One of the first Saints to learn of the United States army headed for Utah in 1857, was Abraham O. Smoot, on his way west from Kansan City. East of Fort Laramie, his party met Porter Rockwell headed east with mail. Porter then returned to Fort Laramie with Smoot’s party, where it was decided that the Utah Saints must be warned of the approaching army. On the evening of July 18th, Rockwell, Smoot and Judson Stoddard left Laramie in a light spring wagon. On the evening of July 23rd, they arrived in Salt Lake City, having covered 413 miles in five days-a journey that by wagon train normally required no less than five weeks. The next day Brigham was informed and this time he believed the report.
Hilton, p. 65.
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