The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1858-08-12

we extract from the Utan letter TO
the NY. Times, dated from Salt Lake
City, July Sd, the following interest
ing particulars - "
THE MORMON LINE OF DEFENCEs.
In the army the facilities of the Nor
mons for defence against the troops is
topic of general mirth, and especially
the defences in Echo Canon, understood
to have been planned by Major s. NJ.
Blair-a brave and determined man
beyond all~doubt-s-a superior Indian
fighter, but perfect babe in military
knowledge when the enemy are to be
dealt with-are composed of American
troops under officers famed for military
science, knowledge and skill. There
are in this army many officers who
served in Mexico, all of whom declare
that Echo Canon, even had it been
crowded with Mormon militia, would
have presented not a quarter of the
difficulties to General Johnston's COM
mand that were so brilliantly overcome
at Cerro Gordo or Molina del Rey.-
The heights of the Canon and its deep
dells constituted nothing more nor less
than trap for those who might at
tempt to dispute the passage of troops,
for they would require far greater re-
sources to defend them than to assail.
Such is the universal opinion in the
army, whose officers crack fusilade of
jokes over the Echo Canon bug-bear
which had filled the public eye in the
States and at Washington for months.
THE REFUGEES IN PROvO-BRIGHAM's s
HAREM.
We found Provo overfowing with
the refugees, living in all sorts of habi-
tations,-some camping out in diminu-
tive tents of calico or white sheet
others under the shade of roofs made
of strong willow baskets or carpets
stretched upon a framework of poles.
With all of these comfort was out of
the question,-but thousands have nev-
ertheless submitted in silence to the
order of their priestly leaders which
consigned them to such mode of life.
A few of the more wealthy have erected
board shanties for themselves, which in
this climate, and during the summer
season, are very comfortable. Cover
nor Young has covered an entire block
with this sort of provision for the ac-
commodation of his "domestic institu-
tion." The locality which he has Sc
lected is upon the bench on the west
ern edge of the city, directly in the
shadow of the steep mountain sides.
Here he has completely inclosed block
with row of board shantics one story
high, all opening to the centre, and
with no. windows looking out upon the
street. Thus the buildings form hol-
low square, with a large courtyard in
the centre, which is entered by gates
placed near the corners. The build
ings on two sides are fitted up for the
accommodation of his numerous family,
and those on the other as storehouses,
stables, &c. The Gentle stranger wit
messed novel scene as he walked
down the inner front of the range of
family shambles," amid the din of
crying children too numerous to men,
tion," as he passed the long row of
booths standing side by side, each with
wife at its door. / should be guilty
of an objectionable sin of omission did
/ fail to say something in regard to the
appearance of Brigham's spirituals.
l had very little opportunity, how
ever, for.obseryation, as / found my
self within the precincts of the Pro-
phet's home sanctuary by accident, and
was not warranted, therefore, in paus-
ing for inspection. Such glance as 1
obtained, however, showed me that
Brigham is man of some taste, and
that his spirituals are generally fine
looking women-some Of them, indeed,