The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-12-16

4
tachment OF the army to accompany them to
Utah. The necessity for adopting these
measures is now demonstrated.
On the 18th Of September, 1857, Cover
nor Young issued his proclamation, in the
style Of an independent sovereign, annoanc.
in. his purpose to resist by force of arms
the entry Of the United States troops into
our own Territory Of Utah. BY this he re-
quired all the forces 10 the Territory to
hold themselves in readiness to march at
a moments warning to repel any and all
such INVASION" and established martial law
from its date throughout the Territory.
These proved 10 be no idle threats. Forts
Bridger and Supply were vacated and burnt
down by the Mormons. TO deprive our troops
Of shelter after their long and fatiguing
march. Orders were issued by Daniel II.
Wells, styling himself" Lieutenant General,
Nauvoo Legion" 10 stampede the animals
Of the United States troops OF. their march,
70 set fire TO their trains, 10 burn the
grass and the whole country before them
and on their TANKS, to keep them from sleep
ing by night surprises, and to blockade the
road by falling trees and destroying the
fords OF rivers, &c, &c.
These orders were promptly and efiec,ual-
ly obeyed. On the 4th Of October, 1857,
the Mormons captured and burned on
Green river, three OF our supply trains, con-
sisting Of seventy five wagons loaded with
provisions and tents for the army, and drove
away several hundred animals This dimin-
ished the supply Of provisions so materially
that Gen. Johnston was obliged to reduce
the rations, and even with this precaution
there was insufficient left to subsist the
troops until the st Of June.
Our little army behaved admirably in their
encampment at Fort Bridger under these
trying privations. In the midst Of the noun
tains, in drcary unsettled and inhospitable
region, more than thousand miles from
home. they passed the severe and inclement
winter without murmur. They looked
forward with confidence for relief from their
country in due season, and in this tn y were
not disappointed.
The Secretary Of War employ cd all his
energies 10 forward them the necessary sup
plies, and TO muster and send such military
force to Utah as would render resistance on
the parts OF the Mormons hopeless, and thus
terminate the war without the effnsion of
blood. In his effort be was sufficiently sus.
tanned by Congress. They granted appro
prati0ns sufficient to cover the deficiency
) thus necessarily created, and also provided
, for raising two regiments of volunteers, - for
the purpose Of queing disturbances in the
Territory OF Utah, for the protection of sup
ply and emigran: trains, and the suppression
OF Indian hOstilities on our frontiers" Hap
PLY, there was no occasion to call these reg
, iments into service. II there had BEEN
should have felt serious embarrassment in
selecting them, so great was the number Of
our brave and patriotic citizens anxious to
serve their country in this distant and ap.
parently dangerous expedition Thus il has
! been, and thus may il ever be.
, The wisdom and economy of sending suf
} ficient reinforcements to Utah are establish
ed not only by the event, but in the opinion
OF those who, from their position and oppor
tunities, are the most capable Of forming q
: correct judgment. General Johnston, COM
, mander of The forces, in addressing the Sec.
rotary Of War from Fort Bridger, under
date Of October lS. 1857, expresses the
opinion that" unless large force is sent
, here, from the nature Of the country q pro
inevitable" This he considered necessary,
! to terminate the war speedily and more
} economically than if attempted by insutlici-
ent means
10 the meantime, it was my anxious desire
that the Mormons should yield obedience TO
the constltution.and the laws, without render.
: ing it necessary to resort to military force.
g To aid in accomplishing this object, | deemed
, it advisable in April last to dispatch two dis,
= tinguished citizens Of the United States
= Messrs. Powell and McCulloch--to Utah.
( They bore with them a proclamation ad-
dressed by myself to the inhabitants Of Utah
Q dated on the sixth day Of that month, warn
). ing them OF their true condition, and how
$ hopeless it was on their part to persist in
G rebellion against the United States, and OF.
D fering all those who should submit to the
( laws . full pardon for their past solutions
/. aud treasons. At the seme time assured
$ those who should persist 10 rebellion against
the United States, that they must expect no
: further lenity, but look to be vigorously
; dealt with according to their deserts. The
, instructions to these agents as well as a
Z copy OF the proclamation. and their reports
| afc utItWltu suuUlltttu IL viii NC Ecu Dy
: their report Of the 81 OF July last, that they
q have fully confirmed the opinion expressed
' by Gen, johnson in the previous October,
rs 10 the necessity of sending rein'orcements
4 10 Utah. In this they state that they "are
= firmly impressed with the belief that the
: presence vi the army here aud the large ad-
/ di,ional. force that had been ordered TO this
+ Territory. were the chief Inducements that
Q caused the Mormans TO abandon the idea Of
/ resisting the authority OF the United States
\ A less decisive policy would probably have
a resulted 10 long, bloody, and very expen
= sive war
r These gentlemen conducted themselves "a
!. my entire sat,siacti q, and rendered useful
!. services IN excuting the humane intentions
v Of the gov,rnmcut.
. IL also affords rue great satisfaction "a
s;ate.tha, Governor Cumming has perform