into camp forty miles from the settlements, and the settlers
returned. The President's commissioners brought the official
pardon, unsolicited, for all acts committed by the "Mormons" in
opposing the entrance of the army. The people asked what they
had done that needed pardon; they had not robbed, they had not
killed. But a critical analysis of these troublous events
revealed at least one overt act--some "Mormon" scouts had
challenged a supply train; and, being opposed, they had destroyed
some of the wagons and provisions; and for this they accepted the
President's most gracious pardon.



CHAPTER V

After all, the "Mormon" people regard the advent of the Buchanan
army as one of the greatest material blessings ever brought to
them.

The troops, once in Utah, had to be provisioned; and everything
the settlers could spare was eagerly bought at an unusual price.
The gold changed hands. Then, in their hasty departure, the
soldiers disposed of everything outside of actual necessities in
the way of accouterment and camp equipage. The army found the
people in poverty, and left them in comparative wealth.

And what was the cause of this hurried departure of the military?
For many months, ominous rumblings had been heard,--indications
of the gathering storm which was soon to break in the awful fury
of civil strife. It could not be doubted that war was imminent;