Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-03-26
From the 81. Louis Repub can Of March %.
LATER FROM THE PLAINS
From Col. Johnston's Command at Fort
Scott, Utah.

Wo have perused letter from Col John
stOn to friend in this city, dated at Camp
Scott, February 5, 1858, and have been per-
mitted to make some extracts therefrom.
The Colonel had received no commanlca-
ton from the Government of later date
than the 22d of October, 1857 and Justly
complains that the mail contractors take
more than three months to carry the mails
to Utah, when their contract requires them
to deliver it there monthly; and he adds
81 send nothing by mail, nor should any
thing of u public nature be sent otherwise
than by express"
Notwithstanding the destrL elton of the
train which was loaded with provisions and
other supplies necessary for his troops, and
in spite of the obstacles which still present.
ed themselves, Colonel 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 November
the march was resumed, and then commence
ed the storm of snow, and wintry cold, rack
ing 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 dimin he'd
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 the rest animals,
now incapable Of protracted efforts, and to
hunt for food. In this way fifteen DAYS
were consumed in making thirty five miles
to this place. the nearest and best place of
shelter and fuel for the troops, and for shell
ter and grass for the animals The strug-
gle, then, amidst snow and Arctic cold 1.-THE
thermometer at sixteen below zero) was for
place of safety. If any doubt existed be.
fore this storm of the proprie Y of risking
the troops on the mountains before US be-
fore spring, or of the ability TO accomplish
the march the destruction amongst our
draught animals, the necessity of saving all
the oxen left for food, even il carable of fur
Their exertion, now dispelled that doubt and
solved the question.
"The storm which Col. Cook encountered
on the Sweet Water, and on through the
South Pass. destroyed more than halt of his
horses, and large number OF his mules al
though they had corn for them In that
high region, much higher than where we
were, the cold must have been much more
intense than experienced by us, and his ami
mails, presume, persisted mainly from cold.
81 have the satisfaction to say, that the
privations of the march were endured by
officers and men without complaint, or per
haps,l might more justly say, with cheer
fulness. The troops are in fine health and
condition The winter thus far has not
been so rigorous as to prevent often the dai
ly instruction of the troops They have
proved themselves to be hardy enough for
any service, few only--as many ms thirty
or less-have been frost bitten; bat now
our scouts bivouac, when Necessary. in the
passes without suffering
The Mormons have j lclared as fully as
words and actions can manifest intentions.
that they will no longer submit to the GOV.
eminent, or To any Government bu. their
own. The people Of the mon nsst now
submit to nsurpation of their Territory
to have government erected in their midst
net loyal to, or rather not acknowledging
any dependence upon, or allegiance to. the
Federal Government--and what is not less
impolitic, and entirely incompatible with
our institutions, to allow them to engratt
their social organization upon ours, and
make it part Of our system, or act with
the vigor and force to compel them to sub
nit This is due to the dignity and honor
of the Government.
Il hope every effort will be made forward
the spring suppries early, under a sufficient
guard of mounted men, for the guard will
be needed. and also, to forward the supplies
for the rest of the year"