Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-02-23
What the Army is doing at Fort Rridger.

The army correspondent of the New York Times writing on the lst of December, says the Utah army reached Fort Bridger on the 1lth of November where it will encamp for the winter:
 The wall of the fort ,s built of cobbe stone, laid in mortar, four feet thick at the bottom ab,u two f.et thick at the top, and twenty feet ln height. Adjoining this vail is large corral enclosed by stone wall of the same description. about eight feet in height. These i'm prov ements were found uninjured, but the wooden gates, (which were very strong,) were almost entirely consumed by fire; all the buildings which sur rounded the fort Were also burned to the ground Hearing that there were vegetables at Fort Sup ply cdched and yet in the ground, party went there to day to see hat could be found
 On arriving at the spot, realized for the first time in my lie, what imagined of the appear ance ot a sacked burned and abandoned vil- lage. The place was marked by the blackened and charred tmbers sticking up in every direc- tion, and by the tumbling adobe walls and mud chmneys. There a sense of desoaton about those ruins of a recently beautiful settle ment which was, to say the least, unpleasant. The fort had been surrounded by pickets which had been burned down with the buidings.- This settlement contained about eighteen houses, besides a grist and saw mill. There were about iorty acres oi potatoes in the ground but they were all spoiled by the frost. We found by poking about among the ruins, a hole containing about three bushels of excellent potatoes. We found a patch of turnips and beets uDniured by the frost, and of them we secured a good supply. The wheat had been cut sbefore the MoImons left and had been burned in the stack. In the meadow there was five acres of hay cut, and lying as it had been raked up at the time of cutting
 Just before leaving the place black and white cat ran out towards us, from under pile of halt-burnt timber. We gave her food and tried to capture her. She would not allow that. but persisted in keeping her lonely watch over the ruins of her old home.
 We are all very busy building houses here for our winter quarters. Ours is rooted, and to- morrow we hope to daub the chinks with mud; It will then be finished and we will have com tortable place for the winter We have had the site of our 'City' surveyed and laid out Judge EckleS finished his house first; therefore, iu his honor, we call the place Ecklesvile
 Dr. Forney, superintendent of Indian affairs, Is putting up a large office on one side of the square. As you may readily conceive, we have all styles of buildings, but the favorte seems to be hole dug in the ground with tent pitch ed over It, and fireplace at one end.
 Our "C.t!" IS built in pretty bend of the creek, ltis contemplated to build court. house and jail. The first session of the United States district court for this district was held at Eckles vile to-day. Mr. McCarty, on-maker of Russell & Waddell, was put on trial fof shoot ing soldier few days since. It seems that party of drunken soldiers attacked him with stones, and struck him several times Hefinallv. m self-detence, shot one of them and 1t is SUD- posed the soldier cannot live. McCarty was acquitted. Governor Cummings has concluded Lot to build house, but live in tents this winter. He has sent proclamation to Brigham and the Momons, by Grow and Southworth. two Mormon prisoners, who were released for that purpose
 NIT. Perry has built log store: MT Liyings- ton pole store. and Mir. Gerrish frame store. which are covered with canvass. It is also con- templated to erect building for photographic gallery; we shall therefore be able to send YOU views of our City" Fort Scott, and the en- campment, as well as of the phjzzes and costumes of the residents. Fort Bridger is be- ing converted into a regular fortifcation Our winter quarters are well selected, the armyi is camped ill fine timbers, which affords shelter from the winds, and good material for build- ing. The soldiers are all provided with the Soey tent, which is shaped like lodge in the centre of which large fire can be built. All the government mules, except few kept for hauling fire-wood, have been sent to Henry's Fork for the winter, under the protection of several companies of dragons.
 Just before breaking up from Blacks Fork, we were joined by Mir. Jesse Jones and Mrs. Mogo (wife of the former United States sur veyor in Utah,) both of whom had made their escape from Salt Lake City, They reported that all the Gentiles had been ordered to leave the territory. The Mormons in the city had been several times to the stores of Messrs. Liv- ngston & kincaid, and Gilbert & Gerrish. and helped themselves to such things as they need ed without paying for the same On one occa- sion whole company, which came up from the southern settlements on their way out to Fort Bridger, made free with the contents of the stores