Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-01-14
From re Missouri Rspnbiiesn-
Important from the Utah Expc-
difion.

difion.
FoRT KEsRsrY, L. T.. DEC. %.
On the 10Th Of November. Col.
Johnston was at Fort Brsigcr, nj which
place he had established his head quar-
ters. Col Cooke, with six composites
Second Dragons. arrived that morn
ing. having lost many Of his animals,
and the remainder were unfit for SER
vice. From Lsrar1iea to Salt Lake
there is no grass. (the Mounous hav-
ing burnt IL In advance Of the troops)
consequently all the animals belonging
TO the expedition were very poor when
winter SET in. and il is reported that
they are dying at the rate Of some ons
hundred daily.
There can be no doubt that When
spring opens Col. Johnston viii be so
much crippled that he will be compcll-
cd TO await the arrival Of fresh ami
mails, and other supplies, before he
will be able 90 commence active ope-
rations. That the expedition l. fail
urc for this year. cannot be questioned;
and when we reflect upon the matter
and sec what an immense amount OF
public property must be lost, as we'll
as the condition of the troops. on short
rations, and living in tents in coun-
try where the snow is USUALLY very
deep during the entire winter. in No
yember II was two feet dep, II would
seem that your predictions last sum-
mcr were we'll grounded That the
Mormons intend to resist there can be
no doubt. as they are terrifying tho
passes that lead To the city.
They have released Jesse Jones.
agent of Majors d Russell, who w-s
taken prisoner 10y them scsno time
since, and have sent him to Col. John
sons camp. In passing through the
different cdhons they blindfolded him.
to prevent him from obtaining any
knowledge Of their movements. II is
reported that Bill Hickman, who is
one of the Danites, and notorious
scoundrel. has been killed by noun
tain man named Baker. am inclin-
ed 10 think that. is his brother. who
was a prisoner in Col. Alexander's
camp. as report says he was released
a short time since.
Mr.. Magraw, of the Wagon Road
Expedition, has volunteered under Col.
Johnston those of his party who
would not do so were discharged. So
this expedition is broken up without
accomplishing anything. save what
has been done by Lander. Chief En-
gineer, and his assistants. Mr.. Ma
graw, having had some difficulty with
his Engineers, they, as we'll as the
Discussing Agent, left him, and have
gone to the States.
"A few nights since, party of Chey-
cnne Indians attacked some Pawnees.
who were occupying I'm old mail house
within few hundred wards of the post.
which occasioned some little excite
ment in the garrison. The command
promptly turned out, and a detach-
ment was sent to patrol, but the night
was so dark that no Indians could be
discovered. Some doubt was felt, at
first, as to the fact of the Cheyennes
having made this attack, but next
morning moccasin tracks, without
doubt Cheyenne,) were discovered,
which settled the matter
The bold attack upon the part Of the
Cheyennes was from the following
circumstances, viz Three Pawnees
had stolen some horses from the Chey-
ennes, were pursued, and the animals
recovered. In the encounter the Chey-
ennes had one man killed. (supposed
to be the chief, } and another severely,
if not MORALLY wounded. The Paw
nees escaped without loss, and came
Immediately to the Fort, where they
had been some days, before the attack
was made upon them which fact was,
no doubt, known to the Cheyennes,
and their object was to surprise them
and get seal D or two in revenge for
the loss of their comrades. An attack
upon the Post was kevidently not dcs-
7i5nated 10y them. rts
We are enjoying delightful weather
at present, and as the contrast is SO
great, to the weather experienced las,
winter, we do not fail to appreciate 1t,
and devoutly wish for its continuance
} during the whole winter.