Mariposa Democrat., 1857-12-17
Latest News from Utah.

| BY the steamer Surprise, which arrived at San Fran
cisco on the 10th, from Los Angeles we have the fol
lowing intelligence from Utah:
| Mr. Bell, a Gentle merchant who arrived at Los
Angeles, informs the Star that Col johnson had ar
rived at Hams Fork, and had taken the command
that communications short but expressive had passed
between the Colonel and Gov. Young the result Of
which was, that Col johnson ordered his command
to be ready next morning for an advance on Salt
Lake City where he intended to winter Hams Fork
is about one hundred miles from the City
The Mormons were stationed at Echo canon about
fifty miles from the City, throuqh which the troop.
must passa collision therefore, was inevitable The
Momons were in great numbers, and were being rap.
idly enforced. A march of two or three days would
bring the troops in front of their opponents.
A number of wagons have been burned seventy-sx
belonging to Government contractors. body OF
armed mounted men came at night to the camp, and
told the wagon master that they intended to give him
time to awake his men and remove their baggage and
bedding, and told him to save wagon 10 take his
party to the States which he did. They then set fire
to the train and destroyed it, The cattle were driven
into Salt Lake City
Mr. Bell thinks that in case Of resistance to the
troops there is every for confidence that Col
johnson will force the passage Of the and make
good his advance on the City.
The force of the Monnons had been over-estimated
the whole force falls far short Of 10000 men.
Winter had set in with severity. In the city, snow
was two inches deep, and in the mountains where the
Mormons were encamped, from six TO twelve inches
deep.
The Mormon army was in very poor condition,
badly clothed, poorly arme and with very little pro-
visions. The families are represented as being in
suffering condtion-wanting in provisions and wood,
and the men all called off to the camps
Mr.. Bells company consists of himself of the firm
of Kincaid Co., and Mr.. Rea of the firm of Gilbert
GrelIsh, with their families consisting of four young
ladies, and several young who had been employed
clerksin all with teamsters amounting TO sixteen
persons. They had passports from Gov. Young, but
only asked for them once. It seemed AZ if intel
ligence had been sent ahead Of them, and that all
knew of their journey to California but at one station
Nevertheless it necessary at each settlement, 10
call on the Bishop hire Interpreter and send them
ahead of the company to treat with the Indians for
their safe passage. By representing themselves as
Mormons, using every precaution, and more partcu-
larly by the expenditure Of over two thousand dollars
among Bishops, Interpreters and Indians, the compa
ny succeeded in making their way in safety.
Mr.. Bell was enrolled in the army of defence, but
on being informed of it, declined, of course, the in
tended honor. He, therefore, left the Territory.
Messrs Kincaid & Co. and Gilbert & Grelish sold
out their entire stock of goods to the Monons at the
prices offered by the authorities. They were told the
people wanted them and they had better take what
they could get, or abide the result.
Lieut.. Ives, of the Colorado Exploring Expedition,
had arrived at Fort Yuma, where he was engaged in
putting together his stern-wheel steamer.