Colonel Alexander and the 9Th infantry Lieut.
Col. White, while the trying duty-the almost hopeless
task of conducting the rear guard 1.-THE six companies
of I'd dragoons) through snowy path to it's distant
| goal-rests with Lieut. Col Cooke. No one familiar
with the operations of army for the last twenty
years will fear that any Of these officers will prove recre
ant to the important trusts confded to them We MAY
rest assured that if upon Col Johnsons arrival on thu
verge of the Salt Lake Valley, circumstances urge thu
propriety of immediate action Extensively towards tn
Mormons 1t tCM be done with bold and decisive hand
Certainly act better calculated to hasten the nev
liable doom of Mormonism than this attempt on thei
part to destroy the army supplies. Nothing shout
shield them from the just retrbution of outraged gov
eminent.
II awe doubt if Colonel Johnston will be able whe
his whole force is concentrated, to muster over on
thousand men for duty. Such an army so far fror
the base line is too small to cope long with vigorous
resistance"