Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-03-18
Prom the st Louis X publican Of 18th.
ARRIVAL FROM CAMP SCOTT.

Later Ne,es-Condttion Of the Army-7he
Mormoms Fortitying The Principal Passes
-Sn0tc-Indians side uiM the Amegicans,
dc.
Oery unexpectedly, Mr.. John Hart
nett, Secretary Of the Territory Of
Utah, arrived in this city Saturday
night, from Camp Scott. He left that
post on the Goth Of January-bringing
us news from the army two or three
weeks later than our direct advices.
At the time he left the entire COM
mand was in very comfortable condi-
ton, enjoying excellent health, and con.
sidering all things, gett ng along pleas
antly. Only four deaths had occurred
since the arrival Of the command, and
but one officer, Lieut.. Smith U. s. In
fantry, was sick. They had plenty to
eat, and by judicious supply Of diff
ferent kinds of food, the scufvy Mas al
together avoided
All intercourse between the Nor
mons of Salt Lake Valley and the
troops at Camp Scott, ceased after tho
first Of January. 1t was, however well
established, that the Mormons were
actively employed in fortyfying the
most important passes leading to Salt
Lake city, and that they intended to
offer resistance to the advance Of the
Army upon their city. 1t is admitted
that the canons, fortified and in the
possession of determined men, offer
very great, if not insurmountable OBJ
stacles to the march of the troops !;
and it was seriousl y discussed in camp
whether the march upon Salt Lake
city should not be made by another
route, a hundred miles longer in dis
lance, but presenting fewer obstruct-
ions, and those of no serious magnitude.
This, it was supposed, would be done,
as soon as reinforccments, supplies,
and particularly animals, could be OBJ
tanned. Col. Johnston calculated up
on receiving this aid by the latter part
Of May or first of June. He had or
derered the troops at Fort Laramie
and Kearney tojoin him at the earliest
possible period this spring, and they
will move, it is understood. as soon as
forage sufficient for the animals can be
obtained.
1t is satisfactory to know that the
reports which represented that the
Indians of that country were in the in
terest of, and would take sides with,
the Mormons, are incorrect. A large
party of the Utahs-two hundred in
number Of the principal men-had
been in Camp Scott, were well recciv-
ed by the Superintendent, who dis
tributcd presents to them, and assur-
ances of peaccablc intentions towards
the Americans were given. Such was
the general tenor of the information
obtained from the traders among them
The Cheyennes on the route also
proiessed desire to be at peace with
our people, acknowledging they had
been whipped by them. The Indians
were not, however, SO peaceably inclin-
ed to each other; and as large numbers
of the Cheyennes, Pawnes and Sioux
were in close proximity to each other
near O'Fallon's Bluff, a fight was ex
pected.
The coolest weather experienced al
Camp Scott put the mercury IA de-
grees below zero at sunrise, but tho
days were unusually warm and dry
and as the Camp is favorably located
in valley, and wood was plenty, there
was not great deal Of suffering from
this cause. At no time had the snow
been more than five or six inches deer
there. A theatre, under canvass, wa.
one of the most popular sources o
amusement for the troops, and it wa.
well attended.
In his progress from Camp Scott
Mr.. IIarnett's party found scarcely any
snow until they got to the South Pass
On the south of the Pass, the snow wa.
from one and half to three and hal
feet deep for thirty miles, The crust
of the snow was sufficient to bear the
weight Of the men, but the pack mule.
suffered terribly, breaking through tho
crust, and frequently stumbling and
falling down. From that point to For,
Laramie, there was no snow, but the
weather was exceedingly cold. On the
second day out from Laramie, gener
al thaw commenced, and the road was
muddy and full of water until they
reached Fort Kearney. There the
weather was warm and the road better
Grass may be expected at an earlier
perod than usual.
No mail had been receive at Camr
Scott since that of lst of October
which went out with Col. Cooks com
mand. A solitary copy of the Repub.
lican found its way into the camp from
Fort Laramie, and was in great de-
mand. The mail of November lst was
met at Green river, and would get into
camp on 3Oth Of January that of the
lst of January was met at the foot OF
Rocky Ridge on the goth February,
where they had abandoned their wag-
ons, with the intention of packing their
animals through to the South Pass
the mail Of the LIST of February was
met on the 2lst, six miles beyond Ash
Hollow; and the mail of March four
days out from Atchison. Those who
have correspondence with Camp Scott
can, from these figures, see what pros.
pect there is of getting letters to and
from that post. Mr.. Hartnett's party
had fifteen mules with them, and their
animals, when they could not find dry
grass, had to subsist on cotton wood
and willow twigs. Mr.. Fl. was accom-
psnied by Messrs. Livingston, John
Kerr, r. Carter, Mr.. Clark and Peter
D. ho....