Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-01-05
The Utah xpedition-Progress of Gov
 Cumming, and his Determination.


 The St. Louis Republican, of the 9th inst, announces the passage through that city, en route to Washington, of official despatches from Col. Johnston, ofthe Utah expedition. By the same express the Republican received the following letter, place not given, but evidently from Cooke's command, under date of November 3: The command under Col. Cooke, composed mainly of cavalry, has now reached point l5O miles west of Fort Daramie. Thus far all has been pleasant and easy travelling We have experienced no inconvenience from the Indians i or the Mormons, and the weather is not to be complained of. But now different state of things is coming upon us. The animals begin to fail; the provender is giving out; provisions for the army are growing scarce; the weather is growing colder; and 1t IS apparent that great hardships are before us.
 To-day an express reached our encampment with information corroborative of the former news of the burning of the provision train in- tended for this expeditions, and bringing the ad- 'itona information that the Mormons had run off six hundred head of cattle which had been used by Russell and Waddell in transporting government goods in che direction of Utah. 'Ihls was done Tn the vicinity of Col Alexan- der's command That officer (Col A is now in the vicinity of Hams Fork of Green river 22O miles from this camp. Before this time Col Johnston has joined him, so that the whole ot the military force now designed to be employ ed against the Mormons will be concentrated, as far as can be, this winter, within two weeks from this date, (Nov 3) But they will not be in good plight for the performance of military ser vice. as they are much wearied and greatly in want of food and clothing. You may set it d rtn;n hot d. 4,. proceed as rapidly as the elements-the cold weather and the snow-will permit; dependent moreover, upon the supplies of food. This will be done, notwithstanding all the threats which reach us from Great Salt Lake City, beg you to consider, however, if within the next ten days the weather should set in very cold. and the snow be very heavy, an incredible amount of suffering must be produced and the expedi- ton will be hazardous as we'll as extensive one. The forage will have given out before that time, aud the men will have to rely on what they can find on the route and can back on their backs, until they can reach the winter quarters marked out for them by Col Johnston on Henrvs Fork of Green river.
 Gov. Cumming and the secretary of the ter. ritory, Mir. Hartnet, are with us and we'll Itis their intention to enter upon the duties assigned them in Salt Lake City, unless some extraordi- nary power Is nterposed to prevent them from so doing
 The September and October mails for Utah territory are about two days in advance of us. as is also the train of Livingston & Co.,, merchants of Salt Lake City. The Messrs Garish. mer- chants at Salt Lake; Mr. Dodson, marshal of the territory; John Hockady, district attorney, and the superintendent of Indian affairs. are short distance behind us having left them at Fort La ramie.
 It IS now more certain than ever that the Mormons are determined to resist to the last the entry of either the territorial officers or the military force under Col. Johuston into Utah. So you may expect to hear of battles and ru mors of battles from this time forward The troops of Uncle Sam can no doubt hold their own, but to this time it is admitted that they meet Brigham Young and his forces under uli- favor ble circumstances.
 We hear it rumored that it is the intention of Brigham Young to fight off the government troops this winter, AS this is the best chance for an equal conflict with them, and then, before new endorsements can be sent out against them in the spring, to destroy all his possessions in Utah. and set out for another counrty. On the envelope of this letter, it is said Since the within was written, have learned | officially that there has been a skirmish. in which Col. Alexander's troops captured three or four Mormons-two by the name of Hickman. and the other Major Taylor of the Mormon soldiery.