Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-07-15
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP
The PEACE COMMISSIONERS TO UTAH
War Department is in receipt Oh 'n' 'oi'o""s
dispatches from Utah
Ur.H TERRITORY, June IL, 1858. :

reached this city on the 9TH instant. We lost no
time i'm placing ourselves in communication with
the chief men of the Mormon people After the
fullest and freest conference with them, we are
pleased TO state that have settled the uufortu-
nate dificulties existing between the Government
OF the United States and the people Of Utah. We
are Informed by the people and chief men OF the
Territory that thew will cheerfully Weld obe-
dicnce to the COnsti ut'ol nd laws ofthe United
States. They cheerfully consent that the civil
officers of the Territory shall enter upon the dis
charge of their respective duties. They viii
make no resistance to the Army OF the Onited
States in its march to the valley OF Salt Lake or
elsewhere We have their assurance that no re-
sistance will be made TO the officers, civil or
military, of the United States, in the exercise OF
their various functions in the Territory OF Utah:
The people have abandoned all the settlements
north OF this. ali the families have left the city,
only about fifteen hundred persons remaining
here TO take charge of the property, and to burn
il if the difficulties had not been settled. The
people from this city and north OF II have gone
south to Provo, fifty miles south of this, aud to
points beyond.
We will visit Provo and the settlements south
in day or two, and see and confer with the
people, and inform them that the d liculties have
been settled and thus induce them to return 10
their homes. We have written to Gen Johnston
by the messenger that will bear this, informing
him of what had been done, aud that he could
march his army to the valley whenever he de-
sired to do so. We intend to remain and visit
the people and converse with them until Gen.
Johnston's army arrives. We think ii important
that we remain until the army Is located in the
valley. We have but moment to write, as the
express will start in few moments.
We will, In few days, forward detailed re-
port.
We have the honor to be- verv respectfully,
BEN McCULLoCH,
Commissioners TO Utah.
Hon. JOHN b. FLOYD, Secretary of War,
Washington, ID. c.
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF UTAH, .
Camp OH Bear River, U. r., June 10, le5s
MAJOR: / have the honor to report that the
march of the army Of Utah commenced an the
18th inst. The ad ance. composed of the ID dra-
goons, commanded by Col. Cooke, he volunteer
battalion, commanded by Lieut.. Col. Bee, and
Phelps.s light battery, arrived here on the 18th
inst. The 5th infantry, Col Waite commanding,
and Reno's heavy battery, on the 18th, accompa-
MED by part OF the supply train: To-day the
10th infantry, commanded by Col. Alexander,
aud a battalion composed OF one company Of cav
airy, one company of mounted rifles, three COM
pdnes of the Sd, two companies of the 9th, aud
one company of the 9TH infantry, commanded by
Col. Loring, will arrive with the remainder of
the supply train. The river rises during the
night, but can be forded in the afternoon-the
crossing, therefore, of the dragons. volunteers
and trains, was not effected till Yesterday. An
old bridge above the ford was efficiently re
paired to enable Capt. Phelps to pass his pieces
and caissons over by hand. This evening Capt.
Reno's battery will be crossed in the same way
The 5th infantry and trains will cross this even
ing, and, if there is time afterwards, the 10th in
fantry, Colonel LOrng's battalion aud trains will
also cross, ana the march VIII be resumed to-
morrow in the order directed by my order of this
date, herewith. The march to the valley will be
made in five days.
On the day of my arrival at this place | re-
ceived a communication from the United states
commissioners, the Hon. L.W Powell and Mi
IL. McCullOch, of which the enclosed is copy.
! have the honor to transmit copy of my reply,
md also copy of few remarks which it was
thought ] should address to the people to aIlay
an unfounded apprehension prevailing among
them.
Captain Newton, of the Engineer Corps, was
detached yesterday with an escort of an officer
and thirty men and IA. most experienced guide
of the mountains, James Bridger, to examine
thoroughly the country fI"m this point to the
head OF Muddy creek, which flows into Bea:
river: (See map) ! believe the elevated table
land between this and the western end OF Cache
valley can he assembled by easy gradations and
That the opposite side can he descended into
Cache valley without difficulty IL d mood road
should he found practicable, as expect, would
respectfully request that tue commander of the
forces here may be authorized to order its con-
stTuctiOn Immediately. The only communica-
ton between important districts should not long
he allowed TO continue through long and d ficut
canons easily obstTHcted The health OF the
troops continues excellent.
with great respect, your Obedient servant,
A. : JOHNSTON
Colonel 2I Cavalry, and Bvt Brig. Gen1
L. =. A. Commanding.
To Major Irwin Mcdowell, Assistant Adiutant
General, Headquarters Of the Army, West
Point, n. Y.
These are accompanied by the copy of a COM
muDcatiOn from the Commissioners to General
j., in which they inform the latter of the AMIGA
BILE state of affairs in the Territory, and of their
assurances that the army will not trespass upon
the rights and property Of the citizens during
their sojourn in and march through the Terri
tory. They urge him to observe great care that
these provisions may be sacredly kept, and to
make a proclamation to the people of Utah to
allay their anxiety on this account.
General JOhnston's reply to the commission
ers is also forwarded to the Department. In
this he gives assurances of bis adherence to the
stricteSt regard for the laws protecting the per-
sons and property of the citizens Of Utah, ex-
pressing his surprise that they should manifest
any uneasincss on that account, and giving
notice that the army will continue its march on
the l7th and reach the valley probably in FIVE
days thereafter. He also sent the desired
proclamation "a copy of which is enclosed in
his reply to the commissioners, in which he
repeats the assurance given them by the COM
missioners that no violations of personal rights
or property, would be perpctrated by the troops.
The order Of march, which was also enclosed in
General s reply to the commissioners, is like
wise forwarded to the Department. 1t con-
templates commencing the march towards Salt
Lake valley on the 18th June, but the details
are unimportant to our readers
AUTHENTIC News CONCERNING Col. STEP
TOES DEFEAT-PoLITICs IN OREGON, &c
This mornings mail brought US the two fol-
lowing letters from n subscriber in Oregon,
which as they embrace the first authentic in
formation concerning the heretofore but ru-
mOred defeat of Colonel Steptoe's command
will be read with universal interest:
ASTORIA, June s, 1853.
Editor of the Star:
Enclosed with this. you will find copy Of
letter from Capt Ingalls,, giving disastrous ill.,
telllgence from Col. Steptoe's command in the
SPOkan country. You will see by the papers
later, and corrected accounts of this unfortunate
anair The officers Killed were Capt TAYLOR of
the Dragons, and Lieut.. CASTOR / send Won a
copy OF Capt. ingalls, letter, which have pro-
cured because II gives yOu the main facts In an
authentic shape, with his predictions as to what
Will probably follow. TIE officer whose duty II