The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-28
THE UTAH EXPEDITION.
The March OF Colonel Cookies Division from
Fort Leavenworth to the Black Fork.


The March OF Colonel Cookies Division from
Fort Leavenworth TO the Black Fork,
HEADQUARTERS SECOND REGIMENT or DRAGONS,
CAMP ON BLACK FORK, U. t. Nov 81 1857.
SR-As required, Il have the honor to report that in
obedience 10 instructions from the Colonel commanding
the army for Utah, marched command of six compa
MES I'd Dragons three miles from Fort eavenworth
encamped on the afternoon OF the 18th September
The regiment had been hastily recalled from vice in
the field and allowed three four days only By my then
commanding officer TO prepare for a march of eleven
hundred miles, uninhabited and mountain wilder
ness In that time the six companies OF the regiment who
were 70 compose the expedition organized; 40
transfers necessarily made from and 10 other comranies
horses TO be condemned, and many TO be obtained the
companies paid and about fifty assertions occurred the
commanders OF four Of them changed To these princ
pal duties and obstaces-implyng great mass Of writ
ngwere To be edded every exeron of experience and
to provide for line Of operation almost un
examped length, and mostly beyond communication
On the evening Of the 10th, at the commencement of
. rain storm, an Inspector General made a hurried
inspection by companies which could been very
satisfactory to him others The company commanders
amid the confusion Of Fort eavenworth presenting their
men-raw recruitS-whom they had yet scarcely
found or seen under the effects usually following the pay
table.
marched them on the 18th. Ny preparations, though
hurried, were complete possible Then it was
to proved that three four days to be lost
n waiting for the QuarerTasers departing mt TO supply
the absolutely necessary transportation On the lsh l07
mules furnished, which the same day had arrived
from a march Of perhaps, 1000 miles, to and from
Bridger's Pass; above 100 Of the others nearly
worthless from want Of age and requiring several hours
10 harness team. On the morning of the 10TH twenty
seven Transfers wanting, and men furnished
ut erly ignorant Of the business and without outfits
marched late that day. fourteen miles, and the last Of
the train reached the camp at IL the day. the
GOTH eleven wagon tongues having been broken On the
2lst after hard rain, marched six miles, which,
slippery roads, was much such a train could well
accomplish and only that night nearly half of of the
companies whom had met returning to Fort Leaven
worth, from a march of 900 miles, reached my camp.
Half allowance, six pounds day of for horses
and mules the largest item of transportation: three
or four laundresses with their children with each
company.
September 81 received application Of Gov Cum
ming for forage for his (b public animals and was first
informed that order from the War Department
to the Department Fort Lea
venworth, ordered it furnished
The weather now for ten days proved very fne but
there generally deficiency Of grass, that not
compensated by the corn allowance. This was owing to
the many troops contractraus which had passed. the
October lon the Little Blue reached the train Of
twenty five wagons and teams which the Colonel
mandng had there stopped from their return from the
Cheyenne expedition TO make cut outfit for the longer
marches beyond assistance Hard bread for the whole
march Salt Lake City TO be taken from Fort Kear
ny. Such was the condition of the young mules fur
nshed at Fort Leavenworth that only fourteen of these
additional wagons available, sixty six mules being
necessarily exchanged. Here, had been ordered
Assistant Surgeon Mlhau.
October 3.-There a northeast storm that
lay In camp; knew there would be fuel the next
on the Platte river.
October Al marched the rain, and the 5th arrived
at Fort Kearny at 10 n, my rate Of marching after
September q having averaged twenty one miles day.
There remained the day. could increase the
number Of wagons but exchanged few mules could
the required amount Of corn be furnished.
On the 7th marched rain which had continued
since the I'd Of the month.
Up 10 the l2th-eleven days-the rainy weather
tinued, clearing up with thick ice but the marches
averaged twenty miles. The grass very
and poor. II was and prospect for delays
every taken 70 sustain the horses; they
led at that time about two hours day, and grazed
spots OF grass found the. march The length Of the
march also accommodated TO It, and diligent search
made; that night was encamped on an Island west Of
Fallons Bluff This long made the of fuel more
severe rendered useless now scarce bots dc uace
After this the repeated hard fross, with the previous
81 ps s the Ss @ ina
support mean of sort or condition Mt for the support Of
our animals.
northwest wind. Descended Ash Hollow and marched
mile two the North Platte in the vain search for any
grass These twenty two miles, with the two serious OBJ
staces overcome. accomplished by the whole train
in good time this must be attributed TO the excellent
Of that efficient officer First Lieutenant
John Buford, res mental quartermaster.
After this the horses began to de- and necessarily be left
on the road On the 18th two corn trains were passed
which bad left Fort Kearny twelve DAYS in advance OF the
regiment. renewed my deficient suppy-relevng them.
Northeastern with seet dstressingly chilling that
evening n camp Smiths Fork Next day there a
Storm falling three four inches which the teams
scarcely forced 10 face and twenty three mules all
three year o were relieved from harness. exhausted
Bunch grass sought and found that night the hills
several milee from the river
Private Whitney, Of company g. died in the camp
Chimney Rock Of lockjaw. lie buried the bluff,
with the honos OF war next morning at sunrise the Their
mometer at D. degrees bot fierce wind made the
cold excessive we found ice floating IN the river.
October 20 II crossed Scotts Bluff by the old (he best
and shorlesD read, still nearly covering the ground
nal which had been IN company for IL days did not
get up the night q tn, 2lst.
On the ga my camp was four miles below Fort Lara
mic win scarcely amp Appearance o. grass and there was
Fort Kesy the road being pronounced than ever
remembered by lumber of old and frequent travellers
on H.
On the 23d the regiment csmped n half mile below the
tort laramie river Mr. Buiord, sent the night before,
although there deaed elsewhere, had found the ouy
grass, mile and hall higher up( where the mules were
herded during my stay. He directed TO make
critical examination and report upon all the mules. and
board Of the oldest company officers ordered TO
fully inspect and report upoz the horses.
Fifty three reported on the Gath ineffective for
tive service and 27S nj 10 Troeccute the march The
mentsl quart.rmaster ,Drted his ability 10 pioceed
with dmnutor OF only wagons but eleven others Of
the train only capable going Eve six days. whes their
loacs Of would DC consumed, II the others
not lghtcncd. There but little hay thers. and j
ordered issue from IL 10 the horses durzg their DAY
The corn trains were expected in day sr rive. twas
absolutely necessary 10 await their arrival.
had received your communication Of 0cfober B, giving
discretionary authority 10 winter tho vicinity of Fort
Laramie but that evening determined b. continue
ordered the lasndrcsses 10 be left Lieut. Colonel Hof
stated that be could provide for them Those too
sick ~ ride ordef 4 Ia be left or the men dis
mounted married 70 company, and such others
deemed by their company commanders 'nciect
lie sfoo authorised W be left The allowance OF
cqupagein the general order for the summer march
greatly reduced 10 fact all other baggage and even