OCR Text |
Show the Upper Platte, alleged in a letter to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that the Mormons were upsetting relations with the Indians and were attempting to monopolize the Indian trade on the plains. Without investigation of the charges or attention given to Mormon refutations, the Washington administration embarked on its policy of conflict with Utah. Buchanan also operated in secrecy, failing to notify Brigham Young of his intention to send troops into the Territory. On May 28 the initial orders were given to proceed with the assembling and outfitting of an expeditionary force at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The first elements of the 2,500 man army marched west on July 18. Brigadier General W. S. Harney was placed in command of the expedition. His orders from the Secretary of War dated June 29 read in part: "The community and, in part, the civil government of Utah Territory are in a substantial state of rebellion against the laws and authority of the United States."9 A multitude of new Federal officials were appointed for territorial posts who were to accompany the army to Utah. Among them was Alfred Cumming, of Georgia, the new governor of Utah Territory. Once in Utah, the military was to be subordinate to the new civil powers. According to its official instructions, the expeditionary force was to erect a military post in the vicinity of Salt Lake City and aid the civil and judicial authorities in executing the law. The army was to be a "posse comitatus" to be called upon by the governor should he find "the ordinary course of judicial proceedings or the power vested in the United States' marshals and other proper officials inadequate for the preservation of the public peace, and the due execution of the laws."10 The army was not to attack unless in self defense or upon requisition from the governor. Unfortunately, the purpose of the expedition was kept from Mormon leaders until September, and, even then, their was nothing official from thejpresident. |