The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-03-25
Letters from Colonel johnson.

The st. Louis Republican has had the Pc
rusal of private letters from Col. johnson to
friend, in which he says:
SHE had received no communication 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 deliverit there
monthly; and he adds: 81 send nothing by
mail, nor should anything of public ma
ture be sent otherwise than by express"
Notwithstanding the destruction of part
Of the train which was loaded with provis-
ions and other supplies necessary for his
troops, land in spite of the obstacles which
presented themselves, Col. johnson did not
abandon the hope of marching to Salt Lake
City without q halt, until after the terrific
storm of November. Wequote from his let
ter: son the 9Th of November the march
was resumed, and then commenced the storm
of snow, and wintry cold, racking the bones
| of our men, and starving our oxen, and
mules and horses, already half starved
They died on the road, and ut our camps. by
| hundreds, and so diminished were their num-
bers that from camp to camp, only four OF
| 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
/
In this way fifteen days were consumed in
making thirty-fve miles to this place, the
nearest and best place of shelter and fuel fol
the troops, and shelter and grass for the ami
mails. The struggle, then, amidst snow and
Arctic cold the thermometer ut sixteen de-
grees below zero) was for q place Of safety
If any doubt existed before this storm of the
propriety of risking the troops on the noun
tains before us before spring, or of the ability
to accomplish march, the destruction
amongst our draught animals, the necessit,
of saving all the oxen left for food, even
capable of further exertion, now dispelle,
that doubt and solved the question.
, The storm which Col. Cook encounteret
on the Sweet Water, and through the Soutl
Pass, destroyed more than half Of his mules
. although they had corn for them. The,
died from the severity of the cold"
Col. johnson says she has the satisfaction
; to say, that the privations of the march wer
endured by the officers and men withou
complaint, or, perhaps. might more justl
say, with cheerfulness. The troops arc il
fine health and condition. The winter thu
far has been 30 rigorous as to prevent ofte
, the daily instruction of the troops. The
have proved themselves to be hardy enoug
for any service, O few only-as many as thrt
or less-have been frost bitten; but now on
scouts bivouac, when necessary, in the passe
without suffering.
The Mormons have declared, as fully a
words and actions can manifest intention.
that they will no longer submit to the Gov
e eminent, or to any Government but thei
own. The people Of the Union must no,
submit to the usurpation of their Territory
l to have o Government erected in their mids
: not loyal to, or rather not acknowledged
d any dependence upon, or allegiance to, I'll
Federal Government-and what is not les
impolitic, and entirely incompatible with GU
:. instructions, to allow them to engraft thei
5 social organization upon ours, and make it
part of our system, or act with vigor an
force to compel them to submit. This is du
to the dignity and honor of the Government
. / hope every effort will be made to for
ward the spring supplies early, under o SUI
icient guard of IN ounted men, for the guar
' will be needed and also to forward the sur
plies for the rest of the year."