On ascertaining the locality or route of the troops, proceed at once to annoy them in every possible way.  Use every exertion to stampede their animals and set fire to their trains.  Burn the whole country before them and on their flanks.  Keep them from sleeping by night surprises; blockade the road by felling trees or destroying the river-fords where you can.  Watch for opportunities to set fire to the grass on their windward, so as, if possible, to envelop their trains.  Leave no grass before them that can be burned.  Keep your men concealed as much as possible, and guard against surprises.  Save life always, when it is possible; we do not wish to shed a drop of blood if it can be avoided.[20]

When General Harney had joined his command and heard of the state of affairs in Utah, he said in his characteristic bluff manner:  “I am ordered there, and I will winter in the valley or in hell!” Before he reached the portals of the territory, however, his services again being demanded in Kansas, Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston, then at Fort Leavenworth, was appointed to the command of the army of Utah, and during the interim Colonel Alexander assumed command of the forces.

About the middle of August, General Wells, in command of twelve hundred and fifty men, supplied with thirty days’ rations, established headquarters at Echo Canyon.  Through this canyon, the Mormons supposed, lay the path of the invading army, the only means of avoiding the gorge being by a circuitous route northward to Soda Springs, and thence by way of Bear River Valley, or the Wind River Mountains.  On the western side of the canyon dams and ditches were constructed, by means of which the road could be submerged to a depth of several feet.  At the eastern side stone heaps were collected and bowlders loosened from the overhanging rocks, so that a slight leverage would hurl them on the passing troops, and parapets were built as a protection for sharp-shooters.[21]

At this juncture a letter from General Wells was delivered to Colonel Alexander, together with copies of the organic act, the law of Utah, the proclamation forbidding the entrance of armed forces into the territory, and a despatch from Brigham Young.  The last was a remarkable document, and must have been somewhat of a surprise to the colonel, who had proved himself one of the most gallant soldiers of the Mexican War.  He was informed that he, Brigham Young, was still governor of Utah, who ordered him to withdraw by the same route he had entered.  Should he desire, however, to remain until spring in the neighbourhood of the present encampment, he must surrender his arms and ammunition to the Mormon quartermaster-general, in which case he would be supplied with provisions, and would not be molested.

Colonel Alexander replied in brief and business-like phrase.  He addressed Brigham Young as governor; stated that he would submit his letter to the commanding officer immediately on his arrival; that meanwhile the troops were there by order of the President, and that their future movements and operations would depend on orders issued by competent military authority.