The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-22

The News from the Utah Expedition.
COL. JOHNSTON INTENDS kARcRNa ON sALr LAKE
CITY WHEN THE wEArasR hODERArss-DsscRIP-
TON OF THE ROUTE FROM FORT BRID6KR.
The HERALD Of yesterday contained tslegraphic des-
patch from St Louis stating that the Salt Lake mail had
rived at Independence the 10th nst and that according
10 the report Of conductor Denver the the noun
tans Was from one 10 six feet Deep INC weather he also
stated was intensely cold.
Mr. Denver set from Camp Scott near Fort Bridger,
the LIST Of January. The troops, he says, were i'm
patient for the commencement Of hostties, and were
eager TO be led against Salt Lake City They were, 40
may be supposed from this in good health and spirits
Tho latest published despatch from Col Johnston was
dated tho 14th Of December, and messenger des
patched from the camp the 18th 18th Of the
month
As the weather moderated Col Johnston intend
ed eeng out for the city Of the Mormons with the troops
under his command. II the renforcenents should not
have arrived before the time appointed he vii
proceed at without them. He is, Il appears, we'll
posted to the movements OF the Mormons and has been
informed of their preparations for hOses in he spring
They determined 70 resist him TO the utmost, and
said 10 regard every one with suspicion who Is con
sdered all favorable the conduct OF the United States
government They also very strict In the enforce
mcnt Of their municipal regulations
The mails outward bound were progressing very well,
and the indians who had been the route ds-
posed TO be friendly. Governor Cumming engaged in
the performance Of his official duties, that portion Of
them which he was able to perform.
The road or line Of march from Fort Bridger TO Salt
Lake City, and which the United States troops have
pass before they reach the capital OF the Saints
sesses 30 much interest at this special time entie
TO description The distance between the two points is
one hundred and thirteen miles As Col Johnston intens
ho rbo,t I'M thn
ground will be soft and miry from the melting of the
snow and the earlp spring rains.
From Fort Bridger TO Bear river the distance
is about fifty miles, the road generally running
through open country, where little or no oppo.
stion be made by an enemy. There are some
very steep hills TO descend and ascesd particularly the
Shaking Aspen Hill, the dividing ridge between the wa
ters Of the Gulf or California aud the Great Salt Lake
Basin which has greater elevation than the South Pass
At Bear difficulties of tho march will commence.
This river at that Of the year will be swollen from
bank bank, and only be crossed by boats or by
being brdged As the current very rapid and timber
scarce It will be difficult to throw bridge across and
boats will have to be built, as those there
will no doubt, be destroyed by the Mormons.
The Mormons, If disposed, cannot oppose
the passage the opposite bank be swept by our
fed batteries from this sde The river where the road
crosses It, about rs yards wde Beyond the river the
road continues 10 through open but broken
try for about miles further where strikes the head
Of Echo Canon From this point to Salt Lake City, dis
lance Of SO miles, the road runs through contin
uous series of and over two mountains and along
this part Of the road will come the tug Of war
Echo Canon 20 miles in length and descends gradually
until it opens on Weber river. This canon-ano the
be said Of all the others through which the
road runs-s nothing more Than a deep ravine, with
The great difficulty will be to get the wagons over
the road; for doubt IT will be cut up ard filed
in with rocks, TO be almost impassabe. rhs
ravnes and can easily be obstruc,cd, which
distractions will have TO be removed, as there is no
other place for The road After getting through
Echo Canon, the next obstacle Is the Weber rivera
stream somewhat smaller than Bear river but present
ing the dculues IN crossing. From the Weber TO
the summit of the Big Mountain distance of fifteen
twenty mies-the road through four canons, from
three i've miles In length, and susceptible OF the
distractions as in Echo Canon.
from the top of the Big Mountain is obtained tho first
peep of the Holy Land. II the Holy Mount of the Nor
mon.
From the summit Of the Big Mountain the road pitches
down into Of the most difficult ravines tho route
The hill is steep that all the wheels Of wagon be
locked odescend In anything like safety Twelve miles
further the Little Mountain md Is eight the
city. Afier descending tho Little Mountaln you
strike into Emigration Canon, which comes out
in Salt Lake valley, Just In rear Of salt
lake City. As you dcbouch from the mouth OF the
canon you end yourself table land running along the
base of the mountains and about four miles width.
Crossing this table land which about two hundred feet
above the level Of the valley find the city stretched
out at your feet It's position Is very badly chosen in
military point OF view, for Is completely commanded by