The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-12-03

vV64k84oSS6e6ONO II ~ 9A4VSN0N
Conner decided tof march his small COM
mand into Salt lake City. Afterwards,
when it became known there was pros
pect of q scrimmage with the Mormsns, the
camp assumed atwirlike appearance. we
camped the last might before entering the
city on the west bank of the Jordan River,
about six miles south of the Metropolis OF
Mormond0m. 10
In the morningevsrything was hustle and
activity. Forty roHLds Of ammunition was
issued to each man2and every preparation
made incident tosla column of troops going
into battle. The cavalry was drawn up In
body and haransued by the Colonel, and
strict orders given to each troop commander.
A accommodating party was thrown out IN
advance. We expected the attack at the
bridge across the Jordan River. Here some OF
the boys commenced to sing the well-known
hymn of "On Jordan's stormy banks stand
and cast wistful eye," all of which seemed
to be appropriate at that particular time,
although not in the spirit of the old hymn.
The prophets sang on the banks of the Bib
lical Jordan of old. I have often thought
of how bold we were on that particular
morning, and how very easy it would have
been for the MormOns to have wiped us OH
the face of the earth.
As we approached the bridge few scat
tering horsemen were seen on the east bank
of the Jordan, who, upon the near approach
of the troops, hied themselves away two Dy
two in the direction of the city.
Boldly we marched across the bridge
without hindrance by the terrible Mormon
Battalion we had heard 80 much about, and
who were to attack us at the bridge and thus
prevent US from entering the sanity city.
We came to halt until the main body ar
rived, and for the purpose of arranging IN
detail the marching order Of entering the
city and to receive orders, etc; the dis
position of troops in case of attack, and to
march decorously and to forbid struggling;
this was strictly forbidden. Soon we were
on the march, with many misgivings as to
our reception by the Mormons. We marched
through the principal street and halted on a
street leading east and in front. OF Gov.
Hardin's residence, when that q. s. official
appeard on the balcony and delivered a
speech to the troops. At that time many OF
the Mormons were disleyal and sympathized
with the rebellious States, and the coming
Of the troops was timely.
At the conclusion of Gov. Hardin's speech
we marched little southeast of the city, as
it was then, and about one and half miles
from Gov. Hardin's residence. On bench
| or plateau or foot hills of the Wasatch
range of mountains we camped. It had been
Col. Corners intention to established a
permanent camp somewhere in radius of
| 20 or 30 miles Of the city, but the attitude
| of the MOrmons at that time toward the Gov
ernmest caused him to change his mind. The
| location Of the camp proved to be an excel
lent one from sanitary point Of view. In
short time it became definitely settlea that
| we were to remain there all Winter at least,
\ and then everything in the camp presented
busisess-like appearance. This site was
that of the present Camp Douglas.
Each company dug holes in tho ground in
row and far enough apart to admit OF
building outside chimneys to each tent The
material used for chinneys was stone, sticks,
and mud. The holeslin the ground were
from four to five feet deep, the size of the
bottom of our tents, and we placed fromtwo
to four logs on top of, them, and the tents
were placed on top of the logs, and securely
| fastened.
Then rough hunks were made one above
the other, opposite the fireplace. each bunk
for two meI. When they were completed the
quarters were quite comfortable. The SOL
diers occupying each tent did their own
cooking Rations were issued to each mess
and the occupants Of each tent comprised q
mess By trading to the Mormsns such ra'
tions as the boys did not care for, we man.
aged to live nicely during the Winter. W.
would exchange our surplus rice, desiccatet
vegetables and candles for such articles o.
food as butter, eggs milk, onions. etc. Many
were the savory meals we concocted in the
holes that Winter. was detailed as store.
keeper in the Commissary department. about
the middle of the Winter. A little incident
occurred while acting in that capacity that
/ will always remember.
The command at the post fell short Of fuel
and were obliged to 60 to the mountains and
chop wood and haul it to camp. Col. Pol
lock, then in command, ordered out the whole
outfit, except few men to take care Of thu
post !, being storekeeper in the Commissary
department, was one of those that remained
It was four to five miles from Camp Doug
las whore they pitched their tents and com
menced chOpping. 1t was wet and quite colo
in the msuntains where they camped, and
the usual amount Of growing was indulgee
in by the men.
This created little sympathy for tn
men in the breasts Of the humane officers
and they induced the Colonel to issue ra
ton Of whisky to the men while they wer'
on fatigue duty in the mountains. l wa
somewhat surprised to receive an order from
the Colonel to roll out a barrel Of whisk.
and help load it on a sledge or pung impro
vised for the occasion. / did as ordered
while the Colonel sat upon his horse.
Capt. Miller remarked to me that the boy
would have jolly time, and from all &C
counts they did. The next day the Celone
ordered another barrel Of whisky rolled on
and loaded on the same sledge. By thi
time we began to find out from the mel
what was going on at camp. 1t appears tn
barrel was put in wall-tent and tapped il
the end and key faucet inserted, the othe
end being near the side of the tent. Will
the infantry sentinel was pacing in front o
the barrel with measured strides, some o
the thirsty boys raised the side of the ten
and tapped the other end of the barrel an,
drew all the whisky out, filling canteens
mess-pans, and every available thing abou
, camp.
Some of the men said that everything
that was cooked tasted and smelled o
whisky. When the second barrel was abOu
gone some of the men refused to work, ant
lot OF them mutinied outright by refusing
to work. This capped the climax, and the
broke camp and came back to the post, som
handcuffed and under guard, bowling AM
yelling.
One man called the sColonel bad nam
and was kept infthe nguard-house with