The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-12-24
Progress Of tho Mormon War.

The Secretary OF War, on Thursday night,
received Geographic dispatch from g vn. Scott,
giving a Synopsis OF the news lately received
from Colonel Johnston. Yesterday a special
messenger arrived at Washington, from New
York, having III charge the most important
dispa'c hes received by the commander n.chief.
The States says:
From Official reports we learn that Col.
Johnston had taken judicious measures for con-
centrating the whole force on Fontenelle's
creek-s good defensive position, accessible to
ieiuf0reements IN the spring, and q good point
IRON which to move upon the Salt Lake Valley.
No oHsnsive operations will probaly be at
tempted Gu either side this winter. So far, 10
bloodGhed has occurred. Some cattle are re-
ported to have been stolen or ran eff, bat no
large number is mentioned-certainly not six
hundred, as was lately reported by telegraph
from ST. Louis.
Colonel Alexander, with the fifth and tenth
infantry, on the l7ta Of October was on Hams
Fork, only about 80 miles from Fontenelle's
creek. Col. Johnston's camp, in the South
Pass, was about 10 miles from that position.
de expected TO commence the march On the
I'D, with the whole of the force remaining in
rear Of Col. Alexander, excepting Cooks ORA.
goons, which are far behind, having been de-
Lained in Kansas.
is the snow; that the thermometer that morn
ing at sunrise was 10 degrees above zero, and
that eleven mules of Colonel Smiths train
persisted from cold on the preceding night.
Col. Johnston says, In conclusion: The
ground may be assumed, that no retrograde
movement will be made by this force.'"
The N. Y. Tribune has letter, dated Scamp
IN the South Pass, Oct. IT," which Gays the
thermometer then stood there OF only Ia degrees
above zero, with violent rain stroms raging.
We make the following extract from the letter
The latest news we have received from
Colonel Alexander's command Is, that be had
moved but little distance from Hams Fork
The Mormons had made another stroke at his
supplies, and had run off 400 of the cattle
which belonged to the trains they burned on
October 8. The tesmsters who had them in
charge acted with the same cowardice as be-
fore, and did not FIRE shot in their defence.
These cattle were left to them by Capt. Marcy,
to be driven up to the troops. When he him
self returned to the main body from Green river,
he had been unable to collect more than be-
tween 200 and 800 of the whole number to
drive along with his command"
In postscript, dated October l8th, the
writer says:
1.-The snow has ceased, although the wind is
still furious. OF the $50 mules and horses be-
longing to Col. Smiths command, only eight
were frozen to death last night, although eight
more are not expected to live. All at Colonel
Johnston's stock escaped unframed. The force
OF the wind was broken by the clumps OF will
lows along the stream On which we were camp
ed; otherwise, our Ices would have been much
greater. The sunshine encourages US to hope
tor few Gays Of clear weather, which will
bring up most Of the trains, and also Lieut..
Smiths squadron Of dragons and the detsch.
ment of inianuy left by Gel. Smith at Fort
Laramie, under The comnsId CT Lieut.. I. j.
Lee, as an escort 10 Gov. Cummiug. 1t viii
also advance the ak companies OF dragons
under Colonel Cook, with whom tie Governor
travels, essentially on their way.