The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-01-24

sources, connected with the expedition under Col.
Johnston, dated at Camp Scott, near Fort Bridger,
November both, 1857
The troops and all the supply trains have arrived at
this place and will remain here, in this district da
ring the winter 2. 0 Q Our marches-each one ne
cessay short account of the extreme GOODNESS and in
of the weather. and because OF the great number
of miles on the road occupied by hesuppy trains and 9th
es and the falling condition of the daught animals starry
Ing from cold and hungcr-were resumed from each camp
the troops in the and trains could BIO brought
up allowing day at each camp for rest and the
grazing of the animals Fifteen days consumed in
this tedious operation Shelter for thousands OF ami
mails seemed Indispensable for the preservation OF life,
vet more rapid advance TO attain it would believed
be attended with immense loss The storm ragged,
with short ntermssions, after 1t commenced for several
days, during which time it exceedingly cold. The
thermometer ranged from ten degrees above to sixteen
below
If shelter could have been found halt till the storm
subsidized would have been ordered but there
The country between this and the South pass with the
exception OF the valleys of is great
desert afording shelter by its conformation by
woods or even bushes from the furious blasts of this
high region and fuel except the wild and willow
bushes There no alternative but to press forward
perseverngy though slowly, marking route by the
frozen horses, mules, and sufficient number OF
oxen though poor have been saved to supply the meat
part of ration six days in the week. and have hand
bacon for day in the week for seven MONTHS and
also -four and small rations
Col Cooke in command of six companies I'd Dragons
arrived on the 10th instant. You will learn from his
report (herewth that the storm dealt roughly with
his command 1t did with the army in advance This
march, from his report appears TO have been con-
Quoted with and skill II further advance of the
army otherwise practicable and proper at this
of the year. the necessity of appTopatng tho remainder
of the work for food for the troops would pre-
vent fs l 81
The diminished number and reduced condition of the
cavalry and battery horses and draugh mules makes
remount for the former and an additional number OF
bic o The Mormons, before they retired, burnt
the buildings in and about Fort Bridgcr, and also
Fort Supply Smiths Fork, IL miles hence, and de-
sroyed the grain and as far they could other crops
at that place. Fort Brdgcr called, is high, we'll
built strong stone wall, enclosing square of one hun
dred feet and has been appropriated for the storage Of
the supplies for the army. s5
The addition of two lunettes now being constructed
on the southwest and the other the north
east of q stone enclosure adjoining the main one
but not highwi make it defensibe by small force
and safe place of deposite for the public property that
may be left when the army advances. The herds of
mules battery horses and cattle have been sent with
hermen to Henrys Fork to Craze during the winter and
six companies Of the I'd Dragons under the command OF
Col Cooke have been ordered to encamp them and
guard them and protect the hcrdsmen He has with him
about 200 dragon horses Two companies of the same
regiment stationed here and have about so horses all
feeble for want Of sufficient sustenance In the spring
the army with the volunteer force included about two
thousand strong, will their march AZ a
supply of horses and mules arrive and the grass the
mountains shall be found sufficient to sustain them
Two full companies of volunteers have been mustered
into the service for nine months, and expect in few
days that two more companies will be mustered IN
They young active, and hardy generally good
shots and with such instruction they will receive
will make most excellent light troops have to request
that the enrolment of these men may be early made
known the Secretary of War; that provision may be
made by appropriation by Congress- for their payment
at the expiration of their term of service.
The troops have borne the hardships and pvatons of
the march with patience and cheerfuness and continue
in fine health Some few of the different regiments
still suffering from frost bite. eH
Gov. Cummings and family, Judge Eckols, the secrc-
ary attorney general and marshal of the Territory and
also Dr. Forney, superintendent of Indian affairs and
DIR. Hurt, agent cncamped within lines, and
have received every facility and to make them
comfortable much be expected under
CAMr Scorr OU T.,)
November 49, 1857.
DEAR MAJOR left you Blacks Fork, 16 miles
from Fort Bridgcr the 7th instant after day
march from the point of uniting the commands by Col
Johnston. You now find us in this camp, named in
honor of cherished chief, whose orethought and
ton has placed in under excellent
shelter, without the blow of Our first days
march dreary waste, made more desolate by
the fall of snow two days previous and the driving storm
of snow and wind which met us in the middle OF the
march, miles from wood, water grass, shelter To
return destruction to advance was, apparently, to
court it, The number of animals insufficient to
either mule or contractors trains. Still strug-
ged on losing strength hourly by the destruction of
animals and the evening of the 9Th pre-
pared for the contest again On the morning of the 9th
portion struck camp and advanced to the next place of
shelter there while waiting the arrival of the rear to
have animals struck down by cold, hunger, and
thirst. The 18th infantry could not make march
of five miles in day to overake without leaving the
supplies behind Without susenance for animals almost
starved before joined the main body, almost without
fuel that regiment and the trains it escorted passed the
day travelling against of the most storms of