The Sharps and Major Alexander
From Heart Throbs of the West by Kate B. Carter, Vol. 6, pgs. 439-440.
Joseph Sharp. “Friday, October 16, 1857. Major Joseph Taylor and William R. R. Stowell of the Utah Militia were taken prisoners by the U.S. troops near Fort Bridger.
“Friday, November 6, 1857. Five hundred animals perished from cold and starvation around U.S. army camp on Black’s Fork.
“Monday, 16th. Two miles from the site of Fort Bridger and 115 miles from G.S.L. City.” – Church Chronology.
Three facts have been established. Bridger was about 115 miles from Salt Lake, Mormon prisoners were there, and it was cold.
When Brigham Young heard of the capture of those two officers he wanted to send some word to Major Alexander who was in charge of Johnston’s army at the time. What it was I do not know. His trusty scout, Port Rockwell, was away so he had to get someone else. Early one morning he sent for two men to come to his place. When they arrived he explained the nature of their trip. Told them of the cold, deep snow, possibilities of being held captives, and wanted to know what they thought of the whole affair.
They said they would be ready in one hour’s time. They rode up and Brigham gave them two letters, one for Major Alexander, the other to General Daniel H. Wells in charge of the Utah Militia in Echo Canyon. Up Emigration Canyon they rode and then over Little Mountain, up Big Mountain where the snow was deep and it was bitter cold and the wind was blowing. It was dark when they reached Weber Canyon and about 9 p.m. when they reached the camp of the Mormon Militia.
General Wells took them to his tent and had supper prepared for them and then ordered beds made in his tent for the two men but they told him they had to go on, for Brigham had said the message was important. Two fresh horses were saddled and the men were preparing to mount when the General walked up to them, shook their hand and said, “God protect any man who rides up Echo Canyon [on] a night like this.”
The bugler was blowing the mess call for dinner as they neared Fort Bridger. A white handkerchief was waved and they rode in to the sentry who called a guard to escort th men into camp. The letter was given to some orderly who took it to the Major while they sat out there in the cold, too proud to ask for even a bowl of bean soup. The answer was given them and they headed back, arriving at Echo camp about 2 a.m. The General was up and had a hot meal ready for them. Again he insisted on their remaining, but they insisted and were soon on their own horses headed for home. The sun was low in the west when two tired horses and two very tired men entered Salt Lake Valley. Straight to Brigham’s place they went. Seeing them he said, “Well, what excuse? Too cold or too much snow?” With fingers benumbed by the cold, one of the men undid his buckskin coat and brought forth the answer from Major Alexander.
What about those being rugged men of the West and men of great courage? How would you like to spend 56 hours in the saddle with only two meals and a journey of about 230 miles horseback in the dead of winter? How to I know this story is true? Well, one of those two men was my grandfather, Joseph Sharp; the other, his brother, Adam. – (James P. Sharp.)
Submitted by Ruth H. Barker, 2010