The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-11-24
WESTERN DEMOCRAT.
The HOrmOn Rebellion.

o,auh that the MormOns had commenced
actual rebellion against the Federal OoV-
eminent bv an attack upon the Government
train on its march to Utah. Judge Echols'
Chief Justice of that territory, who accom-
panied the train, has written to the State
Danartment to the following effect. his let
ter being dated at the Camp of Sweet Wa
ter. twenty-one miles east of South Pass
October 18th -
"An Express train has just arrived from
Green river. and reports that on tue night
of October 5th 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 loading. The Mormons
said they had seven hundred men there and
fifteen hundred more at Salt Lake City.
Col Alexander is encamped on Hams
fort, thirty miles in advance of the front
tsam, which is destroyed. He sent Captain
Marcy with four hundred men back to
Green river, to enable the transfers to col
lect their cattle.
The Mormons killed no one, for the reas-
on that no resistance was made.
Col Smith will collect the trains on this
side aud 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 impudencc
We have forty seven men in this command,
but Col. Smith is host within himself
We have determined, if attacked. tg use
the rifles in the lines.
We shall most likely take the quite on
Bear river for Salt Lake City. The want
of forage for our mules is the grratest him
drance, but we shall go OH if "e have to
walk and carry our provisions"
A Washington correspondent of the
Richmond Enquirer writes as follows on
this subject:
o. 1.-The dispatch of Judge Echol, of Utah,
reporting the destruction of three trains of
government wagons. (seventy- light in num-
ber,) by the Mormons, was corroborated
by adyices received yesterday by Secretary
Floyd. There was a faint hope that the
dispatch had been received from Col. John
son. Gov. Floyd is now satisfied that these
dispatches were sent 20 head quar-
ters," but as General Scott is absent from
home, they are now lying in New York.
The impression seems to have gone
abroad that the loss of these wagons and
the supplies they contained, would serious
ly embarrass the expedition. while the hos
tile position of the Mormons threatened
destruction to the whole command. an
pleased to say this is all an egregious error
am authorized to state that the expedition
will suffer no inconvenience from the loss
of the wagons destroyed or the provender
they confined. There was an abundance
of supplies of every description to last till
October next, and the trains destroyed con-
stituted only one-sixth part of the whole.
The supplies destroyed were such things as
could be readily spared or replaced-and
there need be no apprehension on that ac-
count.
As TO danger to the command, am ena-
blcd to say that the force under Col. john
son $1,000 men) are perfectly competent to
protect themselves, under any and all cir
cumstances, against the Mormons, aud that
the Department feels not the slightest ap-
prehension on that score. They carry
with them everything requisite for winter
quarters, and can encamp at one spot as
well Us another if convenient to wood and
water. Hence there need be no alarm as
to the safety of the expedition.
In the meantime it should be remember
ed that these men were not ordered to Utah
to fight the MormOns. The Mormons con-
stitute portion of our own population, and
an instance had never occurred where the
federal troops had to enforce the loyalty of
territory. Utah and New Mexico had
been constituted a military district exactly
as Texas now constitutes one-and these
troops were designated for that district, for
the general purpose of the frontier 1t is,
doubtless, true that the reported threats of
violence TO the federal officers by the Nor
mons, caused an increase of the force sent,
but did not originate the expedition. That
would have been sent in the ordinary rou-
tine of business of the War Department.
Troops are also stationed in Texas and New
Mexico. The resistance by the Mormons
of Col. Johnson's command involves ter
rible responsibility.
IMPORTANT FROM UTAH.
WASHINGTON, Nov. I7.-Advices have
been received from Col. Alexander. substan-
italy confirming the newspaper reports res
pecting the destruction of the contractors
train by the Mormons. Brigham Young
has issued a proclamation to the U. States
troops. defying the government, counseling
his people in the most determined form to
hostilities. and ordering the United States
troops to keep away from Utah. He says
if they desire to remain till spring. they may
do so. provided they give up their arms and
ammunition.
Il Al4l1w