The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-11-19
Capt. "" v's'r' Official Account or hi.
Visit 90 Itas.
HANS FonK, sept. lG, tsj7.

HANS Fork, sept 10, 1871.
CAprAIS-~I have the honor 10 report, for
the information Of TIE Commanding Gene
raj. the result Of my tip TO the Territory Of
Utah.
Ia obedience 10 special Instructions dated
Headquarters Army for Utah, Fort leav.
cnworih. July -. 1851. lett Fort Ieaven.
worth July 30, and reached Fort kcarney
in nine travelling days, Fort Laramie in
ten, aud Great Salt Lake City In thirty.
three and hall. At Fort kcarncy was
detained one dny by the changes ] had TO
make aud by sickness. aud ut Fort Laramie
three days, ~ all the animals were forty
miles from the post, and when brought in oil
had To be shod before they could take the
road Travelled ~ RAPIDLY as Il was posi-
bic to do with six mule wagons. Several
of my team broke down. and ut least half Of
my animals are unsrviceable, and will re-.
main 30 until they recruit. During my pro.
grcss towards Utah met many people from
that Territory, and also several mountain
men Ut Grcen River, aud all informed me
that | would not he allowed to enter Utah
and il | did, | would run great risk Of losing
nv lia. treated oil this, however, M Idle
talk; but it induced me to leave my wagons
and escort nj Hams Fork, ll3 miles this
side Of the city and proceed alone.
reached Great Sal, Lake City without
molestaton, aud Immediately upon my arri.
val. informed Gov brigham Young that
desired an interview, which he appointed for
thu next day On the evening Of the day Of
my arrival. toy. Young, with many Of the
leading men OF the city. called upon me at
my quarters. The Governor received me
most cordially. aud treated me daring my
stay. which continued some siS days. with
the greatest hospitality and Kindness. In
this interview the Governor male known 10
me hs views with regard 10 the approach OF
the United States troops in plain and nm
mis,aksblc language.
pcrsccatel, murdered and robbed in Nilsson
ri and Illinois, both by tho mob and State
authorities. aud that now the United States
were about 10 pursue the same course. and
that therefore, he and the people 81 Utah
had determined TO resist all persecution at the
commencement, and tina, the troops nc,c on
me march should nof enter me Gfe0t NiH
Lake ldiisp. As he uttered these words.
all those present concurrcd most heartily in
what he said The next day. ~ agrcd MP
on. | called upon the Governor and delivered
in person the letters with which had been
entrusted.
In that interview. and in several subse-
quent ones the same determination 10 resist
to the death the entrance OF the troops into
the Valley was expressed By Gov. Young
and tho~. about him. The Governor in.
formed me that there was abundance OF eve
rythug | required for the troops such ~
lumber, forage, Sc, but tia, none woald bc
sold 10 us
In the course oi my conversation with The
Governor aud the influential men in the
Territory. told them plainly aud frankly
what conceived would Oc the result OF their
pr,scn, course, | told them they nigh, pre-
vent the small military force now approach
ing Utah frcm getting through the narrow
ieiiles and rugged passes Of the mountains
this war. hut that neat season the United
States government would sn,l troops sut'i-
cient TO overcome all opposition. The ans.
wea,o this was invariably the same. ave
arr aware that such will be- case. but when
those troops arrive they will find Utah u
desert. every house will b. burned to the
ground, every tree cut down and every field
laid waste We have three years provi-
sious on hand. which We will cache and
then take TO the mountains and bill defiance
10 the powers OF the government" at
tended their service on sunday. and in course
Of q sermon delivered by Elder Taylor, he
referred to the approach OF the troops and
declared they should not enter the Territory
lie then referred to the probability OF an
oyerpcwering force being sent sgains, them
and desired all persons who would apply the
torch 10 their own buildings, Gu, down their
trss, and lay waste thar folds, 10 hold up
their hands every hand in an audience mum
herring over 1000 persons WAS raised ., the
same moment. During my stay in the cit.