, 1858-02-19

OulClal ulspdtChCs iOth wv NNPNN'''N
have been received at Washington, Of
which the following is an abstract
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-The War De-
partmSnt to-day received official dispatches
from the headquarters of the army of
Utah. dated Black Fork, three miles be-
low the mouth of Hams Fork, Nov. 4.
Col. Johnston states that Col Smith with
his command, and the numerous trains
guarded by it, reached there Nov. B The
march was slow and tedious, averaging l
miles "a day. Although the road was ex-
cellent and the weather fine, it was not
possible to make more rapid progress, on
account of the broken down condition of
the draght animals. The trains including
the suttlers' and merchants destined for
Salt Lake, which he would not allow to
20 on, occupied as close an order as they
could be made to travel, the space of five
or six miles. No molestation whatever
was attempted by the Mormons, which
may be attributable to the presence of
cavalry, and the judicious disposition and
vigilance of Col. Smith.
On the 9th Of November, Col Johnston
was to march on Fort Bridger, and dis
lodge any force he might find there, and
await the appearance Of Col. Cook, when,
as the approach of winter was too near to
attempt the passage Of the Wasach range
Of mountains with probability of success,
he would seize upon the district mentioned
in his letter from the South Pass, and Oc-
cupy it till an advance shall be practicable.
The communications from Brigham
Young to Col Alexander, and Elders -
and Taylor to Capt Marcy, and the or
dsrs of d. Wells commander Of the Nor
mons, which Col. Johnston encloses, and
the acts of the Legislative Assembly at the
last session, show, he says, manifest and
settled design on the part of the Mormons,
to hold and occupy the Territory, indie
pendent, and in open defiance of the Gov
ernment-ccnnected with numerous overt
acts Of treason.
CD. Johnston has ordered that whenever
they are met with in arms, they are to be
treated as enemies, and he reiterates the
necessity for prompt aud vigorous action,
or the United Stated must submit 10 the
usurpatiOn of their Territory.
The conduct of the Mormons results
from . settled determination on their part
not to acknowledge the authority OF the
United States, nor any other outside oI
their church.
He adds A supply Of subsistence
must be forwarded early in the spring. II
should reach the army by the lst Of June
Should long time elapse without hearing
from him, (Scott) Col. Johnston says it
must be attributed only to the difficulty Of
sending expresses across the mountains in
the winter months. The officers aud meu
are reported to be in fine health, and ami
mated with an ardent desire to discharge
their duties faithfully.
In postscript, Col. Johnston says the
army has made one days march since the
5th, and that on the 7th they were await
ing the arrival of the trains, delayed by q
storm. "Our trains" he adds, " occupy
in as close an order as they can travel the
road, from thirteen to fourteen miles
therefore the rear cannot move till late il
the day"
Among the documents transmitted is 8
letter from Brigham Young, dated Oct
l6, in which, replying to Col. Alexander
he says
I" If you come here for peaceful purposes
you have no use for weapons of war Va
wish and have ever wished for peace anC
have ever sued for it all the day long, ni
OUT bitterest enemies know full well anC
though the wicked, with the Administra
ton now at their head, have determined
that we shall have no peace except it be t.
lie down in death-in the name Of Israeli
God we will have peace, even though WI
be compelled by our enemies to light TO
it,
eff you persist in your attempts to per
manently locate an army in this Territory
contrary to the wish and constitutions
rights Of the people therein, aiding the Ad
ministration in their unhallowed efforts t
palm their corrupt officials upon us, ant
protect their black-legs, black-hearteC
scoundrels and murderers, as was the sol
intention in sending you and your troop
here, you will have to meet mode OF war
fare against which your tactics furnish yo'
no information.
"In regard to myself and certain other
having placed ourselves in a position Of re
bellion and hostility to the government O
the United States, am perfectly aware
and we understand our true aud most loya
positions far, better than our enemies ca
inform US. We, of all people, are endeaV
oring to preserve and perpetuate the geniu
Of the Constitution and constitutional law
while the Administration and the troop
they have ordered to Utah are in fac
themselves the rebels, aud in hostility 7
the general government. And, if Georg
Washington was now living and at tn
head of our government, he would han
the Administration as high as he di
Andre, and that, too, with far bette
grace and to q much greater subscribing {
the best interests Of the country"
After much similar defiant Language
!. Young says:
"By virtue of my Office as Governor {