The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-27
OUR ExpEDITIoNARY CORRESPONDENCE.

OUR ExPEDfTiONARY CORRESPONDENCE.
CAMP ON HAMS FORK, Oct. 49, 1857.
In letter which wrote on the 4th inst. incosed
for the HERALD copy of document emanating
from the Mormon chief, brigham Young,) and ad-
dressed to the citizens of the United States within
the Territory of Utah. calling upon them to and
hold themselves ready to march at moments notice
70 repel the armed mob" sent out by the
President of the United States for the purpose
Of assassnating the Latter Day Saints. This highly
infammatory and diabolical missive was thrown out
among his people with the manifest object of exas-
perating them against the general government and
the army; and to give it character it was dignfed
with the appellation of a proclamation from the
Mormon potentate, as Governor Of Utah.
It is reported that several of our expresses have
been captured by our marauding neighbors and
it is not improbable that my letter may have
fallen into their hands, If so, / hope they
have been edited with its perusal. Since
the date of the letter referred to, the different
detachments of our little amy have been concen-
trated, and are now moving slowly with a cum
brous sdPly train towards the grand local focus of
the Saints who exertng their utmost efforts to
im6ede our progress by firing the grass and burn
ing our trains They hover around us on all sides,
mounted on their feet and hardy mountain horses
and as we were sent out on this service without
single cavalry soldier are continually exposed to
their cowardly depredations and insults without the
means to check or resent them.
Yesterday party mounted on wagon mules,
which was sent out for the purpose OF examining
new route met with number of the mauraders and
captured Major and an Adjutant. Several docu-
ments were found in their possession, giving impor
- III L..
ments. Among them was an order from their COM
mandine General, to the following Effect
This order was dated Headquarters Eastern Expe-
dition camp near Cashe Cave, Oct. A. 1857, and ad.
dressed to Major Joseph Taylor Il directs him to
proceed with all possible despatch, without iniuring
his animals to the Oregon road, near the bend of
Bear river (where they supposed we obliged TO
pass) He is ordered 10 take close and correct
observations OF the country along his route TO send
scouts ahead when he approached the road TO ascer
tain if the invading troops had passed that way.
and if they had passed. 10 take q concealed route
and get ahead of them to send an express 70 Col.
Burton who was then on that road, and in the vi
cnty of the troops, and to effect junction with him.
30 az TO operate in concert. On ascertanng the To-
calty or route of the troops he directed to pro-
ceed at once 10 annoy them in every possible way,
using every exertion 10 stampede their animals and
set fire to their trains burning the whole country be-
fore them and on their anks, and keeping them from
sleeping by night surprises; also blockading the
road by falling trees or destroying fords where
il il practicable. He also directed to watch for
opportunities 20 set fire TO the grass our wind
ward so as If possible to envelope our trains and
70 leave grass before that could be burned also
to keep his men concealed as much as pos
sble, and guard against surprises; to keep scouts
out at all times and communication open with Col.
Burton, Major McAlister and o. p. Rockwell who
who were operating in the same way; TO keep him
Uhe GeneraD advised daily Of his movements, and
every step the troops (our army take
and in what direction. At the and Of this
document was the following -" God bless you and
give you success. Your brother in Christ,
DANIEL II. WELLS
Then follows postscript in these words -" II
the troops have not passed have turned In this d
rection, follow them. and continue TO annoy them.
burning any trains and stampeding or driving off
their animals at every opportunity"
The foregoing loyal mandate comes from the
man whom Brigham Young has appointed TO
lead his subjects against the United States
troops, and taken in connection with the pro
massive chain of evidence already accumulated
against the nstigators Of this rebellious movement
establishing incontrovertihy the fact Of their traitor
Gus designs and hostile purposes, and showing clear
y that they desire II possible to destroy us by star
walton; but in the event of their not succeeding in
this there is no doubt they intend 10 resort TO open
warfare.
In all their harangues to the masses there is
has been sent to Utah for no other purpose but
to prosecute an sindiscriminate war Of exier.
mination upon the Mormon community on
account Of their religion, and they desire
TO take the initiative by firing the first shot 30
as to verify their prophecies, and thereby enable
them 70 lead the passions Of their blind and creu.
lous followers to that ddy pitch Of evaporation 40
necessary for the consummation Of their desperate
purposes.
Up TO this time they have. 10. our knowledge
taken no lives; they have, however, burnt and dc
stroyed three large trains Of valuable government
supplies, stolen and driven Off many public and pri
vate animals, set fire 10 the grass all around us and
arc doing the troops all the harm in their power.
Thus far they have escaped well merited punish.
ment. believe, however, that the time is near at
hand when they will have TO render stric, account
Of their misdeeds Our officers and men are highly in
censed at the unprovoked outrages that have been
perpetrated upon them by these freebooters, and
there is universal and ardent desire to be led
against them
OCTOBER 2l, 1857.
Our sanity friends continue to favor us with
their presence, but are careful not TO come
within rangeof our MIME rifles. Two companies
were seen by our own pickets this afternoon, and
one Of our wagon masters, who was short distance
in the rear Of the train taken prisoner by them
This evening they sent him back, with a note adj
dressed to Col Wade (waite), stating that they had
taken she bearer prisoner but concluded to release
him. hoping the Colonel would do as much for them
by setting at liberty Major Taylor, who. it seems
they are very anxious to get back. am under the
impression however that these cavaliers will not be
treated with the same courtesy az prisoners taken