The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-01-28
The Utah Expedition.

That the expedition against the Mofmons was
little understood by its projectors the utter foil
ure Of its march and the grcS loss of money and
treasure fully uttests. It's movements have been
characterized by an entire lack Of prudence and
forethought, for which the government has dcur-
ly pal and now the army is in winter quarters,
ll3 miles from Salt LAX, City and has found it
necessary to send of to New Mexico picked
company of 35 men for provisions.
The ability ofthe officers in command may be
understood by the fact that on the 29th of Sep
tember the troops were not as far from Salt
Lake City as they were on the 29lh Of October,
marching an entire month. But for this retro
gade movment, the army might now have its
headquarters in the Mormon City.
The Governorh has issued proclamation which
betrays much weakness, aud is severely criticised
BY letter writer's. The seat of government is
necessarily established with the army near Fort
Bridger. Tho territorial officers are all at their
posts except the two Associate Judges, whose
absence it is thought will cause much trouble,
especially with those cnses where an appeal from
the decision of one judge is demanded.
To show the incfliciency of the conductors Of
this EXPEDITION and the consequent losses, we
quote the following paragraphs from the Tribune
correspondent:
"There is such prodgous loss of stock by
theft, cold and hunger, that since Nov. 7th we
have not advanced, on the average, two miles a
day. 1t is necessary TO employ all the tile ON
one day to haul along one half Of the trains, and
on the next to send them back 80 bring up the
| ranainipr Most nf iha tillory hore naJ
and their places are supplied by mules.
But, in addition to the delay which such q
loss of stock has rendered inevitable, the march
OF the army has been seriously retarded by the
ineniciency of the employees of Messrs Russell
and Wudde. who have charge of the supply
trains. Among the number eome are undoubtedly
Mormons, and are glad to clog the progress of
the troops in any possible way Others have
been constantly drunk over night and have de.
voted the morning to getting sober, not hitch,
lug up the cattle before noon and others still
are entirely unacquainted with their business.
Between Fort Larmie and Fort Brdgcs-a
distande Of 400 miles--the only depots of grain
were at Platte Bridge and the bridge over the
Sweetwatcr, and neither contained corn enough
to supply regiment of dragons With a weeks
forage. The terrible loss of animals which the
army has suffered is Justly chargeable to those
officers OF the Qualtcrmasters Department who
were trusted with the provisions and disposition
of the supplies, They seem to have entirely ig-
nored the possibility of the Mormon community
rising to arms. The public, to be sure, had the
; right to doubt that possibility but it was Grim
: nal neglect for those to leave it out of view
whose duty it was, and who were provided with
sufficient funds to guard against every contin
gency. 1t is impossible for me to write on thi,
subject without feeling, for of oil the pitiabl,
speciaclcs of other than human distress hav,
q ever witnessed, none eau compare with thos,
which were of daily occurance during the marcl
to this point from Fort Larmie. When tn
wolves and ravens and bnzards have fuishe,
: their feast, and the snow has melted in III
$ Spring, the road will be literally walled wit
Q skeletons"