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Show 26 INDIAN DEPKEDATIONS name from this initial encounter between the Indians and Deseret Militia. For some reason the authorities at Salt Lake City did not altogether approve the conduct of this campaign. No doubt they regretted the necessity for a military expedition against the savages, and de-plored the fatalities attending it, not only from hu-manitarian considerations, but fearing probably that it would precipitate a general war, and unify all the savage bands of the vicinity against a handful of settlers at Fort Utah. " Shed no blood " was a standing general order to the " Mormon " militia in those days, and the troops were expected to adhere to it wherever possible. Yet blood had now been shed and the Indians were doubtless exasperated. This may or may not have been the reason that Colonel Scott was found fault with. That would materially depend upon the nature of the orders he had received from his superiors, and his ability under subsequent circumstances to carry out those orders. It is a fact, however, that the Colonel fell under some censure at the time, and because of it declined to take part in succeeding Indian campaigns. It is said that the Utah Indians never sought re-venge for any of their number killed while stealing or making an attack. Colonel George A. Smith is authority for this statement. But the Battle Creek skirmish, which was not strictly an affair of that kind, could not but have the effect of straining the relations between the settlers and their savage neighbors, and extinguishing in the hearts of the latter that spark of friendship which yet remained. |
