The Washington union., 1858-03-03
THE UTAH ExPEDrrION--oF REPORT FROM
COLONEL JOHNSTON
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT or urAn,
Cams Scott January 4, 1858.


HEADQuARTEAs DEPARTMENT or Utah.
Camp Scott January 4, 1858
MAJOR: have the honor herewith to transmit re-
turn OF the troops in the field in this department under
my immediate command for the month of December,
1891 Not an incident Of any military importance has
traspired since my last communication, and have the
pleasure to acquaint you with the excellent condition and
fne health Of the troops.
Accompanying this communication send copy of q
letter dated I'd utmo at Fort Laramie from the COM
mander, Major Lynde You will perceive from perusal
OF il that there serious to apprehend that there
will be great If not An entire deficiency of draught an
inals to bring the three months supply at that post
intended for the army of Utah. and due here by the lst
of June, though il is expected chat the raons hand
will last some ten or fifteen days beyond that date
H S desirable that those supplies should reach here by
the 18th OF May to enable the army il then prepared in
other respects, to advance with good supply OF provs
ions on hand at least enough TO last until the annual
supply reach the main body.
will order Major Lynde to report directly to general
headquarters by this express what proportion of the
draught oxen Of Russell Co. contracton) be relied
upon for the transportation of supplies to in the
spring, and should there be deficiency it only be
supplied tine from Fort Leavenworh in this way and
there must be activity in the agents Of the quarermas
ter department to accomplish it, The requisite number
of mules mot two years old hree must bc purchased
and sent forward in the month of March pos
sibe Each team of six mules should hanl the subsist
from Leavenworth necessary to sustain It, and two
other mules to Laramie which latter will be useful to
place sick tired mules at Laramie. On their arrival
they will have exhausted their forage, but it is hoped
sonls,nay be had there if not that the grass will then
be sufficient to sustain daught animals for short marches
throughto Misplace or to headquarters and recommend
not for this service only but whenever public teams
sent out to the frontier that ut least two extra mules he
sent with each With such of relief to lame
sick, tired mules many valuable animals be pre-
served for the public service which, without provision
Of this kind, would be lost.
The greater number of soldiers nov the sick report
have been rendered unfit for duty by 'frost bite
of suffering to which those who in this climate,
other covering for the feet than leather shoes
very liable when guard marching in
have thought that in view OF preserving the efficiency
of the sodiery during the winter months well to
prevent much suffering the government ought to pro-
vide pair of buffalo oyer-shoes tor each serving
in this climate and have accordingly approved of the adj
mission of that item in the annual estimate of the chief
quartermaster and also Of full allowance of Sibley
tents of protection to the troops against the
ncemency of the winter season. and Of health and
parave comfort The Sibley tent is good substitute
for hut with the advantage of using in all localities
well sheltered from cold and prevailing winds.
Herewith send you drawing OF the field works
thrown up under the direction of Leutenants Webb and
Kens for the protection of the depot ut Brdgers fort
The zeal perseverance, and skill displayed by them in
the execution OF the works. under unfavorable crcum
stances and the cheerful aacrity of the commits
stoned officers and men under them, In the performance
of their duties during severely cold weather. is worthy Of
much praise.
have just heard that soldier who then acting as
hospital steward of the 10th infantry and taken pris
by the Momons early in October and who has been
released and to return to this camp has brought
the information that the Mormons organizing force
to " stampede capture the horses and mules it s
pected Capt Marcy will bring out in the spring from New
Mexico have already requested that escort may be
sent with Captain Marcy but the amount of force will
he hest determined by the knowledge that attack may
be expected and deem it of the greatest consequence
regards the mobility of this force that sufficient force
should he with Captain Marcy to enable him to reach
hara oIa cd He nrnhoh
by the goth March, and have to request that the gen.
eranchef will at authorize the commander of the
department of New Mexico to send force with Captain
Marcy to his movements aud have also respect
fully request the attention of the commanding general
to the great length of the line Of communication of this
army md to the necessity of providing means of defend
ing the supplies which must be sent forward in early
spring. we'll as during the summer on the route more
especially that portion liable to be attacked by the Nor
mons have ordered that three Of the companies at
Fort Laramie shall constitute the convoy to the train
which must leave in March but this amount OF force
deem insufficient, and recommend that four companies
of cavalry other mounted force be added to the force in
tended to protect the trains 1t is four hundred mile
from Laramie to this pacetoo great distance TO de-
tch any part of this mounted force with any reasonable
expectation in it's present condition that it could
reach Laramie 1t would besides, be improper to divide
the force here.
have not received the first line from general head
quarters from the War Department, and would re-
specflly suggest that when any communications arc
sent the commanding officer at Fort Leavenworth
be Instructed to send them forward by two three per-
sons accustomed to frontier life in a cold climate with
authority to obtain facilities at KeaTey and Laramie if
needed and to get letter to the commander of New
Mexico the same must be employed. No reliance
be placed the mails, and large party will proba
bly, get through,
With great respect your obedent servant,
A. s. JOHNSTON,
Colonel Second Cavalry, Commanding.
[Sent by telegraph to Boonvillc, MOI
SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS ARMY,