Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-12-24
The Army i'm Utah.


The Army in Utah.
From letter in the New York Times,
dated at Hams Fork of the Green River,
written October 2sth, in the camp of the
Army of Utah, we make an extract:
Oct. l6.-A party of about 100 noun
ted volunteers, (soldiers and teamsters) un-
der the command of Capt. Marcy, Of the
5th Infantry, left camp this morning at
daylight for the purpose Of exploring the
country between this and Muddy Greek,
"a stream midway between this point and
Fort Bridger,) Capt. Neal and Lieutenants
Blanchard, Lewis and Lynde, of the 5tb,
and Lieut.. Gore, of the 10Th Infantry, nc
companied him. They had not gone more
than two miles from camp before a party
of SIS Mormons came suddenly upon them
from the rear. Our party Immediately
formed on hillside, and the Mormons
drew up in line, two deep, within about
$50 yards. Their captain then advanced
halfway, and held talk with Capt Mar
cy. He declared it to be the purpose of
the Mormons to resist any attempt on the
part of the United States troops to ad-
uance, and also that it aUas by Brigham's
order that the trains had been burnt.
After this parley they were permitted to
move off unmolested. They had not gone
far before they commenced shaking their
blankets, yelling loud curses and shouts of
defiance. The animals of our party ,cere
so aoeak that pursuit would hare been use
less.
Soon after some men Of our party, head
ed by Jim Baker, an old mounlaineer and
guide, for the command, road to the top
Of Hill and discovered the Mormons al
the foot, on the bank of creek. The
Mornons no sooner saw them than one Of
them fred, whereupon our party returned
the fire, wounding one and putting them
all to fight, they no doubt supposing that
our whole party were upon them. Baker
pursued them more than mile, and found
scattering along the route several packa-
ges of provisions which had been dropped
in their hasty flight.
Our party arrived at Lower Springs,
about II miles from Hams Fork. Soon
| after starting on our return to camp We
surprised a party of five Mormons, who
were carrying supplies to the party seen in
the morning, two of whom were captured,
and proved to be the leaders aud impor-
tant personages. They gave their names
as Colonel Taylor and Adjutant Stowell.
Their pack animals (three mules and two
horses) were captured, with their loading,
some 6OOfbs. flour and other provisions.
Important dispatches were found upon
the person of Taylor, from Lieutenant-Gen-
eral Wells at Fort Bridger, directing all the
parties in the neighborhood of Green Riy-
er to return and concentrate in advance of
the troops ON Bear River, and stating that
there were some 500 United States Drag
oons on their way to reinforce our COM
mand. They were further directed to burn
the grass, steal the animals, fell trees in
our path, and in every possible manner an
noy US by night and by day.
In consequence of this information, Cap
tain Marcy was sent back (Oct. ls) with
two companies, to meet Col. johnson, rs
We apprehend that our expresses may have
been captured, and it was also decided that
we should return and 60 into winter quar-
tiers on Hepry's Fork of Green River, as
the cattle and mules of the command were
very weak. Soon after Capt. Marcy had
left, two express-men came into camp bring
ing word from Brigham Young, the pur-
poIt of it being that he did not blame the
officers and soldiers, as they were merely
tools in the hands Of a corrupt Govern.
ment, and had to obey its orders, DC, d.
He also advised us to place ali the women
and children with the command in train
seperate from the others, as he wished by
all means, to spare them.
In the evening two express-men came in
from Col. johnson, who was at the last
crossing of the Sweet Water, waiting fol
oil the trains to come up. He sent orders
for our command to return to Green River
and there await his arrival. An expires:
was sent recalling Capt. Marcy, who re-
turned the next morning.
We were visited by severe snow-storm
the previous night, which continued until
noon of the following day; the snow fell te
the depth of about inches. Some &c
mules and horses died in the night from
the cold. The next day, Oct. 18th we be
gan our return march.
On the evening Of the 2lst of October
one Of the wagon.masters, belonging to tn
oA-trains, was taken prisoner by the Nor
MONS while he was out hunting cattle
Tbe next evening about 80 Mormons cam'
to a hill near the camp, and sent in nott
: BY the teamster whom they had taker
prisoner the previous evening, stating tina
they wished Col. Taylor in exchange
Their request was not complied with, and
no answer returned.
Il On the 26th an express came in from