USA > Utah > History of Utah > Part 57
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Colonel Burton and his men remained in the vicinity of Devil's Gate, caching provisions for future use and reconnoitering further in that region. About the middle of September they began returning westward, traveling slowly and taking observations. Dispatches from Salt Lake City were next received and messengers were now kept almost constantly in the saddle between Burton's camp and head- quarters. Among those first from the city were Orson Spencer, Joseph M. Simmons and Stephen Taylor. On September 21st, Colonel Burton with three men-Heber P. Kimball, Henry W. Lawrence and John Smith-returned eastward to the vicinity of Devil's Gate and camped next day within half a mile of the troops under Colonel E. B. Alexander,-the vanguard of the Utah Expedi- tion. Burton and his command from this time hovered in close
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proximity to the advancing column until it arrived on Ham's Fork and established Camp Winfield, about twenty miles north-east of Fort Bridger. Alexander reached that point on the 28th of Septem- ber, having made forced marches for several days in order to overtake and protect the supply trains which had preceded the army across the Rocky Mountains.
Throughout the Territory, since early in August, warlike preparations had been going forward, and the militia were now ready to take the field. Soon after Colonel Burton started on his tour of observation, a similar errand had been undertaken by a small company of the Weber County cavalry, under Marcellus Monroe, aide-de-camp to Colonel West. This company numbered but twelve men. They ascended Ogden Hole Canyon, and passed over to Bear Lake, Bear River and across the mountains to Lost Creek, which they descended to the Weber and followed that stream home. The object of this expedition was to examine the mountain passes in the north, with a view to their future defense should the Government troops seek to force an entrance from that quarter.
On the 15th of September, one day after the departure of Captain Van Vliet from Salt Lake City and just before the troops entered Utah, Governor Young issued the following proclamation, placing the Territory under martial law.
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 to 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.
RBurton
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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 these 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 them- selves 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 defense, 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, forbid :
First-All armed forces of every description from coming into this Territory, under any pretense whatever.
Second-That all the force in said Territory hold themselves in 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,
[SEAL.] and of the independence of the United States of America, the eighty second.
BRIGHAM YOUNG.
A copy of this proclamation was duly forwarded to "the officer commanding the forces now invading Utah Territory," and by him as duly ignored.
Toward the close of September Lieutenant-General Wells with his staff, accompanied also by Apostles John Taylor and George A. Smith, left Salt Lake City for Echo Canyon, where he established his head-quarters. Why that particular place was chosen will be evident
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to the reader on recalling the description given of it in a former chapter. Echo Canyon, the only direct route from Fort Bridger through the mountains toward Salt Lake Valley, is a narrow defile about twenty-five miles long, winding its way through vertical and overhanging cliffs from eight to twelve hundred feet high. At certain points in the canyon, a few men, stationed on the heights above, or in the gorge below, might hold in check a large army. These places are termed "The Narrows," and it was near them that General Wells, about the last of September, ordered his camp located. His entire force at this time comprised about twelve hundred and fifty men, made up of companies from the various military districts. Most of the militia were ununiformed, but were fairly equipped and provisioned for thirty days.
About the time that Echo Canyon was thus invested, a small company of men who had volunteered for the purpose went north to the Snake River country to form a new settlement, and watch the mountain passes in that region; it being feared that the invading army, finding its way disputed and effectually barred, so far as a direct route was concerned, might make a detour by way of Soda Springs and Bear River. This company, which numbered less than fifty men, was led by Captain Andrew Cunningham, and included such intrepid spirits as Alexander Burt, Brigham Y. Hampton and others. They formed a settlement near the present town of Black- foot, Idaho, but were recalled south the same winter .* The army did not make the northern detour, though Colonel Alexander and subsequently General Johnston contemplated it, but remained facing the Echo Canyon situation until spring.
After forming his camp at "The Narrows," General Wells, dividing his staff and leaving a portion of the officers and most of the men at that point, proceeded with a small escort to Fort Bridger. The force left in Echo Canyon was commanded by Colonel N. V.
* About the time of their return, the Salmon River settlement-Fort Limhi-was attacked by Indians and the Saints compelled to leave that section. George McBride and James Miller were killed, and five others wounded.
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Jones. He was instructed to dig trenches and make dams across the canyon, so that if necessary the road might be submerged; to construct breastworks and pile boulders upon the heights, for use against the enemy if he attempted to force a passage, and in short do everything that could be done to render the gorge impassable. Such a task was not very difficult, so much having been done by nature beforehand.
At Fort Bridger General Wells met Colonel Burton, who informed him of the latest movements of the Government troops, the establishment of Camp Winfield, and the location of the supply trains, to protect which Colonel Alexander had hurried forward. It was thought that the army would now attempt a forced march through the mountains to Salt Lake Valley.
From Fort Bridger, on September 30th, General Wells sent by Lewis Robison and Lot Smith the following communication to Colonel Alexander :
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, etc., DANIEL H. WELLS, Lieutenant General Commanding, Nauvoo Legion.
The gist of Governor Young's letter, enclosed in that of General Wells, was this: The Mormon leader called attention to Section 2 of the Organic Act, which states that the Governor of Utah 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, and that the Governor shall be commander-in- chief of the militia of the Territory; that he, Brigham Young, was
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still Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Utah, no successor having been appointed and qualified, and himself not having been removed by the President .* After reminding Colonel Alexander that he had disregarded the proclamation forbidding the entry of armed forces into the Territory, he directed him to forthwith retire therefrom, but gave him the alternative of remaining in the vicinity of his present encampment until spring, on condition that he would deposit his arms and ammunition with Lewis Robison, Quartermaster General of the Territory. Governor Young also stated that if the troops fell short of provisions they could be furnished on proper application being made.
General Robison and Major Smith were given permission, if they deemed it imprudent to enter the Federal lines, to send the documents to Colonel Alexander by a Mexican. They chose the latter course. The Colonel, though doubtless somewhat surprised at what he deemed the cool audacity of the Mormon leader, answered courteously as follows :
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 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 will depend entirely upon the orders issued by competent military authority.
I am, sir, very respectfully, etc.,
Brigham Young, Esq.,
E. B. ALEXANDER, Col. 10th U. S. Infantry, commanding.
Governor of Utah Territory.
HEADQUARTERS 10TH INFANTRY, October 2, 1857. Official.
HENRY E. MAYNADIER, Adjutant 10th Infantry.
* Governor Young at this time had not been officially notified of the appointment of his successor.
A Gamingham
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Such a reply was probably anticipated both by General Wells and Governor Young. At all events, no delay was now made in taking action calculated to convince the troops and the Government which sent them that Brigham Young and his people were in earnest, and that not without a struggle to prevent would they permit the army now east of the Wasatch Mountains to invade and occupy their valley homes. At the same time it was determined to shed no blood, to take no life if it could possibly be avoided. Such were the orders issued to the militia. Here speaks again the fact that the Mormon leaders, so anxious to avert bloodshed, even when acting in self-defense, had naught to do with the cruel and needless sacrifice of the Arkansas emigrants at Mountain Meadows, not three weeks before General Wells wrote the foregoing letter to Colonel Alexander. It was a bloodless campaign that the Mormons were resolved upon, even against the armed force which they believed had been sent to kill or drive them from their homes, debauch their wives and daughters, and despoil them of all that life held dear. Moreover, the plan of that campaign had been matured in the leading councils of the Church at Salt Lake City, weeks before General Wells went to the front.
On the return of the messengers with Colonel Alexander's reply, they were invited to dine with the Lieutenant-General. During the progress of the meal he asked Major Lot Smith if he thought he could take a few men and turn back the Government supply trains that were on the way, or burn them ?
"I think I can do anything that you tell me to," was the confident reply.
Pleased with the ready response, General Wells then said: "1 can furnish you only a few men, but they will be sufficient, for they will seem many more to the enemy. As for provisions, none will be supplied, as you are expected to board at the expense of Uncle Sam."
Lot Smith understood the order, and the program laid out was much to his liking. Utterly devoid of fear, with a physique and
-
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a will of iron, he was admirably fitted for just such a daring and dangerous feat as the one proposed. Forty-three men were given him, Captain Horton D. Haight and Lieutenants Thomas Abbott and John Vance being his subordinate officers, and at 4 o'clock p. m. of October 3rd they set out toward Green River.
"We rode nearly all night," says Smith, whom we will let narrate his own exploit, "and early the next morning came in sight of an ox train headed westward. I left half of my men to get breakfast, and with the others proceeded to interview the bull- whackers. On calling for the captain, a large, fine-looking man stepped forward and gave his name as Rankin. I informed him that we wanted him to turn his train and go the other way until he reached the States. He wanted to know by what authority I presumed to issue such orders. I replied, pointing to my men, that there was a part of it, and the remainder was a little further on concealed in the brush. He swore pretty strongly, and thought that was good in a free country like this; however, he faced about and started to go east, but as soon as out of sight would turn again towards the mountains. The troops met him that day and took out his lading, leaving the wagons and teams standing. I camped near these troops that night on the banks of Green River.
"Losing the opportunity to make much impression on Rankin's train, I thought something must be done speedily to carry out the instructions received, so I sent Captain Haiglit with twenty men to see if he could get the mules of the Tenth Regiment on any terms. With the remaining twenty-three men I started for Sandy Fork to intercept trains that might be approaching in that direction. On the road, seeing a large cloud of dust at a distance up the river, on the old Mormon road, I sent scouts to see what caused it. They returned, overtaking me at Sandy, and reported a train of twenty-six large freight wagons. We took supper and started at dark. After traveling fourteen miles, we came up to the train, but discovered that the teamsters were drunk, and knowing that drunken men were easily excited and always ready to fight, and remembering my
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positive orders not to hurt anyone except in self-defense, we remained in ambush until after midnight.
"On nearing the wagons, I found I had misunderstood the scouts, for instead of one train of twenty-six wagons there were two, doubling the number of men, and putting quite another phase on our relative strength and situation. There was a large camp-fire burning, and a number of teamsters were standing around it smoking. It was expected by my boys that on finding out the real number of wagons and men, I would not go farther than to make some inquiries and passing our sortie upon the trains as a joke would go on until some more favorable time. But it seemed to me that it was no time for joking. I arranged my men, and we advanced until our horses' heads came into the light of the fire. Then I discovered that we had the advantage, for looking back into the darkness, I could not see where my line of troops ended, and could imagine my twenty followers stringing out to a hundred or more as well as not. I inquired for the captain of the train. Mr. Dawson stepped out and said he was the man. I told him that I had a little business with him. He inquired the nature of it, and I replied by requesting him to get all of his men and their private property as quick as possible out of the wagons, for I meant to put a little fire into them. He exclaimed, 'For God's sake, don't burn the trains.' I said it was for His sake that I was going to burn them, and pointed out a place for his men to stack their arms, and another where they were to stand in a group, placing a guard over both. I then sent a scout down towards Little Mountaineer Fork, failing to put one out towards Ham's Fork on the army. While I was busy with the train a messenger from the latter surprised us by coming into camp. I asked him if he had dispatches and to hand them to me. He said he had, but they were verbal. I told him if he lied to me his life was not worth a straw. He became terrified, in fact I never saw a man more frightened. The weather was a little cool, but his jaws fairly clattered. I took his mule and arms and told him where to stand, at the same time placing a large Irish Gentile I had with me as guard
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over him, with instructions to shoot him if he moved. He plead piteously for his life; but I indicated that soldiers' lives were not worth much, it was only the bull-whackers who could expect to get off easy.
"His orders to the train men were from the commander at Camp Winfield, and were to the effect that the Mormons were in the field and that they must not go to sleep, but keep night guard on their trains, and that four companies of cavalry and two pieces of artillery would come over in the morning to escort them to camp.
"While I was engaged with the first train a guard of the second came down to see what was going on. I told him to go back and not move and that I would be up soon and attend to them.
"Captain Dawson and I shortly after went up to the second train. Dawson, shaking the wagon in which the wagon-master slept, called loudly for Bill. 'Bill' seemed considerably dazed, and grumbled at being called up so early. Dawson exclaimed, with peculiar emphasis: ‘Damn it, man, get up, or you'll be burned to a cinder in five minutes!' Bill suddenly displayed remarkable activity. 1
I introduced the same program to him that we had carried out with the first train, having them come out man by man, stack their arms and huddle together under guard.
"Having got them disposed of I inquired of Dawson what kind of loading he had, as I was much in need of overcoats for my boys, the season getting late and weather cold. I also asked if they had much powder on board, for if so it would be convenient when I fired the wagons, to take him with me. He was much frightened at that proposition, and hastily produced his bills of lading. I told him to hunt himself, as I had no time. He searched diligently for powder and my boys for overcoats and clothing. Dawson announced that there were large quantities of saltpetre and sulphur in the wagons and said they were nearly as dangerous as powder. I told him we would have to take the risk of injury from them. He begged me not to make him fire the train, saying: 'For the good Lord's sake don't take me, I've been sick and am not well yet, and don't want to be
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hurt.' There were many such laughable incidents connected with the adventures of the night, if we had dared to laugh. One old man, shaking with St. Anthony's dance or something else, came up to me and wanted to know why we had driven up the oxen so early. Learning that our business was of a different nature, he tremblingly said he thought we would have come sooner and not waited until they were in bed and some of them liable to be burned up. My big Irishman told him we were so busy that we nearly left him without calling him up at all, at all.
"When all was ready, I made a torch, instructing my Gentile follower, known as Big James, to do the same, as I thought it was proper for the 'Gentiles to spoil the Gentiles.' At this stage of our proceedings an Indian came from the Mountaineer Fork, and seeing how the thing was going asked for some presents. He wanted two wagon covers for a lodge, some flour and soap. I filled his order and he went away much elated. Out of respect to the candor poor Dawson had shown, I released him from going with me when we fired the trains, taking Big James instead, he not being afraid of saltpetre, nor sulphur either.
"While riding from wagon to wagon, with torch in hand and the wind blowing, the covers seemed to me to catch very slowly. I so stated it to James. He replied, swinging his long torch over his head: 'By St. Patrick, ain't it beautiful! I never saw anything go better in all my life.' By this time I had Dawson send in his men to the wagons not yet fired to get some provisions, enough to thoroughly furnish us, telling him to get plenty of sugar and coffee, for, though I never used the latter myself, some of my men below, intimating that I had a force down there, were fond of it. On completing this task, I told him that we were going just a little way off, and that if he or his men molested the trains or undertook to put the fire out, they would be instantly killed. We rode away, leaving the wagons all ablaze."
Proceeding to the bluffs of Green River, Major Smith started an express to General Wells, detailing what had been done, and then
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continued on to "the Sandy," in which locality, at a place which has since been known as "Simpson's Hollow," another Government train was encountered. "I asked for the Captain," says Smith, "and being told that he was out after cattle, we disarmed the teamsters, and I rode out and met him about half a mile away. I told him that I came on business. He inquired the nature of it, when I demanded his pistols. He replied : 'By G-d, sir, no man ever took them yet, and if you think you can, without killing me, try it.' We were all the time riding towards the train, with our noses about as close together as two Scotch terriers would have held theirs-his eyes flashing fire; I couldn't see mine. I told him that I admired a brave man, but that I didn't like blood-you insist on my killing you, which will take only a minute, but I don't want to do it. We had by this time reached the train. He, seeing that his men were under guard, surrendered, saying : 'I see you have me at a disadvantage, my men being disarmed.' I replied that I didn't need the advantage, and asked him what he would do if we should give them their arms. 'I'll fight you!' 'Then,' says I, 'we know something about that too -take your arms!' His men exclaimed: 'Not by a d-d sight! We came out here to whack bulls, not to fight.' 'What do you say to that, Simpson?' I asked. 'Damnation,' he replied, grinding his teeth in the most violent manner; 'if I had been here before, and they had refused to fight, I would have killed every man of them.'
"Captain Simpson was the bravest man I met during the campaign. He was son-in-law of Mr. Majors, a large contractor for Government freighting. He was terribly exercised over the capture of his train, and wanted to know what kind of a report he could make to the commander, and what he could do with his crowd of cowardly teamsters left on the plains to starve. I told him that I would give him a wagon loaded with provisions. ‘You will give me two, I know it by your looks!' I told them to hurry up and get their things out, and take their two wagons, for we wanted to go on- Simpson begged me not to burn the train while he was in sight, and said that it would ruin his reputation as a wagon-master. I told
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