The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-18

twenty two degrees below zero). Subsistenceror the ami
dent that a move in some direction was inevitable, II we
wished to save even the scanty means OF transportation
which remained. Accordingly, In the midst Of q heavy
waste, We commenced our march. i have often thought
Of the retreat from Moscow, and our small experience en-
abled US to realize a few Of the hardsbIps incidental 10
such. a campaign. Our train, even when closed up. OK
tended over a length OF fourteen miles, and those familiar
with bullock trains can form q pretty fair estimate OF
at every step. The unfortunate rear guard
never got into camp the same night "a the advance,
the rear TO close up. The animals died faster and faster
and al last we were forced 10 adopt the ~expedient OF
with as many wagons az could be moved, leaving the re.
msinder OF the troops and wagons behind. The advance
were sent back to bring up the rest Of the train under
the escort ofthe rear guard. By this means We managed
TO crawl into our present camping ground, having ave
ragged something like one mile per diem during the latter
part of our march. Here we are TO remain for winter,
and a capital place for the purpose II Is. There Is
good grass, plenty of wood and water, and our
elevation is not so great as TO lead us 70 expect
much suffering from GOLD. We are about one
hundred miles from the South Pass, on Blacks
Fork, at Fort Bridger, a place doubtless familiar 70 many
of your reacers. Old Brdger is with US himself, as guide
TO the 9th regiment of infantry to which we are attached,
large tract Of land here, twenty miles square, l believe.
Colonel Johnston, l have been told on good authority, pays
him $500 per annum for the use OF his land, but for this !
cannot vouch, no. having been regularly posted on the
subject. So here, or in this neighberhood, we will remain
until spring nj least, perhaps until fresh transportation
reaches Us. Reports Of all kinds are rfo enough, but l
hear say often occasioning, as ii does, superstition 10 be
taken for certainty, and misleading all who give the ieas.
attention to IL.
The Delaware Indians arrived in our camp here on the
10Th or Goth inst straight from Salt Lake City, with a
Superintendent of Indian Affairs" They report that the
Mormons are preparing 10 defend, for this winter u least,
the approaches to the valley against the troops, that they
have fortified Echo Canon at the upper or western extre-
NIFTY, by Qamm1nG q creek aEQ dOOdtng the
canon, and by having constructed a high, strong
t Sssri Scamou a'' Ssye q hiud pass taken 1n the lp Dsins to say arrange sn.s
one ,,,easapd wagon loads OF rocks, varying in Dimensions,
~along.tbe SUBMITS Ct the heights bounding the pass, for
knocking our heads off in any such absurd manner; that
they have got two or three pieces OF cannon In
ton poS'f for one eS Campaign at i least. Three e thousand Mormons
are reported to constitute the force in Echo Canon-allo OF
them the picked men Of the "chosen people" The Della
wares also spoke of some trivial discussions having arisen
in Salt Lake Valley, but represented these 10 be In indivi-
dual cases, not extending to the mass of the people, many
of whom assured the Deiawares that they intended
throats were cut" Wen see about that part Of 1t. In
all probability, when the order for a forward movement
arrives, we will execute a flank movement by Bear river,
which will at once place us In their rear, and consequent
ly drive them from their position amongst the canons, and
render unavailable the formidable natural obstacles in our
way, on which this amisbly disposed pack Of s~coundrels
count so much. We have men with US who can take
us right into the Valley of the Great Salt Lake
by a route Offering pasture in abundance for our animals,
and accessible TO wagons in spring, and placing us within
a very few days march Of the city. Should this course
be adopted, and volunteers and regulars move upon Utah
from Oregon and California on the northwest, while at the
same time troops from Mexico attack them in the south
and We Ourselves in the east, ! think the Mormons will find
themselves in a fair way " test the value Of their Saints
prophecies, and to ind out to a certainty the truth Of their
religion, while the government will be for ever freed from
this horde Of murderers and robbers. Such, or some
thing like 1t, will ] imagine, be the course adopted, as
Captain Marcy, OF the Fifth Regiment, has gone 10 New
Mexico, with a party Of fifty men, to procure money,
mules and other Decessaries, and, II IL coDjectured, to ar
range the plan Of operations for the ensuing spring. This
detachment marched on the 2Sth.