The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-07-13
FROM UTAH.

Further Utah news is received by the arrival or
the Salt Lake mail to the 18th ult., at St Josephs
Mo. Gen Johnston was to start for Salt Lake City
on the 18th of June, with three thousand men i'll
column Col Hoffman and Capt. Marcy had both
arrived at Camp Scott A diversity ofopinion
existed at the camp to the course the Mormons
would pursue in regard to the troops entering the
valley They have not gone either to Sonora or to
the Russian possessions, but have it is ascer-
tanned with certainty, merely moved their families
to Provo. 1t is not known whether Brigham
Young accompanied them remained In the city.
The mail party passed about three hundred
Mormons, with horses and mules, well armed, but
they would give no information where they were
going or what they Intended doing Fifty Mormons
had escaped from the valley but met at Platte
Bridge, vending their way towards the States
The government has received letter from Benz
Mccullough dated Camp Scott, in which he stated
his belief that of the reasons why the Mormons
deserted their habtations to guard their wives
from the apprehended excessive gallantry of our
soldiers. Besides, the leaders resorted to this
exodus to keep the people together and prevent
the dsafected Saints from throwing themselves on
the army for protection. The Mormons do not
believe that the army has orders or authority to
pursue them, and hence congratulate themselves
that they out of harms way from that source.
Major Mccullough says that there is a small force
of Mormons still in Salt Lake City, ready to fire it
in the event of the approach Of the army He
thinks a great mistake was made in permitting the
Mormons to gather their crops, this, while it
strengthens them, has diminished relatively the
power of the military forces. 1t is still reported
that the Mormons are going to Sonora, but upon
this full reliance cannot be placed. The belief is
that place Of refuge has long ago been selected.
Major Mccullough and the other peace Commits
sioner Governor Powell, were going at once to
Salt Lake but not with the army.
TIE MoRMoNs AT CAMP SCoTT-A letter from
Camp Scott describing the arrival there of Nor
mons who claimed protection from the T. S. troops,
says:
Three wagons belonging to party of apostate
Mormon families who have been fortunate enough
to make their way out Of the friendly grasp Of the
Saints, arrived in camp. The name of the head
of the largest family is Iancy; he was originally
from Tennessee, and had resided in Salt Lake Val
ley for little more than year. The balance of
the party consists Of his and sons-in-law, and
family named Green. They resided near Ore
gon city.
These families report that ninety mine hun
poverty even greater than theirs, for they had
the means to leave the territory, and in this were
rich Many of the women were absolutely naked,
and are obliged to clothe themselves like Indians,
in old quilts.
We learn from the lips of one of these persons,
that an old woman, and her son, by whom she was
supported, living in his neighborhood, were sus-
pected Of being q Gentiles;' that one morning,
shortly before he left, the old woman was found
dying in bed with her throat cut, and her son was
found in the garden killed in the same manner.
He says he has repeatedly seen dead bodies with
Threats cut, floating down the Jordan river.