The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-16
The Army OF Utah.

The Army OF Utah.
The condition of the army of Utah has been
for some time q cause of much solicitude, owing
to the various rumors in circulation represent
ing that the destruction of the trains by the
Mormons had reduced Colonel Johnston's com-
mand to great straits for want of provisions,
and that the severity of the season was killing
off the cattle by the hundred. We are happy to
be able to state that not only are these reports
grossly exaggerated, but that the army is in a
comparatively comfortable position, all things
considered. 1t is true that during the march of
Col. Cookies dragons to make a junction with
Col. Johnston at Fort Bridger, the animals suf-
fered terribly; but this is mo matter for surprise,
seeing that they were marching through an
enemy's country, where all the grass had been
burned before them. Had the result been other
wise it would have proved an unusual instance
of good fortune; and the disaster is of a charac-
ter which no foresight could have provided
against, though it has been made a theme for
bitter condemnation of those who planned and
conducted the expedition by certain journals
hostile to the administration.
4AC AulVDt d0VACCb " Az ACuuQuuA tCIS "
the army of Utah are to December 4, and they
represent the whole force as safely encamped at
Fort Bridger, within l13 miles of IRE Salt Lake
City, 80 miles in advance of their last camp
at Hams Fork, and $50 miles from Fort
Laramie. On the Goth of November Colonel
Cooke, with six companies of the I'd dragons
joined Col. Johnston at that point, where the
army-two thousand strong-was stationed for
winter quarters, up to the last account, in good
health and spirits, with eleven trains of provi-
sions, and every prospect of being able to
winter all their cattle; SO that, despite of the
outcry raised against the Commissariat Depart
ment, it appears that the army is in want of
nothing but salt-strange as it may seem
that they should be in need of that article in
the Salt Lake valley! Nor, indeed, does it
seem that the troops suffered much from the
want of it for Col. Johnston sent back a wagon
load of salt, which Brigham Young mag
unanimously forwarded to him. But even of this
necessary article there is no longer any dearth
at Fort Bridger for We find that twenty-five
mule loads of salt left Fort Laramie early in
December, and must have reached the army
long before this.
1t will be remembered that o gentleman
named Bell, who arrived recently at Los Ange-
les from Salt Lake ~City-which point he left
on the 9Th of November-stated that Col. John
ston had issued orders for an advance on the
Mormon city on the 18th of that month. This
intention has not been carried out for we find
the army still encamped at Fort Bridger three
weeks later than that date. We have no infor-
nation as to Col. Johnston's plan for the cam
paign but it is probable that he will not
move out of his present position before
spring, when achievements will have reached
him.
AS for the "army of defence''-as the Mormon
Prophet pompously styles the gang Of traitors
he has banded against the authority of the
government-they are represented to be in a
poor condition, badly armed, clothed and pro-
visioned. And though nearly the whole avail
able portion Of the male inhabitants are en-
rolled, we are informed that they do not exceed
ten thousand men. They seem to be stationed,
for the most part, in the defles of the Echo
pass, the Probe pass, the Weber river, and
other defles which command the valley
Of the Great Salt Lake. The city itself
and the outside settlements are most wholly
deserted by the men; and II Is evident
from the tone of the speeches delivered
recently by the Elders, which we published yes
terday, that this desertion has created no little
trouble and disafection among the women, who
do not seem to relish the mode Of life they are
compelled to lead in households without o lord
and master. In the event of our troops ap-
preaching the city, we should not be surprised
to hear of a general. stampede of the gentler
portion Of Mormondom towards the camp of the
" ruthless invaders" We shall see.