The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-04-06
THE UTAH EXPEDITION.
Letter from Co.. Johnston detailing the Difficult

ties Encountered.
We have perused letter, says the St Louis
Republican. from Col Johnston to friend in tins
city, dated at Camp Scott, Feb. ;, 1898, and have
been permitted to make some extracts therefrom
Notwithstanding the destruction of a part of the
train which was loaded with provisions and other
supplies necessary for the troops, and III spite OF
the obstacles which still presented themselves, Col
Johnston did not abandon the hope of marching
to Salt Lake City without halt, until after the
terrific storm of the 9th Of November. We quote
from his letter: ''On the 9th of November the
march was resumed, and then commenced the
storm of snow, and wintry cold, racklng the bones
of our men, and starving our oxen, and mules and
horses already half starved. They died on the
road and at our camps by hundreds, and so dinlln-
ished were their numbers that from camp to camp,
only four or FIVE miles, as many days were required
to bring them all up, as it was necessary to give
time to rest the animals now incapable protract
ed effort and to hunt for food. In this way fifteen
davs were consumed in making thirty miles to
this place. the nearest and best place for shelter
and fuel for the troops, and for shelter and grass
for the animals The struggle, then, amid snow
and Arctic cold, (the thermometer was at sixteen
below zero) was tor place OF safety 1t any
doubt existed before this storm of the proprety OF
| rsking the troops on the mountains before us pc
fore Spring, or of the ability to accomplish the
march, the destruction among our draught animals,
the necessity of saving all the oxen lett for food,
even if capable of further exertion, now dlspehed
! that doubt and solved the question.
The storm which Col. Cook encountered on the
Sweet W ater, and on through the South Pass, de-
stroyed more than half of his horses, and large
number of his mules, although they had corn for
them In that high region, much higher than
where we are, the cold must have been much more
intense than experienced by us, and his animals,
| 7 rrosl1mo nnriShed mainly from cold
[ have the satisfaction to say that the prlvatons
of the march were endured by officers and men
without complaint, Or, perhaps | might more justly
say, with cheerfulness. The troops are in fine
health and condition. The winter thus far has
not been so rigorous to prevent often the daily
instruction of the troops They have proved them
selves hardy enough for any service, few only
as many as thirty or less-have been frost-bltten
but now our scouts bivouac, when necessary, IL
the passes without suffering.
The Mormons have declared, as fully as wore
and actions can manifest intentions, that they will
no longer submit to the Government, or to an.
Government but their own. i he people OF th
Union must now submit to a usurIation Of thel
territory-to have government erected III thel
midst, not loyal to, or rather not acknowledges
anv dependence upon, or allegiance to, the Fcdel
al Goyernment-and what is not less impohtlC
and entirely incompatible with our institutions t
allow them to engraft part OF our system, or els
act with vigor and force to compel them to sui
nit. This is due to the dignity and honor Of tn
Government.
I hope every effort will be made to forward tn
Spring supplies early, under sufficient guard {
\ mounted men for the guard will be needed, al
. also to forward the supplies for the rest of tn
, year.