The Washington union., 1858-02-27
THE UTAH EXPEDITION.

Information has been received from Camp Scott to the
LIST of January The in the mountains from
to six feet deep The troops were in good health and
spirits, and the weather would permit to
prosecute their march on Salt Lake City, without wait
Ing for rcnforccmcnts Colonel Johnston had obtained
full information respecting the movements and designs
Of the Moons, and anticipated that they would dispute
his progress by The messenger who brought this
intelligence ST. Louis has furnished Of the papers
of that city with the following information
From Fort Bdger to Bear river the distance is about
fifty miles the road generally running through open
country, where little opposition can be made by
enemy There very steep hills to descend and
ascend particularly the Shaking Aspen Hl the dividing
ridge between the waters of the Gulf of California and
the Great Salt Lake Bisn which has greater elevation
than the South Pass At Bear river the difficulties of the
march will This river at that of the
year will be swollen from bank to bank and only he
crossed by boats by being bdged. AS the current is
very rapid and timber scarce, it will be difficult to throw
bridge across and boats will lnye to be built, those
there will no doubt be destroyed by the Mormons
The Momons, il disposed cannot oppose the passage
the opposite bank be swept by field batteries
from this side The river where the road it, is
about rs yards wide Beyond the river the road contin
ues to through open but broken country for about
ten miles further, where it strikes the head of Echo
hon From this point to Salt Lake City, distance of
so miles the road through continuous serea
of caons and over two mountains, and along this part
of the road will come the tug of war
Eich canon Is ~ miles m length, and descenus Gradu
ally until it opens Weber river. This canon and the
besad of all the Others through which the road
is nothing than deep ravine, with slopng
Sides covered with yerdure to their SUBMITS The great
difficulty will be to get the wagons the road for no
doubt it will be cut up and filled with rocks to be
almost impossible. The rayines narrow, and can
easily be obsructed which ostructons will have to be
removed there is other place for the road to
After getting through Echo caon the next obstacle is
Weber rivera stream somewhat smaller than Bear river,
but presenting the difficulties in crossing. From
the Weber to the summit of the Big mountains dis
ance OF Is or 20 milcsthc road through four
hons from three to five miles in length and susceptible OF
the same distractions as in Echo canon.
From the top Of the Big Mountain il obtained the first
peep of the Holy Land 1t is the Holy Mount of the
Momons.
From the summit of the Big Mountain the road pitches
down into of the most difficult ravncs the route.
The Hill is SO steep that all the wheels of wagon must
be locked to descend in anything like safety Twelve
miles further is the Little Mountain and it Is eight more
to the city. After descending the Little Mountain you
strike into Emigration Caon, which out in Salt
Lake valley Just in the of Salt Lake City. AS you
dcbouch from the mouth of the con you find yourself
table land running along the base of the mountains,
and about four miles in width Crossing this table land,
which about 200 feet above the level the valley YOU
find the city stretched ont at your feet Its position is
very badly chosen in military point of view, for II il
completely commanded by the table land in the rear but
well selected in other respects for it Is situated that
one of the mountain throws its waters through
every street which enables the inhabitants to irrgatc
their gardens only process by which the land of that
region can be cultivated Tho are broad and at
right angles with each other each building lot contains
and quarter acre, which allows large gardens
which is obtained abundant supply of vegetables for
the entire city.