The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1857-12-30
EST N w S
The Army in Utah.

" A5HINGToN, Dec. 2S.-The War De-
partn mt today received official dispatch
es fir, IN the headquarters. of the ar1sy in
Utah. dated Black Fork, three miles be-
low / II mouth of Hams Fork, Nov. 5th.
Colon Johnston states that Colonel
Smith, with his command and the nu-
merous trains guarded by it, reached
there on the Sd of November. The march
was slow and tedious, averaging only
eleven miles a day, although the road
was in excellent order and the weather
fine
Twas not possible to make more rapid
progress, on account of the broken down
condition of the draft animals The
trains, including settlers and merchants
destined for Salt Lake, which he would
not allow to go on a lone, occupied. in as
close order as they could. be made to ira
vel, space Of from five to six miles,
No 1nolestation whatever was attempted
by the Mormons, which may be attlibu-
ted to the presence Of the cavalry and the
judicious dispositions of them and the Vi
GLANCE Of COL Smith.
On the 18th of November Col. Johnston,
was to march on Fort Bridger and dis
lodge any force he might find there, and
await the approach of Col. Cook, when,
as the approach OF winter was too near to
attempt the passage Of the Wasach range
of mountains with the probability Of sue
cess, he would sieze upon the district
mentioned in his letter from South Pass,
and occupy it until an advance shall be
practicable.
The communication from Brigham
Young to Colonel Alexander, and from
Elder Taylor TO Captain Marcy, and the
orders Of d. Wells, the commander of
the Mormons, which Johnston encloses,
and the acts of the legislative assembly at
its last session, show, he says, a matured
and settled design on the part Of the sect
of the Mormons to hold and occupy the
Territory independent Of, and irrespec-
tive Of, the authority of the United
States.
Occupying as they do the attitude of
rebellion and open defiance of the Govern
ment, connected with numerous overt
acts of treason, Col. johnson has ordered
that whenever they le met with in arms
they may be treated as enemies He
reiterates the necessity for prompt and
vigorous action, or the United States
must submit to the usurpation of their
territory The conduct of the Mormons
result from settled determination not to
acknowledge the authority Of the United
States, nor any other outside of their
church.
A supply Of subsistence must be for
warded early in the spring, which should
reach the army by the 18th of June.
Should a long time elapse without hear
ing from him, Col. Johnston says it must
beattributed only to the difficulty of send
ing expresses across the mountains during
the winter months.
The officers and men composing the
expedition were in fine health, and were
animated with an ardent desire to dis
charge their duties faithfully.
In a postscript Col, Johnston says, the
army made one days march since the
5th, and on the 7th were awaiting the
arrival Of the trains, which were delayed
the day before by storm. Our trains, he
adds, occupy, in as close order as they can
travel, the road from thirteen or fourteen
miles, and therefore the rear cannot move
till late in the day.