The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-03-04
THE UTAH EXPEDITION OFFICIAL REPORT
FROM COLONEL JOHNSTON
HEAD-QUARTERs, DEPARTMENT OF UrAH.

CAMP SCorT, January A, 1858. I
MAJOR: | have the honor herewith to transmit a
return of the troops in the field in this department.
under my immediate command for the month Of
December, 1857. Not an incident of any military
importance,bas transpired, since my last commun-
cation, and ! have the pleasure to acquaint YOU
with the excellent condition and fine health of the
troops.
Accompanying this communication send COPY
OF letter, dated I'd ultimo, at Fort Laramie from
the commander, Major Lynde. You will perceive
from perusa of it that thereis serious cause to an
prehend that there will be great, if not an entire
deficiency OF draught animals to bring on the three
month supply at that post intended for the army OF
Utah, and due here by the first of June, though it
is expected that the raions hand will last some
ten or fifteen days beyond that date
1t is desirable that those supplies should reach here
by the 18th of May to enable the army if then pre-
pared in other respects to advance with good sup
ply of provisions hand at least enough to last un
til the annual supply can reach the main body.
will order Major Lynde to report directly to
general headquarters by this express what proper
ton OF the draught oxen of Russell Co. (cOntrac-
tors can be relied upon for the transportation of
supplies to us in the spring and should there be
deficiency it can only be supplied in time from Fort
Leavenworth, in this way and there must be actiy-
ty IN the agents OF the quartermasters department
to accomplish it. The requisite number of mules
mot two years old three) must be purchased and
sent forward in the month of March as posi-
Bile. Each team of six mules should haul the sub
slstence from Leavenworth necessary to sustain it.
Il,
be useful to replace sick tired mules at Laramie
On their arrival they will have exhausted their for
age, but it is hoped some may be had there's if not
that the grass will then be sufficient to sustain
draught animals for short marches through to this
place, or to headquarters, and recommend not for
this service only, but whenever public teams are
sent out to the frontier, that at least two extra
mules be sent with each team. With such means OF
relief to lame, SICK or tired mules, many valuable
animals be preserved for the public service,
which, without provision of this kind would be
lost.
The greater number of soldiers now on the sick
report have been rendered unfit for duty by frost
bite-a source of suffering to which those who, in
this climate, have no other covering for the feet
than leather shoes, very liable when on guard
or marching in snow. | have thought that in view
OF preserving the efficiency of the soldiery during
the winter months as well as to prevent much sui.
fering, the government ought to provide a pair of
buffalo over-shoes for each serving in this eli
mate, and have according y approved Of the admis-
sion of that item in the annual estimate of the chief
quartermaster; and, also of a full allowance of
Sibley tents, means of protection to the troops
against the incemency of the winter season, and
OF health and comparative comfort The Sibley
tent is good substitute for hut, with the advan-
tage of using it in all localities well sheltered from
cold and prevailing winds.
Herewith | send you drawing of the tield-works
thrown up under the direction of Leutenants Webb
and hensi, for the protection of the depot at Bird
gers fort. The zeal, perseverance, and skill dis
played by them in the execution of the works. under
untavorabe circumstances and the cheerful aacritv
of the non-commissOned officers and men under
them, In the performance of their duties during Sc
verely cold weather, is worthy of much praise.
| have just heard that soldier who was then act
ing as hospital steward of the 10th infantry, and
was taken prisoner by the Mormons early in Octo-
Der, and who has been released and permitted to
return to this camp, has brought the information
that the Mormons are organizing a force to ''stam-
pede or capture the horses and mules it is expect
ed Captain Marcy will bring out in the Spring from
New Mexico | already cd thata
cort may be sent with Captain Marcy; but the
amount of force will be best determined by the
knowledge that an attack may be expected, and |
deem it of the greatest consequence as regards the
mobility of this force that sufficient force should be
sent with Captain Marcy to enable him to reach
here unmolested He will probably leave New
Mexico by the goth March, and / have to request
that the Generalin- Chief will at once authorize the
Commander of the Department of New Mexico to
send force with Captain Marcy to cover his move
ments; and have also respectfully to request the
attention of the Commanding General to the great
length OF the line of communication of this army
and to the necessity of providing means of defend
ing the supplies which must be sent forward in ear
ly spring, as well as during the summer, the
route, more especially that portion liable to be at
tackled by the MormOns.
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 com
panes OF cavalry or other mounted be added to
the force intended to protect the trains. 1t is four
hundred miles from Laramie to this place-too great
distance to detach any part of this mounted force
with any reasonable expectation in its present CON
dlton that 1t could ever reach Laramie. 1t would,
besides, be improper to divide the force here
have not received the first line from general
headquarters or from the War Department, and
would respectfully suggest that when any commu-
nicatons are sent, the commanding officer at Fort
Leavenworth be instructed to send them forward by
two or three persons accustomed to frontier life in
cold climate, with authority to obtain facilities at
Kearney and Laramie, if needed; and to get letter
to the commander of New Mexico the same means
must be employed. No reliance can be placed on
the mails, and no large party will probably get
through.
With great respect, your obedient servant
A. S. JOHNSTON
Cnlnr q