Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-01-29
The Army in Utah.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28-The War De-
parlment to-day received official dis
patches from the headquarters of the ar.
my in Utah, dated Black Fork, three
miles below the mouth of Hams Fork,
Nov. 9th. Col. Johnston states that Col.
Smith, with his command ard the numer-
GUS trains guarded by it, reached there
on the Sd of November The march was
slow and tedious. averging only eleven
miles day, although the road was in ex.
oellent order and the wea her fine.
1t was not possible to make more rapid
progress on account of the broken down
condition of the draft animals. The
trains, including settlers and merchants
destined for Salt Lake, which he would
not allow to go on alone, occupied, in as
close order as they could be made 10 trav-
ell, space of from FIVE to six miles. No
molestation whatever was attempted by
the Mormons, which may be attributed to
the presence OF the cavalry and the judi>
cious disposition Of them and the vigilance
of Col. Smith.
On the 9Th Of November Col. Johns on
was to march on Fort Brigdet and dis.
lodge any force he might find there, and
await the approach of Col. Cook. when,
as the approach of winter was too near to
attempt the passage of the Wasach range
of mountains with the probability OF suc>
cess, he would seize upon the district
mentioned in his letter from South Pass,
and occupy it until an advance should be
practicable.
The communication from Brigham
Young to Colonel Alexander, and from
Elder Taylor to Captain Marcy, and the
orders of D. Wells. the commander of the
Mormons, which Johnston encloses, and
the acts of the legislative assembly at its
last session. show, he says, matured
and settled design on the part OF the sect
of the Mormons to hold and occupy the
Territory indepdent of, and irresp ectiye
of, the authority of the United States.
Occupying as they do the attitude Of
rebellion and open defiance Of the govern
ment. connected with numerous overt
acts of treason. Col. Johnston has ORDER
ed that whenever they are met with in
arms they may be treated as enemies
He reiterates the necessity for prompt
and vigorous action, or the United States
must submit to the usurpation of their
territory. The conduct OF the Mormons
results from settled determination not
to acknowledge the authority of United
States, nor any other outside of their
church.
A supply OF subsistence must be for
warded early in the spring, which should
reach the army by the l2th of June
Should long time elapse without hear.
ing from hin, Col. Johnston says it
must be attributed only to the difficulty
of sending expresses across the nouns
tains during the winter months.
The officers and men composing the
expedition were in fine health, and were
animated with an ardent desire 10 dis
charge their duties faithfully. =
In postscript Col. Johnston says the
army made one days march since the 9th
and on the 7th were awaiting the arrival
Of the trains. which were delayed the day
before by a storm. Our trains, he adds,
occupy, in as close orders as they can
travel. the road from thirteen to fourteen
miles, and therefore the rear cannot move
till late in the day.