The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-20


MAGRAw's WAGON ROAD sURvEY-PRO0Rxss on ~u
MILITARY EXPEDITION TO UTAH-DEsrRucrioN or
GOVERNMENT TRAINS BY MoRMOEs.
[From the st. louis Republican, Nov 1871
Mr.. lander who is connected Chief Engineer With
Magraws Wagon Road Survey, passed through this CITY
his way TO Washington Saturday last This gentle
man, who is well known evil engineer and explorer,
distinguished himself by very daring trip across the
continent during the summer of the Sioux war, with
party ofour men, only Of whom arrived with him
the Missouri river He is also mentioned as the author Of
several able reports to Congress on the subject OF Pacific
railroad
This gentleman has performed since the 18th day OF
June last the unprecedented feat Of riding 400 mos
much OF the distance unexpored mountain passes and al
in rough field service without tent or ordinary baggage
in the short space Of four and half months including
eighteen camp days. He commenced with a party o
thirteen men, four of whom returned with him to the
starting point at Independence Mo- Many of the Original
party were disabled by Illness and some remain in u
mountains, on their way to the settlements VIM
H. Wagner, John H. Inge, Calvin j. Crocker and Alexan
der Mitchell are the names OF those who arrived with Mr.
Lander.
This labor performed for the purpose of Sc
lectns the shortest route for the new WACO
of Superintendent Magraw. From scarcity grass an
other obstacles not oreseen by inexperienced parties th
main working train only arrived at the South Pass in sea
son TO go into winter quarters, whore II now Is.
The Mormons having burned all the grass on the south
ern winterng grounds, the wagon road expedition la
selected camp on Wind river II is surrounded
herds Of buffalo and elk, with which, in event Of faur
of other Of subsistence the train be supplied
b. f. Ficklin Of the assistant engineers OF the at
vance party who had distinguished himself in detachs
service had been detailed by Mr. lander, at the reque
Of Superintendent Magraw to purchase flour and othe
provisions for tho train In performing this duty no WI
surrounded, near Green river, by sixty wen arme
| mounted Mormons. He gave them evasve answers as
the nature of his business, and was at length allowed
depart He rode at to the command of COL Aexai
der, many miles distant, and informed that gentlems
of the advance Of the mounted armed men, and Of tn
that five hundred had crossed Green river gon
in the direction OF unprotected government trains b
before any escort was sent, three trains, embracn
seventy six wagons were reached land completely de
nv tha nartV nf civ m Gr.t
destruction OF these trains Of provisions the eastern mou
taneers disposed to hold articles Of subsisten
| at high price Flour thirty dollars a hundred
Platte Bridge hundred and twenty five miles beyo
Fort Laramie, and rising and general belief prevail
| IN the country that hostiiites were commenced. y
military forces in high spirits, and though travel
with every prospect Of enduring great hardshps, entt
sastic to man, and prepared for the worst
The explorations of the advance party Of the wag
road expedition had proved of great service to the
mand The entire region between the Salt Lake and Sna
river, the South Pass and Thousand Spring Valley &C
Meeting the work of Stanbury and Fremont and hthc
unexpored had been surveyed and mapped, sixte
mountain passes examined, all the tributaries Of
upper Green river defined TO their sources, the gre
Wahsatch chain found consist Of four distinct rang
| Numerous supplies of grass, wood and water had be
| discovered, and various wagon routes, two oil VIII
| avoid the Grand Desert of the Sandy, and one
days shorter travel in distance OF five hundred mil
than any previously known. These may be mention
as some Of the results of the explorations. The m
tary had therefore, abandoned the old line Of
proach and advancing upon the valley OF the Ia
by the open plains Of the western descent Of the Bear
| Our informant, who former member OF Mr. IL
der's party assures US that much important ntelgen
| to which he have access until IL reaches the n
terror Department, will shortly be laid before
country.
| We forgot to state that Gov. Cumming and lady, "
the Secretary of the Territory, met about two d.
march east of Fort Laramie, with Col Cooke and the
| mail train
When Mr. L. informed Gov. Cumming Of the common
ment Of Mormon disturbances by the destruction OF &
ernment trains, being the first TO bring this ntcgcn
| Gov C. quietly remarked-"Tell my friends sir, th
started to obey instructions and go into Salt Lake City
| am going"
| Brigham Young had already disclaimed any partic
ton knowledge of the overt act OF burning the sup
trains and the best judges Of the Mormon character
eve that the leaders Of this singular society will cont
to cndeavor To blind the eyes Of the general govcrnn
and put of the day Of stand up fight to the last nom
| On the other hand old mountaineers are predicting
most disastrous consequences If the troops are not abb
fight their way into the city The grass burned the for
| well nigh eaten up winter setting in with several d
| SHOWS much Of the command far in the rear, and a
range Of mountains shutting it out from the north
wntering grounds, all seem TO give weight TO the SUI
ston that the expedition will not be successful
| Cache Valley, which Is open, well grassed pair
| which several Mormon farms and over which r.
great herds OF cattle and horses, the property OF
church, will soon however, be within striking distanc
| the command.
Our next a:vices will probably bring US further
\ fnn ra INN new