The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-28

The Last News FROM the Utah Expedition.
We publish elsewhere the official report of
Col Cooke of his march across the Plains to his
junction with the army for Utah at Camp Scott,
near Fort Bridger. Our Washington cores
pondent also advises US that the last official ad-
vices from the Utah expedition received at the
War Department the Secretary of War thinks
ought not TO be published. In addition to these
facts we learn that Gen. Scott will positively
leave for California on the goth of next month,
in order to organize the column that is to move
from that State in the spring against the Nor
mons.
Col. Cookies report exhibits sad picture of
hasty and immature preparation; and the dis
inclination Of the Secretary of War to give to
the public the last news received from Col.
Johnston leads to the suspicion that there is
some foundation for the reports that are begin
ming to obtain credence in relation to the con-
dition of the troops at Camp Scott. 1t will be
remembered that the last official adviees, which
were readily given to the public by the War
Department, stated that the troops we're all
comfortably housed near Fort Bridger, and
that the trains were all in, with provisions
enough, excepting only salt, to last until next
spring or early next summer. Col. Cooke had
been sent with the animals to pssturage
some miles distant, and Captain Marcy had
gone to Taos to procure more cattle to move
the expedition in the spring. The men were
represented to be comfortable and in high
spirits.
Since then adverse rumors have been leak.
ing out and it has been stated that the position
of affairs in the expedition is very bad indeed,
in consequence of some great bunder or negii-
gence in its organization. In fact, it il the
opinion of some of our best informed military
men that the position of our army at Camp
Scott is not whit better than was that of Ma
poleon's army at Moscow, and that it may ex-
perience herrors as great as those of Napoleon's
retreat from Russia, if it does no. perish in the
camp without being able to attempt return
across the plains This is horrible thing to
contemplate and will startle the whole coun-
try; and should the evil representations that
are now beginning to be made turn out true
even in part fearful responsibility must rest
somewhere. Such result could only follow
from the most culpable NAL arrangement in the
organization of the expedition, or criminal
neglect of orders and obligations in the carrying
out of the plan.
If any of these disasters that are being so
widely prophesied should come upon the Utah
expedition-if it should turn out that crimi
nal negligence or ignorance has hastily thrust
the brave men that compose it, needlessly, and
improperly prepared, into danger, from whence
they can neither extricate themselves nor be
extricated, the country will demand and insist
upon the most searching investigation, and that
punishment shall fall wherever it may be de-
served. We are convinced that the President
entertains a proper sense of bis duty in this
matter, and that he will not hesitate moment
to perform it. Every officer, from Lieutenant
General down to the youngest lieutenant-from
the Secretary of War down to the last sub-will
X necessary, be brought to the bar Of Court
Martial, and the strictest accountability exacted
from all; and wherever the blame may fall, the
prudence and justice Of the President will see
that an ill-advised clemency shall not interfere
with the due course of justice.