From the Utah Territorial Militia Records, 1849-1877. No 0021-0039, Feb 10-15, 1850, Correspondence, orders, payroll. Series 2210, box 1, folder 4.
Pg 4:
Head Quarters Fort Utah
Nauvoo Legions
Feby 11th, 1850
General Special Orders
No 1
I. Until further orders this settlement will be held under martial law. No person will be permitted to leave the settlement for any purpose whatever, without proper authority.
II. The immediate charges of the Fort & vicinity will be under the supervision of Lt Little and Sergt. Fullmer. They will see to the proper arrangement of affairs with in the Fort and allow no person to leave the settlement without a permit also attend to the guarding of the indians in camp and over the property of others which may be exposed.
III. All supplies such as provisions, forage, teams, &c., will be held for the purpose of the expedition. The Quarter Master will take an account of whatever property may be used for the occasion.
IV. Capt. Grant will make arrangements for Capturing the remaining Indians which have been encamped on the Provean River and dispose of his party to the best advantage.
V. A party of Capt. Lytles Company will proceed to day under Charge of Lt Carn for the purpose of reconnoitering the portion of the Indians on the Spanish Fork, Capt Lytles Company will prepare to start for the Spanish Fork early to morrow morning.
By Order of Major Genl Wells
(signed) Geo. W. Howland, Lt. G. Adjt.
Pg 6-9, 11: Duplicates of orders.
Pg 11 [bottom order], 10:
Head Quarters Nauvoo Legion
Fort Utah Feby 18th, 1850
General Orders No 3
I. Capt Wm McBride will proceed with ten men detached from the companies belonging in the valley of G.S. Lake and fifteen from the companies belonging to Fort Utah to follow the trail of those Indians who have left Rocky canon taking with them their Blankets and three days rations and carefully but [pg 10] Cautiously examine the foresaid canon, and waylay and cut off those Indians wherever they may find them, soliciting safe places for camping and return and report themselves to the Commander of Post.
II. Capt. McBridge will be as soon as the sergeon thinks it safe to move the wounded proceed as a guard with them to Great Salt Lake City and report at Head Quarters.
III. Capt. Conover of Fort Utah (until further orders) will keep a strict organization of his command sending out scouting parties frequently to Spanish Fork Table Point and other directions that he may keep himself possessed of all or any information pertaining to the Indians
And if they shall come in and sue for peace Grant it to them. If not persue and slay when wherever they can be found. Let it be with them, “Extermination or Peace.”
IIII. Capt Conover will commencing on the first Monday in March and every two months thereafter, until further orders have a general muster of all his company and inspection of arms and report a roll of the same with description of arms and remarks pertaining to the amount of ammunition on hand, &c, to the Adj Genl Office G.S.L. City as soon after each muster as practicable.
V. The remainder of the troops from G.S.L. Valley will proceed to said valley and camp on Willow Creek, this evening and, in no case leave until they are regularly dismissed by their officers.
VI. The Quarter Master will be careful to collection and secure the passage of all Public property including such property as has been taken in the war to Head Quarters G.S.L. City
VII. A guard of Seventy men will be detailed and commanded by Sergt Fulmer to take charge and transport all prisoners including women and children to Head Quarters G.S.L. City.
Pg 12:
G.S.L. City Feby 12th, 1850
To Major Genl Wells
We received your dispatch of yesterday per hand Lieut. Kimball at 6 this A.M. and beg leave to express our satisfaction at your success and prosperity in your operations.
We shall endeavor to answer your request in regard to flour, as speedily as possible; and have allready started a team to take a load of wheat to mill for that purpose.
We intend to send a company of recruits immediately, so that if there are any, whose circumstances require them to return to their families, their places can be supplied.
We shall also forward some more Powder, and some grape Shot. The Cannister is so much bruised, it is supposed it will be useless; however we shall send some, and you can do the best you can with it.
Capt. Lamoreaux will take charge of a company of 20 or 25 men, who will start for the rear of operations today.
We recommend to you, to send all the teams and wagons back, that have taken loading to that point; and all invalid Horses. And also, we recommend that the mail be not sent any more in the night, but in the day time; and even then, by no means without a sufficient guard to the mountain; after which Capn Brown’s reconnoitering party, will be their to escort the mail, and wagons and teams to the settlements.
Your special orders No 12 meet with our decided approbation, and we are pleased to learn that they have had a good effect.
We shall be happy to hear from you every day if possible, and we shall also send to you as often as necessary. We intend to send a mail tomorrow morning, and shall send men enough with it to be safe.
[pg 13] We are happy to inform you that the brethren here, are wide awake and take a lively interest in your affairs. The Council House is well attended when the dispatches are expected in, and many seem to be on fire to join you and take part in the war. It is no uncommon thing to hear the females express an anxious wish, to come out and cook your victuals, and try to comfort and cheer your spirits, during your arduous labors; and if it would be of any advantage to you, we could soon send a load to cook and make you comfortable, but we know it is unnecessary.
We shall be glad when your mission is over, for we do not cease to reflect on your labors and exposure from day to day. We conclude by hoping for your success and prosperity in your undertaking until the object in view is accomplished, and that is, that the citizens may be permitted to dwell in peace, and be secure from Indian depredations.
Messrs Wm Young, Cyrus Canfield, Wm. S Muir and 1 or 2 others will proceed with this immediately; and the teams with the baggage will follow as quick as possible.
Yours, &c.,
Brigham Young
Gov & Commander in Chief
P.S. We would suggest that the poisonous arrows of the Indians are more to be dreaded than the Rifle Balls. You will perhaps remember that the low land white clay is used by the Indians to extract the poison from meat, so that there is no danger in eating it. In case any should be wounded by poisoned arrows perhaps it would be well to remember this. It is merely a suggesting. B.Y.
Pg 14-17: Duplicates of the previous letter.
Pg 18-19:
G.S.L. City, Feby 12, 1850
To Mr John Neff
Sir: The bearer has been commissioned to collect some Horses for the use of the Brethren who are going to Fort Utah to operate against the hostile Indians. We wish you to let him have yours for that purpose, as nearly all the horses belonging to the people in the City are already engaged in the public service.
Yours, &c, A.L. Lamoreaux. Capt.
Pg 20:
G.S.L. City, Feby 12, 1850
Cap. John Brown. We have sent orders to Fort Utah to have them send no more mails or teams through in the night, but send them in the day time, strongly guarded to the top of the mountains, from that way, where we expect you to meet them with a sufficient number of your men to guard them safe to the settlement. It will be necessary for you to have a number of men on the mountain early enough in the morning to meet the express to escort them in, as we expect they will send in every day until the business is settled. Also send an escort with our expresses from this way to the top of the mountains.
Yours &c H.S. Eldridge
Pg 22: Copy of the above letter.
Pg 23: [List of names] A. Lyman, Daniel Clark, Jas M. Flake, W.G. Bankhead, Wm Lay, Alfred Young, Wm Young, Erastus Bingham Jr., John Berry, Robert Gibson, John Bills, Huffaker, Jas. Gorden, Labuett Shepherd, Thos Narrick
Pg 24:
Head Quarters Spanish Fork
Feb. 12, 1850
Sir,
We arrived at the Creek in the vicinity of which the Indians were seen yesterday, about half past three this afternoon. We halted and commenced reconnoitering this position. After the most cautious and careful examination, it was ascertained they had left their encampment and their trail were discovered leading toward the South end of the Lake. We purpose to pursue their trails tomorrow and return to the Petet-neete at which place we wish to have forwarded the following supplies viz: 400 lbs bread, 500 lbs meat, 40 lbs Coffee, 60 bush corn and a few [bush?] oats if you have them. The Bread we wish to have you Bake to night and to morrow morning before the teams start as we have no cooking utensils and they would be heavy to carry You nead not trouble yourself about sending an express back to the City as we shall send to morrow morning by Lieut. Howlandy who intends return. We wish to have the supplies arrive to morrow night without fail and send the flour and a few cooking utensils if the cooking cannot be accomplished without we wish you to say to Capt Nakely [?] to attend strictly to charge and under no consideration let these Indians escape you will also keep up a thorough organization at the Fort
Yours &c
Daniel H Wells
Major General
Nauvoo Legion
To Leut James Little
P.S. Please send half doz Candles
Pg 26:
G.S.L. City, Feby 13th, 1850
Major Gen. Wells
Dear Sir:
Agreeable to promise we send another communication per hand Lieut. Kimball and others, and inasmuch as we have nothing especial to lay before you, we shall content ourselves by informing you that all is peace with us, and cheerfulness prevails in our midst, notwithstanding our anxiety to know from day to day how matters go with you. We assured we remember the faithful men who are engaged in the public service, by night, and by day, and often wish we could be in your midst, to cheer and animate the men, and take part in your perils and honors. It does us good to see the animation and cheerfulness which seems to fill the breasts of those engaged in the conflict, for if we must take the feelings of those who bring your expresses, as a sample of the feelings of the whole, we are satisfied that as a general thing, a good feeling must prevail amongst you.
We rised our best efforts to have some flour start from the Mill this morning, and we are confident it will on the way there today, but of this, the bearers will be able to give you further information.
We shall start four more teams today with corn for the camp, and expect them to be on the cotton wood this evening.
We must renew our request that you will immediately send back all the wagons and teams which have been sent with provisions, forage, &c., that can be spared, as there are so many horses engaged already, that it is somewhat difficult to raise all the teams we want.
We wish you to keep and preserve, a full and perfect muster roll of all the men under your command, and of all who have been engaged from the beginning of the campaign and keep a daily record of how each man does his duty &c showing who has been engaged in the service, and how long and keep a daily record of how each man does his duty &c. We also wish you to keep a daily history of all your proceedings and operations, as the same may be highly useful in times to come.
We are expecting to hear from you again sometime during the day, and calculate to forward another dispatch to you tomorrow morning.
Wishing you all success and prosperity in your campaign and a safe return when it is over, we have the honor to remain as ever Yours &c.
Brigham Young
Gov. & Commander in Chief
Pg 29:
Spanish Fork Feb 13th 1850
To General Wells
Sir i send you all the Beeff that we have on hand I have Reserved 30 lbs of flour for the men that will Remain here the Balance i have sent you i send you some Coffee likewise and two Wagon Loads of Corn there is still Remaining here 3 Wagon Loads of Corn say 10 Bushell, Tomorow Morning will use up all the provisions we have there is two wagons hear without any teams we will send one team Back to the fort to Night for fresh suplies.
John Harvey Comisery
Orson Whitney
[Commanding?] Post
Pg 31:
February the 13 1850
[?] with the Express to Ft Utaw
[?] Company on the 18 took Charge of a Company at ft. Utaw
Pg 32:
20th inst
Hunting trails
Battle grounds &c
Peter W. Cownover
Samuel Ewing
Thomas Willias
Robert Egbert
Edw E. Holden
Abram G. Cownover
“Black Hawk”
Pg 33:
Ft Eutaw Feb. 13th 1850
Sir
Rec’d the express from you about 12 o’clock last night. About one hour after W.G. Young arrived with a communication from Gov. Young to you Which I have forwarded as soon as possible under the circumstances. I have not read the communication but the Bearer States that Prest Young requests my return home as soon as possible I shall await your Orders with regard to the disposal of the Ft &c. After you left yesterday I called the people of the Ft together and stated to them what the present circumstances required made out a roll which numbered 50 men & boys fit for some Duty they all seem to be right and do with promptness what is required. Guard and other Duties have brought into as regular a system so the circumstances will permit I send 4 teams with (all we can raise) with 5500 60 Bushels corn 400” Bread stuff about 300” Beef (All we have on hand we will send more as soon as possible) 42” Coffee & suggest that some teams be sent back as soon as possible A council was called according to your request [?] Sergt Whitney. It was D Huntington’s opinion that there is no danger of the Indians reaching the remains of the Exploring Expedition on account of the (100) miles distance and the difficulty of the route on account of snow.
There are 3 lodges on the west side of the mountain which puts down into the Lake and also 3 in the Lower edges of Petit-nete timber.
The Council believe that you and B Ward are better capable of judging of way and manner of pursuing the Indians than we are here.
Yours &c
Lt G.A. Little
Com’g Ft Eutaw
To Maj Gen D.H. Wells
Pg 35:
Ft Eutah Thirsday
Febr 14/50
Genl Wells
Sir
I receive Yours of today pleased with the success you met with in finding the Indians and accomplishing in part our object, your orders are being obeyed. I send you 100 lbs Beef 75 lbs Bread across the Lake on pack, as a Waggon Route was not marked out Capt Lomeraux company arrived Last night Gone round the Lake to day with one team of Beef & Bread a little corn. Lieut Little has gone to the State with Lt Ellsworth. Capt Wakely is doing well & I Bilieve is vigilent. I secured the squaws under due form of Militari put them under guard with the Balance previously taken
Yours &c
Fullmer, officer commanding
To Major Genl D.H. Wells
Pg 37-38:
Camp 6 miles south of Table Point
Feby. 14th, 1850
Respected Sir
Directions were given this morning to Lt Elsworth to proceed to fort Utah and lookout a road upon the Ice that might be safe for the transportation of supplies also those squaws and children were forwarded to that point for safe keeping. An express which had been sent back the evening previous to our Encampment on Spanish Fork for provisions &c arriving without sufficient quantity an other was started back immediately for that point to proceed forthwith provisions, bedclothes, and the [6?] pounder to this place sent also to fort Utah across the ice for supplies of provisions and Capt Grant, myself and a few others proceeded to follow our reconnoitering party who went out Early this morning under the direction of Capt. Lytle and Lt Ferguson who it appears had not proceeded far before they discovered 5 Indians upon the ice apparently to take observation of our position our party immediately gave them chase killing 3 wounding one the other made his escape to the mountains. 5 horses were taken in this affray. None of our party have been the least injured in any of our skirmishes except Edmund Elsworth whose arm was slightly injured in consequence of a double discharge of his 6 shooting Rifle the boys stand it first rate on less than half rations but hope we shall have a supper supply tonight although it is now sun down and none has yet arrived. Two exploring parties were sent out after the affray this morning to ascertain if possible the exact location of the Indians in the mountains having without success We purpose on the morrow thoroughly exploring this side of the mountains to southern extremity of the Lake, where we will probably divide our party returning round the western side of the Lake thence across the ice to fort Utah and the other to the same point by way of the Peteteneete and Spanish Fork encampment had our supplies arrived as anticipated we should have made the Southern termination of the Lake to day Orders were sent to Capt Lammerax to proceed against the Indians on Petete-neet which we expect he will comply with to morrow
[pg 38] Friday 15th In accordance with our calculations we are purposing to leave our encampment we do not know how long it will take to accomplish our work but will finish it as soon as we can with safety to our animals we feel encouraged by your expresses which daily arrive and for which we are truly thankful Orders are continuously sent back for all who have emtied their loads and give out animals to return to the city taking all give out animals with them. We have no more to add at present therefore close as the Express is waiting.
Yours respectfully,
Daniel H. Wells
H.B. Clawson, Clerk
P.S. You need no forward any more corn or provisions until you hear from us again as we are very [?] we shall bring this war to a close in a short time
Pg 39:
Ft Eutaw Feb 14th 1850
Sir
I send you to day per Mr Fitzgerald who arrived from your Camp yesterday Some 300 lbs Beef Bread Flour Corn &c sufficient to make up a load and will fill the requisition received from you
There will be but a few pounds of flour left
Lt Kimball informs me that supplies are on the way and will be in to day. He will give you particulars not necessary for me to write
Everything is going on well here I visited the Guard at the Canon yesterday and believe they were diligent and watchful
Very respectfully
Yours &c
Lt Little
Maj Gen
D.H. Wells
Pg 41:
This page has a list of men who were sent to San Pete on February 14, 1850
Pg 43-44:
Spanish Fork Feb 15th 1850
To Major General Wells
We send you the following Dispatches by Brothers Rufus Stoddarn & Zobriski viz that Captain Lamereaux Left this Camp yesterday evening about 5 oclock with 22 men including the artilira and proceeded to Petetneet Creeck and Camped for the night about 1 ½ miles from the Indian incampment Decamped this morning about 7 and proceeded to the indian incampment and made an attack on the camp and in about ½ hour succeeded in killing 3 indians they being all that there was there then Returned here at halph past 12 oclock to Day Captain Lamereaux will Wait here for further orders from you There was no person wounded in the engagement there is no provisions in the Camp at this time with the exception of some corn and beeff we will send [pg 44] an express to the fort this afternoon if it is not countermanded by you Beffore 4 oclock with the particulars of the fight and likewise for a fresh supply of provisions if there should none arrive here Beffore that hour we would like to learn from you as soon as possible to know what it going on we expect to hear from you this evening no more at present But Remain in your [?] With Respect
Captain Lamereaux
John [Barney?]
Orson Whitney, Commander
of post
