And should you fall short of provisions they will be furnished you upon making the proper application." The officer who received this note had replied somewhat curtly that the forces he commanded were in Utah by order of the President of the United States and that their future movements would depend wholly upon orders issued by competent military authority.

Thus the issue was forced.
In addition to the defense of Echo Canon, certain aggressive moves were made.

To Joel Rae was allotted command of one of these.

His orders promised all he could wish of action.

He read them and felt something like his old truculent enthusiasm.
"You will proceed with all possible dispatch, without injuring your animals, to the Oregon Road near the bend of Bear River, north by east of this place.