The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-12
THE UTAH EXPEDITION.
OFFICIAL DESPATCH FROM COLONEL JOHNSTON.
kC, &c, &c.

kc., 4c, &c.
Dispatches have been reoeivcd the War Department
from Col Johnston the commander Of the army Of Utah.
1ey include several letters from Col Alexander, com
handing the main body Of the expedition Annexed isthe
despatch from Col Johnston -
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or UTAH, !
SoUM PASS RN ROUTE TO SALE LAKE CRY,
October Is, 1851 J
MAJoR-Accompaxyng this communication send ycu
two letters from Colonel Alexander, the commander
present Of the main body Of the army OF Utah. These
let4ers refer to matters relative TO the proprety, or
whether he had the authority to assume command Of the
entire army He then goes ssypursuing his design
indicated his letter Of October you will learn from
his letter of October -hat he had advanced up Hams
Fork of Green River thirty five miles above the crossing
end there directs the TO be made by his own
immediate command and the troops in his rear to form
junction which, from erroneous suppostons, would be
wholly impractioabe.
First He evidently believes that Colonel Smith, escort
ing the remainder of the supply trains-n all about
nine, including three sutlers trans-is advanc-
ing tho Kinney road, cutoff, with the
force named in Harney's report Of August Is, and
Il he has received the countermand Of that
order He that the command in the is more
capable Of rapid than his own and, therefore,
aer waiting day the point indicated, will resume
Ills march In this aso would have been disappointed,
the trains in the rear suffering from fatigue and scar
city of and without reswhoh the teams with
him have had-could not, If where he supposed them,
overtake him. These the facts, and If known by COL
Alexander his disposition determined in his letter of
October 8, would have been entirely different.
COL S1ath Is At this camp, with fifty men of his regi
ment overlook him the day before yesterday, 10th
ss about twenty miles of this and have added my
afA~~ kc I,a,t
Smith, in command of squadron Of dragons and fifty of
Ne Tenth infantry force Of about two hundred men,
may be expected here three four days. He is aware
q the necessity Of promptness, and am will lose
3me.
Mr. william Magraw Superintendent OF the South Pass
wagon road with patriotism highly creditable 10 him,
places at the disposition Of the government as many of his
employees will volunteer. He thinks fifty sixty will
be organized and have agreed 70 accept their services
and have them mustered in for three six months
they may select and he has also rendered fifteen six
teen good teams of mules and wagons which have also
accepted and have directed them be receed for when
delivered.
-Four supply trains, containing clothing-which the
troops in advance informed, now begin TO need
ordnance medical and subsistence stores, still in the
rear, and may be expected two three days. The
Of last night may have destroyed of their
sxen and that there may be delay than
anticipate.
Eleven mules Of Col Smiths train perished last night
The thermometer this morning at sunrise at sixteen
The eky clear and the thermometer at O'Clock
stands thirty four and the small quantity Of that
fell during the night melting, that the cattle
Craze freely.
thus minute for the reason that the order trans
nted to Col Alexander yesterday morning may be fully
comprehended His intended movement, if it met with
haya hara
made impractcable, and would probably have
tangled him the midst of the deep Of the valley of
Bear rver-which understand fails fall there,
and very carly in the place him beyond the
Of cxtrcaton. Our most potent enemy at present
d the snow, and constitutes chief embarrassment.
The movement Of Col Alexander would have separated
him from supplies indspe 10 the comfort and safety
Of army and deprived him of the assistance Of the
force which will be concentrated here in few days;
which however small being partly of cavalry is OF vital
importance.
In ordering Col Alexander the mouth OF Fontcnelc
creek, a position about thirty miles from his
camp on Hams Fork, / did with design OF making
. junction practicable. II "a about seventy miles
hence, and be reach il by a good road and
withou, any danger Of surprise There there abun.
dance Of grass and is point from which reach
the region intended to occupy this winter, without risk
ing the loss OF our animals.
As as the falls Green river sufficiently TO
prevent the burning OF the grass, will march TO Henry
Fork and occupy that valley during the winter Is a
commanding position and accessible two months earlier
for renforcements and supplies by Cheyenne dss than
any other and viii enable TO march by Fort Bridger,
and the most direct route to Salt Lake City, soon
possible in the spring At this position also Col Cook
join me- which sll entertain the hope he will be
enabled to do greatly regret that the impossbiy Of
ufinr ha
supplies win prevent forward before spring
manifest that before the force be united the
autumn will be too far advanced 10 with proha
blty OF success, even though not opposed by the
Mormons.
You already apprsed, by the proclamation OF Brig
ham Young and his letter TO Colonel Alexander which
transmitted the 18th Instant OF the political attitude
assumed by the kormons and the resistance they med
tate 70 the just authority the government wishes TO
cse in the Territory, and the scnerain chief has
doubt already considered tho necessity Of conquest Of
those ratorous people, and has the force neces-
sary TO accomplish the object With full view OF the
whole subject before him, his great experience would
be benefited Wy any suggestions Of mine will mcnon
however that unless large force sent here, from the
nature cf the country protsced their par, In
evitable The great distance from OF supply
makes lmpractcable 10 operate with small force It,
fact requires the employment OF such for 10 guard tho
numerous trains OF supplies leaving but small portion
any, FOR offensive operations. movement Of troops
from California Oregon, and by this route, would term
nate war with the Mormons speedily and ecopom
caiy than if attempted by insufficient means.
In Eve or six days think will have all the available
proe for forward movemen, by tha, time the trains
will all be up though they ought 10 bo here sooner 10
twelve days from this time expect to join Col Alexan
der, At Fontenee creek. The General may be
assured that no retrograde movement will be made by
this force.
With great respect, your obedtut servant,
A. $. JOHNSTON. Colonel Second Cavalry,
Commanding the Army Of Utah.
To MAJOR J. McDowNL, Assistant Adjutant General
Headquarters q the Army, New York city.
The above document bears the endorsement OF Lieu
tenant General sco cordially approving of Colonel John.
sson conduct As 10 tho expedition from the Pacific no
IN boxever confident that the Colonel in not aware Of the