The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-01-14

! Interesting from the Utah E.p<ditsen,
The following letter, written by A. s.
JOHNSON, Commanding the Army in Utah,
TO Mayor IRWIN Mcdowell, Assistant Ad-
jutant General, Washington, will be read
with interest
HgADQuARrERs ARMY OF UTAH,
Blacks Fork, three miles below
Mouth Of Hams Fork, en- route TO
Salt Lake City, Nov. 5, 1857.
MAJOR have the honor to inform you
that | arrived here on the Sd inst This
place ! designated in o communication to
Col. Alexander, subsequent to my letter to
you Of the 18th of October from the South
Pass, as the one at which the force, consist
ing Of one squadron Of Dragons, two COM
panies OF the tenth infantry, and one compa-
ny Of volunteers-in all about three hundred
men, under the command OF Col G. +.
Smith, charged with the duty Of protecting
'he trains Of supplies for the army, could
with the most facility join the main body
Col. Smith, with bis command and the nu.
merous trains guarded by it, reached here on
the 3d inst. The march was slow and te
dious, and effected in days--averaging II
! ,E:.ss PER lag. Although ,hc f0ai was ex:-
celent and the weather fine, it was not pos
sible TO make any more rapid progress,
on account Of the broken down condition of
the dranght animals. Trains, including set
tiers and merchants, destined for Salt Lake.
(which would not allow 10 90 on, in as lose
order as they could be made to travel, occu
pied space Of five or six miles. No mo.
lestation whatever was attempted by the
| MormoDs, which may he attributed to the
presence OF the cavalry and the judicous
dispositions and vigilance Of Col. Smith
Yesterday and to-day have been occupied in
making arrangements necessary for a forward
movement, which my orders will explain
Tomorrow will march upon Fort Br,ger
and dislodgc any force may find there, and
await the arrival of Col. Cook. when. as the
approach OF winter is too near to attempt
the passage Of the Wasach range Of noun
tains with probability OF success. ! will
seize upon the district mentioned in my let.
ter from South Pass, and occupy it until an
advance is practicable.
The COMMUNICATIONS from Brigham Young
TO Colonel Alexander, and Elder Taylor to
Captain Marcy, aud the orders of DIR. Wells,
the commander OF the Mormons, herewith
enclosed and the acts of the Legislative
Assembly at the last session, show matur-
ed and settled design on the part Of the sect
Of Mormons to hold and occupy this Terri.
tory, independent of and irrespective of the
authority Of the United States. They have
with premeditation placed themselves in re-
bellion against the Union, and entertain the
insane design OF establishing form of gov
ernment thoroughly despotic and utterly re-
pugnant to our institutions. Occupying, Us
they do, an attitude of rebellion and open
defiance to the government, connected with
numerous overt acts Of treason (see orders
and commissions herewith, issued by the
leaders,) have ordered that, whenever they
are met with in arms, they may be treated
as enemies.
In my letter from the south Pass, | sub
mitted 10 the consideration of the general
in.chiei the necessity. on the part of the
government, Of prompt and vigorous action !;
that the time for any further argument is
past and, in my opinion, the people Of the
United States must now act, or submit to a
a>urpation of their territory and ensrafting
upon our institutions social organization
aud political principles Incompatible with
our own. Lest that letter may not have
been received, send herewith copy.
The state of things now existing has not
been brought about by the movement of
troops in this direction for these people
understand the relation OF the military to the
civil power OF the government as well a. any
other portion OF the inhabitants OF the Mon
and that the arms Of our soldiers are designed
for the preservation OF the peaceful condi
ton of society, and not for IT, disturbance.
Their conduct, as have before stated "a nv
opinion. results from settled determination
on their part not to submit 10 the authority
of the United States or any other outside Of
their church.
Enclosed X a statement of the chief com
missary OF the amount of subsistence des-
troye,i under the orders Of Brigham Young.
The los, although great is less than APP
pretended. A supply early in the spring
must be forwarded 1t should reach here
by the first OF June The supplies, of the
contractors. suttlers, ne, for the employees
have been exhausted; 30 long a detention
with the army was not anticipated by them,
Ii has become necessary Ia give them bread,
as there il no source by which they can OBJ
tain IT, Should long interval intervene
withou, hearing from me. you ne,d only at
tribute ii to the difficulty Of sending ex-
presses across the mountains in the winter
months. The officers and men are in fine
health. ard animated with an ardent desire
to discharge their duties faithfully.
With great respect,
your obedlent servant.
\. :. JOHNSON.
Col, "a Cavalry, Com ng the Army OF Utah
To Major lRyIS McDowELL.
Asst. Adj Gen. ilead9'rs Of the Army
7. :. We have made one days march
since the date Of this, and are now. Novem.