True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-12-15

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with provisions and tents for the army, and
carried away several hundred animals
This diminished the supply of provisions
90 materially that General Johnston. Was
obliged to roduce tho Tations, and even
with this precaution there was only sufi-
cieut left to subsist the troops until the
first Of June.
Our little army behaved admirably in
their encampment at Fort Bridgcr under
these trying privations. In the midst of
tho mountain, in dreary, unsettled, and
inhoSpitable region, more than a thousand
miles from home, they passed the severe
and inclemeut weather without murmur.
They looked forward with confidence for
relief from th.ir country in due season, and
in this they were not disappointed.
The Secretary of War employed all bis
energies to forward them the necessary
supplies, and to muster and send such
military force to Utah as would render re-
sistance on the part of the Mormons hope
less, and thus terminate the war without
the effusion Of blood. In his efforts be
was efficiently sustained by Congress. They
granted appropriations sufficient TO cover
the deficiency thus necessarily created, and
also provided for raising two regiments Of
volunteers, "for the purpose Of quelling
disturbances in the Territory Of Utah, for
the protection and supply of emigrant
trains, and the suppression of Indian hos
tilities on the frontiers" Happily, there
was no occasion to call these regiments in-
to service. If there had been, I should
have felt serious embarrassment in select
ing them, SO great was the number Of our
patriotic citizens anxious to serve their
country in this distan and apparently dan,
gerous expedition. Thus it has ever been
aud thus may it ever be-.
| The wisdom and economy Of sending
sufficient reinforcements to Utah are es'ab-
lished not only by the event. but in the
opinion Of those who, from their position
y and opportunities, are the mos. capable of
forming correct judgement. Gen. John
son. the commander Of the forces, in
addressing the Secretary of War from
Fort Bridger, under date Of October ls,
: 1857, expresses the opinion that "unless
large force is sent here, from the nature
of the country, protracted war on their,
, the Mormons,) part is inevitable" This
he considered necessary TO terminate the
war speedily, and more economically
than il attempted by insufficient me ans. "
In the meantime it was my anxious
desire shat the Mormons should yield
| obedience to the constitution and the laws,
without having to resort to military force,
To aid in accomplishing this object. |
, deemed it advisable in April last, TO des.
0 patch two distinguished citizens Of the
0 United States, Messrs. Powell and McCul-
loh, to Utah. They bore with them a
d proclamation addressed by myself TO the
0 inhabitants Of Utah, dated on the sixth Of
that month, warning them Of their true
=" condition, and how hopeless it was or
0 their part to persist in rebellion against
0 the United States. and offering all those
who should submit 10 the laws full par
don for their past seditions and treasons
Il AT the same time, | assured those who
s should persist in rebellion against The
: United States, that they must expect nc
further lenity, but look 10 be vigorously y
g dealt with according to their deserts.
. The instructions to these agents as we'll a
d a copy Of the proclamation and their re
e ports, are herewith submitted. 1t will bt
y seen by their report Of the Sd Of July las
d that they have fully confirmed the opin
! ions expressed by Col. Johnston in tn
n previous October, as 10 the necessity o
e sending reinforcemen,s to Utah. In thi
IT they state that they are firmly imprssse,
y with the belief that the presence of th
D. army here and the large additional fore
IS that had been ordered to this Territory
le were the chief inducements that cause
y the Mormons 10 abandon the idea Of re
s. sistng the authority OF the United States
" A less decisive policy would probabl
have resulted in long, bloody and exper
'. sve war.
ls These gentlemen conducted themselve
Ig to my entire satisfaction, and rendere
,e useful services in executing the human
ur intentions Of the government.
O. II also affords me great satisfaction
TO state that Governor Cumming has perio
"a med his duty in an able and concilator
30 manner, and with the happiest result.
IN cannot, in this connexion, refrain fro
Se mentioning the valuable services Of ca
'er Thomas L. Kane, who, from motives
Vn pure benevolence, and without any offici
OF character or pecuniary compensation, viz
ng ted Utah during the last inclement winte
d; for The purpose of contributing 10 the p
raj cifcation Of the Territory.
us am happy 10 inform you thatthe go
u, ernor and other civil officers Of Uta
ne are now performing their appropriate fun
em tions without resistance. The authori
og of the constitution and the laws have be
inc fully restored, and peace prevails tbrOug
me out the Territory.
A portion of the troops sent 10 Utah q
tu- now encamped in Cedar VALLEY. fol
81, four miles south west Of Salt Lake Gil
on and the remainder have been ordered
ms, Oregon to suppress Indian hostili,ies.
led The march Of the Srwy through S