Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-07-07
THg RAFTsMAn's JOURNAL,
From NTAH


uIt., by the United States Express to Boonyille
says: The Salt Lake mail arrived here to-day,
bringing dates from Salt Lake City to the 18th
inst. Gen. Johnston was to start for the City
on the 18th with 5000 men in columns. The
army will enter the valley ria Soda Springs on
Bear River. Col. Hoffman had arrived at
Camp Scott with his men and officers in good
health and spirits. Capt. Marcy's command
had arrived from New Mexico with !, 500 loose
mules. Commissioners Mccullough and Pow
ell had started for the city in company with
Gov. Cumming and Postmaster Morreli. Col.
Hartnett, Secretary of the Territory, left
Camp Scott on the 10th inst. for Salt Lake
City. There was quite diversity OF opinions
at Camp Scott as to what course the Mormons
would pursue in regard to allowing the troops
to enter the valley. The mail party passed a.
bout three hundred Mormons, with horses and
mules, and well armed but they would give
no information as to where they were going or
what they intended doing. Fifty Mormons
who had escaped from the Valley were met at
Platte Bridge, vending their way to the States.
Twelve companies of cavalry, or Dragons,
passed Gen. Ha-ney and Col. May encamped
on the Pawnee Fork of the Little Blue. A
large number of troops were encamped on the
Big Blue. Col. Morrison and his command
were at the Little Blue. The mail party also
met supply trains between the fourth and fifth
crossings of the Sweet Water. Col. Sanders
was at South Pass, and was on the eve of start
in m fho yr1o of fI,a
from that place to Fort Hall. The report that
the Mormons had removed their families TO
Provo is confirmed. 1t is not known whether
Brigham accompanied the Mormons or remain
ed in the city. The Mormons have not gone
either to Sonora or to the Russian possessions,
as anticipated by the authorities at Washing
| ton, but would do so next Spring if any but
Mormons are placed there to govern them.
VIM. M'Cann, agent of Messrs. Russell & Ma
,jors, was drowned on the 18th inst. in Laramie
| Creek. A great many deserters from the army
were met on the route. The streams were all
| very high and rising.
The Government at Washington has receiv-
ed letter from Major Ben Mccullough, dated
Camp Scott, in which he states as his belief
tLas Ouc vi tHc WHY ue-
! serted their habitations was to guard their
women from the apprehended excessive gallan-
| try of our soldiers and besides, that the lead
ers resorted TO this exodus to keep the people
| together, and prevent the disafiected Saints
from throwing themselves on the army for
| protection. The Mormons, he says, do not
believe that the army has orders or authority
| to pursue them, and hence congratulate them
| selves that they are out of harms way from
that source. Col. NC. says that small force
of the Mormons is still in Salt Lake City ready
to fire it, perhaps in the event OF the approach
| of the army. He thinks that a great mistake
has been committed in permitting the Nor
mons to gather their crops, as this, while it
| strengthened them, diminished, relatively, the
power of the military forces. 1t was still re-
ported that the MormoDs were going to Sonora,
but upon this full reliance could not be placed.
The belief is that the place of refuge has long
| ago been selected. Major NJ M'Cullough and the
other Peace Commissioner, Gov, Powell, were
| going at once to Salt Lake, but not with the
army. Their powers are superior to either
those OF Gov. Cumming or Gen. Johnston.