CHAPTER If.
THE MORMON EXPEDITION OF 1858.1
Appointment as Army Chaplain-The Mormon troubles-Fort Leavenworth -Progress of Kansas-Fort Kearney - An Indian scalp-fight -A buffalo hunt - Freighting on the plains - Discouraging for the Indians - Mormons escaping from Utah - Conclusion of peace puts an end to the expedition.
St. Louis University, May g, 1858.
Right Reverend and Dear Father:
ENERAL HARNEY is now in St. Louis with General ~V Smith. I paid him a visit at the Planter's House. He seems really to have been in earnest in asking for a Catholic chaplain for the Utah army. He assured me that I will re
ceive my commission within two or three days. Should it
come, I shall immediately make ready for the trip. I hope
Reverend Father Provincial will give me a companion. I
shall do my best to obtain one. I was just preparing for my journey among the tribes of the upper Missouri. Both ends may perhaps be accomplished in this and the following year, should obedience allow me. I may soon see your Reverence in Leavenworth City.
St. Louis University, May 18, 1858. Right Reverend and Dear Father:
I received, last evening, my appointment as chaplain to the army of Utah, from the Secretary of War.
1 Father De Smet wrote several accounts of his travels in 1858-59, in both French and English, for various correspondents in both hemispheres. When he decided, in 1861, to publish another book, he had a set of his French letters translated for the purpose, by Mr. Robert A. Bakewell, of St. Louis; and the volume called New Indian Sketches was the result. This is the text followed here. It had previously appeared in French in the Precis Historiques.