LATE NEWS FROM UTAH.
Interesting Intelligence Concerning the Army.
Prospect of Short Supplies—Ineffectual At-tempt to Procure Cattle.
The Mormons Deserting their settlements.
From our own Correspondent.
FORT BRIDGES, U, T., Saturday, May 1, 1858.
We are now reduced to an almost alsolute cer-tainty as respects our being compelled to exchange our present luxurious diet of "Russell and Wardle"—as the commissary, hide-bound, frame-work of bone and sinew, resembling in some respects an animal called the ox is here technically termed—for our poor old mules. This is really distressing; it hurts our "feelings" to contemplate such a thing, for we have a sort of tender sympathy for these our boon compan-ions, in the long, and often times terrible inarch through the snowy passes of the Rocky Mountains, and over the desert wastes of the "plains." Indeed we cannot conceive how, with the swelling emotions of (not our heart but of) the nicely-dressed piece of mule-steak, it will be possible to masticate or digest our meals.
Our supply of beef is measured, the number of pounds of meat are numbered, and figures fail in an attempt to cause this supply to become sufficient for our consumption, until the trains can arrive from below.
On the 21st inst. chief-justice ECKELS, in view of this state of affairs, dispatched a party le the Indian Camp between hire and Salt Lake City, to endeavor to obtain supplies for the use of the civilians here.
Marshal P. K. DOTSON volunteered his services to lead the party, and he was furnished by a Judge with the following instructions:
FORT BRIDGER, Utah Territory, April 21, 1858. To P. K. Dotson, United States Marshal fur Utah Ter-ritory :
SIR : You will proceed as soon as practicable to the Camp of Ben Simonds on Bear River, with a suitable number of citizens of the United States, whom you will designate for that purpose, and purchase some beef cattle for the use of the civilians encamped here, and such quantities of vegetables, butter and eggs, as you can obtain for the same purpose.
You will be carefnl to see that no warlike move-ments be made against the Mormons or others, ex-cept in your self defence, unless it should be neces-sary in executing your official duties, and in that case the law will be your guide.
Before trading with the Indians as above instructed you will, of course, obtain the consent of the Agent to do so. Should you be inquired of by the Indians on the subject, you will advise neutrality in, our Mormon difficulties.
As soon as may be, you will return to Camp with your party, for whom vou will be expected to ac-count. (Signed,) D. R. ECKELS.
Through the party which started under these in-structions we have received much information of im-portance, which is embodied in the report of Marshal DOTSON given below. The instructions were strictly written in older to restrain the active spirits of our bold young men, who, once out in the mountains, in-dependent and free from restraint, would hardly be satisfied in returning to the camp without striking a severe blow upon some of the Mormon outposts, which would have been most impolitic and improper under the existing circumstances, as it might not only embarrass Governor CUMMING, but endanger his life.
The following is the more interesting portion of the report, omitting merely that portion which con-tains a description of the country passed over by the party on their way to Bear River.
CAMP SCOTT, Tuesday, April 27, 1658.
Hon. D. R. Eckels, Chief Justice Supreme Court, Utah Territory:
SIR : In compliance with the instructions which I received from you on the 21st inst., I organized a party of citizen volunteers, comprising thirteen men besides myself, namely, District-Attorney (pro tem ) W. J. McCormick, David A. Burr, Justice of the Peace, and Messrs. J, W, Powell, E. M. Scott, Elie Dufort, J. Meeks, J. J. Justis, C. J. Hartley, Wm. Hall, W. W. Green, J. P. Gabriel, A. C. Ayres, A. Nolan, and started with them from Fort Bridger on the morning of the 24th inst., taking the main road leading to Salt Lake City. We followed it until we reached the first branch of the Muddy Creek, stop-ping, however, to noon at a spring some 8 or 9 miles from the Fort.
Upon striking this creek, we turned to the right, (leaving the main road,) and following its banks in a northwesterly direction, crossed the main branch of the Muddy near its mouth. * * * * *
Before reaching the Camp BEN SIMONDS came out and met us in a most cordial manner, and took us to an excellent camp-ground near his lodge. I met at his lodge a Frenchman, named JOSEPH CONVIS, with whom I was acquainted in Salt Lake City, and from him I obtained the following information concerning the Mormons :
He stated that last Fall he, with several others, ap-plied to BRIGHAM YOUNG for permission to leave the Valley, but that it was peremptorily refused. Tha after the arrival of Governor CUMMING in Salt Lake City, he tried at two different times to obtain an in-terview with him, but was prevented from approach-ing the house by a guard placed around it for this purpose, in charge of HOWARD EGAN ; that a great many of the people had, to his knowledge, in the same way been prevented from seeing the Governor unless they obtained the permission o BRIGHAM YOUNG. The bishops stated in the Ward meetings that Governor CUMMING would not be allow-ed to leave the city for three or four weeks or until all the families in the city could move away. All of the settlements north of Ogden city and in Rush and To-ele valleys have been entirely deserted, but the houses, fences, &c., have not been destroyed or injured.
All the loose cattle have been driven south from the vicinity of Salt Lake City, and from the northern settlements. The people in these places are in moving as rapidly as possible and concentrating in the neigh-borhood of Provo City, around Utah Lake.
Mr. CONVIS met SIMONDS in the city and came out under his protection. He started about the 17th inst. He is not a Mormon, and his statements can be relied upon as true.
BEN SIMONDS, (the second chief of the tribe of Shoshonee Indians of which LITTLE SOLDIER is the chief) informed me that there was a party of some 90 Mormons stationed at the head of Echo Cañon, commanded by EPHRAIM HANKS. That there were some 200 stationed at the "fortification" near the mouth of the Cañon and about 300 on Lost Creek, which runs parallel with the Cañon, about five miles North of it.
I saw some Indians who had visited the abandoned settlements spoken of by Mr. CONVIS, and they had in their possession small quantities of flour, grain, &c., which they had found in the houses.
They say that the wheat fields look very fine.
I saw also 25 head of horses in the possession of some Utes at this camp, which they had stolen from the Mormons ; these, LITTLE SOLDIERS told me, he intended ; to keep and return to the Mormons when they make peace with the Americans.
The next day, the 26th instant, I obtained from SIMONDS four head of excellent beef cattle, on good terms. Having no vegetables or other provisions here, he started in the evening for Echo Canon, for the purpose of getting some for us which he had left there on his way out from the city.
In the morning he had sent an Indian into the Cañon, for the purpose of ascertaining how the Mormons were stationed and whether they knew of the arrival of our party at his camp ; but when he started this Indian had not returned.
Having accomplished the principal object of my mission, and not seeing any opportunity of taking such steps as would meet with your approval, in serving the writs which I hold in my possession, I had determined to start the next day on my re-turn to camp.
That night, however, at about 11 o'clock, we were aroused by the Indian whom SIMONDS had sent out in the morning, who rode in with his horse, reeking with sweat.
He told us to jump immediately, catch our horses and start back, that the Mormons were surrounding us with a large party. Upon inquiring into the particu-lars, he told us flat upon entering the Cañon he met a party of ninety-four men, well mounted, who inquired of him where that party of Americans were who had reached Bear River the day previous, he told them that he did not know, that he had not seen them. They told him that he lied, for they had seen them and counted them.
He went about fifteen miles down the Canon, and met two much larger parties, who had just come ou from Salt Lake City, and these asked him the same questions, and told him that they Intended to wipe out the party of Americans who were on Bear River, Starting back he met BEN SIMONDS at the crossing of Yellow Creek near the head of Echo Cañon, camped with a party of Mormons, and engaged in a violent controversy with them about their coming about his camp, and threatening to retain the horses in his possession belonging to the Mormons. BEN took him one side and told him to come to us as quickly as possible and advise us to start back im-mediately. Coming towards the camp he passed the advance party of Mormons within five miles of us.
LITTLE SOLDIER told us that if we stayed he would sent for his warriors and defend us, but that he was not desirous of engaging in a quarrel between the Mormons and the Americans, for once the Indians got started, they could not be restrained.
Seeing that by remaining we would involve our In-dian friends in difficulty, and that we could not ac-complish anything by an attempt at resistance, but that it might have a bad effect upon the movements of the Governor, I immediately started, leaving the camp at about midnight, and taking an Indian for our guide, crossed the mountains in a direct line, and reached here this morning at about 10 o'clock. Re-gretting exceedingly these circumstances, which have prevented me from procuring these supplies, which are so important to us, I remain, very respect-fully, your ob't serv't. (Signed) P. R. DOTSON,
U. S. Marshal, Utah Territory."
BEN SMONDS' camp is on Bear River, about nine miles below the crossing of the main road to Salt Lake City, and is about eight miles east of Echo Kan-yon, and tome forty miles from here.
A brother of Little Soldier, the Chief, died a few days before the arrival there of the party, and his rel-atives, in addition to the killing of his favorite horses over his grave, buried with him, alive, a little boy of whom the deceased was very fond, so that he might accompany him to the spirit land. They wrapped the boy up, alive, in a blanket, and placing him in the grave with the corpse, buried them together.
This must be the civilization which BRIGHAM YOUNG boasts of among the Indians under his control for this band of Indians have always resided in the immediate vicinity of Salt Lake City and the North-ern settlements.
Our Christian friends at home read with horror of the heart-sickening practices of the Hindoos, and other barbarous nations in foreign lands ; and gener-ous hearts and willing hands make every effort to support a missionary cause among them, but they have forgotten or overlooked their own native land, whilst in its very heart and centre abominations are practiced which stand scarcely unequaled by any savage rites on the face of the globe.
On the 25th inst., an express reached us from Cap-tain MAECY and his command. He had been very suc-cessful in his undertaking, having obtained 1,000 mules, and some 500 horses, all in good order. He was, at the time the express left, camped on La Cache de Poudre Creek, some three hundred miles this side of Taos, and was awaiting the arrival of Col. LORING with his regiment of mounted riflemen, who was on his way from Fort Union to join him. We expect the whole command here by the 25th of May. On the 26th inst. we received an express from Laramie, through wham we learn that the supply trains from that point had been stopped on their way up at La Bonté Creek, som-eighty miles this side of Laramie, to await the arri val of Colonel HOFFMAN, who was on his way up from Fort Leavenworth, with the Sixth Regiment of In-fantry and a train of 500 wagons. Colonel HOFFMAN was expected at La Bonté Creek on the 21st inst., when the trains would be immediately started on They will probably arrive here by the 20th of May.
The Snake or Shoshonee and the Bonnack Indi-ans are on their way here to hold a grand council, and to have a sight at Uncle Sam's Army. They will probably reach camp day after to-morrow.
We have been favored for the past month with most delightful Spring weather. The grass is green throughout the country, and beautiful little Spring flowers are budding out here and there over the prairie, cheering us with their sweet smiles.
An easterly wind which sprung up on the 29th inst. brought on, however, A snow-squall, which lasted during the greater part of yesterday, the 30th inst.; but to-day it is again warm and balmy.
During the storm of yesterday, a little boy belong-ing to the band of the Fifth Infantry, and an adopted child of the Regiment, got lost while out hunting. A great deal of anxiety was evinced throughout the camp on his account, and parties were to-day sent out in every direction to hunt him up.
Just, as I close my letter I am informed that he has been found; he was followed by his tracks in the soft snow, to the Muddy Creek, which he had followed to its mouth on Black's Fork, where he had struck the main road, and found his way towards camp. A. B. C.
P. S.—I open my letter to record the pleasing and unexpected intelligence received from Messrs. BIG-LBR and SAUNDERS, who have just arrived in camp from below, and report that they have procured 105 head of beef cattle, which will reach camp in a few days. These gentlemen were sent towards Fort Laramie some two weeks ago to endeavor to pur-chase cattle at the different trading posts on the road. They have been very successful in their undertaking. This number of cattle will be sufficient to support us, with what we have on hand, until trains arrive from Laramie.
Intelligence from the Peace Commission.
From Our Special Correspondent.
FORT LARAMIE, New Territory, Monday, May 17.
We arrived at this distant past this morning, and are busily engaged in preparations for the re-sumption of our westward journey. There is no news of interest at Laramie, except an item relating to the troops in Utah, and that may be no later than you have already received. It is stated here that the supplies at Camp Scott are giving out—that the ra-tions of some kinds have been reduced, and that re-sort has already been had to mule meat. It was sup-posed that the supplies would hold out until the mid-dle of June, and that Colonel HOFFMAN'S train of pro-visions would have arrived out by about this time. The reports recently received here, would seem to show that both of these suppositions were ill-founded. Col. HOFFMAN, when last heard from, was at Platte Bridge, 120 miles west of this, progressing very slowly, in consequence of a terrific storm, in which the snow fell from two to four feet deep. He was driving on, however, rapidly as possible under the circumstances. God help the army, if the Mormons should succeed in their boasted design of cutting off this train, of which, however, nobody here has the least apprehension. It is doubtful, however, whether the needed relief can reach COL. JOHNSTON'S com-mand before the 10th June. Some parties express the opinion that when Col. JOHNSTON finds his men in danger of starvation, he will take up his line of march at once, and proceed into Salt Lake.
Capt. MARCY was heard from on the 15th of last month, near the Boiling Springs, on the Cherokee trail, and has doubtless reached Camp Scott before this, with the animals for the purchase of which he went to New-Mexico.
The Utah Peace Commissioners and their escort, are here with us, and we shall proceed in their com-pany, reaching Camp Scott probably by the 27th inst., unless stopped by Col. HOFFMAN. I make the excep-tion, because travelers from the Camp Whom we met this morning, state that the Colonel is stopping every-body who, is bound towards Fort Bridger or Salt Lake, compelling them to accept the protection of his escort. His object, probably, is to prevent the Mormons from gaining intelligence in relation to his movements, and so acquiring facilities for interrupt-ing or annoying him.
Another rumor is, that two Companies of Dra-goons have been sent down from Camp Scott to meet Col. HOFFMAN, for the double purpose of strengthen-ing his force, and lessening the demand upon the scanty stock of supplies at Fort Bridger. Let me remark, however, that none of these rumors are based upon reliable authority. Lying is understood to be the rule of the Plains, and we know nothing of the character of those from whom the statements in regard to affairs at Fort Bridger are derived. In-deed, I am inclined to doubt that the troops are get-ting in so tight a place as above described—for if it were true, it must have been anticipated at date of your last advices by the Camp Scott mail, which passed us going East, a day or two ago. S.
FORT LARAMIE, Nebraska Territory,
Tuesday, May 18, 1858.
I have been talking this evening with the Peace Commissioners, who now admit, for the first time, that they have with them a Proclamation from the President to the People of Utah, exhorting them to submission to the law, and granting them a general amnesty for past offences, on condition that they shall yield obedience henceforth.
This is the general tenor of the document, as I un-derstand it from the representations made to me ; but I hope to inclose you a copy of the paper in this package, so that you may judge of its character and import for yourself. [This Proclamation has already been published in the TIMES.] A rumor that some such proclamation had been authorized by the Fed-eral Executive reached my ears some days ago, but I confess that it seemed to involve so silly a policy I on the part of the Administration, as well as so serious I interference with the functions of the Judiciary, that I attached little or no importance thereto—supposing the rumor to be baseless.
BRIGHAM YOUNG and sundry others have been in-dicted tor treason. They are in the hands of the law and its constitutional administrators. Whence does the President derive his power to rescue them from the Courts, by declaring an amnesty? The President may grant pardons or reprieves—but this attempt to wrest an indicted traitor from the hand of the Courts certainly looks like an usurpation—an infraction of the Constitution, deserving the severest reprehension. I may be mistaken in this view—but if so, the gener-ally-received doctrine in regard to the distinct, sepa-rate and independent functions of the Executive and the Judicial departments of our Government, is er-roneous.
So much for the legality of the President's course in issuing this proclamation, of which the Commission-ers have a bushel or two ready printed for distribu-tion. Its impolicy can scarcely be doubted by any man who is at all conversant with the history of the Mormon rebellion, or who has studied the character of the rebels in the least.
After years of defiance of Federal authority, the President was forced last year to take steps to com-pel the people of Salt Lake to bow to the law. The abominations, oppressions, robberies, murders and outrages, of every kind, perpetrated by BRIGHAM YOUNG and his followers, had aroused public senti-ment to such a degree of activity upon the subject, that the Executive could no longer evade the duty of stretching forth the Federal arm in rebuke of their wickedness.
At a cost of millions of dollars an army was sent ever 1,100 miles across the wilderness,—not to make war against Mormondom, but to sustain the Judicial authorities in their efforts to maintain the supremacy of the law in Utah, and to punish YOUNG and his min-ions for its manifold violations. Through the rigors of a dreary Winter in the mountains, that little army has struggled along, looking forward to the opening Spring as the time when they should be able to fulfill the mission upon which they traversed the Plains. In the meantime BRIGHAM YOUNG has written insult-ing and treasonable letters to the Commander of the Federal forces ; his minions, by his orders, have de-stroyed wagon trains conveying to the army much-needed supplies,—and in various other ways contri-buted seriously to embarrass, in their efforts totally to destroy, those who were sent out by the Government of the United States to compel the misguided "Saints" to return to their loyalty.
And now, just when the desperate game of Mor-mon "brag," has been almost played out—now when there is a moral certainty that a few weeks' time will see the army in Salt Lake City, and the law of the Republic triumphant over the resistance of an anom-alous Theocracy—when the fruit of all the expense and toil attendant upon this military expedition is ready for the plucking, the President proposes to re-tire before the rebels, confesses the country power-less to subdue them, and begs them to accept pardon for the past, as the condition of a promise that they will be good boys for the future! A dignified po-sition, truly, is this that the United States are made to occupy by its President—a position in which our Government is confessed to be a failure, because it is incompetent to compel obedience to law, except by pressing unsought pardon upon traitors.
What will be the result? Simply this, if I mistake not: BRIGHAM YOUNG will see that his neck is in a halter, and he is not quite ready yet to go to the heaven which he preaches to his followers. He will gladly seize upon this opportunity to get out of his scrape, and will subside awhile, until the army is withdrawn. When that day arrives he will resume his iniquitous practices—outrages against "Gentiles " or helpless women who cannot regard virtue as a crime, and lewdness as the only Christian grace, will become as rife as ever. The Courts, perhaps, will not again be broken up by violence, nor the forms of law be openly disregarded ; but no civil power will be proof against the devices by which Mormon juries and secret societies will set justice at defiance under the very forms of law established for the protection of the citizen. Better far to break or impair the influ-ence of the "Prophet" BRIGHAM over his deluded fol-lowers, by humbling him at the feet of the civil power which he has so long defied. Such a consummation would destroy his prestige, while the President's humble prayer to him for peace will but exalt him in the eyes of the "Saints," and make them more ready than ever to do his bidding. The dealings of our Government with Mormondom have been a series of blunders from the beginning, but this last blunder will prove the greatest of them all.
Colonel HOFFMAN left this post for Camp Scott on the 25th of April, escorting a train of over one hun-dren ox wagons, and over two hundred mule teams, containing the supplies so much needed by the Army there. When only a few days out he was caught in a tremendous snow-storm, which has greatly retarded his movements, and he will scarcely reach his desti-nation before the middle of June.
General JOHNSTON, commanding the Army of Utah, considers the road between here and his Camp very unsafe for parties traveling without an escort, and has accordingly sent orders to Major LYNDE, com-manding at Laramie, directing him not to permit a single mail to pass without escort. If, therefore, there should be some further irregularity of the mails for the next few weeks, it will be safe to presume that it results from the fact that there are no troops here at present from which an escort can be drawn. The Peace Commissioners brought a small escort with them from Fort Leavenworth, and we proceed in their company to-day. We shall overtake Colonel HOFFMAN'S command, probably, not far from Platte Bridge—this side of which there is no danger of meeting an enemy—and thence will proceed, either with his train, or under escort furnished by him.
In haste, yours truly, S.
