In Search of Johnston's Army: Old Camp Floyd & West Creek as Seen Through the Eyes of a Relic Hunter

This was the type of site every relic hunter dreams about. Resting as they had since 1858, the artifacts uncovered included twenty dollar gold pieces, a lady's 18-karat diamond ring, an officer's eagle belt plate, and a gold Masonic pin. This untouched site of historical importance was loaded with artifacts, each one a significant piece of a puzzle that was slowly being solved. In the book In Search of Johnston's Army, author Duane Bylund details the discovery of Old Camp Floyd, located at the base of the Oquirrh Mountains in Utah. In the spring of 1857, President James Buchanan organized the Utah Expedition to subdue a supposed Mormon rebellion. A late season start and unexpected Mormon resistance forced the 2,500-strong expedition to winter between the recent burned-out ruins of Fort Bridger and Fort Supply. Locally known as Johnston's Army, the soldiers marched through deserted Salt Lake City on June 26, 1858, into obscurity. The artifacts discovered by Bylund and detailed in this book shed light on this unit. Endowed with drawings and photos, In Search of Johnston's Army inventories the discoveries. In the process of exploring Old Camp Floyd, secrets that had been hidden for 150 years came to light.