The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-19
THE LATEST NEWS.
THE MORMON WAR.


The Dispatches Of Colonies Alexander and
Johnston.
COLONEL ALEXANDER TO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY UTAH,
CAMP WINFIELD, u T., Oct. 9, 1867.
Col. S. COOPER Adjutant General, U. S. A:
SIR have the honor TO report that have assumed
command of the troops of the United States consisting
of part Of the army for Utah. which encamped
this point. These troops the Fifth Regiment of In
antry eight companies Of the Tenth Infantry, and the
batteries of Artillery (six and twelve pounders) COM
manded by Captains Phelps Fourth Artillery and Reno
Ordnance Department, respectively This camp is stu
ated on Hams Fork, tributary of Blacks Fork which
is turn tributary Of Green river about fifteen miles
above the junction of the two forks Fort Bridger dis
tant, in southeast direction about thirty miles The
Tenth Infantry reached here the 2Sh of September
Phelps battery the following day. The Fifth
Infantry arrived on the 4th of October, and
Renos battery the day On the 9Th
inst I assumed command, for reasons which,
conceive to be of the greatest importance to the troops
and their supplies and of which shall have the honor
make full report when a safe and certain opportu
nifty of sending dispatches presents itself At present
give only statement of what has occurred since my
arrival and report the disposition have determined to
make of the troops.
On the day after reaching Hams Fork and at the first
camp made it, received the enclosed letters from
Governor Young and Lieutenant General Wells. The pro-
positions they contain however absurd they are showed
concusvey that determined opposition to the power of
the government was intended. I had met Captain Van
yet the 2lst Of September returning from Salt Lake
City, and informed by him that although the Nor
mons, rather Governor Young, determined to
oppose entrance into the city, yet he assured that
no armed resistance would be attempted if we
further than Fort Bridger and Fort Supply still
further convinced Of this by the circumstance
that train of more than one hundred contractors
wagons had been parked for nearly three weeks Hams
Fork without defence, and had been unmolesed, al
though they contained provisions and supplies which
would have been Of great to the Mormons.
Upon receiving these letters, prepared for defence
and TO guard the supplies until the neares, troops
W. Ireplied to Governor Young's letter. copy
OF which nclose and have not had any further
pondence with him. On the morning of the 9Th of octo
Der the Mormons burnt two trains of government stores
Green river and the Big Sandy, and few wagons
belonging to Mr. Perry suer Of the 10th Infantry which
few miles behind the latter train Colonel Waite
of tho Fifth though not ancpang any oct Of the kind
was preparing send back detachment these trains
from his camp Blacks Fork when he
ceived from some teamsters who came In the
intelligence Of their being burned No doubt
nigh, be expected the part of the Mormons and be
necessary from the extreme laeness OF the season.
adopt immediate for wnterng the troops
and preserving the supply with After much de
liberation and assisted by the counsel Of the senior ON
GERS have determined to the troops by the follow
ing route;-Up Hams Fork about eighteen miles 10 a road
called subetes Cut off, along that road to Bear river and
Soda SPRING arriving at Soda Spring two routes will
be openone down Bear river Valley, towards the Salt
lake, and to the northeast wards the Wind river
Mo untans whore good vacs for wntering tho troops
and stock be found The adoption Of one OF these
will be decided by the following circumstances If the
force under my command sufficient 10 the
sistance which ] expect 10 meet at Soda Spring
/ shall endeaver 10 force my way into the
valley OF Bear river and occupy some Of the
Mormon villages, because | under the impression
that the Mormons, after n defeat, will be willing 10
ea, and bring provisions for sale The supplies hand
will last six months and II can get possession Of town
In Bear river Valley eau easily ortify and hold all
winter There are also several supply trains In the
rear 10 which have communicated, and II they re-
my letter in time they will be saved and join
If the Mormons too strong for US, which do not anti
cipatc the other road will be adopted and will make the
best of my way the mountains and tent for the winter
desire TO impress upon you the fact tina, though no,
the commander appointed TO this army have adopted this
ponds upon an immediate effort and having information
which makes that the commander will not reach
here before the 10th inst and we wait until that time
we cannot leave the valley Tho information allude TO
the effect that Col Johnston had relieved Gen Harvey
and had left Fort Ieavcnworth the 10Th Of Septem
ber and thirty days the least possible time which no
can arrive hero. cannot for fear OF this being inter.
cepted tell you the strength Of my command send
returns of H. strong enough 10 defend itself and its
supplies whether Is able 10 and sustain Of
feusive position remains 70 be SEEN but should the
mands which have heard the up IN time,
think we will have sufficient force 10 carry out active
invasion II We obliged 10 winter In the mountains,
you perceive by reference to standbury's maps
THAI we will have open road TO salt Lake City the
spring and one which told Is open early. by this
one attack be made and attention called from the
main road Ohat by Fort Bridger), which may then be
avcrsed by troops The Bear river route Is, however,
said W be the best into the valley The other passes
through canons that be defended BY handful against
thousands and easily obstruced that In
week II could be made utterly impossible. The want
Of cavalry Is severely felt, and We are poweress on
accouu, Of this deficiency 10 effect any chassement Of
the maraudng bands tina, constantly lowering about
US On the 7b inst detached Capt Marcy 9th Infantry
with four companies Green river, 70 collect what he
could ind serviceable from the burnt rans and 70
d,sperse any bodies OF Mormons he found.
In conclusion, permit TO express the hopc that my
acts will meet the approval Of the government and on
the nrst opportunity will make fuller and more de
tailed report II Is unquestonabIy the duty Of the
government 10 que by overwhelming force this treason
able rebellion the Governor and people Of Utah. and
must most urgently impress upon the War Department
the that the small body Of troops here will need re-
Inducements and supplies they possibly be
got here next spring would further respectfully sug
gest that troops should be sent from California and
Oregon. II said that the road from California 10 Salt
Lake passable oil winter, and II lie certainly so much
earlier in the sprng that from the states Your
obedient servant r. H. ALEXANDER,
Colonel 10Th Infantry, commanding.
COLONEL JOHNSTON TO THE ASSISTANT ApJUTASr
GENERAL.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY oF UraH,