History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

514
THE UTAH WAR.
stone heaps were collected and bowlders loosened from
the overhanging rocks, so that a slight leverage would
hurl them on the passing troops, and parapets were
built as a protection for sharp-shooters. 1 Leaving
his men in charge of staff-officers, 2 the general set
forth with a small escort for Fort Bridger, where
he was informed by Burton as to the movements
and strength of the invading force and the location
of its supply trains. It had been ascertained
that the army had pressed forward on Fort Winfield
to protect the trains, which had been left insufficiently
guarded, and it was now feared that the men would
be ordered to pack a few days' provisions in their
knapsacks and make a forced march on Salt Lake
City.
At this juncture a letter from General Wells was
delivered to Colonel Alexander, together with copies
of the organic act, the laws of Utah, the proclamation
forbidding the entrance of armed forces into the territory,
and a despatch from Brigham. The last was a
remarkable document, and must have been somewhat
of a surprise to the colonel, who had proved himself
one of the most gallant soldiers of the Mexican war.
He was informed that Brigham Young was still governor
of Utah, and that he had disregarded his prohibition.
He was ordered to withdraw by the same
route that he had entered. Should he desire, however,
to remain until spring in the neighborhood of
his present encampment, he must surrender his arms
and ammunition to the Mormon quartermaster-general,
in which case he would be supplied with provi-
sions, and would not be molested. 3 The colonel replied
in brief and business-like phrase. He addressed
Brigham Young as governor; stated that he would
x For cut of Echo Cafion, see Hayderfs The Great West, 313; Stenhouse's
Rocky Mountain Saints, 363. The remains of the breastworks and dams were
to be seen ten years later. Kirchoff, Eeisebilder, i. 107-8.
2 Colonels N. V. Jones and J. D. T. McAllister.
3 For copies of both letters, see Secretary of War's Rept House Ex. Doc,
35th Cong. 1st Sess., ii. pt 2, pp. 31-3.