The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-12-12
TELEGRAPHIC.
II TELEGRAPHED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE
EVANSVILLE DAILY JOURNAL.&l
The Utah Expedition.
WASHINGTON, Dec Ill

WASHINGTON, Dec 11-Px
Dispatches from Col. johnson were received
at the War Department to day, dated South
Pass, Oct. 18th. They include several let
ters from Col. Alexander, Mt present COM
manding the main body of the army of
Utah. He, it appears, questions by the hes
itation which he assumes, his right to
exercise fully all the duties Of commander,
but johnson thinks his authority to exercise
them withou. restrictions is clearly granted.
johnson says ALEXANDER, in pursuance Of let
tiers received, had advanced mp to Hams
Fork Of Green River, So miles above the
crossing, and there directed the movements
to be made by his own immediate command,
and the troops in his rear to form junction
which from erroneous suggestions would be
wholly impracticable.
johnson continues: Col. Smith is at this
camp with 90 men Of his regiment. i over
took him on the 10th about 20 miles East of
this, and have added my escort OF Is dis
mounted dragons TO his force and 1t. Smith
IN command of u squa Iron OF Dragons, and
s., OF the 10th Infantry. A force of about
200 men may be expected here III three or
four days. lie is aware Of the necessity of
| promptness, and am sure will lose no time.
| Col. johnson notices McGraw's assistance
| rendered, and enters into II. mute details OF
the supply trains which are expected; and OF
the state of weather, for the reason that the
| order transmitted to Alexander may be fully
comprehended.
| This document bears the Enforcement Of
| Lieut.. Gen. Scott, cordially approving Of
| Col. Johnson's conduct. AS to the expedi-
ton from the Pacific he is, however, emf
dent that the Col. is not aware of the diff
cullies which would attend it..
This part of the dispatch he now concurl
in, as it Is the opinion o; the Commander N
| Chief that johnson can be reinforced earlier
and far ore eifcctually from this side.
Col. johnson says in conclusion, Il will
however, mention that unl,ss a large fore
is sent here, from the nature Of the country
proTacted war on the part of the Mormon,
is inevitable. The great distance from GU
source of supply makes it impossible t. op
crate with small force. It. in fact, require
the employment of such force to guard nu
small portion, If any. for offensive opera
tions. The movement OF troops from Cali
} forn,a and Oregon, by this rou2e would ter
inmate the war speedily. and more economi
cally than ii attempted by insufficient mean
In five or six days l think we will have a
! the force available Tor such "a forward move
mcnt. BY that time the trains will nil
up. They should be here sooner. In twel,
days from this time j expect to join Col. a
ex.nder ut Fontinelle Creek. The Gener
may be assured that NJ retrograde movemeI
will be made 10y this force"
The amount i'm the Treasury subject
draft is less than 81 900, 600. The receip
FIR the ok ending 9TH, inst, $550,O00..
There W be no new appointment Of Con
missioner of Indian affairs, as it is unde
Y stood that Denvers will resume the office a
ter he shall have accom- plished his missile
TO Kansas.