[Official Correspondence of the Peace Commissioners and Gen. Johnston, Alta California, August 21, 1858]

 

Official Correspondence of the Peace Commissioners and Gen. Johnston.

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THE PEACE COMMISSIONERS TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR.

GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, )

Utah Territory, June 12, 1858. )

            Dear Sir : We have the honor to report that we reached this city on the 7th instant. We lost no time in placing ourselves in communication with the chief men of the Mormon people. After the fullest and freest conference with them, we are pleased to state that we have settled the unfortunate difficulties existing between the government of the United States and the people of Utah. We are informed by the people and chief men of the Territory that they will cheerfully yield obedience to the constitution and laws of the United States. They cheerfully consent that the civil officers of the Territory shall enter upon the discharge of their respective duties. They will make no resistance to the army of the United States in its march to the valley of Salt Lake or elsewhere. We have their assurance that no resistance will be made to the officers, civil or military, of the United States, in the exercise of their various functions in the Territory of Utah.

            The people have abandoned all the settlements north of this, and all the families have left the city, only about fifteen hundred persons remaining here to take charge of the property, and to burn it if the difficulties had not been settled. The people from this city, and north of it, have gone south to Provo, fifty miles south of this, and to points beyond.

            We will visit Provo and the settlements south in a day or two, and see and confer with the people, and inform them that the difficulties have been settled, and thus induce them to return to their homes. We have written to Gen. Johnston by the messenger that will bear this, informing him of what had been done, and that he could march his army to the valley whenever he desired to do so. We intend to remain and visit the people, and converse with them until Gen. Johnston's army arrives. We think it important that we remain until the army is located in the valley. We have but a moment to write, as the express will start in a few moments.

            We will in a few days forward a detailed report.

            We have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servants,

L. W. POWELL,

BEN. McCULLOCH,

Commissioners to Utah.

Hon. John B. Floyd, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

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THE UTAH ARMY — NEWS FROM GEN. JOHNSTON.

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF UTAH, )

Camp on Bear river, U. T., June 16, 1858. )

            Major : I have the honor to report that the march of the army of Utah commented on the 13th instant. The advance, composed of the 2d dragoons, commanded by Col. Cooke, the volunteer battalion, commanded by Lieut. Col. Bee, and Phelps' light battery, arrived here on the 14th instant. The 5th infantry, Col. Waite commanding, and Reno's heavy battery, on the 15th, accompanied by a part of the supply train. To-day, the 10th infantry, commanded by Col. Alexander, and a battalion, composed of 1 company of cavalry, 1 company of mounted rifles, 3 companies of the 3d, 2 companies of the 6th, and 1 company of the 7th infantry, commanded by Col. Loring, will arrive with the remainder of the supply train. The river rises during the night, but can be forded in the afternoon — the crossing, therefore, of the dragoons, volunteers, and trains was not effected till yesterday evening. An old bridge above the ford was sufficiently repaired to enable Capt. Phelps to pass his pieces and caissons over by hand. This evening, Captain Reno's battery will be crossed in the same way. The 5th infantry and trains will cross this evening, and, if there is time afterwards, the 10th infantry. Col. Loring's battalion and trains will also cross, and the march will be resumed to-morrow in the order directed by my order of this date, herewith. The march to the valley will be made in five days.

            On the day of my arrival at this place, I received a communication from the United States Commissioners, the Hon. L. W. Powell and Maj. B. McCulloch, of which the enclosed is a copy. I have the honor to transmit a copy of my reply, and also a copy of a few remarks which it was thought I should address to the people to allay an unfounded apprehension prevailing among them.

            Captain Newton, of the Engineer Corps, was detached yesterday with an escort of an officer and thirty men, and the most experienced guide of the mountains, James Bridger, to examine thoroughly the country from this point to the head of Muddy creek, which flows into Bear river. (See map.) I believe the elevated table land between this and the western end of Cache valley can be ascended by easy gradations, and that the opposite side can be descended into Cache valley without difficulty. If a good road should be found practicable, as I expect, I would respectfully suggest that the commander of the forces here may be authorized to order its construction immediately. The only communication between important districts should not long be allowed to continue through long and difficult cañons easily obstructed. The health of the troops continues excellent.

            With great respect, your obedient servant,

A. S. JOHNSTON,

Colonel 2d Cavalry, and Bvt. Brig. Gen'l U. S. A. Commanding.

To Major Irvin McDowell, Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters of the Army, West Point, N. Y.

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THE PEACE COMMISSIONERS TO GEN. JOHNSTON.

GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, )

Utah Territory, June 12, 1858. )

            Dear Sir : We have the pleasure of informing you that, after a full and free conference with the chief men of the Territory, we are informed by them that they will yield obedience to the constitution and laws of the United States ; that they will not resist the execution of the laws in the Territory of Utah ; that they cheerfully consent that the civil officers of the Territory shall enter upon the discharge of their respective duties ; and that they will make no resistance to the army of the United States in its march to the valley of Salt Lake or elsewhere. We have their assurance that no resistance will be made to the officers, civil or military, of the United States, in the exercise of their various functions in the Territory of Utah.

            The houses, fields, and gardens of the people of this Territory, particularly in and about Salt Lake City, are very insecure.  The animals of your army would cause great destruction of property if the greatest care should not be observed in the march and in the selecting of camps. The people of the Territory are somewhat uneasy for fear the army, when it shall reach the valley, would not properly respect their persons and property. We have assured them that neither their persons nor property would be injured or molested by the army under your command. We would respectfully suggest, in consequence of this feeling of uneasiness, that you issue a proclamation to the people of Utah, stating that the army under your command would not trespass upon the rights or property of peaceable citizens during the sojourn in, or the march of your army through, the Territory. Such a proclamation would greatly allay the existing anxiety and fear of the people, and cause those who have abandoned their homes to return to their houses and farms.

            We have made inquiry about grass, wood, &c., necessary for the subsistence and convenience of your army. We have conversed with Mr. Ficklin fully on this subject, and given him all the information we have, which he will impart to you. We respectfully suggest that you march to the valley as soon as it is convenient for you to do so.

            We have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servants,

L. W. POWELL,

BEN. McCULLOCH,

Commissioners to Utah.

Gen. A. S. Johnston, Commanding Army of Utah, Camp Scott, Utah Territory.

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REPLY OF GEN. JOHNSTON.

HEADQUARTERS, DEPART'T OF UTAH, )

Camp on Bear River, June 14th, 1850. )

            Gentlemen : Your communication from Salt Lake City was received to-day. The accomplishment of the object of your mission entirely in accordance with the instructions of the President, the wisdom and forbearance of which you have so ably displayed to the people of the Territory, will, I hope, lead to a more just appreciation of their relations to the general government, and the establishment of the supremacy of the laws.

            I learn with surprise that uneasiness is felt by the people as to the treatment they may receive from the army. Acting under the twofold obligations of citizens and soldiers, we may be supposed to comprehend the rights of the people, and to be sufficiently mindful of the obligations of our oaths not to disregard the laws which govern us as a military body. A reference to them will show with what jealous care the general government has guarded the rights of citizens against any encroachment.

            The army has duties to perform here in execution of the orders of the Department of War, which, from the nature of them, cannot lead to interference with the people in their various pursuits, and if no obstruction is presented to the discharge of these duties, there need not be the slightest apprehension that any person whatever will have cause of complaint against it. The army will continue its march from this position on Thursday, 17th instant, and reach the valley in five days. I desire to encamp beyond the Jordan on the day of arrival in this valley.            

            With great respect, your obedient servant,

A. S. JOHNSTON,

Colonel 2d Cavalry, and Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., Commanding.

To the Hon. L. W. Powell and Maj. B. McCulloch, U. S. Commissioners to Utah.

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TO THE PEOPLE OF UTAH.

            The Commissioners of the United States, deputed by the President to urge upon the people of this Territory the necessity of obedience to the constitution and laws, as enjoined by his proclamation, have this day informed me that there will be no obstruction to the administration and execution of the laws of the federal government, nor any opposition on the part of the people of this Territory to the military force of the government in the execution of their order ; I therefore feel it incumbent on me, and have great satisfaction in doing so, to assure those citizens of the Territory who, I learn, apprehend from the army ill-treatment, that no person whatever will be in any wise interfered with or molested in his person or rights, or in the peaceful pursuit of his avocations ; and should protection be needed, that they will find the army (always faithful to the obligations of duty) as ready now to assist and protect them as it was to oppose them while it was believed they were resisting the laws of their government.

A. S. JOHNSTON,

Colonel 2d Cavalry, and Brevet Brig. Gen. Commanding.

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ORDER OF MARCH.

GENERAL ORDERS No. 30.

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF UTAH, )

Camp on Bear River, Utah Ter'ry, )

June 16th, 1858. )

            The army will continue the march to-morrow, and daily hereafter till arrival in Salt Lake Valley, in the following order, each command being followed immediately by its train, and a proportion of the supply train :

            Brevet Col. C. F. Smith's Battalion, constituting the advanced guard, at 3 A.M.

            10th Infantry and Phelps' Battery at 5:15

            5th Infantry and Reno's Battery at 5:43 A.M.

            Col. Loring's Battalion of Mounted Riflemen, 1st Cavalry, 3d, 6th and 7th Infantry, at 6:15 A.M.

            Volunteers at 6:30 A.M.

            2d Dragoons, constituting the rear guard, at 7 A.M.

            Commanders of Regiments and Battalions will order the guards for their respective trains.

            The Headquarters will be with the advance.

            By order of Brevet Brigadier General A. S. Johnston :

F. J. PORTER,

Assistant Adjutant General.