Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-03-12


liable Intelligence from the Utah Exps-
dition. COL Johnston Is svidsstly not in
the best Of spirits, but still. We believe
everything is "as we'll a. could be expected
The Utah Expedftien-Omcia Report
from Colonel Johnston.
HEAD QUARTERS DEPARTNEST OF UTAH,
Camp Scott. January 4, 1858.
M.yor: have the honor herewith to
In this department under ny immediate
command for the mouth Of December, 1857.
Not al incident of any military Importance
has transpired since my last coma. unication,
and have the pleasure TO acquaint You
with tie excellent condition aud health OF
the troope.
Accompanying this communities ton send
a copy OF a letter dated I'd ultinlo, at Fl.
Laramie, from the commander. Maj. Lynde.
You will preceive from q peru al Of it that
there 10 serious cause to apprebend tina.
there will be great, il not an entire, def
cheney Of draught animals to bring On the
three months supply at that post, intended
for the army Of Utah. and due here by the
st Of June, though it is expected that the
rations on hand will last some ten or FIFTEEN
days beyond that date
1t is desirable that these supplies should
reach here by the 18th Of May. to enable
the army, if then prepared in other re-
spects, to advance with a good supply Of
provisions on hand-at least enough to last
until the annual supply can reach the main
body.
will order Major Lynde to report di-
rectly to general headquarters, by this ex-
press, what proportion Of the draught OK.
en- Of Russell d Co, Contradictory can be
relied upon for the transportation Of sup
plies to u in the spring, and should there
be deficiency, it can only be supplied, ia
time, from Fort Leavenworth, ia this way
and there must be activity in the agents OF
the quartermasters department to accom-.
plish it. The requisite number of mules,
mot two years old or three must be pur.
chased and sent forward as soon ia March
as possible Each team OF six mules should
haul the subsistence from Leavenworth
necessary to sustain it, and two other mules
to Laramie, which latter will be useful to
replace sick and tired mules at Laramie
On their arrival they will have exhausted
their forage, but it is hoped some may be
had there; if not, the grass will then be
sufficient TO sustain draught animals for
short marches through tc this place, or to
headquarters, and recommend, not for this
service only, but whenever public teams
are sent out to the frontier, that at least wo
extra mules be sent with each team. With
such means of relief to lame, sick or tired
mules, many valuable animals can be pre-,
served for the public service, which, with
out provision Of this kind, would be lost.
The greater number Of soldiers Low on
the sick report have been rendered unfit for
duty by frost blte'-a source of suffering
to which those who, In this climate, have
no other covering for the feet than leather
shoes. are very liable when on guard or
marching in snow. have thought that in
view Of preserving the efficiency of the SOL
diery during the winter months, as we'll as
10 prevent much suffering, tn government
ought to provide pair Of buffalo over shoes
for each man serving in this climate, and
have accordingly approved ufthe admission
of that item in the annual estimate of the chief
quartermaster; and, also Of full allowance
of Sibley tents, as a means Of protection to
the troops against the inclemency of the
winter season, and of health and compare
tive comfort. The Sibley tent is a good
substitute for hut, with the advantages OF
using it in all localities we'll sheltered from
cold and prevailing winds.
Herewith send you drawing of the
field works, thrown up under the direction
of Lieut.. Webb and kensell, for the protec-
ton Of the depot at Bridger's fort. The
zeal, perseverance, and skill displayed by
them in the execution of the works, unfa
vorAble circumst nces, and the cheerful
alacrity OF the non-commissioned officers
and men under them, in the performance of
their duties during severely cold weather,
Is worthy OF much praise.
l have Just heard that soldier who was
then acting as hospita, steward OF the 10 h
infantry, and was taken prisoner by the
Mormons early in October, and who has
been released and permitted to return to this
camp, has brought fhe information that the
Mormons are organizing force to 'stalneped'
or capture the horses and mules it is EXPECT
ed Capt. Marcy will bring out in the spring
from New Mexico. / have already request
ed that an escort may be sent with Capt ain
Marcy; but the amount of force will be best
determined by the knowledge taat an at
tack may be expected, and .:eem it of the
greatest consequence as regards the lnobili
tv of this force, that a sufficient force should
be sent to Captain Marcy to ena lie him to
reach here unmolested He will probably
leave New Mexico by the Goth March, and
have to request that the General 10 Chief
will at once authorize the commander of
the department Of New Mexico to send a
force with Captain Marcy to cover his
and | have also respectfully to
request the attention of the commanding
general to the great length of the line Of
communication of this army. and the necces
sity Of providing means of defending the sup
plies, which must be sent forward in early
spring, as well as during the summer, on
the route, more especially that portion liza
BILE to be attacked by the Mormons.
have ordered that three of the companies
at Fort Laramie shall constitute the CONVOY
TO the train which must leave in March; but
this amount Of facts deem insufficient, and
recommend that four Companies of cavalry
or other mounted force be added 20 the force
intended to protect the trains. 1t is four
hundred miles from Laramie to this place
too great distance to detach any part of
this mounted force with any BILE ex-
pectation in its present condition that it
could ever reach Laramie It would be.
sides, be improper to devide the force
here
l have not received line from the gener
al headquarters or from the War Depart
nent, and would respectfully suggest that
when any communications are sent, the COM
officer at Fort Leavenwcrth be in
to send them forward by two or
.hree persons accustomed to frontier life in
cold climate, with authority to obtain ia
,ilities at kearney and Laramie, if needed;
Ind to get letter to the commander of New
Mexico the same means must be employed.
No reliance can be placed on the mails and
10 large party will probably get through.
With great respect, your obedient
servant, A. S. JOHNSTON.
Colonel End Cavalry, Commanding.
ScmAMYL NOT CArruRED.-With regard to
he statement that Schamyl had submitted
70 Russia, LIE Nord, which refrained at the