The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-11-19


! was thrown, looked upon the present move
mcnt Of tbs troops towards their Territory
a. the commencement Of another religious
persecution. and expressed fixed deterrni-
nation 10 sustain Gov. Young in any meas
ures he might adopt
From al these facts am forced TO The
conclusion that Governor Young and the
people OF Utah will prevent, II possibls, the
army Tor Utah. from entering the Territory
this season. This. In my opinion, will not
be difficult task, owing to the lateness OF
the season, the snaIlnsss Of the force, and
the dcfences that nature has thrown around
the Valley Of the Great salt Lake There
IL but one road running into the valley on
the side which Our troops are approaching,
and for over fifty miles il passes through
narrow canons and over ragged mountains,
which small force could hold against great
odds. Their plan Of operations will be to
burn the grass, cut up the ROAD and STAN
pe,lc the animals, so as to delay the troops
antil snow commences TO fall, which will rem
der the road impassible.
Snow falls early in this region in fact,
las, night |, commenced falling At Fort
Bridgsr, and this morning the surrounding
mountains are clothed ID white. Were II
one month earlier in the season believe the
troops could force their way, and they may
be able 10 do 80 even now but the attempt
will be- fraught with considerable danger
arising from the filing up Of the canons aud
passes with snow do not wish Il 10 be
considered that am advocating either the
one course or the other, simply wish 10
lay the incts before the General, leaving II
10 his better Judgment to decide upon the
proper movements. Notwithstanding my
inability to make the purchase was ordered
o.. and MI tia, Gov. Young said in regard
10 opposing the entrance Of the troops into
the valley, examined the country In the Vi.
cin'y Of the city. with view Of selecting n
proper military site. visited the military
rcservc-kush Valley---but found it, in my
opinion. entirely unsuitable for military
station. II contains but little grass. and is
very much exposed to the cold winds Of win
ter, its only advantage being the close prox.
unity Of fire wood il IL too far from the
city. being between forty and fifty miles
aud will require teams four days 10 90 there
aud return. examined another point on
the road 10 Rush Valley, and only about
thirty miles from the city, which consider
u much more eligible position. II is in
fuellc Valley three miles 20 the north Of
Tmlle City and possess,s wood, water, and
grass bu, is occupied by Mormons who
have some sixty acres under cultivation
with houses and barns on this land. These
persons would have TO he dispossessed, or
bought out. In fact there il no place within
forty, fifty or sixty mile. Of the city, sui,a.
bic for military position, that is not occu-
pel by the inhabitants and under cultiva.
ton. Finding that | could neither make
the purchases ordered To, nor shake the up
parent determination Of the people TO resist
the authority Of the United States, lett
the city anl returned 10 my camp on Hams
Fork, On my return examined the vi
cinity 81 Fort Bridgcr, and found il very
suitable position for wintering the troops
and grazing the animals. shoud II be neces.
sary to stop at that point. The Mormons
occupy the fort at present. and also have n
settlemen. about ten miles further up Black 3
Fork called Fort Supply. These two pla-
ccs contain buildings sufficient to cover
nearly half the troops now IN route for
Utah, but | was informed that they would
all be laid in ashes as the army advances. |
have thus stated fully the result Of my visit
to Utah, aud trusting that my conduct will
meet the approval Of the commanding Gen
eral, am, very respectfully, your obedieut
servant, STEWART VAN WHIT,
Capt. A. q. NJ, U. S. Army.
Carr. A. rLs.soSros. A. Asst, Adjt Gen.
Army for Utah, Fort leavenworth.