The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-15
THE UTAH ARAIY-NEWS FROM GENERAL JOHN
SION YfSs
HRADouARrERs, DEPARTMENT OF UTAH,


the army of Utah commenced the 18th instant The
advance, composed of the "a Dragons commanded by
Col. Cooke, the volunteer battalion commanded by
Lieut. Col Pee, and Phelps light battery arrived here
ON the l4th instant. The 5h infantry, Col. Waits COM
handing, and Renos heavy battery the 18TH accom-
panied by part of the supply train To-day the 10th
infantry, commanded by Col Alexander and battalion
composed Of company Of cavalry company Of mount
ed rifles, companies Of tho 3d. companies of the 9Th
and company of the It'll Infantry commanded by Col
Loring will arrive with tile remainder OF tho supply
train The river rises during the night but can be ford
ed in the aernoonhe crossing therefore of the ORA
goons, volunteers and trains not effected till yester
day evening. An old bridge above the ford was suf.
GENTLY repaired to enable Capt Phelps to pass his pieces
aud caissons by hand This evening Captain Renos
battery will he crossed ia the same way The 9th in
antry and trains will this evening" and IL there
time afterwards the 10th infantry. Col Lorngs battal-
ion and trains will also cross and the march will DO re-
sumed tomorrow in the order directed by my order of
this date, herewith The march to the valley will be
made in five days.
On the day Of my arrival at this place. received
communication from the United States commissioner
the Hon L. w. Powell and Maj b. McCuloch, of which
the enclosed is copy. have the honor to transmit
copy of my reply and also a copy Of a few remarks
which it was thought should address to the people
allay an unfounded apprehension prevailing among
them.
Captain Newton Of the Engineer Corps was detached
yesterday with escort of an officer and thirty men
and the most experienced guide of the mountains James
Brdger, to examine thoroughly the country from this
point to the head of Muddy creek, which flows into Bear
river. (Sec map believe the elevated table land be-
tween this and the western end OF Cache valley can be
assembled by easy gradations and that the opposite side
can be descended into Cache valley without difficulty If
good road should be found practicable expect,
would respectfully suggest that the commander of the
forces here may be authorized to order its construction
Immediately. The only communication between i'm
portnt districts should not long be allowed continue
through long and difficult easily obstructed The
health of the troops continues excellent
With great respect, your Obcdicnt servant
A. s. JOHNSTON
Colonel I'd Cavalry, and Bvt. Brig. GenI
U. 5. A. Commanding.
To Major IRWIN Mcdowell,
Assistant Adjutant General,
Headquarters of the Army, West Point N Y
THE PEACE COMMISSIONERS TO GEN. JOHNSTON
GREAT SALT LAKE Cry
Utah Territory, June IL, 1858.
DEAR SIR We have the pleasure of informing you
that after full and free conference with the chief men
of the Territory, informed by them that they will
yield obedience to the constitution and laws of the Uni
ted States that they will resist the execution of the
laws in the Territory of Utah that they cheerfuly con
sent that the civil officers of the Territory shall enter
upon the discharge Of their respective duties and that
they will make resistance to the army of the United
States in its march to the valley of Salt lake or else
where. We have their that no resistance will
be made to the officers, civil military, Of the United
States in the exercise Of their various functions in the
Territory of Utah.
The houses fields and gardens of the people Of this
Territory particularly in and about Salt Lake City
very insecure The animals of your army would cause
great destruction of property IL the greatest should
not be observed n the march and in the selecting Of
camps This people of the Territory are somewhat mn
easy for fear the army when il shall reach the valley
would not properly respect their persons and property
We have assured them that neither their nor prop
erty would be injured moIestcd by the army under
your command We would respectfully suggest, in
sequence of this feeling of uneasiness that you
proclamation the people of Utah stating that tho
army under your command would not trespass upon the
rights property OF peaccabe citizens during the
jouin in the march OF your army through the Ter
rtory. Such proclamation would greatly allay the ex
sng anxiety and fear of the people, cause those who
have abandoned their homes to return to their houses
and farms
We have made inquiry about grass WOOD Sc, neces
sary for the subsistence and convenience of your army
We have conversed with Mr.. Fckn fully ON this sub.
ject, and given him all the information we have which
he will impart to you. We respectfully suggest that
you march to the valley IL il convenient for
you to do
We have the honor to be- very respectfully, your ODE
dent servants. L. w. POWELL,
BEN McCUILOCH,
Commissioners to Utah
Gen. A. s. JOHNSTON
Commanding Army Of Utah,
Camp Scott, Utah Territory.
REPLY OF GEN. JOHNSTON
HgADouApTKRs, DEPARTMENT OF UTAH
Camp on Bear River, June 14th, 1858
GrvTIEupx Your communicative, f,ap, lax CiN