The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-08-21
Gen. Johnston's Utah Campaign.


There is truth and force in the following
comments of the ST. Louis Democrat, upon
Gen. Johnson's conduct of the Utah cam
paign;
The War Department at Washington has
been universally ccnsured by all parties for
its want of energy and capacity in organ
izing and sending out the expedition under
Col. Johnston. This censure is well de-
served, but it is the least of the accusations
which may be successfully urged against it
in connection with the Mormon insurrection.
Jobs and plumber have. we think, attained
their elimination in the contracts for the
Utah army, but we will not dwell on this
at present as we propose directing attention
to the claims of IN individual, who has won
rank and perhaps reputation by the exhi-
bitiOn of unparalleled inactivity. General
Johnston has gained his brevct by no deed
of heroiSm or display of generalShip, but by
obstinate immObility for eight or nine
months. For that length of time, he re-
mained motionlcSS in camp, within l20 miles
of Salt Lake City, and within 60 miles or
less of the rebels, because his means of trans
pOrtation were defectivel
was in state of gloomy anxiety, lest his
command should Starve; but the fact that
his provisions lasted up to the 10th of June,
and that his men had been exempt from
sickness, proves how groundless were the
fears entertained. Ii cannot be doubted for
n moment, that the irretrievable error i'm the
conduct of the Mormon war was the mac
tivity of Col. Johnston. Ii he had ad-
vanced on Salt Lake City, the Mormon en-
broglio would have been disentangled-th
question solved. If the Mormons had
fought, il would have but accelerated the
final and conclusive settlement of the diff
Guilty. lie would have ANTICIPATED the Off
ceS of Kane and the Peace Commissioners.
The salutary celerity of martial law would
have disposed of the Danites, the ncendiary
apostles and all those found with arms in
their hands. II the Mormon Church would
have been enriched with the blood of mar
tyrs, the authority of the United States
would have been established on firm basis,
and fifteen or twenty millions would have
been saved to the treasury. IL cannot be
ganSaid that Col. Johnston was guilty of a
grave error Of judgment. That he was
strong enough to meet the enemy is proved
resolved on making his way into Salt Lake
City before the arrival of the reinforcements.
Indeed he was eager to anticipate the adj
vent of Generals Smith and IIarney, by strik-
inga decisive blow, but he found that an OPP
portunity once neglected can never be re-
called.
lie had subsistence aud men, but il is
said that hc overrated the difficulties of the
ground and strength of the Mormons His
means of transportation may have been
limited, but with the enemy within two or
three days march, this was no insuperable
obstacle. His men could have carried with
them five or six days rations, and the sup
plies of the enemy would have fallen into
their hands before they had consumed their
own, for the victors get tiie spoils, and that
the troops would have been the yictors. hard
ly admits OF doubt. Well known instances
may be referred to in which the United
States troops have carried ten days proviS-
ions without the aid of pack animals, much
less wagons. 1t WAS done in one of the
Indian wars in Florida and the history of
all campaigns contains instances in which
Generals have been surrounded by circum-
stances far more embarrassing than those
which drew decentralization round the
Utah army last winter. The War Depart
ment is justly condemned for detaining the
troops ia Kansas during the summer, but
Col Johnston has forfeited all claims to gen
eralShip by detaining them at Fort Bridger
during the winter The Administration
was only solicited to put down freedom in
Kansas. Johnston was excessively prudent,
and between them they have treated the
nation TO farce, without giving the Nor
mons fright, at the cost of twenty mil
lions of dollars.