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History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

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514<br />

THE UTAH WAR.<br />

stone heaps were collected and bowlders loosened from<br />

the overhanging rocks, so that a slight leverage would<br />

hurl them on the passing troops, and parapets were<br />

built as a protection for sharp-shooters. 1 Leaving<br />

his men in charge <strong>of</strong> staff-<strong>of</strong>ficers, 2 the general set<br />

forth with a small escort for Fort Bridger, where<br />

he was informed by Burton as to the movements<br />

and strength <strong>of</strong> the invading force and the location<br />

<strong>of</strong> its supply trains. It had been ascertained<br />

that the army had pressed forward on Fort Winfield<br />

to protect the trains, which had been left insufficiently<br />

guarded, and it was now feared that the men would<br />

be ordered to pack a few days' provisions in their<br />

knapsacks and make a forced march on Salt Lake<br />

City.<br />

At this juncture a letter from General Wells was<br />

delivered to Colonel Alexander, together with copies<br />

<strong>of</strong> the organic act, the laws <strong>of</strong> <strong>Utah</strong>, the proclamation<br />

forbidding the entrance <strong>of</strong> armed forces into the territory,<br />

and a despatch from <strong>Brigham</strong>. The last was a<br />

remarkable document, and must have been somewhat<br />

<strong>of</strong> a surprise to the colonel, who had proved himself<br />

one <strong>of</strong> the most gallant soldiers <strong>of</strong> the Mexican war.<br />

He was informed that <strong>Brigham</strong> <strong>Young</strong> was still governor<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>Utah</strong>, and that he had disregarded his prohibition.<br />

He was ordered to withdraw by the same<br />

route that he had entered. Should he desire, however,<br />

to remain until spring in the neighborhood <strong>of</strong><br />

his present encampment, he must surrender his arms<br />

and ammunition to the Mormon quartermaster-general,<br />

in which case he would be supplied with provi-<br />

sions, and would not be molested. 3 The colonel replied<br />

in brief and business-like phrase. He addressed<br />

<strong>Brigham</strong> <strong>Young</strong> as governor; stated that he would<br />

x For cut <strong>of</strong> Echo Cafion, see Hayderfs The Great West, 313; Stenhouse's<br />

Rocky Mountain Saints, 363. The remains <strong>of</strong> the breastworks and dams were<br />

to be seen ten years later. Kirch<strong>of</strong>f, Eeisebilder, i. 107-8.<br />

2 Colonels N. V. Jones and J. D. T. McAllister.<br />

3 For copies <strong>of</strong> both letters, see Secretary <strong>of</strong> War's Rept House Ex. Doc,<br />

35th Cong. 1st Sess., ii. pt 2, pp. 31-3.

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