Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-12-12

The subject OF printer will come up in eau
Gus next Monday. Much interest is man
Tested concerning it.
Later from the Utah Expedition.
Dispatches were received from Col john
ston, at the Department today, dated South
Pass, Oct. IS.
They include several letters from Colonel
Alexander, at present commander of the main
body of the army in Utah. He, it appears,
questions, by the hesitation with which he
assumes it, his right to execute fully all the
duties of commander, but Colonel Johnson
thinks his authority to exercise them, with
out restriction, is clearly granted. Colonel
johnson says Colonel Alexander, in pursu-
ance of the latter's design, had advanced up
to Hams Fork of Green River, IS miles
above the crossing, and there directed the
movements to be made by his own immediate
command, and the troops to form junction,
which, from erroneous suppositions, would
be wholly impraeticable.
Col. johnson continues :-"Col. Smith is
at this camp with so men of his regiment. 1
overlook him on the 10th, about twenty
miles east of this, and have added my es-
cort OF fifteen dsmounted dragons to
his force. Lieutenant Sprill, in COM
mand of a squadron of dragons, and so
men of the 10th Infantry, a force of about
200 men may be expected in three or four
days. He is aware of the necessity of prompt
ness, and l am sure will lose no time. Col,
Magraw, Superintendent of the South Pass
Road, with patriotism highly creditqble to
him, places at the disposition of the Govern.
ment as many of his employees as will vol
unteer He thinks so or so will organize,
and he has agreed to accept their services and
has mustered them in for three or six months
as they may select, and he has also rendered
fifteen good teams OF mules and wagons,
which l have also accepted, and directed
them to be receipted for when delivered,
-Four supply trains, containing clothing, of
which the troops now on the advance, [ am
informed, begin to need, ordnance, and med.
lcal and subsistence stores, are still ia the
advance, and may be expected in two or
three days. The Storm OF last night may
have destroyed some of the oxen, and on that
account there may be more delay than esti-
mated at first. Eleven mules of Colonel
Smiths train persisted last night. The
thermometer this A. NJ. at sunrise, was I6
degrees above zero.
The skyis now clear. and the thermometer
at one o'clock was "a degrees above zero.
| The small quantity of snow that fell during
| the night is melting, so that the auimals can
| Craze freely. | am thus minute, for the rea-
son, that, the order sent to Col. Alexander
yesterday morning, may be fully comprehend
ed. His intended movement, if it met with
opposition, his march would be released SO as
to have made it mpracticable, and would
have, probably, entangled him in the midst of
the deep snow Of the valley of Bear River
The movement of Col. Alexander would
have separated him from supplies indspensa-
Bile to the comfort and safety of the army, and
deprived him of the assistance of the force
which will be concentrated here in a few
days, which, however small, being partly of
calvary, is of vital importance. In ordering
Col. Alexander to the mouth of Fontville
Creek, position about thirty miles from his
camp, on Hams Fork, did so with the de-
sign of making junction practicable. It is
about seventy miles hence. He can reach it
by 3 good road, and without any danger of
surprise.
There is at that place an abundance of grass,
and it is point from which we can reach the
place intended to occupy this Winter without
risking the loss of our animals. As soon as
snow falls sufficiently on Green River to pre-
vent burying the grass, I'VE shall go to Henry's
Fork, and occupy that valley during the
Winter. 1t is q commanding position, and is
accessible two months earlier for reinforce
ments and supplies, by Cheyenne Pass, than
any other, and it will enable me to reach Fort
Ridger and go on to the most direct route to
Salt Lake City as soon as practicable in the
Spring. AT this point, also, Col. Cook can
join me, which l still entertain the hope he
will be able to do. greatly regret the inn
possibility Of concentrating the troops destined
for this service, and their supplies, which will
prevent forward movement till Spring.
1t is now manifest, before the force can be
united, the season will be too far advanced to
move, with probability of success, Though
not opposed by the Mormons, he says, in con-
clusion, II will, however, mention, that I'M
less large force sent here, a war with the
Mormons is inevitable.
The great distance from one source of sup
ply makes it impractcable to operate with
small force 1t, in fact, requires the en-
ployment of such force to guard the numef-
Gus trains of supplies, leaving but a small
portion, if any, for offensive operations.
movement Of troops from California, Or.
egon, and by this route, would terminate the
war with the Mormons speedily and more
economically than if attempted by Insufficient
means. In five or six days think we will
have all the force available here for such for
ward movements. By that time the trains
will all be up. They should be here sooner
In twelve days from this time / expect to Join
l
The Government may be assured that no
retrograde movement will be made by this
| force
This document bears the endorsement of
Lieut.. Gen. Scott. cordially approving OF
Col. Johnson's conduct. AS to the expedi.
ton from the Pacific, he is, however. conf
dent that the Colonel is not aware of the
difficulties which would attend it, and it is
| the opinion of the Commander in. Chief that
Col Johnson can be reinforced earlier and far
more effectively this side.
The amount in the Treasury subject to
draft, is less than six millions of dollars The
receipts Tor the week ending Dee. 7th, were
$56O,0O0.
There will be no new appointment of Com
missioner Of Indian Affairs, as it is under
stood that Gen. Denver viii assume the Of.
fce after he shall have accomplished his mis-
sion to Kanzas.