THE UTAH EXPEDITION.
From Our Special Correspondent.
FORT LEAVENWORTH, K. T., July 28, 1857.
The only vestiges of the encampment of the Fifth and Tenth Infantry are shreds of cotton, wisps of straw, and patches of dead grass on the fields where their tents were pitched. The latter is already 120 miles out on the Plains; the former sixty or seventy miles. The detachment of artiderists started to-day, and in their company a few officers whose intention is to push ahead and catch the advance guard of tae expedition. The order for the march of the Second Dragoons, as is known at the East, has been countermanded; and no more troops are available for the Utah service, except a single company of cavalry, which, is re-served to escort Gov. Cumming and his suite.
The strength of the expedition, then, will be far less than was anticipated. The two infantry regi-ments include about 1,100 men, and the number of artillerists falls short of 100. The 5th Infantry, which was removed from the Florida service, is fuller than the 10th, which was ordered down from the forts on the Northern Mississippi, for the or two companies of the latter were not included in the order. This force is hardly strong enough to guard the immense baggage-train against an organ-ized attack of the Indian tribes. It is certainly in-sufficient to overawe the Mormons, who, if they choose to become armed rebels, can prevent its passing the mountains. At the most moderate cal-culation, they, if united, can set an army of 10,000 men into the field, better ordered and organized than the same number of militia in any of the States. The military spirit which was displayed by them at Nauvoo, in the Legion of which Joseph Smith was Lieutenant-General, has not relaxed since their re-moval to Utah. On the contrary, it has become more closely interwoven with their hierarchy.
But the probability of an armed collision is very slight—the insignificant, almost, to enter into calcu-lations of the dangers of the expedition. It is not apprehended by even the most enthusiastic young officer. The value of an imposing force would be moral, not physical. It would be indispensable, to show that the National Government is earnest in its intentions, whatever they may be. I have authority for the statement that the Administration expressly promised at least 2,500 troops to Gen. Harney when they offered him the Utah command; but it is now impossible for him to collect 2,000, even if he were able to renew the order for the 2d Dragoons to join the expedition. That order will certainly not be renewed until after the October election in Kansas, when he expects to be able to proceed with them in person to Fort Laramie.
At that fort, the troops already on the march will rendezvous. It will be impossible for Gov. Cum-ming to overtake them previously, unless they meet with unexpected delays. In the plan for the expedi-tion, another general rendezvous is appointed at Bridget's Pass, among the Rocky Mountains; but if the state of affairs which I have briefly presented strikes others as it does myself, it will be evident that the chances are against a single company leav-ing Fort Laramie before next Spring. In this opin-ion I am confirmed by persons who have had much military experience on the Plains. No mail from the East reached Salt Lake City between November 13, 1856, and June 3 of the present year. The kanyons will be blocked with snow before Gen. Harney can reach the mountains with the dragoons starting in October, and the impossibility of other-wise securing the services of an officer on whom so much dependence is placed, will be an additional in-ducement to postpone entering Utah till the Spring.
In personal appearance, Gen. Harney is impres-sive. He is considerably over six feet tall, and is large-boned and muscular. His hair was red, but head. and beard are nearly and are also thick and chipped short. His eyes are blue; and dull, for he uses spectacles. In younger years, he must have been a model of physical vigor and strength, but he now looks older than he really is, for his age, I believe, does not exceed fifty-five. While on St. Louis, I heard an anecdote illustrative of his character, which I have never seen in print. Being in New-York many years ago, he passed a store in one of the principal streets in which an auc-tioneer was soliciting bids for an engraving of Gen. Jackson. Both the seller and the crowd were no political friends of the subject of the picture, and were ridiculing it in every possible manner." How much am I offered for the Here of New-Orleans?" cried the man on the stand. "Only half a cent? Why, he's worth a cent surely after robbing the Bank. Make it a cent, won't you, gentlemen? Now, then, how much am I offered ?" "One hundred dol-lars," said a voice very emphatically, as Col. Har-ney entered the door; "one hundred dollars, Sir," he repeated, making his way through the crowd, half a head taller than any other man in the room. The auctioneer, naturally astonished, inquired if the gentleman was in earnest and started again on his witticisms. "Sir, I am in earnest, and I claim my bid," interrupted the Colonel, "and if no one bids more, I claim the picture." No one bidding more, be handed the auctioneer the money and his address. “And now, Sir," be remarked, seizing him by the collar and dragging him to the floor, "I claim the privilege of applying the bastinado to your body for your damnable impertinence." And having caned him to his satisfaction, no one in the crowd ventur-ing to interfere, he strode out of the store and con-tinued his walk down the street Analyze the qual-ity of character necessary to a man to be the actor in such a scene, and I think you will discover the traits which military men consider to fit Gen. Har-ney eminently as the leader of this Utah expedi-tion.
Of the antecedents and qualifications of Col. Johnson, who, it is understood here, has been called to the command until Gen. Harney can be disen-gaged from Kansas, I have no information. He was not educated at West Point, and was, I believe, a Texan before the annexation. In age, he is nearly Gen. Harney's equal.
Although the troops have all marched, with the exception of the company held in reserve for the Governor, the Fort and the country around it give evidence of the preparations made for the expedi-tion. The levee at Leavenworth City is strewn with wagon-frames, wheels and poles. Placards are posted in all the bar-rooms, and on the corners of the streets, offering $50 wages per month to teamsters. Similar placards have been visible in St. Louis for several weeks. Much difficulty is expe-rienced in collecting proper men for this service, notwithstanding the high wages. By the terms of the contract with the Quartermaster, they bind themselves to serve till Jane 1, 1858, and if neces-sary to team back over the Plains at any time before that period. If collected together, they would con-stitute quite a little army themselves. Nearly 3 000 mules have been procured for the transportation of the munitions and provisions, and a force of at least 500 teamsters is necessary for their management. The wagons have been built at various places, many of them in the towns down the river. They are six-muled, without springs, and are all covered with white canvas, stretched over hoops. About half of those which will be employed left with the infantry regiments last week. The white tops of many of the others are visible in every hollow of the undulating road between the city and the fort. Transportation is provided for most of the officers, in six-muled ambulances. The provision for this service has, however, been quite scanty.
The arrival of Gov. Cumming is now daily expected, but no definite information of his move-ments has been received at the fort. He will be accompanied by all the civilians lately appointed to office in Utah, not one of whom has left with the troops.
