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Show 79 Shortly after New Year's, however, a crack developed in the Mormons' defense shield from an unexpected quarter. The breach threatened to alter the entire military strategy of the Mormons. On January 3 the California mail 2 arrived in Salt Lake City. Letters from southern Utah included a communication from Jesse N. Smith to his cousin, George A. Smith. In this letter, dated at Parowan> December 7* a rumor was reported "that there are a party of 300 troops exploring the Colorado conducted by an old mountaineer who says there can be a more practical road made up the headwaters of the Virgin and down the Sevier ,3, than the one presently travelled. " Although Smith could not verify the rumor, he thought it was important enough to send on to Salt Lake. The information had probably reached southern Utah by way of the returning San Bernardino Saints or missionaries returning to Utah from the coast. The California mail also contained an edition of the Los Angeles Star of December 5* which published an article about an expedition being conducted on the Colorado by the U.S. Army Togographical Engineers. Lieutenant Joseph C. Ives was said to be commanding a steamboat up the river to determine the upper extent of its navigability. The party totalled 100 men, including fifty soldiers from Fort Yuma under the command of Lieutenant Tipton. Although the expedition was billed as a scientific one, it must have been viewed with suspicion by the Mormons. If steamers could be brought up the Colorado to the mouth of the Virgin River, the government could put soldiers within twenty^-five miles of the California Road near Las Vegas on an all-weather highway at the southern entrance to the Territory. The already-long Mormon defense perimeter might have to be extended, and in an area far from where the bulk of the army was stationed. Reactions were mixed among the Mormon leaders. The invasion from the south was a topic for discussion in a joint session of the Territorial Legislature on the following day. John D. Lee, a member of the House, wrotei on |
