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June 1, 2010
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Regional History:
35TH CONGRESS ) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ( Ex. Doc.
1st Session. ) ( No. 71.
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THE UTAH EXPEDITION
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MESSAGE
FROM THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
TRANSMITTING
Reports from the Secretaries of State, of War, of the Interior, and of the Attorney General, relative to the military expedition ordered into the Territory of Utah.
to the House of Representatives :
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FEBRUARY 26, 1858.—Referred to the Committee on Territories.
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To the House of Representatives :
I herewith transmit to the House of Representatives the reports of the Secretaries of State, of War, of the Interior, and of the Attorney General, containing the information called for by a resolution of the House, of the 27th ultimo, requesting "the President, if not incompatible with the public interest, to communicate to the House of Representatives the information which gave rise to the military expeditions ordered to Utah Territory, the instructions to the army officers in connexion with the same, and all correspondence which has taken .place with said army officers, with Brigham Young and his followers, or with others, throwing light upon the question as to how far said Brigham Young and his followers are in a state of rebellion or resistance to the government of the United States."
JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON CITY, February 26, 1858.
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, February 3, 1858.
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the Douse of Representatives, of the 27th ultimo, requesting "the President, if not incompatible with the public interest, to communicate to the House of Representatives the information which gave rise to the military expedition ordered to Utah Territory, the instructions to the
2 UTAH EXPEDITION.
army officers in connexion with the same, and all correspondence which has taken place with said army officers, with Brigham Young and his followers, or with others, throwing light upon the question as to how far said Brigham Young and his followers are in a state of rebellion or resistance to the government of the United States," has the honor to report that the only document on record or on file in this department, touching the subject of the resolution) is the letter of Mr. W. M. F. Magraw to the President, of the 3d of October last, a copy of which is hereunto annexed.
Respectfully submitted.
LEWIS CASS.
The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
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Mr. Magraw to the President.
INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI, October 3, 1856.
Mr. PRESIDENT: I feel it incumbent upon me as a personal and political friend, to lay before you some information relative to the present political and social condition of the Territory of Utah, which may be of importance.
There is no disguising the fact, that there is left no vestige of law and order, no protection for life or property ; the civil laws of the Territory are overshadowed and neutralized by a so-styled ecclesiastical organization, as despotic, dangerous and damnable, as has ever been known to exist in any country, and which is ruining not only those who do not subscribe to their religious code, but is driving the moderate and more orderly of the Mormon community to desperation. Formerly, violence committed upon the rights of persons and property were attempted to be justified by some pretext manufactured for the occasion, under color of law as it exists in that country. The victims were usually of that class whose obscurity and want of information necessary to insure proper investigation and redress of their wrongs were sufficient to guarantee to the perpetrators freedom from punishment. Emboldened by the success which attended their first attempts at lawlessness, no pretext or apology seems now to be deemed requisite, nor is any class exempt from outrage ; all alike are set upon by the self constituted theocracy, whose laws, or rather whose conspiracies, are framed in dark corners, promulgated from the stand of tabernacle or church, and executed at midnight, or upon the highways, by an organized band of bravos and assassins, whose masters compel an outraged community to tolerate in their midst. The result is that a. considerable and highly respectable portion of the community, known from the Atlantic to the Pacific, whose enterprise is stimulated by a laudable desire to improve their fortunes by honorable exertions, are left helpless victims to outrage and oppression, liable at any moment to be stripped of their property or deprived of life, without the ability to put themselves under the protection of law, since all the courts that exist there at present are converted into engines and instruments of injustice.
UTAH EXPEDITION. 3
For want of time I am compelled thus to generalize, but particular cases, with all the attendant circumstances, names of parties and localities are not wanting to swell the calendar of crime and outrage to limits that will, when published, startle the conservative people of the States, and create a clamor which will not be readily quelled ; and I have no doubt that the time is near at hand, and the elements rapidly combining to bring about a state of affairs which will result in indiscriminate bloodshed, robbery and rapine, and which in a brief space of time will reduce that country to the condition of a howling wilderness.
There are hundreds of good men in the country, who have for years endured every privations from the comforts and enjoyments of civilized life, to confront every description of danger for the purpose of improving their fortunes. These men have suffered repeated wrong and injustice, which they have endeavored to repair by renewed exertions, patiently awaiting the correction of outrage by that government which it is their pride to claim citizenship under, and whose protection they have a right to expect ; but they now see themselves liable, at any moment, to be stripped of their hard earned means, the lives of themselves and their colleagues threatened and taken ; ignominy and abuse, heaped upon them day after day, if resented, is followed by murder.
Many of the inhabitants of the Territory possess passions and elements of character calculated to drive them to extremes, and have the ability to conceive and the courage to carry out the boldest measures for redress, and I know that they will be at no loss for a leader. When such as these are driven by their wrongs to vindicate, not only their rights as citizens, but their pride of manhood, the question of disparity in numerical force is not considered among their difficulties, and I am satisfied that a recital of their grievances would form an apology, if not a sufficient justification, for the violation on their part of the usages of civilized communities.
In addressing you, I have endeavored to discard all feelings arising from my personal annoyances in the Mormon country, but have desired to lay before you the actual condition of affairs, and to prevent, if possible, scenes of lawlessness which, I fear, will be inevitable unless speedy and powerful preventives are applied. I have felt free to thus address you, from the fact that some slight requests made of me when I last left Washington, on the subject of the affairs of Kansas, justified me in believing that you had confidence in my integrity, and that what influence I could exert would not be wanting to terminate the unfortunate difficulties in that Territory ; I have the pleasure of assuring you that my efforts were not spared.
With regard to the affairs and proceedings of the probate court, the only existing tribunal in the Territory of Utah, there being but one of the three federal judges now in the Territory, I will refer you to its records, and to the evidence of gentlemen whose assertions cannot be questioned ; as to the treatment of myself, I will leave that to the representation of others ; at all events, the object I have in view, the end I wish to accomplish for the general good, will preclude my wearying you with a recital of them at present.
I have the honor to be very truly yours, &c.
W. M. F. MAGRAW.
4 UTAH EXPEDITION.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, February 15, 1858.
SIR : I have the honor to transmit, herewith, copies of the correspondence called for by a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 27th January last, requesting the President to furnish that body with the information which gave rise to the military expeditions ordered to Utah Territory. The instructions to the army officers in connexion with the same, and all correspondence which has taken place with said army officers, with Brigham Young and his followers, or with others, throwing light upon the question as to how far said Brigham Young and his followers are in a state of rebellion or resistance to the government of the United States, so far as the same is afforded by the files of this department.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN B. FLOYD, Secretary of War.
To the Adjutant General, Quartermaster General, Commissary General,
Surgeon General, Paymaster General, and Chief of Ordnance.
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HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
May 28, 1857.
Orders having been dispatched in haste for the assemblage of a body of troops at Fort Leavenworth, to march thence to Utah as soon as assembled. The general-in-chief; in concert with the War Department, issues the following instructions, to be executed by the chiefs of the respective staff departments, in connexion with his general orders of this date :
1. The force -- 2d dragoons, 5th infantry, 10th infantry and Phelps' battery of the 4th artillery — to be provided with transportation and supplies, will be estimated at not less than 2,500 men.
2. The Adjutant General will, in concert with the chiefs of the respective departments, issue the necessary orders for assigning to this force a full complement of disbursing and medical officers, an officer of ordnance and an Assistant Adjutant General, if the latter be required.
He will relieve Captains Phelps' 4th artillery and Hawes' 2d dragoons from special duty, and order them to join their companies. He will also give the necessary orders for the movement of any available officers, whose services may be desired by the Quartermaster General or Commissary General in making purchases. Lieutenant Col. Taylor and Brevet Major Waggaman will be ordered to exchange stations.
All available recruits are to be assigned to the above named regiments up to the time of departure.
3. About 2,000 head of beef cattle must be procured and driven to Utah.
5 UTAH EXPEDITION
Six months' supply of bacon (for two days in the week) must be sent—desiccated vegetables in sufficient quantity to guard the health of the troops for the coming winter.
4. Arrangements will be made for the concentration and temporary halt of the 5th infantry at Jefferson Barracks.
The squadron of dragoons at Fort Randall taking their horse equipments with them will leave their horses at that post, and a remount must be provided for them at Fort Leavenworth. Also, horses must be sent out to the squadron at Fort Kearny, and the whole regiment, as also Phelps' battery, brought to the highest point of efficiency.
Besides the necessary trains and supplies, the quartermaster's department will procure for the expedition 250 tents of Sibley's pattern, to provide for the case that the troops shall not be able to but themselves the ensuing winter. Storage tents are needed for the like reason. Stoves enough to provide, at least, for the sick, must accompany the tents.
5. The Surgeon General will cause the necessary medical supplies to be provided, and requisition made for the means of transporting them with the expedition.
6. The chief of ordnance will take measures immediately to put in position for the use of this force, three travelling forges and a full supply of ammunition, and will make requisition for the necessary transportation of the same.
WINFIELD SCOTT.
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[Quadruplicate for the information of the Adjutant General.]
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
New York, June 29, 1857.
The 5th infantry is ordered to proceed immediately to join you from Jefferson barracks. As soon as it, and the body of the 10th arrive, proceed to your destination without unnecessary delay.
A letter of instructions to you goes by to-day's mail, and the general order for the movement will follow immediately.
By command of Brevet Lieutenant General Scott.
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Brevet Brigadier General W. S. HARNEY,
Commanding, &c., at Fort Leavenworth.
(To be sent to western Missouri.)
A duplicate to be sent to St. Louis, Missouri, to the care of Lieutenant Colonel Crossman, deputy quartermaster general.
Triplicate by mail.
6 UTAH EXPEDITION.
[Triplicate for the information of the Adjutant General.]
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
New York, June 29, 1857.
The 5th infantry will proceed without delay to Fort Leavenworth. See that the telegraphs of to-day to General Harney and to the commander of the 5th infantry, sent to your care, are immediately sent to them.
By command of Brevet Lieutenant General Scott.
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
THE COMMANDER OF THE 5th INFANTRY,
Jefferson Barracks, care of Lieutenant Colonel G. H. Crossman,
Deputy Quartermaster General, U. S. A., St. Louis, Missouri.
Duplicate by mail.
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[Triplicate for the information of the Adjutant General]
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
New York, June 29, 1857.
Proceed with the 5th infantry without delay to Fort Leavenworth.
By command of Brevet Lieutenant General Scott.
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
The COMMANDER OF THE 5TH INFANTRY,
Jefferson Barracks, care of Lieutenant Colonel G. H Crossman,
Deputy Quartermaster General, St. Louis, Missouri.
Duplicate by mail.
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HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
New York, June 29, 1857.
SIR : By direction of the general-in-chief the following postscript was added to the letter of instructions this day despatched to Brigadier General Harney, and is respectfully communicated for the information of the War Department.
P. S. " The general-in-chief (in my letter of the 26th instant) has already conveyed to you as a suggestion, not an order nor even a recommendation, that it might be well to send forward in advance a part of your horse to Fort Laramie, there to halt and he recruited in strength by rest and by grain before the main body comes up. "
Respectfully,
"G. W. LAY,
"Lieutenant Colonel, A. D. C."
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE W. LAY.
Lieutenant Colonel, A. D. C.
Colonel S. COOPER,
Adjutant General.
UTAH EXPEDITION. 7
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
New York, June 29, 1857.
SIR : The letter which I addressed to you in the name of the general-in-chief, on the 28th ultimo ; his circular to the chiefs of staff departments, same date ; his general orders No. 8, current series, and another now in press, have indicated your assignment to the command of an expedition to Utah Territory, and the preparatory measures to be taken.
The general-in-chief desires me to add in his name the following instructions, prepared in concert with the War Department, and sanctioned by its authority, whenever required.
The community and, in part, the civil government of Utah Territory are in a state of substantial rebellion against the laws and authority of the United States. A new civil governor is about to be designated, and to be charged with the establishment and maintenance of law and order. Your able and energetic aid, with that of the troops to be placed under your command, is relied to insure the success of his mission.
The principles by which you should be guided have been already indicated in a somewhat similar case, and are here substantially repeated.
If the governor of the Territory, finding the ordinary course of judicial proceedings of the power vested in the United States' marshals and other proper officers inadequate for the preservation of the public peace and the due execution of the laws, should make requisition upon you for a military force to aid him as a posse comitatus in the performance of that official duty, you are hereby directed to employ for that purpose the whole or such part of your command. as may be required; or should the governor, the judges, or marshals of the Territory find it necessary directly to summon a part of your troops, to aid either in the performance of his duties, you will take care that the summons be promptly obeyed. And in no case will you, your officers or men, attack any body of citizens whatever, except on such requisition or summons, or in sheer self-defence.
In executing this delicate function of the military power of the United States the civil responsibility will be upon the governor, the judges and marshals of the Territory. While you are not to be, and cannot be subjected to the orders, strictly speaking, of the governor, you will be responsible for a jealous, harmonious and thorough cooperation with him, or frequent and full consultation, and will conform your action to his requests and views in all cases where your military judgment and prudence do not forbid, nor compel you to modify, in execution, the movements he may suggest. No doubt is entertained that your conduct will fully meet the moral and professional responsibilities of your trust, and justify the high confidence already reposed in you by the government.
The lateness of the season, the dispersed condition of the troops, and the smallness of the numbers available, have seemed to present elements of difficulty, if not hazard, in this expedition. But it is believed that these may be compensated by unusual care in its outfit,
8 UTAH EXPEDITION.
and great prudence in its conduct. All disposable recruits have been reserved for it.
So well is the nature of this service appreciated, and so deeply are the honor and interests of the United States involved in its success, that I am authorized to say the government will hesitate at no expense requisite to complete the efficiency of your little army, and to insure health and comfort to it, as far as attainable. Hence, in addition to the liberal orders for its supply heretofore given — and it is known that ample measures, with every confidence of success, have been dictated by the chiefs of staff departments here — a large discretion will be made over to you in the general orders for the movement. The employment of spies, guides, interpreters or laborers may be made to any reasonable extent you may think desirable.
The prudence expected of you requires that you should anticipate resistance, general, organized and formidable, at the threshold, and shape your movements as if they were certain, the troops well massed and in hand when approaching expected resistance. Your army will be equipped, for a time, at least, as a self sustaining machine. Detachments will, therefore, not be lightly hazarded, and you are warned not to be betrayed into premature security or over confidence.
A small but sufficient force must, however, move separately from the main column, guarding the beef cattle and such other supplies as you may think would too much encumber the march of the main body. The cattle may require to be marched more slowly than the troops, so as to arrive in Salt Lake valley in good condition, or they may not survive the inclemency and scanty sustenance of the winter. This detachment, though afterwards to become the rear guard, may, it is hoped, be put in route before the main body, to gain as much time as possible before the latter passes it
The general-in-chief suggests that feeble animals, of draught and cavalry, should be left ten or twelve days behind the main column, at Fort Laramie, to recruit and follow.
It should be a primary object on arriving in the valley, if the condition of things permit, to procure not only fuel, but materials for hutting the troops. Should it be too late for the latter purpose, or should such employment of the troops be unsafe or impracticable, the tents (of Sibley's pattern) furnished will, it is hoped, afford a sufficient shelter.
It is not doubted that a surplus of provisions and forage, beyond the wants of the resident population, will be found in the valley of Utah ; and that the inhabitants, if assured by energy and justice, will be ready to sell them to the troops. Hence no instructions are given you for the extreme event of the troops being in absolute need of such supplies and their being withheld by the inhabitants. The necessities of such an occasion would furnish the law for your guidance.
Besides the stated reports required by regulations, special reports will be expected from you, at the headquarters of the army, as opportunity may offer.
The general-in-chief desires to express his best wishes, official and personal, for your complete success and added reputation.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
GEORGE W. LAY,
Lieutenant Colonel Aid-de-Camp.
Brevet Brigadier General W. S. HARNEY,
Commanding, &c., Fort Levenworth, K. T.
P. S.—The general-in-chief (in my letter of the 26th instant) has already conveyed to you a suggestion — not an order, nor even a recommendation — that it might be well to send forward in advance a part of your horse to Fort Laramie, there to halt and be recruited in strength, by rest and by grain, before the main body comes up.
Respectfully,
G. W. L.,
Lt. Col., Aid-de-Camp.
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[By telegraph.]
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
New York, July 1, 1857.
General orders issued yesterday embrace the following paragraphs :
" 4. The armament and equipment deemed most suitable for the service of the battery of artillery will be selected, and, if necessary, extended in guns and horses by the commander of the expedition, consulting with Captain Phelps.
"5. In addition to instructions already given, it is further directed that all requisitions which the commander of the expedition for Utah may, in his discretion, address to the departments of supply, be promptly complied with, without reference to higher authority."
Respectfully,
L. THOMAS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Brigadier General HARNEY,
Fort Leavenworth, K. T.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
New York, July 1, 1857.
Copy respectfully furnished to the adjutant general, for the information of the War Department.
By order:
_____ _______,
Assistant Adjutant General.
10 UTAH EXPEDITION.
[By telegraph.]
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
West Point, N. Y., July 14, 1857.
Your letter of July 3 is received. I have made the calculations and expect your rear guard to be in full march by this day week. Captain Neil will overtake you with forty well instructed recruits for the battery. Order headquarters and band to Fort Leavenworth.
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Brigadier General HARNEY,
Fort Leavenworth, K. T.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
West Point, N. Y., July 14, 1857.
Official copy respectfully furnished for the information of the Adjutant General.
IRWIN McDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
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HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
West Point, New York, July 22, 1857.
COLONEL : The instructions of the War Department of the 14th instant to Brevet Brigadier General Harney, placing Forts Laramie and Kearney under his orders as indispensable to the success of the movements to Utah, and keeping there the two companies of the 6th infantry, conflicts with general orders No. 11, ordering these companies to be relieved by the two companies of the 7th from Fort Smith, and ordering Fort Kearney to be abandoned.
At the close of the season the 1st cavalry and four companies of the 6th infantry will come in from the plains, and will, with the company of the 6th, now at Fort Riley, make fifteen companies for the garrison of the posts of Forts Riley and Leavenworth, without counting the 2d dragoons and Phelps' battery, and should the latter not go to Utah this year there will be twenty-six companies.
The general-in-chief directs me to make this statement and inquire what shall be done with the companies of the 7th before mentioned. If the movement of the companies of the 6th from Forts Laramie and Kearney to Jefferson barracks is to remain suspended, as would seem to be the case from the telegraphic orders which place them under the commander of the Utah expedition, the companies of the 7th will not be needed on the Platte.
Shall they be ordered back to their former station ?
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Colonel SAMUEL COOPER,
Adjutant General, U. S. A., Washington, D. C.
UTAH EXPEDITION. 11
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
West Point, New York, July 23, 1857.
COLONEL : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the triplicate of your telegraph of the 21st, to General Harney, furnished for the information of the general-in-chief, and am directed by the latter to say that the second paragraph gives him no information, as General Harney's suggestion—to which it is a response—was not made through him, nor was any copy of it furnished him by the writer.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
IRVIN McDOWELL
Assistant Adjutant General.
Colonel S. COOPER,
Adjutant General, Washington, D. C.
__________
[Duplicate by mail—general-in-chief, triplicate.]
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
July 21, 1857.
The light battery at Fort Snelling has been ordered to take post at Fort Leavenworth.
You are authorized to send a discreet staff officer to Salt Lake City in advance of the troops, for the purposes suggested by you.
SAM'L COOPER,
Adjutant General.
Brig. General W. S. HARNEY, U. S. A.,
Care of Captain Pleasonton, U. S. A.,
Planters' House, St. Louis, Missouri.
__________
[Duplicate, for the information of the Adjutant General.]
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
West Point, N. Y., July 25, 1857.
GENERAL : The general-in-chief has, in paragraph III, special orders No. 92, of this date, made the transfer of private Adam Torden, ordered in your special order No. 26, of the 10th instant, and he instructs me to call your attention to paragraph 141 of the regulations, and to desire that you will please conform thereto in future cases.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Brevet Brig. Gen. W. S. HARNEY,
Commanding, &c., Fort Leavenworth, K. T.
12 UTAH EXPEDITION.
[Triplicate, for the information of the Adjutant General.—Per Telegraph.]
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
West Point, N. Y., July 30, 1857.
Telegraphic orders have been this day sent to Minnesota for the two companies of tenth infantry to proceed without delay to Fort Leavenworth, and to follow their regiment.
By order:
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
The COMMANDING OFFICER,
Fort Snelling, Minnesota, (by Dubuque, Iowa.)
Duplicate by mail. Copy to General Harney.
___________
[Triplicate, for the information of the Adjutant General.—Per Telegraph.]
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
West Point, N. Y., July 30, 1857.
The general-in-chief directs the two companies of the tenth infantry to proceed to Fort Leavenworth, without delay, and to follow their regiment. Communicate this order immediately to both companies, wherever they may be, if not already en route for Fort Leavenworth.
By order:
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
The COMMANDING OFFICER,
Fort Snelling, Minnesota, (by Dubuque, Iowa.)
Duplicate by mail. Copy to General Harney.
__________
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
West Point, N. Y., August 19, 1857.
SIR: In forwarding yesterday the communication of General Harney, respecting the loss of a large number of beef cattle for the Utah expedition, on which paper I endorsed my remarks, I omitted to refer you to my instructions, issued June 29th to the commander of that expedition.
I now beg your attention to the extract given below, from my letter of that date to General Harney, from which it will be seen that the loss in question resulted from a neglect of my orders in the case.
[Extract.]
A small but sufficient force must, however, move separately form the main column; guarding the beef cattle and such other supplies as you may think would too much encumber the march of the main body. The cattle may require to be marched more slowly than the troops, so
UTAH EXPEDITION. 13
as to arrive in Salt Lake valley in good condition, or they may not survive the inclemency and scanty sustenance of the winter.
This detachment, though afterwards to become the rear guard, may, it is hoped, be put en route before the main body, to gain as much time as possible before the latter passes it.
I have the honor to be, with high respect, your obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. J. B. FLOYD,
Secretary of War.
__________
WASHINGTON, August 28, 1857.
COLONEL : In anticipation of the orders to be issued placing you in command of the Utah expedition, the general-in-chief directs you to repair, without delay, to Fort Leavenworth, and apply to Brevet Brigadier General Harney for all the orders and instructions he has received as commander of that expedition, which you will consider addressed to yourself, and by which you will be governed accordingly. You will make your arrangements to set out from Fort Leavenworth at as early a day as practicable. Six companies of the 2d dragoons will be detached by General Harney to escort you and the civil authorities to Utah, to remain as part of your command instead of the companies of the 1st cavalry, as heretofore ordered. Brevet Major T. J. Porter, assistant adjutant general, will be ordered to report to you for duty before you leave Fort Leavenworth.
I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
COL. ALBERT S. JOHNSTON,
2d Cavalry, Washington, D. C.
__________
WASHINGTON, August 29, 1857.
GENERAL: I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of the instructions of yesterday to Colonel Albert S. Johnston, 2d cavalry. The general-in-chief directs you govern yourself accordingly, and afford Colonel Johnston every facility, and all the aid in your power in the execution of the duty with which he is charged.
As the troops under Colonel Sumner, those under Lieutenant Colonel J. E. Johnston, 1st cavalry, and those with Captain Francis J. Bryan, topographical engineers, will soon be coming in from the plains, it is desirable to know at what points in Kansas they will be required, and you are requested by the general to report what disposition you judge should be made of them.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Brevet Brig. Gen. Wm. S. HARNEY,
Colonel second dragoons, commanding troops
in Kansas, Fort Leavenworth, K. T.
14 UTAH EXPEDITION.
[Duplicate.—Original sent by telegraph.]
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
New York, November 16, 1857.
Important despatches received this morning from Colonel Johnston.
Brigham Young has issued his proclamation declaring war upon the United States forces, and placing Utah under martial law.
Report of Mormons having burned three trains confirmed.
Mormons were at Fort Bridger ; Colonel Alexander, with the 5th and 10th infantry, and Phelps' and Reno's batteries at Ham's fork.
Colonel Johnston seventy-eight miles from South Pass. He will wait, with Colonel C. F. Smith, at Pacific Spring, till the arrival of Lieutenant Smith with two hundred men escorting remaining supply trains, and will then push on with them to join the army.
Colonel Alexander ordered by Brigham Young to evacuate Utah forthwith, but is informed he may remain where he is if he will surrender his arms and promise to retire next spring ! Colonel Alexander reports his intention to go up Bear river to Soda spring.
The despatches go forward by to-day's mail.
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Colonel SAMUEL COOPER,
Adjutant General, Washington, D. C.
__________
[Duplicate.—Original sent by telegraph.]
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
New York, December 10, 1857.
Despatches received this morning from Colonel Johnston, dated at South Pass, October eighteenth. Expects soon to join Colonel Alexander at Fontenelle creek, and then move down to Henry's fork for the winter. All well, but losing animals from the weather, which was clear and cold. Colonel Alexander lost some animals by Mormons. No blood shed. Despatches by mail to night.
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Colonel SAMUEL COOPER,
Adjutant General, Washington, D. C.
__________
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, January 23, 1858.
SIR: The general-in-chief has received from Colonel Johnston, commanding the army of Utah, a copy of that officer's letter to you of November 25, 1857. The request therein conveyed to you for aid and support to Captain Marcy, in carrying out the purposes of his expedition, is approved, and you are desired to lend the assistance asked for, as far as within your power.
The general-in-chief directs that you furnish, from the regiment
UTAH EXPEDITION. 15
of mounted riflemen, as a return escort for Captain Marcy, four companies, if so large a force be desired and can be afforded.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE W. LAY,
Lieutenant Colonel, A. D. C.
Bvt. Brig. Gen'l. JNO. GARLAND,
Commanding Department of New Mexico.
__________
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
New York, February 5, 1858.
Official copy for information of the Adjutant General.
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
__________
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, January 23, 1858.
SIR : The general-in-chief directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches, with copies of orders, &c., to November 30, 1857, inclusive ; and to add in his name as follows :
Your conduct in command, as set forth in the reports, meets with full and hearty approval, united with sympathy for those difficulties which you have so manfully conquered, and which, it is clearly perceived, no act or omission of yours had any part in creating.
The general-in-chief desires likewise to tender, through you, to the officers and men of your expedition the expression of his high appreciation of the noble energy, patience and spirit which they have displayed. The achievement of Colonel Cooke in bringing up his regiment to join you, in such comparatively good condition, at so late a season, appears specially worthy of commendation.
In this tribute to yourself and to the troops the War Department cordially concurs.
The adjutant general will communicate to you the formal approval, by the War Department, of your orders to Captain Marcy, for purchase of animals, &c., and also of your mustering volunteers into the service.
General Garland will be instructed to afford the aid and support asked for in your letter to him of November 25, 1857, including a return escort for Captain Marcy's expedition. He will be directed to furnish, from the regiment of mounted riflemen, for this purpose, a force not exceeding four companies.
Ample measures are in progress for your reinforcement at the earliest possible period of the spring.
The general-in-chief himself will set sail for the Pacific coast in the steamer of the 5th proximo, clothed with full powers for an effective diversion or co-operation in your favor from that quarter. It is
16 UTAH EXPEDITION.
not desired, however, that this information shall modify the instructions heretofore given you in any degree, or delay your movements.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE W. LAY,
Lieutenant Colonel, A. D. C.
Colonel A. S. JOHNSTON,
2d Cavalry, Commanding Army of Utah.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
New York, February 5, 1858.
Official copy for information of the Adjutant General.
IRVIN McDOWELL, A. A. G.
__________
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, February 4, 1858.
SIR : I am desired by the general-in-chief to inform you that it is no longer probable that he will go to the Pacific coast, or that any expedition against or towards Utah will be despatched from that quarter.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE W. LAY,
Lieutenant Colonel, A. D. C.
Colonel A. S. JOHNSTON,
Commanding department of Utah.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
New York, February 5, 1858.
Official copy for the information of the Adjutant General.
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
__________
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, September 26, 1857.
SIR : By " special order " No. 132, of September 11, 1857, from this office, Brevet Captain Jesse L. Reno, first lieutenant Ordnance Department, attached to the Utah expedition, was assigned to duty with that command, according to his brevet rank.
The subject having been again called up by the receipt of several applications for assignment, according to brevet rank, the Secretary of War, to prevent misapprehension, instructs me to say that the special assignment of Brevet Captain Reno, Ordnance Department, in the order above cited, was intended to enable him to exercise command over the detachment immediately under his charge, while conducting the same to Utah.
On Captain Reno's turning over the recruits to Phelps' light artillery company, in accordance with General Harney's "special orders" No. 5, of July 10, the assignment to duty according to his brevet rank will cease.
UTAH EXPEDITION. 17
It is presumed that, should it be necessary to equip another battery of artillery for service with the troops under your orders, the command thereof will be given to an officer of artillery.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient, servant,
E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Colonel A. S. JOHNSTON, U. S. A.,
Commanding Utah Expedition, Salt Lake City, U. T.
__________
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, January 14, 1858.
SIR : The Secretary of War desires that you will transmit direct to this office copies of any despatches of more than ordinary importance you may, from time to time, forward through the headquarters of the army.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. COOPER, Adjutant General.
Colonel A. S. JOHNSTON,
First Cavalry, Commanding Department of Utah.
__________
HEADQUARTERS ARMY FOR UTAH,
Fort Leavenworth, August 8, 1857.
COLONEL : I have the honor to enclose a copy of a communication from Lieutenant Marshall, 6th infantry, reporting the loss of 824 head of cattle, en route for Utah, for the use of the army. This mischief was done by the Cheyenne Indians, and is but the commencement of a series of disasters which will take place upon that route, if a suitable cavalry force is not placed at both Forts Kearny and Laramie.
Infantry is useless against mounted Indians. I shall retain the two companies of the 2d dragoons at Fort Laramie, and have to request the general-in-chief will cause the two companies of the 1st cavalry, ordered to this post under Colonel Sumner, to be stopped at Fort Kearny, to furnish escorts from that place, as I have no disposable mounted force at my command for this service.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. S. HARNEY,
Col. 2d Dragoons, and Brevet Brig. Gen'l., Commanding.
Lieutenant Colonel L. THOMAS,
Ass' t Adj' t Gen., Headq's of the Army, West Point, N. Y.
__________
HEADQUARTERS, FORT KEARNY, N. T.,
August 2, 1857.
SIR : I have the honor to state that two herds of beef cattle, destined for Salt Lake, for beef for the Utah expedition, passed this post yesterday. The whole number of men, all told, was nineteen. When they
18 UTAH EXPEDITION.
arrived to-day about 28 miles west of this garrison, they were attacked by a party of about 150 Cheyenne Indians, who run off all the cattle, (824) and horses, and mules, (20 in number,) excepting two, which the drovers succeeded in escaping with. The attack was made about 11 o'clock this morning, and the whites lost one man, who was killed on the ground, and one who was badly wounded in the thigh, with a fracture of the bone, who is now under charge of the surgeon of the post. The whites arrived here about nine o'clock this evening in a very destitute condition, having lost everything but the clothing they happened to have on, and their arms. I shall send a party to-morrow with the drovers to bury the man who was killed, and also to try to find some of the cattle. But the men report that they believe they will not be able to find any of them, as the last they saw of the cattle they were being driven off by the Indians, who were all the time shooting them with arrows, and lancing them with their spears.
The whites report that, without doubt, they must have killed at least two Indians, and wounded some four or five others.
Allow me again to state that an infantry post in this country is entirely useless ; that depredations are continually perpetrated by hostile Indians near this garrison, without ever being able to even assist those who are so unfortunate as to be attacked by them.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. G. MARSHALL,
1st. Lieut. 6th Infantry, Commanding.
Colonel S. COOPER,
Adjutant General U. S. A., Washington, D. C.
A true copy.
E. G. MARSHALL,
1st. Lieut. 6th Infantry, Commanding.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL of Utah Expedition.
__________
(Circular.)
HEADQUARTERS ARMY FOR UTAH,
Fort Leavenworth, August 8, 1857.
The commanders of the different corps of this army will give such protection as may be necessary to the supply trains on route to Utah, without permitting these instructions to interfere with the order of march.
By order of General Harney.
A. PLEASANTON,
Captain 2d Dragoons, A. A. Adjutant General.
__________
HEADQUARTERS TENTH INFANTRY,
Camp near Fort Kearny, August 10, 1857.
SIR : I have the honor to transmit herewith a field return of the battalion under my command. I have been obliged to rule it, as no
UTAH EXPEDITION. 19
printed blanks of the prescribed form have been received. The march from Fort Leavenworth here occupied nineteen days, giving an average of fifteen and a half miles per day. The men are in good health and condition, and have surprised me by the endurance they exhibited from the commencement. Though raw recruits when we left Fort Leavenworth, I consider them now fit for any kind of service, and have no doubt they would do credit to themselves and the army. I would respectfully suggest the propriety of ordering the officers detached from the regiment to join their companies as soon as practicable.
If the regiment is to serve long in Utah, it is very desirable to have all the officers with it.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. B. ALEXANDER,
Colonel Tenth Infantry, Commanding
Colonel S. COOPER,
Adjutant General U. S. A.
__________
HEADQUARTERS TENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY,
Camp near Fort Laramie, N. T., September 3, 1857.
SIR : I have the honor to transmit herewith a field return of my command for the month of August. As this is the last place from which I can depend upon a communication, I respectfully submit the following remarks upon the march of the eight companies of the tenth infantry under my command from Fort Leavenworth to this place, a distance of 625 miles. The battalion marched from Forth Leavenworth, July 18, and being composed mainly of recruits, the length of the march for the first four or five days was inconsiderable, not exceeding ten or twelve miles. The men, however, became accustomed to marching very soon, and unless the heat was powerful, very few fell out. The march across the prairie country from Fort Leavenworth to the Platte river was made within the time allowed by General Harney's orders, and was, perhaps, the most exempt from loss and accident ever known.
With a train of ninety-seven wagons, and over six hundred animals, but five mules have been lost, one by straying and four by death, and not a wagon has been broken. The journey along the Platte was one of great ease, as the road is good, and grass abundant nearly everywhere, and men and animals improved in health and strength remarkably.
The sick report has never exceeded twenty, and has averaged twelve. This in a command of 500 is very small. No serious sickness has prevailed, though four cases of bilious fever, produced by great alternations of temperature and miasma of the Platte bottom, have occurred, which the assistant surgeon has recommended to be left at this post. Colonel Hoffman having kindly consented, I have determined to leave them until the two companies of the regiment under Colonel Smith comes up, when they can be brought on. The order of march has been strictly preserved, and the column marched by platoon fronts, with regular intervals, at the rate of 96 or 100 steps per minute. The
20 UTAH EXPEDITION.
company arrangements have also been as regular as the ground would admit, having in view the proper guard over the mules and wagons. I have adopted the plan of detailing a company of guard, and posting it in the most convenient place the commander is enabled to post pickets and sentinels, so as to guard every approach. This plan saves many details, lessens labor, and excites a spirit of emulation which insures great vigilance. The officers of the command have attended faithfully to their several duties, and many have shown great powers of enduring fatigue, being on foot all the time. Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Canby has ably assisted in conducting the march, and much of the good fortune is due to his constant attention to the duties immediately devolved upon him.
On the 5th the march to Utah will be resumed, and although the accounts of the road as regards grass makes it much more difficult than anything we have yet experienced, I hope to give as favorable a report upon my arrival at the Salt Lake City.
I may be excused from expressing the pride I feel in the successful accomplishment by my regiment of so much of its first arduous duty, and I confidently express the belief that unless some very unforeseen accident occurs, I will reach the Territory of Utah in a condition of perfect efficiency and discipline.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. B. ALEXANDER,
Colonel Commanding.
Colonel S. COOPER,
Adjutant General U. S. Army.
__________
HEADQUARTERS TROOPS SERVING IN KANSAS,
Fort Leavenworth, Sept. 12, 1857.
SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 29th ultimo, enclosing a copy of instructions to Colonel Albert S. Johnston, 2d cavalry, and requesting me to report what disposition should be made of the troops soon to arrive at this post, and coming under my command.
In reply, I desire to inform the general-in-chief that the two posts in this Territory under my command are capable of quartering sixteen mounted companies as follows : six companies at Fort Riley and ten companies at this post. The quarters for officers at this post are not sufficient for ten companies.
I recommend that six companies of the 1st cavalry, under the command of the senior officer of the regiment, be placed at Fort Riley ; the remaining four companies of that regiment, with two companies of 2d dragoons, and Sherman's battery, to be stationed here. In the event of a large body of troops being assembled in this Territory this fall, shelter can easily be constructed at this place for them, provided the lumber is sent to this post from St. Louis immediately. At this
UTAH EXPEDITION. 21
time a large number of camp women are living in tents, and there is no prospect of their being better sheltered for the winter.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. S. HARNEY,
Col. 2d Dragoons, and Brevet Brig. Gen., Commanding.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL,
Headquarters of the Army, West Point, N. Y.
__________
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Fort Leavenworth, September 12, 1857.
SIR : In consequence of the liability of depredations by the Indians in the vicinity of Fort Kearny, and the necessity of immediate pursuit and punishment of the offenders, and of scouting and escorts, I have the honor to request authority to keep at that post twenty mounted infantry. Should this application be granted, I respectfully request that the quartermaster and ordnance departments at this post may be ordered respectively to furnish the horses and necessary equipments without any necessity for my action, and that they may be sent without delay to that post.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. S. JOHNSTON,
Col. 2d Cavalry, Commanding.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL,
Headquarters of the Army, West Point, N. Y.
__________
HEADQUARTERS ARMY FOR UTAH,
Fort Leavenworth, September 12, 1857.
SIR : I find that no provision has been made for protecting the mail service between Utah City and this frontier during the ensuing winter; and as I have no control over a portion of the forces that will be needed to carry into execution any plan for that purpose, I respectfully request that some arrangement may be initiated at the headquarters of the army similar to that promulgated in Special Orders, No. 106, of December 4, 1854, from the headquarters Department of the West. In case the Post Office Department contracts to have the mail carried, I deem this precaution essential for its security and success.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. S. JOHNSTON,
Col. 2d Cavalry, Commanding.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL,
Headquarters of the Army, West Point, N. Y.
__________
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Fort Leavenworth, September 16, 1857.
MAJOR : Six companies of the 2d dragoons, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Cooke, have been prepared for the march to Utah,
22 UTAH EXPEDITION,
and provided with every requisite to make it successful by Brevet Brigadier General Harney, agreeably to his instructions from the headquarters of the army, and have by him been transferred to my command to-day.
I have ordered Colonel Cooke to put his command immediately en route for Utah, and charged him with the duty of escorting the governor (Colonel Cummings) and the other civil officers of that Territory to Salt Lake City, (see order herewith,) of which Colonel Cummings has been officially notified. From the nature of the service to be performed, the exercise of great discretion has been necessarily allowed Colonel Cooke ; but he is a cavalry officer of great experience and well acquainted with frontier service, and, I do not doubt, will conduct the march with skill and success. He may be expected to arrive in the valley of Utah by the 15th or 20th November. Transportation has been provided for a half ration of corn for all his animals to Fort Kearny, at which place he can renew his supply to Laramie, and thence through, to guard against the chance of the grass being covered with snow.
As soon as I see Colonel Cooke's command on the route, I will also leave for Salt Lake City, with an escort of 40 men detached from the dragoons. Arrangements have been made for transporting the men of the escort, their baggage and subsistence, and forage for the draught animals in light spring wagons, which will enable me to accomplish the journey in about thirty-five days ; so that my arrival at the place of destination may be expected by the 20th of October proximo.
I beg leave here to request the attention of the general-in-chief to the necessity of an appropriation by Congress, at the next session, for the building of permanent barracks for the accommodation of the troops destined for service in Utah, should there be a peaceable occupation by them of that Territory.
Only approximate estimates of the cost can be made at this time for that purpose; but I understand that, after glass, corks, hinges, nails, &c., shall have been furnished, other materials to be had in Utah, may be obtained at a rate of cost not greater than that for material for the building of Fort Riley. The appropriation should be made in the coming session, so that there may be an early prosecution of the work next spring, in order that suitable quarters can be provided for the troops by the ensuing winter.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
A. S. JOHNSTON,
Colonel 2d Cavalry, Commanding Army of Utah.
Major IRVIN MCDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General,
Headquarters of the Army, New York.
__________
FORT KEARNY, September 24, 1857.
MAJOR : I have the honor to report my arrival at this post to-day, having made the journey from Fort Leavenworth in seven days. Our march was retarded during the first two or three days by bad roads,
UTAH EXPEDITION. 23
made so by frequent showers of rain during that time. Since it cleared off there has been an unclouded sky, and the weather is very fine ; at 6 o'clock this morning the thermometer stood at 54.3, at 11 1/2, 83.0. The grass is fresh and abundant on the route to this place, and I am informed that it is excellent to Laramie. There is no indication of an early winter, and I see no reason to apprehend it. Beyond Laramie, Captain Van Vliet writes from Red Buttes, 150 miles west of Laramie, that the grass is bad beyond belief. This timely notice will prevent any delay in the march of the six companies of the 2d dragoons under Colonel Cooke. I have directed twenty-five strong teams and wagons to be turned over to Colonel Cooke from the supply train of Colonel Sumner's command, at the junction of the road from this place to Fort Riley, and six wagons and teams at this post on his arrival. These thirty-one additional wagons will, I think, be sufficient to enable him to transport the corn for his horses to Utah ; if not, I understand that more can be supplied at Fort Laramie.
Everything, thus far, encourages the belief that there will be no failure of any portion of the troops destined for Utah in the accomplishment of the march. The 10th infantry, I have heard, was to leave Laramie on the 5th of September ; the 5th infantry reached Laramie on the 4th ; Phelp's and Reno's batteries on the 6th and 7th, and Colonel Smith, with his companies of the 10th infantry, has probably arrived at Laramie by this time. The dragoons should be here by the 4th or 5th of October, and, with the additional transportation and the means of replacing animals injured on the route, you may rely on a rapid march by them from this post to Laramie. I will leave here to-morrow morning, and suppose I will reach Laramie in eight days. I will, as soon as possible, join the troops in advance.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
A. S. JOHNSTON,
Colonel 2d Cavalry, Commanding Army of Utah.
Major IRVIN MCDONELL,
Assistant Adjutant General,
Headquarters of the Army, New York City.
__________
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
North Bank of South Fork of Platte, September 29, 1857.
MAJOR : We have just crossed the south fork of the Platte, and met here the express with Captain Van Vliet's report of the result of his journey to Salt Lake City, which I forward for the information of the general-in-chief.
When I reach the troops in advance I will proceed at once to execute the orders I have received, and not delay the march, unless prevented by the destruction of the grass on the route, by cold or the filling up of the passes by snow. In either event a suitable position will be taken until it is practicable to advance.
We are making our journey with more despatch than I expected ; we will be at Laramie on the 2d of October. The 5th and 10th infantry, with the batteries, marched from Fort Laramie, as was ex-
24 UTAH EXPEDITION.
pected, with the exception of Reno's battery, which left on the 8th, a day later. The weather continues mild, and there is an abundance of grass on the route. I think there can be no doubt of Colonel Cooke's arrival at Fort Laramie by the 18th of October. I will travel with all rapidity practicable till I reach the troops in advance, and will report everything material by every opportunity.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
A. S. JOHNSTON,
Colonel 2d Cavalry, Commanding Army of Utah.
Maj. IRVIN MCDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General,
Headquarters of the Army, New York City.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Ash Hollow, en-route to Salt Lake City, September 29, 1857.
Duplicate. Original forwarded by express from north bank of south fork of Platte.
__________
HAM'S FORK, September 16, 1857.
CAPTAIN : I have the honor to report, for the information of the commanding general, the result of my trip to the Territory of Utah.
In obedience to special instructions, dated headquarters army for Utah, Fort Leavenworth, July 28, 1857, I left Fort Leavenworth, July 30, and reached Fort Kearny in nine travelling days, Fort Laramie in ten, and Great Salt Lake City in thirty-three and a half. At Fort Kearny I was detained one day by the changes I had to make and by sickness, and at Fort Laramie three days, as all the animals were forty miles from the post, and when brought in all had to be shod before they could take the road. I travelled as rapidly as it is possible to do with six mule wagons. Several of my teams broke down, and at least half of my animals are unserviceable and will remain so until they recruit. During my progress towards Utah I met many people from that Territory, and also several mountain men at Green river, and all informed me that I would not be allowed to enter Utah, and if I did I would run great risk of losing my life. I treated all this, however, as idle talk, but it induced me to leave my wagons and escort at Ham's fork, 143 miles this side of the city, and proceed alone. I reached Great Salt Lake City without molestation, and immediately upon my arrival I informed Governor Brigham Young that I desired an interview, which he appointed for the next day. On the evening of the day of my arrival Governor Young, with many of the leading men of the city, called upon me at my quarters. The governor received me most cordially and treated me during my stay, which continued some six days, with the greatest hospitality and kindness. In this interview the governor made known to me his views with regard to the approach of the United States troops, in plain and unmistakable language.
He stated that the Mormons had been persecuted, murdered, and robbed in Missouri and Illinois both by the mob and State authorities, and that now the United States were about to pursue the same course,
UTAH EXPEDITION. 25
and that, therefore, he and the people of Utah had determined to resist all persecution at the commencement, and that the troops now on the march for Utah should not enter the Great Salt Lake valley. As he uttered these words all those present concurred most heartily in what he said.
The next day, as agreed upon, I called upon the governor and delivered in person the letter with which I had been entrusted. In that interview, and in several subsequent ones, the same determination to resist to the death the entrance of the troops into the valley was expressed by Governor Young and those about him.
The governor informed me that there was abundance of everything I required for the troops, such as lumber, forage, &c., but that none would be sold to us. In the course of my conversations with the governor and the influential men in the Territory, I told them plainly and frankly what I conceived would be the result of their present course. I told them that they might prevent the small military force now approaching Utah from getting through the narrow defiles and rugged passes of the mountains this year, but that next season the United States government would send troops sufficient to overcome all opposition. The answer to this was invariably the same : " We are aware that such will be the case; but when those troops arrive they will find Utah a desert. Every house will be burned to the ground, every tree cut down, and every field laid waste. We have three years' provisions on hand, which we will 'cache,' and then take to the mountains and bid defiance to all the powers of the government." I attended their service on Sunday, and, in course of a sermon delivered by Elder Taylor, he referred to the approach of the troops and declared they should not enter the Territory. He then referred to the probability of an overpowering force being sent against them, and desired all present, who would apply the torch to their own buildings, cut down their trees, and lay waste their fields, to hold up their hands. Every hand, in an audience numbering over 4,000 persons, was raised at the same moment. During my stay in the city I visited several families, and all with whom I was thrown looked upon the present movement of the troops towards their Territory as the commencement of another religious persecution, and expressed a fixed determination to sustain Governor Young in any measures he might adopt. From all these facts I am forced to the conclusion that Governor Young and the people of Utah will prevent, if possible, the army for Utah from entering their Territory this season. This, in my opinion, will not be a difficult task, owing to the lateness of the season, the smallness of our force, and the defences that nature has thrown around the valley of the Great Salt Lake. There is but one road running into the valley on the side which our troops are approaching, and for over fifty miles it passes through narrow cañons and over rugged mountains which a small force could hold against great odds. I am inclined, however, to believe that the Mormons will not resort to actual hostilities until the last moment. Their plan of operations will be, burn the grass, cut up the roads, and stampede the animals, so as to delay the troops until snow commences to fall, which will render the road impassable. Snow falls early in this region ; in fact last night it commenced falling at Fort Bridger, and this morning the surrounding mountains are clothed
26 UTAH EXPEDITION.
in white. Were it one month earlier in the season, I believe the troops could force their way in, and they may be able to do so even now ; but the attempt will be fraught with considerable danger, arising from the filling up of the cañons and passes with snow. I do not wish it to be considered that I am advocating either the one course or the other. I simply wish to lay the facts before the general, leaving it to his better judgment to decide upon the proper movements. Notwithstanding my inability to make the purchases I was ordered to, and all that Governor Young said in regard to opposing the entrance of the troops into the valley, I examined the country in the vicinity of the city with the view of selecting a proper military site. I visited the military reserve, Rush valley, but found it, in my opinion, entirely unsuitable for a military station. It contains but little grass and is very much exposed to the cold winds of winter ; its only advantage being the close proximity of fine wood. It is too far from the city, being between forty and forty-five miles, and will require teams four days to go there and return. I examined another point on the road to Rush valley, and only about thirty miles from the city, which I consider a much more eligible position. It is in Tuelle valley, three miles to the north of Tuelle city, and possesses wood, water, and grass ; but it is occupied by the Mormons, who have some sixty acres under cultivation, with houses and barns on their land. These persons would have to be dispossessed or bought out. In fact there is no place within forty, fifty, or sixty miles of the city, suitable for a military position, that is not occupied by the inhabitants and under cultivation.* On my return I examined the vicinity of Fort Bridger, and found it a very suitable position for wintering the troops and grazing the animals, should it be necessary to stop at that point. The Mormons occupy the fort at present, and also have a settlement about ten miles further up Black's fork, called Fort Supply These two places contain buildings sufficient to cover nearly half the troops now en route for Utah ; but I was informed that they would all be laid in ashes as the army advances. I have thus stated fully the result of my visit to Utah, and, trusting that my conduct will meet the approval of the commanding general, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
STEWART VAN VLIET,
Captain, A. Q. M.
Captain PLEASANTON,
A. A. Adj't Gen. Army for Utah, Fort Leavenworth.
P. S.—I shall start on my return to-morrow, with an escort of ten men.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH, ASH HOLLOW,
En route to Salt Lake City, Sept. 29, 1857.
Copy. Original forwarded by express from north bank south fork of Platte.
Official. STEWART VAN VLIET,
Captain, A. Q. M.
___________________________________________
*Finding that I could neither make the purchases ordered to, nor shake the determination of the people to resist the authority of the United States, I left the city and returned to my camp on Ham's fork.
UTAH EXPEDITION. 27
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF UTAH,
South Fork of the Platte, North Bank, September 29, 1857.
MAJOR: We have just crossed the south fork of the Platte, and met here the express with Captain Van Vliet's report of the result of his journey to Salt Lake City, which I forward for the information of the general-in-chief.
When I reach the troops in advance, I will proceed at once to execute the orders I have received and not delay the march unless prevented by the destruction of the grass on the route by cold, or the filling up of the passes by snow. In either event a suitable position will be taken until it is practicable to advance. We are making our journey with more despatch than I expected ; we will be at Laramie on the 2d of October.
The fifth and tenth infantry with the batteries, marched from Laramie, as was expected, with the exception of Reno's battery, which left on the 8th instant, a day later. The weather continues mild, and there is an abundance of grass on the route. I think there can be no doubt of Colonel Cooke's arrival at Fort Laramie by the 18th October. I will travel with all rapidity practicable, until I reach the troops in advance, and will report everything material by every opportunity.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
A. S. JOHNSTON,
Col. Second Cavalry, Com'g Army of Utah.
Major IRVIN McDOWELL,
Ass't Adj't Gen., Headquarters of the Army, New York City.
__________
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH, CAMP NEAR SCOTT'S BLUFFS,
En route to Salt Lake City, October 2, 1857.
SIR: I am instructed by the colonel commanding to direct you to return with your command to Fort Laramie, where you will find orders for your guidance.
I am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. J. PORTER,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Lieut. Col. WILLIAM HOFFMAN,
Commanding Battalion Sixth Infantry.
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HEADQUARTERS, FORT LARAMIE, N. T.,
October 2, 1857.
SIR: I have the honor to report that a detachment of the sixth infantry, under command of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel W. Hoffman, aggregate (307) left this post this day for Fort Leavenworth, K. T.
A return is enclosed.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. LYNDE,
Major Seventh infantry, Commanding Post.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL,
Headquarters of the Army, New York.
28 UTAH EXPEDITION.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Fort Laramie, en route to Salt Lake City, October 4, 1857.
SIR : As the possession of the transportation with your command is of the highest importance to the colonel commanding, he wishes you to reach this post to-morrow.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. J. PORTER,
Assistant Adjutant General.
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Fort Laramie, en route to Salt Lake City, October 5, 1857.
MAJOR : I arrived at this post last night, making the journey from Fort Leavenworth in seventeen days and a half. Our march since we reached Ash Hollow has been greatly retarded by the badness of the road, usually, from that point heavy, on account of sandiness, but, at the time we passed, made much worse by frequent showers of rain.
On my arrival I ordered the two companies of dragoons, " E " and " H," and a detachment of forty-seven men, left by Colonel Smith to escort the governor of Utah, to march immediately to join the troops in advance. I have made such arrangements for transportation of forage and subsistence as will insure their arrival without delay. I am greatly disappointed in not finding an abundant supply of corn at this post. I shall, after taking all at the post, have no more than barely sufficient for the dragoon horses and draught animals of the train of that command, and for my own train.
Two trains loaded partly with corn, may, I think, certainly be expected to reach here before the arrival of Colonel Cooke. Should a sufficient supply for his march be found here, on his arrival he will be instructed to continue his march until he joins the advance, unless the indications of the rapid approach of winter shall be such as to make the risk too great to attempt the passage of the South Pass. The practicability of doing so must be left to the judgment of the commander of the dragoons.
At present the weather is mild, and we anticipate a protracted autumn. Should such anticipation be realized, I do not doubt Colonel Cooke will accomplish the march. The march of the dragoons will be somewhat retarded by the state of the roads. Perhaps they will be a few days longer than estimated in my letter from the south fork of the Platte.
The tenth infantry on the 21st ultimo was in advance, at Ice Springs, five miles above the fifth crossing of Sweet Water ; Captain Phelps a few miles behind. The fifth infantry on the 21st was seven miles below the third crossing of the same stream, and on the 22d Captain Reno was ten miles above the first crossing, as I learned from Captain Van Vliet, who I met on his way to Washington, under instructions from General Harney. I met, yesterday, Colonel Hoffman, in command of companies " B" and " C," sixth infantry, en route to Fort Leavenworth, to whom I gave instructions to return to this place with the two companies, and
UTAH EXPEDITION. 29
assume command of this post. He arrived this morning, and is now in command of the post. I did not feel justified, in the present posture of the affairs of Utah, in allowing the withdrawal of his force to a point so remote from where they may be needed ; and, besides, the means of transportation he had with him is indispensable for the advance of the two companies of dragoons and detachment of infantry which (see order herewith) has been ordered forward. If I had transportation and corn the two companies of the sixth could go forward.
If possible, the troops will enter the valley of Utah this fall. This Question must be determined by the facility of concentrating the troops, and properly securing the supplies for the army.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
A. S. JOHNSTON,
Colonel Second Cavalry, Commanding the Army of Utah.
Major IRVIN McDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General,
Headquarters of the Army, New York City.
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Fort Laramie, en route to Salt Lake City, October 4, 1857.
SIR : As the possession of the transportation, with your command, is of the highest importance to the colonel commanding, he wishes you to reach this post to-morrow.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. J. PORTER,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Lieut. Col. WM. HOFFMAN,
Commanding Battalion 6th Infantry.
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Camp on the Three Crossings of Sweetwater, October 13, 1857.
MAJOR : To-night two men who lived at Fort Laramie, and who had been sent on express to Colonel Alexander, arrived at our camp on their way back. From them I learn that the Mormons having interposed a force in rear of our troops, then encamped at Ham's fork of Green river, succeeded in burning three supply trains, with their contents. A message from Colonel Alexander was sent by them to Colonel C. F. Smith, instructing him to protect the trains in the rear, which contains the clothing, Sibley tents, subsistence, &c.
The orders with regard to the march of the cavalry, and companies of the 6th —, having been countermanded, leaves Colonel Smith with only 22 men ; 47 men of his command were left at Laramie as the governor's escort. Lieutenant Smith, of the dragoons, is four days' march behind us, with two companies of dragoons, the 47 men of Colonel Smith's command, and 25 dragoons of my escort, who were left at Laramie to come on with Lieutenant Smith ; his command will number about 200 men. I have ordered him to hasten
30 UTAH EXPEDITION.
forward and join Colonel Smith's command. We will march in the morning, and expect to encamp with Colonel Smith to-morrow night.
The express man says Colonel Alexander would attempt to reach the valley of Salt Lake by the Bear river ; it is much further than by the usual route, and why he selects it I could not learn, unless from the probability of the grass being burnt by the Mormons on the direct route. These men say that it is certain that they will burn the grass on the route they are about to pursue. Under these circumstances, if I could communicate with Colonel Alexander, I would direct him to take up a good position for the winter, at Ham's fork. The road is beset between this and Ham's fork with companies of Mormons, so that it is doubtful whether I shall be able to communicate with Colonel Alexander.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
A. S. JOHNSTON,
Colonel 2d Cavalry, Commanding Army of Utah.
Major IRVIN MCDOWELL,
Ass't. Adj't. Gen'l.
Headquarters of the Army, New York City.
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
28 miles from South Pass, October 15, 1857.
I have read this communication and respectfully refer it to the consideration of the general-in-chief. I will remain near the Pacific Springs with Colonel Smith until the arrival of Lieutenant Smith, and will move on to the army protecting the supply trains.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
A. S. JOHNSTON,
Colonel 2d Cavalry, Commanding Army Utah.
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY FOR UTAH,
Camp Winfield, Utah Territory, October 9, 1857.
SIR : I have the honor to report that I have assumed command of the troops of the United States, constituting part of the army for Utah, which are now encamped at this point. These troops are the 5th regiment of infantry, eight companies of the 10th infantry, and the batteries of artillery (6 and 12-pounder) commanded by Captain Phelps, 4th artillery, and Reno, ordnance depot, respectively. This camp is situated on Ham's fork, a tributary of Black fork, which is in turn a tributary of Green river, about 15 miles above the junction of the two forks. Fort Bridger is distant, in a southeast direction, about 30 miles. The 10th infantry reached here on the 28th of September ; Phelp's battery on the following day ; the 5th infantry arrived on the 4th of October, and Reno's battery on the same day. On the 5th instant I assumed command, for reasons which I conceive to be of the greatest importance to the troops and their supplies, and
UTAH EXPEDITION 31
of which I shall have the honor to make a full report when a safer and more certain opportunity of sending despatches presents itself. At present, I can give only a statement of what has occurred since my arrival and report the disposition I have determined to make of the troops.
On the day after reaching Ham's fork, and at the first camp I made on it, I received the enclosed letters from Governor Young and Lieutenant General Wells. The propositions they contain, however absurd they are, showed conclusively that a determined opposition to the power of the government was intended.
I had met Captain Van Vliet on the 21st of September, returning from Salt Lake City, and was informed by him, that although the Mormons, or rather Governor Young, were determined to oppose an entrance into the city, yet he was assured that no armed resistance would be attempted, if we went no further than Fort Bridger and Fort Supply. I was still further convinced of this by the circumstance that a train of more than one hundred contractor's wagons had been packed for nearly three week on Ham's fork without defence, and had been unmolested, although they contained provisions and supplies which would have been of great use to the Mormons. Upon securing these letters, I prepared for defence, and to guard the supplies near us until the nearest troops came up. I replied to Governor Young's letter, a copy of which I enclose, and have not had any further correspondence with him. On the morning of the 5th of October, the Mormons burnt two trains of government stores on Green river, and one on the Big Sandy, and a few wagons belonging to Mr. Perry, sutler of the 10th infantry, which were a few miles behind the latter train. Colonel Waite, of the 5th, though not anticipating any act of the kind, was preparing to send back a detachment to these trains from his camp on Black fork when he received from some teamsters who came in, the intelligence of their being burnt. No doubt now existed that the most determined hostility might be expected on the part of the Mormons, and it became necessary from the extreme lateness of the season to adopt some immediate course for wintering the troops and preserving the supply trains with us. After much deliberation, and assisted by the counsel of the senior officers, I have determined to move the troops by the following route :
Up Ham's fork about 18 miles to a road called Sublette's Cut-off; along that road to Bear river and Soda Spring. On arriving at Soda spring two routes will be open, one down Bear river valley towards Salt Lake, and one to the northeast towards the Wind river mountains, where good valleys for wintering the troops and stock can be found. The adoption of one of these will be decided by the following circumstances : If the force under my command is sufficient to overcome the resistance which I expect to meet at Soda spring, I shall endeavor to force-my way into the valley of Bear river and occupy some of the Mormon villages, because I am under the impression that the Mormons, after a defeat, will be willing to treat and bring provisions for sale. The supplies on hand will last six months, and if I can get possession of a town in Bear river valley, I can easily fortify and hold it all the winter. There are also several supply trains in the rear to which
32 UTAH EXPEDITION.
I have communicated, and if they receive my letter in time they will be saved, and can join us. If the Mormons are too strong for us, which I do not anticipate, the other road will be adopted, and I will make the best of my way to the mountains and but for the winter. I desire to impress upon you the fact that I, though not the commander appointed to this army have adopted this course, because the safety of the troops absolutely depends upon an immediate effort, and having information which makes it certain that the commander will not reach here before the 20th instant, and if we wait until that time we cannot leave this valley. The information I allude to is to the effect that Colonel Johnston had relieved General Harney, and had not left Fort Leavenworth on the 10th of September ; and thirty days is the least possible time in which he can arrive here. I cannot, for fear of this being intercepted, tell you the strength of my command or send returns of it. It is strong enough to defend itself and its supplies ; whether it is able to assume and sustain an offensive position remains to be seen, but should the commands which I have heard are in the rear come up in time, I think we will have sufficient force to carry out an active, invasion. If we are obliged to winter in the mountains you can perceive, by a reference to Stansbury's maps, that we will have an open road to Salt Lake City in the spring, and one which I am told is open early. By this one attack can be made and attention called from the main road (that by Fort Bridger) which may then be traversed by troops. The Bear river route is, however said, to be the best one into the valley, the other passes through cañons that can be defended by a handful against thousands, and it is moreover so easily obstructed, that in a week it could be made utterly impassable. The want of cavalry is severely felt, and we are powerless on account of this deficiency to effect any chastisement of the marauding bands that are constantly hovering about us. On the 7th instant I detached Captain Marcy, 5th infantry, with 4 companies to Green river, to collect what he could find serviceable from the burnt trains and to disperse any bodies of Mormons he found.
In conclusion, permit me to express the hope that my acts will meet the approval of the government, and on the first opportunity I will make a fuller and more detailed report. It is unquestionably the duty of the government to quell, by overwhelming force, this treasonable rebellion of the governor and people of Utah ; and I must most urgently impress upon the War Department the fact that the small body of troops here will need reinforcements and supplies as soon as they can possibly be got here next spring. I would further respectfully suggest that troops should be sent from California and Oregon. It is said that the road from California to Salt Lake is passable all winter, and it is certainly so much earlier in the spring than that from the Slates.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. B. ALEXANDER,
Colonel 10th Infantry, Commanding.
Col. S. COOPER,
Adjutant General, U. S. A.
UTAH EXPEDITION. 33
FORT BRIDGER,
September 30, 1857.
SIR : I have the honor to forward you the accompanying letter from His Excellency Governor Young, together with two copies of his proclamation and a copy of the laws of Utah, 1856-'57, containing the organic act of the Territory.
It may be proper to add that I am here to aid in carrying out the instructions of Governor Young.
General Robison will deliver these papers to you, and receive such communication as you may wish to make.
Trusting that your answer and actions will be dictated by a proper respect for the rights and liberties of American citizens.
I remain, very respectfully, &c.,
DANIEL H. WELLS,
Lieutenant General Commanding, Nauvoo Legion.
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GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, UTAH TERRITORY,
Great Salt Lake City, September 29, 1857.
SIR : By reference to the act of Congress passed September 9, 1850, organizing the Territory of Utah, published in a copy of the Laws of Utah, herewith forwarded, pp. 146-7, you will find the following :
" SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the executive power and authority in and over said Territory of Utah shall be vested in a governor, who shall hold his office for four years, and until his successor shall be appointed and qualified, unless sooner removed by the President of the United States. The governor shall reside within said Territory, shall be commander-in-chief of the militia thereof," &c., &c.
I am still the governor and superintendent of Indian affairs for this Territory, no successor having been appointed and qualified, as provided by law ; nor have I been removed by the President of the United States.
By virtue of the authority thus vested in me, I have issued, and forwarded you a copy of, my proclamation forbidding the entrance of armed forces into this Territory. This you have disregarded. I now further direct that you retire forthwith from the Territory, by the same route you entered. Should you deem this impracticable, and prefer to remain until spring in the vicinity of your present encampment, Black's fork, or Green river, you can do so in peace and unmolested, on conditions that you deposit your arms and ammunition with Lewis Robison, quartermaster general of the Territory, and leave in the spring, as soon as the condition of the roads will permit you to march; and should you fall short of provisions, they can be furnished you, upon making the proper applications therefor. General D. H. Wells will forward this, and receive any communications you may have to make.
Very respectfully,
BRIGHAM YOUNG,
Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Utah Territory.
The OFFICER COMMANDING the forces now invading Utah Territory.
34 UTAH EXPEDITION
Proclamation by the governor.
CITIZENS OF UTAH : We are invaded by a hostile force, who are evidently assailing us to accomplish our overthrow and destruction.
For the last twenty-five years we have trusted officials of the government, from constables and justices to judges, governors, and Presidents, only to be scorned, held in derision, insulted, and betrayed. Our houses have been plundered and then burned, our fields laid waste, our principal men butchered while under the pledged faith of the government for their safety, and our families driven from their homes to find that shelter in the barren wilderness, and that protection among hostile savages, which were denied them in the boasted abodes of Christianity and civilization.
The Constitution of our common country guarantees unto us all that we do now, or have ever claimed. If the constitutional rights which pertain unto us, as American citizens, were extended to Utah, according to the spirit and meaning thereof, and fairly and impartially administered, it is all that we could ask ; all that we have ever asked.
Our opponents have availed themselves of prejudice existing against us, because of our religious faith, to send out a formidable host to accomplish our destruction. We have had no privilege or opportunity of defending ourselves from the false, foul, and unjust aspersions against us before the nation. The government has not condescended to cause an investigating committee, or other person, to be sent to inquire into and ascertain the truth, as is customary in such cases. We know those aspersions to be false; but that avails us nothing. We are condemned unheard, and forced to an issue with an armed mercenary mob, which has been sent against us at the instigation of anonymous letter writers, ashamed to father the base, slanderous falsehoods, which they have given to the public ; of corrupt officials, who have brought false accusations against us to screen themselves in their own infamy ; and of hireling priests and howling editors, who prostitute the truth for filthy lucre's sake.
The issue which has thus been forced upon us compels us to resort to the great first law of self-preservation, and stand in our own defence, a right guaranteed to us by the genius of the institutions of our country, and upon which the government is based. Our duty to ourselves, to our families, requires us not to tamely submit to be driven and slain, without an attempt to preserve ourselves ; our duty to our country, our holy religion, our God, to freedom and liberty, requires that we should not quietly stand still and see those fetters forging around us which are calculated to enslave, and bring us in subjection to an unlawful military despotism, such as can only emanate, in a country of constitutional law, from usurpation, tyranny, and oppression.
Therefore, I, Brigham Young, governor and superintendent of Indian affairs for the Territory of Utah, in the name of the people of the United States, in the Territory of Utah forbid:
First. All armed forces of every description from coming into this Territory, under any pretence whatever.
Second. That all the forces in said Territory hold themselves in
UTAH EXPEDITION. 35
readiness to march at a moment's notice to repel any and all such invasion.
Third. Martial law is hereby declared to exist in this Territory from and after the publication of this proclamation, and no person shall be allowed to pass or repass into or through or from this Territory without a permit from the proper officer.
Given under my hand and seal, at Great Salt Lake City, Territory of Utah, this fifteenth day of September, A. D. eighteen hundred and fifty-seven, and of the independence of the United States of America the eighty-second.
BRIGHAM YOUNG.
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HEADQUARTERS 10TH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY,
Camp Winfield, on Ham's Fork, October 2, 1857.
SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of September 29, 1857, with two copies of Proclamation and one of " Laws of Utah," and have given it an attentive consideration.
I am at present the senior and commanding officer of the troops of the United States at this point, and I will submit your letter to the general commanding as soon as he arrives here.
In the meantime I have only to say that these troops are here by the orders of the President of the United States, and their future movements and operations will depend entirely upon orders issued by competent military authority.
I am, sir, very respectfully, &c.,
E. B. ALEXANDER,
Col. 10th U. S. Infantry, commanding.
BRIGHAM YOUNG, Esq.,
Governor of Utah Territory.
HEADQUARTERS 10TH INFANTRY, October 2, 1857.
Official.
HENRY E. MAYNADIER,
Adjutant 10th, Infantry.
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
South Pass, en route to Salt Lake City, October 18, 1857.
MAJOR : Accompanying this communication I send you two letters from Colonel Alexander, the commander, at present, of the main body of the army of Utah. In his letter of the 8th October, Colonel Alexander questions, by the hesitation with which he assumes them, his right to exercise fully all the duties of commander. His authority to exercise them without restriction is clearly granted by the sixty-second article of war. Moreover, General Orders No. 12, headquarters of the army, specially directs who shall command in the absence of General Harney, or, to be inferred, any other named commander, and sufficiently explains the objects of the expedition ; and no question
36 UTAH EXPEDITION
for the decision of the commander, beyond his ordinary military duties, could arise before the arrival of Governor Cumming.
Misapprehending the authority with which he is invested by law, and the orders of the general-in-chief, that portion of his letter respecting command would be, if he was correct in his view of his own position, a merited reflection upon his superiors, and it is therefore that I have adverted to it. Pursuing his design indicated in his letter of October 8, he, you will learn from his letter of October 14, (herewith,) has advanced up Ham's fork of Green river thirty-five miles above the crossing, (see map herewith,) and there directs the movements to be made by his own immediate command and the troop in his rear, to form a junction, which from erroneous suppositions would be wholly impracticable. First, he evidently believes that Colonel Smith, escorting the remainder of the supply trains, (in all about nine, including three sutler's trains,) is advancing on the Kenney road, or cut-off, with the force named in General Harney's order of August 18, and of course he had not received the countermand of that order. He assumes that the command in rear is capable of a more rapid movement than his own, and, therefore, after waiting one day at the point indicated, will resume his march ; in this also he would have been disappointed, as the trains in rear, suffering from fatigue and scarcity of sustenance, and without rest, which the teams with him have had, could not, if where he supposed them, overtake them.
These are the facts, and if known by Colonel Alexander his disposition, as determined in his letter of October 8, would have been wholly different. Colonel Smith is here at this camp with fifty men of his regiment. I overtook him the day before yesterday (16th inst.) about twenty miles east of this, and have added my escort, fifteen dismounted dragoons, to his force. Lieutenant Smith, in command of a squadron of dragoons and fifty of the tenth infantry, a force of about two hundred men, may be expected here in three or four days. He is aware of the necessity of promptness, and, I am sure, will lose no time. Mr. Wm. Magraw, superintendent South Pass wagon road, with a patriotism highly creditable to him, places at the disposition of the government as many of his employees as will volunteer. He thinks fifty or sixty will organize, and I have agreed to accept their service, and have them mustered in for three or six months, as they may solicit ; and he has also tendered fifteen good teams of mules and wagons, which I have also accepted, and directed them to be receipted for when delivered. Four supply trains, containing clothing, (of which the troops now in the advance, I am informed, begin to need,) ordnance, medical and subsistence stores, are still in the rear, and may be expected in two or three days. The storm of last night may have destroyed some of their oxen, and on that account there may be more delay than I estimate. Eleven mules of Colonel Smith's train perished from cold last night. The thermometer this morning at sunrise was at 16/0. The sky is now clear, and the thermometer at one o'clock stands at 34°, and the small quantity of snow that fell during the night is melting, so that the animals can graze freely. I am thus minute, that the reason for the order transmitted to Colonel Alexan-
UTAH EXPEDITION. 37
der yesterday morning (herewith) may be fully comprehended. His intended movements, if met with opposition, would have so retarded his march as to have made it impracticable, and would so have probably entangled him in the midst of the deep snow of the valley of Bear river, which I understand never fails to fall there, and usually early in the season, as to place him beyond the means of extrication. Our most potent enemy at present is the snow, and constitutes at present our chief embarrassment.
The movement of Colonel Alexander (for the reasons I have mentioned and of which he could not be apprised,) would have separated him from supplies indispensable to the comfort and safety of the army, and deprived him of the assistance of the force which will be concentrated here in a few days, which, however small, being partly of cavalry, is of vital importance.
In ordering Colonel Alexander to the mouth of Fontenelle creek, a position about thirty miles from his camp on Ham's fork, I did so with the design of making a junction practicable. It is about seventy miles hence, and he can reach it by a good road and without any danger of surprise. There is there abundance of grass, and it is a point from which I can reach the region I intended to occupy this winter without risking the loss of our animals. As soon as the snow falls sufficiently on Green river to prevent the burning of the grass, I will march to Henry's fork and occupy that valley during the winter. It is a commanding position, and accessible two months earlier for reinforcements and supplies by Cheyene Pass than any other, and will enable me to march by Fort Bridger and on the most direct route to Salt Lake City, as soon as practicable in the spring. At this position, also, Colonel Cooke can join, which I still entertain the hope he will be able to do.
I greatly regret that the impossibility of concentrating the troops destined for this service and their supplies will prevent a forward movement before spring. It is now manifest that before the force can be united the autumn will be too far advanced to move with a probability of success, though not opposed by the Mormons.
You are already apprised by the proclamation of Brigham Young and his letter to Colonel Alexander, which I transmitted on the 15th instant, of the political attitude assumed by the Mormons, and the resistance they meditate to the just authority the government desires to exercise in that territory, and the general-in-chief no doubt has already considered the necessity of a conquest of those traitorous people, and has estimated the force necessary to accomplish the object, with a full view of the whole subject before him his great experience would not be benefitted by any suggestions of mine. I will, however, mention, that unless a large force is sent here, from the nature of the country, that a protracted war on their part is inevitable. The great distance from our source of supply makes it impracticable to operate with a small force. It, in fact, requires the employment of such force to guard numerous trains of the supplies, leaving but a small portion, if any, for offensive operations. A movement of troops from California, Oregon, and by this route would terminate a war with the Mormons
38 UTAH EXPEDITION.
speedily and more economically than if attempted by insufficient means.
In five or six days I think we will have all the force available here for a forward movement. By that time the trains will all be up ; they should be here sooner. In twelve days from this time I expect to join Colonel Alexander at or near Fontenelle creek. The general may be assured that no retrograde movement will be made by this force.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
A. S. JOHNSTON,
Colonel 2d Cavalry, Commanding the Army of Utah.
Major IRVIN MCDOWELL
Assistant Adjutant General,
Headquarters of the Army, New York City.
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY FOR UTAH,
Camp on Ham's Fork, October 14, 1857.
SIR : The bearer of this, Eli Dufour, is a trustworthy person whom I send to obtain information of the position of any trains or bodies of troops coming this way. If my expresses have been received all troops and trains should be on Kenney's road, and I will be on that with the troops under my command by the 17th, or perhaps the 16th, where that road crosses Ham's fork or near it. I will wait one day and by that time the forces can be joined ; should this be seen by Colonel Johnston or Governor Cumming, I desire to impress upon them the necessity of a rapid march to join us. Eli will tell all that has occurred and his statements may be relied on. I wish him sent back to me as soon as possible with the fullest information concerning the troops. This column is so encumbered with ox wagons that its march is very slow, and it will be easy to overtake it.
The Mormons are preparing as I learn to attack us, and it will require all the troops that can be got up to defend the supplies, and overcome resistance. I can hold a position, however, against any force, but the trains will prevent my going on in the face of an attack.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. B. ALEXANDER,
Colonel Commanding.
To any officer of the United States army,
en route to Utah, or GOVERNOR CUMMING.
NOTE.—I am extremely anxious to hear from Colonel Johnston or the governor, and hope they will join or send me their views. No expresses have reached us.
E. B. A.
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY FOR UTAH,
Camp Winfield, on Ham's Fork, October 8, 1857.
GENTLEMEN: I feel it my duty to address you the following remarks upon the condition of the troops of the United States, which are now
UTAH EXPEDITION. 39
here, and to inform you of the disposition to be made of them. The 5th and 10th regiments of infantry, and the batteries under Captains Phelps and Reno, have been encamped here for the last eight or ten days. Seven ox trains have arrived here and are now guarded by the troops, thus furnishing a supply of provisions for about six months. The Mormons are committing acts of hostility and depredation, and have already burnt three trains containing supplies.
The season is late and the time in which military operations can be effected is very limited ; the total supply of forage will last only fourteen days, and it is evident that before the expiration of that time the troops must either be at their wintering place, or from loss of animals they will be unable to transport supplies to it. No information of the position or intentions of the commanding officer has reached me, and I am in utter ignorance of the objects of the government in sending troops here, or the instructions given for their conduct after reaching here. I have had to decide upon the following points: 1st. The necessity of a speedy move to winter quarters. 2d. The selection of a point for wintering, and 3d. The best method of conducting the troops and supplies to the point selected. In regard to the first, the question was, "Should I, in virtue of my seniority, and the circumstances of the case, move the troops on, or await the arrival of the commander?" I received, about this time, reliable information that Colonel Johnson was placed in command, and that he had not left Fort Leavenworth on the 10th of September. I decided to move, as it would jeopardize everything to wait Colonel Johnson's arrival, which could not take place before the 20th of October. The selecting of a wintering place was next to be considered, and of those suggested, the following were deliberated upon : 1st. The east side of Wind river mountains, going back to the South Pass. 2d. Henry's fork of Green river and Brown's hole. 3d. The vicinity of Fort Hall on Beaver Head mountain. The distances from the present position would be, respectively, about 110, 90, and 140 miles.
Independent of its being a retrograde movement, the scarcity of grass, and the uncertainty of finding a wintering place of suitable character in the Wind river mountains, were sufficient objections to the first. The second position was accessible and convenient, but the strong probability that the Mormons would burn the grass, and the well established fact that it would be very late in the spring before the troops could leave their winter quarters and become effective, decided me against this project. The third I have adopted, and I will move as soon as practicable by the following route : Up Ham's fork, on which we are now encamped, about eighteen miles, to the road called Sublette's cut-off, then by that road to Bear river and Soda spring, thence by the emigrant road to the north and east, where I am assured good wintering values can be easily found. There are also, in that vicinity, and at Fort Hall, many herds of good cattle which can be depended upon for subsistence. It is believed, on some authority, that the Mormons will make a stand at a fortified place near Soda spring, and if so, an engagement will take place. This, if successful for us, which I do not doubt, may lead the head of the Mormon church to treat, and by following up a success totally, we may
40 UTAH EXPEDITION.
be enabled to obtain quarters and provisions in Salt Lake valley. But, in any event, we have good wintering open to us outside of the Territory of Utah, and abundant supplies of cattle, and in the spring we will be ready to march down by the broad valley of Bear river to the great Salt Lake City.
To reach this point commands should take Kenney's cut off from Green river to Soda spring, a road which runs nearly parallel to Sublette's cut off, and which is said to be better for grass and water. After searching the South Pass, where all trains have been directed to stop until they can be overtaken by troops for escort, the road lies nearly due west, and if any doubts are entertained, persons can be found on Green river who will point it out. The road from Green river to the Bear river valley will be passable for three weeks yet, and as soon as your arrival at Bear river is known, information will be furnished for your guidance.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. B. ALEXANDER,
Colonel 10th Infantry, Commanding.
To the OFFICERS of the United States army
Commanding forces en route to Utah.
Received, headquarters army of Utah, 8 p. m., 16th October.
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Camp 12 miles east of the South Pass,
En route to Salt Lake City, October 16, 1857.
SIR : Colonel Johnston wishes to concentrate the command, with the view of wintering in an eligible spot already selected. To effect this, and not cause suspicion of the intention, he wishes you to proceed by slow marches, moving your camp short distances, and gradually working your way by Sublette's road to, or near the mouth of Fontenelle creek, so that he can join you, about eleven days hence, with this command and all the trains now in your rear. The route has been indicated to the bearer, Dufour.
Although I enclose the order of Colonel Johnston assuming command, he wishes you to give all necessary orders, and to treat as enemies all who oppose your march, molest your teams, appear in arms on your route, or any in manner annoy you.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. J. PORTER,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Colonel E. B. ALEXANDER,
Commanding the advance of the army of Utah.
Sent by express 7 a. m. on the 17th.
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HEADQUARTERS BATTALION 10TH INFANTRY,
Camp on Sweetwater river, 257 3/8 miles from
Fort Laramie, Utah Territory, October 13, 1857.
SIR : On my march this morning, I met an express from Captain Marcy, 5th infantry, dated Green river crossing on the 9th instant, a copy of which I enclose for the commander of the army for Utah.
UTAH EXPEDITION. 41
There were two men accompanying Mr. Deshand, the express, one of whom, Mr. Laramie, of Fort Laramie, told me he had been entrusted by Colonel Alexander, 10th infantry, with letters for me, with orders to destroy them in case he was overhauled by the Mormons ; which letters he had destroyed on meeting with a party of the same, to prevent their falling into hostile hands. This doubtless accounts for not having particulars of the outrages alluded to by Captain Marcy. The express man who delivered to me Captain Marcy's note concealed it in his moccasin, and they only suffered him to pass unsearched from his having been long a resident of the country, (he is a half-breed Frenchman,) and on his assurance that he was looking for his cattle and had no letters.
The information which will meet you on the road by the returning members of Mr. McGraw's surveying party is unquestionably correct. Without calling in question the veracity of Mr. Ficklin, one of the engineers of the party who carried to Mr. McGraw's camp the news of his being stopped by an armed party of fifty or sixty Mormons, and of the destruction of three of our supply trains, I must confess that heretofore I put no faith in the story, thinking it originated in some mistake, or that he had been qiuzzed [sic] by teamsters.
Mr. Deshand, whom I shall employ as a guide in my advance, could not inform me of the number of Mormons now in the field operating against us, but he says there may be several hundred, all mounted, though he has not known of more than eighty being in a body. They (the Mormons) say no more supplies shall go forward ; that they will not shed blood ; but if a Mormon is killed by us they will utterly exterminate the gentile army. As the threats of their leaders to Captain Van Vliet, coupled with the burning of our supply trains—in itself an act of war—is evidence of their treason, I shall regard them as enemies, and fire upon the scoundrels if they give me the least opportunity.
There are four supply trains for the army behind me. I shall move about thirty miles in front, which would bring me to sixty miles from Green river, and there remain until those trains are up and then serve as their escort, taking the route by the Big Sandy as recommended by Colonel Alexander.
The grass is better after you strike the Sweetwater than between that and Fort Laramie. There are not exceeding 20 sacks of corn at the bridge on the Platte, and about the same quantity at the bridge on the Sweetwater. We have had snow twice, with quite cold weather.
Deducting the escort of 50 men, left at Fort Laramie for the governor of Utah, I have but the remnants of companies A and B, 10th infantry, say 50 men. One of the sutler's trains (Perry's) near me can get up 30 rifles. These, with some armed teamsters in the supply trains, will give a respectable force for the guerilla war promised us.
A cavalry force is the great want ahead.
In haste, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. F. SMITH,
Lieutenant Colonel 10th Infantry and Brevet Colonel Commanding.
The ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL,
Headquarters Army of Utah, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
42 UTAH EXPEDITION.
[Copy for commander of the army for Utah.]
Captain B. B. Marcy to Colonel C. F. Smith.
GREEN RIVER CROSSING,
October 9, 1857.
I have just arrived here from the camp of the army on Ham's fork of Green river; it is a fork of Black river. Before my departure Colonel Alexander desired me to procure an express at this point and send it to you, with the information that the army would leave its present position on the 10th or 11th instant to go in the direction of Soda springs, on Bear river. Colonel Alexander will strike up Ham's fork until he intersects the road to Fort Hall, ("Sublette's cut-off.") But he advises you to come on down the Big Sandy, until you reach " Kenney's cut-off," upon which you will find a plenty of water, while upon the other road it is scarce.
I send this by a man who knows the country well, and he has promised to escort you across to us. I have directed him to stop all the trains he meets until you reach them, when the colonel wishes you to take them into your train.
I have learned of four trains of supplies being destroyed, but I am fearful there are more.
Very sincerely, yours,
R. B. MARCY,
Captain 5th Infantry.
Colonel C. F. SMITH.
Official : C. F. SMITH,
Lieut. Col. 10th Infantry, and Brevet Colonel,
Com'g Battalion 10th Infantry.
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Fort Laramie, en route to Salt Lake City, October 5, 1857.
SIR : The colonel commanding directs me to express the hope that, on arriving at this post, you will be able to continue your march to join the troops in advance ; but, to effect this, you must not rely upon finding corn beyond this point. Two trains loaded with corn will precede you to this depot. From this supply you will take all you can carry and push on through the South Pass, permitting nothing but the rapid approach of winter and an impracticable march delaying you. The weather continues fair, and indications of a long autumn gives assurances that your energy will overcome the obstacles in your path ; but if forced to halt, slid all probability of joining him is precluded, the colonel commanding relies upon your judgment to establish the command in the vicinity of this post so as best to secure its comfort and safety.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. J. PORTER,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Lieut. Col. P. ST. GEO. COOKE,
Commanding 2d Dragoons, en route to Salt Lake City.
UTAH EXPEDITION. 43
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Fort Laramie, en route to Salt Lake City, October 6, 1857.
SIR: The colonel commanding directs that the guide (Jeemise) authorized to accompany you be taken as far only as Platte's bridge, and from thence sent to this post to await the arrival of Colonel Cooke and report to him.
At Platte bridge you will employ another guide to accompany you to the end of your march.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. J. PORTER,
Assistant Adjutant General.
First Lieut. W. D. SMITH,
Commanding Battalion 2d Dragoons, and 10th Infantry.
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Fort Laramie, en route to Salt Lake City, October 6, 1857.
SIR : On your arrival at this post you will find a guide, (Jeemise,) who is represented as an excellent man, to point out good camping grounds and points where grass can be found. Should snow overtake you beyond this post, he is recommended to you for that purpose, and the colonel commanding authorizes you to employ him as a guide.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. J. PORTER,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Lieut. Col. P. ST. GEORGE COOKE,
Commanding 2d Dragoons.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH, PLATTE BRIDGE, N. T.,
En route to Salt Lake City, October 10, 1857.
SIR : The colonel wishes to hear of your progress, as his movements, in some measure, will be regulated by yours, and he therefore desires you to send forward by express such information as may be of advantage to him. The trains (supply) are moving forward very well ; the grass is not so bad as represented, and is starting again since the rains.
The bearer of this is your guide.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. J. PORTER,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Lieut. Col. P. ST. GEORGE COOKE,
Commanding 2d Dragoons.
44 UTAH EXPEDITION.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Camp at the three crossings of the Sweetwater,
October 13, 1857.
SIR : I am directed by the colonel commanding to notify you that your command will be needed for the protection of the supply trains now gathering at the head of the Sweetwater, and that he wishes you to hasten your movements and join Brevet Colonel C. F. Smith, 10th infantry, as early as practicable.
After passing Willow springs you will find the grazing very good, particularly this side of "Devil's Gate" on the Sweetwater, close to the mountains.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. J. PORTER,
Assistant Adjutant General.
First Lieut. W. D. SMITH, 2d Dragoons,
Commanding battalion 2d Dragoons and 10th Infantry.
__________
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Camp twelve miles east of South Pass,
En route to Salt Lake City, October 16, 1857.
SIR : The colonel commanding, desirous of obtaining additional means of transportation for the supplies of this army, requests from you for the ensuing three months, or till such time as you will require them for the continuation of your labor, the services of the fifteen wagons and six mule teams which you offered to place at his disposal if required.
This means of transportation the colonel wishes delivered to him in the vicinity of the Pacific springs, as soon as practicable.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. J. PORTER,
Assistant Adjutant General.
WM. M. F. MAGRAW,
Superintendent South Pass wagon road.
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Camp 12 miles east of the South Pass,
En route to Salt Lake City, October 16, 1857.
SIR : I am directed by the colonel commanding to inform you that if any of your employes are willing to enter the military service for three months he will receive them and have them mustered in for that period as soon as organized, giving them the right to elect their own officers and non-commissioned officers, in the proportion of one captain, two lieutenants, two musicians, four sergeants, and four corporals to a company of forty-two privates.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. J. PORTER,
Assistant Adjutant General.
WM. M. F. MAGRAW,
Superintendent South Pass wagon road.
UTAH EXPEDITION. 45
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
South Pass, en route to Salt Lake City, October 21, 1857.
SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the following communications from your office since September 1, 1857, viz :
General Orders, Nos. 9 and 12.
Circular, dated August 26, 1857.
Letter, dated September 1, 1857, enclosing copy of instructions for the government of the commander of the Utah expedition.
Letter, dated September 2, 1857, reporting that books and blanks have been forwarded to General Harney, &c.
Copies of Army Regulations for 1857, Cross; Military Laws, Ordnance Manual, Ordnance Regulations, Macomb's Practice of Courts Martial, Cavalry Tactics, Scott's Infantry Tactics, Hardee's Light Infantry and Rifle Tactics, Foot and Heavy Artillery Tactics, and forty-six blank Department Returns.
No other books or blanks from your office have been received or turned over to me.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
A. S. JOHNSTON,
Colonel 2d Cavalry, commanding Army of Utah.
To the ADJUTANT GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,
Washington city, D. C.
__________
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Big Timbers, on Big Sandy,
En route to Salt Lake City, October 30, 1857.
SIR : The colonel commanding, with a view of securing army supplies, to-day reported as in store at Baptiste's trading station, directs that, secretly, at two o'clock to-night, you move from this camp, by the direct route, to that station and take possession of all government stores you find, until delivered to the proper officers with this command. The ford at Green river is easy to cross, being not more than knee deep.
He also directs that you keep your command and the occupants of the houses concealed, permitting no egress and securing all persons approaching the station. Should any armed mounted men approach your party you will knock them out of their saddles and capture, if practicable, and treat as enemies all persons who molest you or appear in arms on your route.
A non-commissioned officer and four privates will accompany your command to enable you to communicate, if necessary, with these headquarters.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. J. PORTER,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Capt. B. E. BEE,
10th Infantry, Big Timbers, Big Sandy.
46 UTAH EXPEDITION.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Black's Fork, 3 miles below mouth of Ham's Fork,
En route to Salt Lake City, November 5, 1857.
MAJOR : I have the honor to inform you that I arrived here on the 3d instant. This place I designated in a communication to Colonel Alexander subsequent to my letter to you from the South Pass of the 18th of October, at which the force (consisting of one squadron of dragoons, two companies of the 10th infantry, and one company of volunteers, in all about 300 men,) under the command of Colonel C. F. Smith, charged with the duty of protecting the trains of supplies for the army, could, with the most facility, join the main body. Colonel Smith, with his command, and the numerous trains guarded by it, reached here on the 30th instant. The march was slow and tedious, and effected in eight days, averaging eleven miles per day ; although the road was excellent and the weather fine, it was not possible to make any more rapid progress on account of the broken down condition of the draught animals. Trains, including sutlers and merchants destined for Salt Lake, (which I would not allow to go on,) in as close order as they could be made to travel, occupied a space of five or six miles. No molestation whatever was attempted by the Mormons, which may be attributed to the presence of the cavalry, and the judicious dispositions and vigilance of Colonel Smith. Yesterday and to-day have been occupied in making arrangements necessary for a forward movement, which my orders (herewith) will explain. Tomorrow I will march upon Fort Bridger and dislodge any force I may find there, and await the arrival of Colonel Cooke, when, as the approach of winter is too near to attempt the passage of the Wahsach range of mountains with a probability of success, I will seize upon the district mentioned in my letter from South Pass, and occupy it until an advance is practicable.
The communication of Brigham Young to Colonel Alexander, and Elder Taylor to Captain Marcy, and the orders of D. Wells, the commander of the Mormons, (herewith,) and the acts of the legislative assembly at the last session, show a matured and settled design on the part of the sect of Mormons to hold and occupy this Territory independent of, and irrespective of the authority of the United States. They have, with premeditation, placed themselves in rebellion against the Union, and entertain the insane design of establishing a form of government thoroughly despotic, and utterly repugnant to our institutions. Occupying, as they do, an attitude of rebellion and open defiance to the government, connected with numerous overt acts of treason, (see orders and commission herewith, issued by the leaders,) I have ordered that wherever they are met in arms, that they be treated as enemies. In my letter from the South Pass I submitted to the consideration of the general-in-chief the necessity, on the part of the government, of prompt and vigorous action. That the time for any further argument is past, and, in my opinion, the people of the United States must now act, or submit to an usurpation of their Territory, and the engrafting upon our institutions a social organiza-
UTAH EXPEDITION. 47
tion and political principles totally incompatible with our own. Lest that letter may not have been received, I send herewith a copy.
The state of things now existing has not been brought about by the movement of troops in this direction, for these people understand the relation of the military to the civil power of the government as well as any other portion of the inhabitants of the Union, and that the arms of our soldiers are designed for the preservation of the peaceful condition of society, and not for its disturbance. Their conduct, as I have before stated as my opinion, results from a settled determination on their part not to submit to the authority of the United States, or any other outside of their church. Enclosed is a statement by the chief commissary of the amount of subsistence destroyed under the orders of Brigham Young. The loss, although great, is less than I apprehended. A supply, early in the spring, must be forwarded. It should reach here by the first of June. The supplies of the contractors, sutlers, &c., for their employes, have been exhausted ; so long a detention with the army was not anticipated by them. It has thus become necessary to give them bread, as there is no other source from which they can obtain it.
Should a long interval intervene without hearing from me, you need only attribute it to the difficulty of sending expresses across the mountains in the winter months. The officers and men are in fine health, and animated with an ardent desire to discharge their duty faithfully.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
A. S. JOHNSTON,
Colonel 2d Cavalry, Commanding the Army of Utah.
Major IRVIN MCDOWELL,
Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters of the Army.
P. S.—We have made one day's march since the date of this, and are now (November 27) waiting the arrival of trains delayed yesterday by a storm. Our trains occupy, in as close order as they can travel, the road for thirteen or fourteen miles ; therefore, the rear cannot move until late in the day.
A. S. J.
__________
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY,
October 7, 1857.
SIR : Presuming that during a dearth of news from the east and your home, news from the west might enliven the monotonous routine of camp life, I have the honor to forward to you two copies each of the latest numbers of the Deseret News.
Very respectfully,
BRIGHAM YOUNG.
E. B. ALEXANDER,
Colonel Commanding 10th Infantry, U. S. Army.
48 UTAH EXPEDITION.
IN CAMP, NEAR BEAR RIVER,
October 8, 1857.
SIR : I have the honor to forward you the accompanying letters and papers for yourself, Col. Waite and Captain Phelps, sent to my care, by his Excellency Governor Young.
I remain, sir, very respectfully,
DANIEL H. WELLS,
Lieutenant General, Nauvoo Legion.
Colonel E. B. ALEXANDER.
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF UTAH,
Camp Winfield, October 10, 1857.
SIR : Colonel Alexander, commanding the United States troops, directs me to acknowledge the receipt by your messengers of packages of papers for himself, Colonel Waite and Captain Phelps.
He appreciates highly the kind attention and politeness shown to him and the officers of the army, and begs that you will accept his thanks.
I am, sir, with high respect, your obedient servant,
HENRY E. MAYNADIER.
His Excellency BRIGHAM YOUNG,
Governor of Utah.
__________
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, U. T.,
October 14, 1857.
COLONEL: In consideration of our relative positions—you acting in your capacity as commander of the United States forces, and in obedience, as you have stated, to orders from the President of the United States, and I as governor of this Territory, impelled by every sense of justice, honor, integrity and patriotism to resist what I consider to be a direct infringement of the rights of the citizens of Utah, and an act of usurpation and tyranny unprecedented in the history of the United States—permit me to address you frankly as a citizen of the United States, untrammelled by the usages of official dignity or military etiquette.
As citizens of the United States, we both, it is presumable, feel strongly attached to the Constitution and institutions of our common country ; and, as gentlemen, should probably agree in sustaining the dear bought liberties bequeathed by our fathers—the position in which we are individually placed being the only apparent cause of our present antagonism; you, as colonel commanding, feeling that you have a rigid duty to perform in obedience to orders, and I, a still more important duty to the people of this Territory. I need not here reiterate what I have already mentioned in my official proclamation, and what I and the people of this Territory universally believe firmly to be the object of the administration in the present expedition against Utah, viz: the destruction, if not the entire
UTAH EXPEDITION. 49
annihilation of the Mormon community, solely upon religious grounds, and without any pretext whatever ; for the administration do know, from the most reliable sources, that the base reports circulated by Drummond, and others of their mean officials, are barefaced calumnies. They do, moreover, know that the people of Utah have been more peacaeble and law abiding than those of any other Territory of the United States, and have never resisted even the wish of the President of the United States, nor treated with indignity a single individual coming to the Territory under his authority, although the conduct and deportment of many of them have merited, and in any other State or Territory would have met with summary punishment. But when the President of the United States so far degrades his high position, and prostitutes the highest gift of the people as to make use of the military power (only intended for the protection of the people's rights) to crush the people's liberties, and compel them to receive officials so lost to self respect as to accept appointments against the known and expressed wish of the people, and so craven and degraded as to need an army to protect them in their position, we feel that we should be recreant to every principle of self respect, honor, integrity, and patriotism, to bow tamely to such high handed tyranny, a parallel for which is only found in the attempts of the British government, in its most corrupt stages, against the rights, liberties and lives of our forefathers. Now, colonel, I do not charge you, nor those serving under you, with the instigation of these enormities. I consider that you are only the agent made use of by the administration, probably, unwillingly so, to further their infamous designs. What high minded gentleman can feel comfortable in being the mere cat's paw of political jugglers and hucksters, penny-a-liners, hungry speculators, and disgraced officials. Yet it is from the statements of such characters only that the administration has acted, attaching the official seal to your movements. Now, I feel that, when such treason is perpetrated, unblushingly, in open daylight against the liberties and most sacred rights of the citizens of this Territory, it is my duty, and the duty of every lover of his country and her sacred institutions, to resist it, and maintain inviolate the Constitution of our common country. Perhaps, colonel, you may feel otherwise ; education and associations have their influences ; but I have yet to learn that United States officers are implicitly bound to obey the dictum of a despotic President, in violating the most sacred constitutional rights of American citizens.
We have sought diligently for peace. We have sacrificed millions of dollars worth of property to obtain it, and wandered a thousand miles from the confines of civilization, severing ourselves from home, the society of friends, and everything that makes life worth enjoyment. If we have war, it is not of our seeking ; we have never gone nor sought to interfere with the rights of others, but they have come and sent to interfere with us. We had hoped that, in this barren and desolate country, we could have remained unmolested ; but it would seem that our implacable, blood-thirsty foes envy us even these barren deserts. Now, if our real enemies, the mobocrats, priests, editors and politicians, at whose instigation the present storm has
50 UTAH EXPEDITION.
been gathered, had come against us, instead of you and your command, I should never have addressed them thus. They never would have been allowed to reach the South Pass. In you we recognize only the agents and instruments of the administration, and with you, personally, have no quarrel. I believe it would have been more consonant with your feelings to have made war upon the enemies of your country than upon American citizens. But, to us, the end to be accomplished is the same, and while I appreciate the unpleasantness of your position, you must be aware that circumstances compel the people of Utah to look upon you, in your present belligerent attitude, as their enemies and the enemies of our common country, and notwithstanding my most sincere desires to promote amicable relations with you, I shall feel it my duty, as do the people of the Territory, universally, to resist to the utmost every attempt to encroach further upon their rights.
It, therefore, becomes a matter for your serious consideration, whether it would not be more in accordance with the spirit and institutions of our country to return with your present force, rather than force an issue so unpleasant to all, and which must result in much misery and, perhaps, bloodshed, and, if persisted in, the total destruction of your army. And, furthermore, does it not become a question whether it is more patriotic for officers of the United States army to ward off, by all honorable means, a collision with American citizens, or to further the precipitate move of an indiscreet and rash administration, in plunging a whole Territory into a horrible, fratricidal and sanguinary war.
Trusting that the foregoing considerations may be duly weighed by you, and that the difficulties now impending may be brought to an amicable adjustment, with sentiments of esteem, I have the honor to remain, most respectfully, &c.,
BRIGHAM YOUNG.
__________
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE,
Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, October 16, 1857.
SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th instant, at 8 1/2 this morning, and embrace the earliest opportunity to reply, out of courtesy to your position, at this late season of the year.
As you officially allege it, I acknowledge that you and the forces have been sent to the Territory by the President of the United States, but we shall treat you as though you were open enemies, because I have so many times seen armies in our country, under color of law, drive this people, commonly styled " Mormons," from their homes, while mobs have followed and plundered at their pleasure, which is now most obviously the design of the general government, as all candid thinking men know full well. Were not such the fact, why did not the government send an army here to protect us against the savages when we first settled here, and were poor and few in number ? So
UTAH EXPEDITION. 51
contrary to this was their course, that they sent an informal requisition for five hundred of our most efficient men, (while we were in an Indian country and striving to leave the borders of the United States, from which its civilization (?) had expelled us, with a pre-concerted view to cripple and destroy us. And do you fancy for a moment that we do not fully understand the tender (?) mercies and designs of our government against us ? Again, if an army was ordered here for peaceful purposes, to protect and preserve the rights and lives of the innocent, why did government send here troops that were withdrawn from Minnesota, where the Indians were slaughtering men, women, and children, and were banding in large numbers, threatening to lay waste the country ?
You mention that it is alone in my gubernatorial capacity that you have any business with me, though your commanding officer, Brevet Brigadier General Harney, addressed his letter by Captain Van Vliet to " President Brigham Young, of the society of Mormons."
You acknowledge the receipt of my official proclamation, forbidding your entrance into the Territory of Utah, and upon that point I have only to again inform you that the matter set forth in that document is true, and the orders therein contained will be most strictly carried out.
If you came here for peaceful purposes, you have no use for weapons of war. We wish, and ever have wished for peace, and have ever sued for it all the day long, as our bitterest enemies know full well ; and though the wicked, with the administration now at their head, have determined that we shall have no peace except it be to lie down in death, in the name of Israel's God we will have peace, even though we be compelled by our enemies to fight for it.
We have, as yet, studiously avoided the shedding of blood, though we have resorted to measures to resist our enemies, and through the operations of those mild measures you can easily perceive that you and your troops are now at the mercy of the elements, and that we live in the mountains, and our men are all mountaineers. This the government should know, and also give us our rights and then let us alone.
As to the style of those measures, past, present, or future, persons acting in self-defence have of right a wide scope for choice, and that, too, without being very careful as to what name their enemies may see fit to term that choice ; for both we and the Kingdom of God will be free from all hellish oppressors, the Lord being our helper. Threatenings to waste and exterminate this people have been sounded in our ears for more than a score of years, and we yet live. The Zion of the Lord is here, and wicked men and devils cannot destroy it.
If you persist in your attempt to permanently locate an army in this Territory, contrary to the wishes and constitutional rights of the people therein, and with a view to aid the administration in their unhallowed efforts to palm their corrupt officials upon us, and to protect them and blacklegs, black hearted scoundrels, whore-masters, and murderers, as was the sole intention in sending you and your troops here, you will have to meet a mode of warfare against which your tactics furnish you no information.
As to your inference concerning " public and private letters," it contains an ungentlemanly and false insinuation ; for, so far as I have
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any knowledge, the only stopping or detaining of the character you mention has alone been done by the Post Office Department in Washington; they having, as you must have known, stopped our mail from Independence, Missouri, by which it was but fair to presume that you, as well as we, were measurably curtailed in mail facilities.
In regard to myself and certain others, having placed ourselves " in a position of rebellion and hostility to the general government of the United States " I am perfectly aware that we understand our true and most loyal position far better than our enemies can inform us. We, of all people, are endeavoring to preserve and perpetuate the genius of the Constitution and constitutional laws, while the administration and the troops they have ordered to Utah are, in fact, themselves the rebels, and in hostility to the general government. And if George Washington was now living, and at the helm of our government, he would hang the administration as high as he did Andre, and that, too, with a far better grace and to a much greater subserving the best interests of our country.
You write, " It becomes you to look to the consequences, for you must be aware that so unequal a contest can never be successfully sustained by the people you govern." We have counted the cost it may be to us ; we look for the United States to endeavor to swallow us up, and we are prepared for the contest, if they wish to forego the Constitution in their insane efforts to crush out all human rights. But the cost of so suicidal a course to our enemies we have not wasted our time considering, rightly deeming it more particularly their business to figure out and arrive at the amount of so immense a sum. It is now the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil. If God is for us we will prosper, but if He is for you and against us you will prosper, and we will say amen ; let the Lord be God, and Him alone we will serve.
As to your obeying " orders," my official counsel to you would be for you to stop and reflect until you know wherein are the just and right, and then, David Crocket like, go ahead. But if you undertake to come in here and build forts, rest assured that you will be opposed, and that you will need all the force now under your command, and much more. And, in regard to your warning, I have to inform you that my head has been sought during many years past, not for any crime on my part, or for so much as even the wish to commit a crime, but solely for my religious belief, and that, too, in a land of professed constitutional religious liberty.
Inasmuch as you consider your force amply sufficient to enable you to come to this city, why have you so unwisely dallied so long on Ham's fork at this late season of the year ?
Carrying out the views of the government, as those views are now developing themselves, can but result in the utter overthrow of that Union which we, in common with all American patriots, have striven to sustain ; and as to our failure in our present efforts to uphold rights justly guaranteed to all citizens of the United States, that can be better told hereafter.
I presume that the " spirit" and tenor of my reply to your letter will be unsatisfactory to you, for doubtless you are not aware of the
UTAH EXPEDITION. 53
nature and object of the service in which you are now engaged. For your better information, permit me to inform you that we have a number of times been compelled to receive and submit to the most fiendish proposals, made to us by armies virtually belonging to the United States, our only alternative being to comply therewith. At the last treaty forced upon us by our enemies, in which we were required to leave the United States, and with which we, as hitherto, complied, two United States senators were present, and pledged themselves, so far as their influence might reach, that we should be no more pursued by her citizens. That pledge has been broken by our enemies, as they have ever done when this people were a party, and we have thus always proven that it is vain for us to seek or expect protection from the officials of the administrators of our government. it is obvious that war upon the saints is all the time determined, and now we for the first time possess the power to have a voice in the treatment that we will receive, and we intend to use that power, so far as the Constitution and justice may warrant, which is all we ask for. True, in struggling to sustain the Constitution and constitutional rights belonging to every citizen of our republic, we have no arm nor power to trust in but that of Jehovah and the strength and ability that He gives us.
By virtue of my office as governor of the Territory of Utah, I command you to marshal your troops and leave this Territory, for it can be of no possible benefit to you to wickedly waste treasures and blood in prosecuting your course upon the side of a rebellion against the general government by its administrators. You have had and still have plenty of time to retire within reach of supplies at the east, or to go to Fort Hall. Should you conclude to comply with so just a command and need any assistance to go east, such assistance will be promptly and cheerfully extended. We do not wish to destroy the life of any human being, but, on the contrary, we ardently desire to preserve the lives and liberty of all, so far as it may be in our power. Neither do we wish for the property of the United States, notwithstanding they justly owe us millions.
Colonel, should you, or any of the officers with you, wish to visit this city, unaccompanied by troops, as did Captain Van Vliet, with a view to personally learn the condition and feelings of this people, you are at liberty to do so, under my cheerfully proffered assurance that you will be safely escorted from our outposts to this city and back, and that during your stay in our midst you will receive all that courtesy and attention your rank demands. Doubtless you have supposed that many of the people here would flee to you for protection upon your arrival, and if there are any such persons they shall be at once conveyed to your camp in perfect safety, so soon as such fact can be known.
Were you and your fellow officers as well acquainted with your soldiers as I am with mine, and did they understand the work they were now engaged in as well as you may understand it, you must know that many of them would immediately revolt from all connexion with so ungodly, illegal, unconstitutional, and hellish a crusade
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against an innocent people, and if their blood is shed it shall rest upon the heads of their commanders.
With us it is the kingdom of God or nothing.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
BRIGHAM YOUNG,
Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs U. T.
E. B. ALEXANDER,
Colonel 10th Infantry, U. S. A.