Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-11-16
Commercial



WASHINGTON, Nov. l3.-CN.Y. Herald corr
Dispatches were received by the State De-
partment today from Chief Justice Echols of
Utah, dated at Camp Sweetwater, twenty one
miles East of South Pass, Oct. IS, 1857.
Judge Echols says an ex press has just arrived
from Green River, and reports that on the
night of Oct. 5 a train of twenty-six wagons
was captured by the Mormons, twenty five
miles from the Pacific Spring. At the same
time two other trains were taken near Green
River-in all seventy eight wagons and load
ings. The Mormons said they had seven hun
dred men there, and twelve hundred more at
Salt Lake City. Col. Alexander is encamped
at Ham's Fort, thirty miles in advance of the
front train, which is destroyed. He sent
Capt. Marcy with four hundred men back to
Green River to enable the teamsters to collect
their cattle. The Mormons killed no one for
the reason that no resistance was made.
Col. Smith will collect the trains on this
side and escort them forward. One train is
now before us, and two behind. We are in
good spirits, and that is great help to all
+ The Mormons WILL likely, attack us in day
or two, and may rue their imprudence. We
have forty seven men in this command, but
Col. Smith is host within himself We have
determined to use the rifles in the lines. We
shall most likely take the route on Bear River
for Salt Lake City. The want OF forage for
our mules. is the greatest hindrance, but we
will go on if we have to walk and carry our
provisions.
The above dispatch, showing the first overt
act of Mormon treason, was Immediately laid
before the President of the United States
who summoned the members of the cabinet
for consultation upon its contents. The in
telligence was considered in cabinet meeting
= I'D Sl,G, ],
mined on, The Secretary of War thinks it
would be hopeless to attenpG to send rein
forcements or supplies so late in the season.
Dispatches are anxiously looked for from
Col. johnson, who is In command Of the army
for Utah. The government officers do not
fully credit the report received from Judge
Echols
WASHINGTON, Nov l4.-Dispatches cor
roborative of Judge Echols were received
this afternoon. They say the Mormons have
opened the ball by burning three supply
trains, two on Green River and one OIL the
Big Sandy-the centre trains, consisting in
all of rs wagons There was council
among the officers, and it was determined,
after hearing the opinion of guides in relation
to the country, to go around by the Soda
Springs, where the road forks for Oregon and
California, and enters the Salt Lake Valley,
where the snow Will not be an impeachment.
This determination, the expressman says, was
approved of by Col. johnson, who told him
to say to everybody that he intended to Win
ter in the Valley or not at all. The Mormons
are congregated in large numbers, even on
this side of the mountain, engaged in burn
ing the grass, and they are determined
it seems, to prevent the entrance of the troops
into the valley, anyhow. They are regularly
enrolled in thousands, and if Col. Johnson
enters the valley, he can act only on the de-
fensive with his handful of men.
The War Department is expecting de-
spatches from Col johnson himself, sent
through Gen. Scott at headquarters. Should
these not arrive here tomorrow, or by Monday
morning, the whole report will be discredited
| by the Department. Col. johnson certainly
never permitted an express to come back
| without sending dispatches by it.
Atan early hour this morning Secretaries
Cass, Floyd, and Attorney General Toucey,
held hurried consultation, and determined
to telegraph to the United States Marshal at
| New Orleans TO send the revenue cutter in
! pursuit Of Gen. Walker.