User:Aleutian06/Arkansas State Military Board Records

PROCLAMATION.

By the Governor of the State of Arkansas:

Executive Office, Little Book, Ark., January 31. 1862. To The People Of Arkansas:

Whereas Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dora, assigned in command of the Trans-Mississippi District, comprising "that part of the State of Louisiana north of Red River, the Indian Territory west of Arkansas, the State of Arkansas, and certain portions of Missouri," &c, has made a requisition upon thei authorities of Arkansas for ten regiments of infantry and four companies of artillery for service in the C. S. Army:

Now, therefore, I, Henry M. Rector, as Governor of the State of Arkansas, and ex officio president of the military board of said State, do hereby order and direct that 100 companies of infantry and four of artillery be organized with dispatch, from those persons in the State who by law are subject to military duty, and by the 5th of March next report themselves for duty to General Van Dorn at Pocahontas, Ark., except two regiments of infantry, which will report to General Pike for service on the Western frontier. Each company to consist of one captain, one first lieutenant, two second lieutenants, five sergeants, four corporals, two musicians, and not less than sixty-four nor more than 104 privates. Companies arming themselves will be received for twelve mouths; those unarmed for and during the war, or three years. Company elections may be held by any commissioned State officer, civil or military, and returns made to me for commissions. The men will be sworn into service by < onfederate officers, after organization, wheresoever one may be found. Subsistence wdl be supplied by the Confederate Government so soon as company organization is completed, the captain selecting one of the lieutenants to purchase subsistence and forage, who will issue certificates of purchase, approved by the captain, to be paid by the proper officer of the Confederate Government at headquarters.

Two wagons and teams (four horse or six-mule) will be hired to transport the baggage, &c, for each company to Pocahontas, with the privilege of purchasing them at fair valuation. Regiments will be formed at Pocahontas, ten companies each, and elections held for general officers, who will" be commissioned by the State. Each soldier is entitled to $11 per month pay, one blanket, and $50 a year for clothing, and if he volunteers for the war, to $50 bounty, which I am assured will be paid promptly by the Confederate States. It is desirable that each man bring with him one or more blankets, if possible; when they cannot be thus procured they will be supplied to those received into service by the Confederate States. Companies as soon as organized will report to me, sending a muster roll showing the requisite number of men, that I may report them to the Confederate quartermaster, who will supply them with tents, camp equipage, &c.

At the request of the general in command, I have thus endeavored to be explicit, in detail, as well to those things which fall within the range of State authority as those which belong to the Confederate Governmen t, the better to facilitate the prompt and patriotic response which we hope to see made by the people of Arkansas to this demand upon their valor and patriotism.

From the best data in possession of the State authorities it is estimated that Arkansas has now 22,000 men in the Confederate Army, which is equal to 37 per cent, of her population fit or subject to military duty—the 8,500 called for making 30,500 out of 60,000, being one-half, or 50 per cent, of her entire military force.

It is undeniably true, that the number of men furnished by certain sections of the State is grossly inadequate to the amount of population and to the capacity and bounden duty of those sections to turn out soldi«-rs for the defense and honor of the Government, whilst from other counties and localities almost the entire male population have sprung with alacrity to the first call of their country. The toils and hardships, as well as the blessings of a united people, should be borne and dispensed alike to all.

la view of these facts, then, it is esteemed essentially proper that those counties not having heretofore furnished their percentage or pro portion of troops be now required, as near as may be, to furnish, with those they have already in service, one-half or 50 per cent, of their people subject to military duty. This is a criterion by which each county in the State may know how much under this call it is required to do to save its people the unpleasant reflection of having been drafted in service for the defense of their own homes.

The following military divisions have been permanently organized, to wit: The counties of Benton, Crawford, Yell, Carroll, Franklin, Scott, Madison, Johnson, Sebastian, Searcy, Pope, Newton, Van Buren. Marion, Conway, Washington, and Perry compose the First Division. Saline, Dallas, Hot Spring, Calhoun,Montgomery, Ouachita, Polk, Union, Sevier, Columbia, Pike, La Fayette, Hempstead, and Clark compose the Second Division. Pulaski, Jefferson, Prairie, Bradley, Monroe, Drew, Phillips, Desha, Arkansas, Chicot, and Ashley compose the Third Division. White, Jackson, Saint Francis, Independence, Crittenden, Izard, Mississippi, Fulton, Poinsett, Lawrence, Craighead, Randolph, and Greene compose the Fourth Division.

And it is ordered that the counties composing the First Division organize into companies and report, as above directed, 3,600 men by the 5th of March next; that the counties composing the Second Division organize and report, by the same period, 2,000 men; that the counties composing the Third Division organize and report, by the same time, 1,500 men, and that those comities composing the Fourth Division report, likewise, 1,500 men.

All or either of which divisions failing to report the number of men respectively assigned to them by the said 5th of March will be subject to a draft, by counties, until their due proportion according to population is furnished to fill the requisition made upon the State by the general in command.

The power to levy such draft is in the military board by the following clause in an ordinance passed by the State convention, entitled "An ordinance for the organization of an efficient military corps for active service," &c.:

Sec. 10. All persons to be hereafter enlisted or drafted shall be hereafter enlisted or drafted for a period to be hereafter designated by the military board.

Skc. 11. In case it shall be necessary to make a draft from the militia to obtain the required nnmber for service, under this ordinance, or any other ordinance which has been or may hereafter be adopted, the military board heretofore created shall have the power to prescribe the manner and mode in which said draft shall be made.

General Van Dorn, in his requisition, remarks:

I desire these troops for active service as soon as they can be organized and put in the field. With them I hope to guard the State of Arkansas, prevent invasion, and, with the co-operation of troops from Texas, Louisiana, and Missouri, I hope to drive the enemy from the down-trodden State of Missouri, our nearest neighbors, &c.

This renders it unnecessary for me to say to the people of Arkansas that the men now called for are for the protection of their own houses and firesides—that those who respond to this call have high assurance that active service will be given them upon the borders of their own State, and for the relief of our " nearest neighbors," the people of Missouri, who have suffered, and patiently borne their sufferings, because of their adherence to and vindication of the rights of Southern men and Southern institutions. Shall Arkansas help Missouri, or will we supinely await her final subjugation, and, in turn, take our place beside her in chains and degradation!

Citizens, friends, patriots of Arkansas, look at the condition of Missouri, and picture to yourselves the wretchedness of Arkansas if a bin tal army of the North should pass the Rubicon and possess our territory! What living man having the proud title of Arkansian is willing to stay at home and witness the advent of a savage foe, whose mission is to insult our venerated sires, desecrate our hearthstones, and violate the chastity of our wives aud daughters! Is this an overdrawn picture? Are not these scenes being enacted in Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, and Virginia! Will it not be so iu Arkansas by the ides of May unless Arkansas supports Missouri, driving back the Goths and Vandals from our border! Then I implore my fellow-citizens while there is time to act to do so. Let every man in the State capable of bearing arms regard this humble appeal as being addressed to him iu person, until 8,500 gallant.men shall enroll themselves to do battle under an intrepid leader unto victory or death. And, further, let me say that I appeal not only to those who are capable of bearing arms, but as well to those whose age and infirmities forbid them this privilege. Age and experience are entitled to and have influence. Those of our public men whose talents and learning secure to them potential sway amongst their people I suggest may avail themselves of this opportunity to do good and add a fresh wreath to the laurels already clustering upon their brows. Counsel and persuade the young men of your neighborhood, your county, to go, and never, never wait to be drafted. A drafted conscript soldier from Arkansas! Who will write his history? Who so lost as thus to mar the annals of his State?

All organized volunteer companies in the State are required to report under this call, except those in the Confederate service. Commissions will not issue for company officers until muster-rolls are returned showing the requisite number of men, as above enumerated, to be in the company.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed, at Little Rock, this 31st day of January, A. D. 1862.

HENRY M. RECTOR, Governor and ex officio President Military Board.

By the Governor:

JOHN J. STIRMAN, ___________________

Little Bock, May 22,1861*

The Military Board of the State of Arkansas met at the Governor's office, His Excellency Hon. Henry M. Rector presiding. Present, 0. 0. Danley and B. C. Totten. The board organized by appointing D. W. Davis secretary, who was legally qualified and entered upon the discharge of his duties.

It was ordered that Artillery Company No. 1, commanded by Capt. W. E. Woodruff, jr., start this day for Fort Smith, and that he report

• From proceedings of the Military Board of the State of Arkansas.

himself to the commander of the post, and thence to General Pearce at his headquarters; and that at some point between Little Rock and Fort Smith he swear the members of said company into the service of the State.

It was ordered that the coiiimandingoflicer at Fort Smith be instructed to detail an escort to Capt. Albert Pike, commissioner of the Confederate States to the Indian country west, to consist of one company of mounted men—not less than 100 men—for the purpose of accompanying him on his official tour; and that the commanding officer at Fort Smith be also instructed to furnish to Captain Pike a baggage wagon and mules for the purpose of affording him necessary facilities while engaged in the Indian country.

It was ordered that, for the purpose of drill and discipline, the companies now quartered at the Little Kock Arsenal, commanded by Captains Lyon, Trigg, and Echols, be under command of the senior officer present, who shall in all respects perform the duties of commanding officer of the post; and that, for the purpose of receiving said soldiers into the service of the State, Daudridge McRae be appointed special mustering officer, and Dr. Albert W. Webb be appointed medical officer for the same purpose.

It was ordered that no more military companies march for Little Bock, or any other place of rendezvous, for the purpose of being received into the service of the State, until specially ordered to do the same; but that all citizens are recommended to organize and form themselves into companies at home for the purpose of discipline and drill, and that, when so organized, they report their organization to this board, so that they may be called into service when needed.

It was ordered that the secretary procure two books for the purpose of recording the orders and minutes of this board.

H. M. RECTOR,, _____________________ JNO. WITHERS, [1.] Assistant Adjutant-General. Little Rock, May 27,1861.*

The board met; present, His Excellency Hon. H. M. Rector, C. 0. Danlcy, and 15. C. Totten.

It was ordered that the regiment designated in order No. 12 be made up of one company from each of the following counties: Randolph, Jackson, Independence, Lawrence, Marion, Searcy, Fulton, Carroll, and Izard, and Captain Dill's company, now in Little Rock; and that Col. U. G. Shaver be authorized to make such contracts and do such other tilings as are necessary for the subsistence of the regiment from the time of the rendezvous until organization of the same.

Colonel Peyton was ordeied to call out his regiment immediately and put them under arms.

Capt. Dandridge McRae was ordered to proceed to Searcy with orders to notify all men subject to military duty in White County, and all between here and there, that the State needs every man. Captain McRae was further authorized to receive men into the service, and to subsist them at the expense of the State until they are regularly ordered into the service.

_______________________________

From proceedings of the Military Board of the State of Arkansas. Little Rock, November 8,1861.*

The board met pursuant to adjournment. Present, Governor Rector and Mr. Hill. It being represented that the State was in danger of invasion, and that Colonel Borland's command was threatened with immediate attack, it was ordered that Brigadier-General Phillips be ordered to call out the Eighth Brigade ot Militia, and that he also order out one company each from the following counties, viz: Prairie, Monroe, Poinsett, Saint Francis, and Craighead. _________________________

Office Of The Military Board, Little Book, Ark., February 21, 1862. The board met. Present, Governor H. M. Rector and Hons. C. W. Board and L. D. Hill. The proceedings of yesterday were read and approved.

Ordered, That Col. C. Peyton call out the Thirteenth Regiment of Arkansas Militia. ________________

General ) Hdqrs. Governor And Commander-in-chief Orders, > Op The Militia Of Arkansas,

No. 6. ) Arkadtlphia, September 16,1863.

The militia of the counties of Clark, Hempstead, Sevier, Pike, Polk, Montgomery, La Fayette, Onachita, Union, and Columbia are hereby called into service and ordered to march to this place at the earliest possible day. As soon as companies can be organized they will be sent forward without waiting for the balance of the regiment to which they may belong. You will mount men and compel persons evading the call to come to the rendezvous. Twelve-months' mounted volunteers will be received. There will be no exemptions, except six physicians, one druggist, millers to supply the wants of the country, clerks, sheriffs, postmasters, and persons in the employ of the Confederate States. Persons to be exempted on account of personal disability must be manifestly incapable of duty, as the lame, blind, &c., or persons whose lives would be endangered by a month's service in camp. The commanding officer believes, with the militia of the counties of Clark, Hempstead, Sevier, Pike, Polk, Montgomery, La Fayette, Ouachita. Union, and Columbia, we can resist the Federal army. I ask that the people of Southwest Arkansas will make one effort to save their homes from desecration. They were a proud and daring people. How many now will willingly bow their necks to an invading foe! One effort such as freemen should make and the foe is driven back.

By order of H. Flanagiu, Governor and commander-in-chief:

GORDON N. PEAY,

Adjutant- OeneraL

(Copies of above order forwarded to colonels of militia in the counties named therein.)..

_____________________________ Executive Department, Washington, Ark., October 18,1863. Lieutenant-General Holmes:

Dear Sir: I have met with General Fagan, and he has explained the transfer of Captain Kilgore's company from the State to the Con federate service, and says that it is not contemplated that any troops in the State service will be left out of the new company. From what he says, I suppose there must exist a misunderstanding about the State troops, and I am not aware that the undertaking between General Smith and myself has ever been submitted to you. I send you a copy. This you will see was made during your sickness, and while General Price was in command of Little Eock, Ark. I commenced operations, but for want of skill or experience, did not succeed very well at first. I afterward, as an experiment, called out the militia, expecting to get volunteers, and succeeded so well as to get companies organized in the counties where the call for the militia was enforced. There are now seven companies which have been collected under the call. In the meantime General Smith sent Colonel Trader to me, to assist in organizing troops. This was before you took command at Arkadelphia. lie was assigned the command of the troops raised by the State, and under my direction has had command since that time. This was the situation of affairs when General Fagan got his orders to raise troops under a Confederate law-for State defense. By that order, he was assigned to the command of troops raised for the defense of the State under Department Orders, No. 42. Colonel Trader had command of State troops; General Fagan was assigned to command of Confederate troops raised for State deiense. One acted under orders from the State government, and the other under orders from the Confederate Government. I do not think there can be any mistake about the command of each.

Now I do not object to the State troops, as individuals or companies, becoming Confederate troops, provided that no injury occurs to the service by so doing. I have no objection to General Fagan having command of the State troops in case of action, or even in camp, after they are drilled; I would like for him to take them forward and make an effort to raise troops in front of our lines. But you know that I believe Arkansas will have to depend upon her State troops for defense after a few weeks, and I am very desirous that these troops should be drilled before that time. These troops are satisfied now, and have not the pilfering habits of the troops in the service. To put them into camp with the infantry will have a tendency to infuse in them the dissatisfaction of the army, and their demoralization also. The mounted troops

caunot get forage near a large infantry as easily or abundantly as away from it. The constant habit of military men is to put new troops where they can be drilled in camp. The command of Colonel Trader is eutirely consistent with General Fagan having command hereafter. That there may be no mistake hereafter, I will state in short propositions my understanding of the questions involved: First, Colonel Trader is in command of the State troops raised, commissioned, and paid by the State. Second, General Fagan is in command of Confederate troops, raised, commissioned, and paid by the Confederate States. Third, I shall not object to the transfer of companies or individuals from the State to the Confederate States when made according to military usage. Fourth, if General Fagan shall want the State troops to move forward, they will be furnished, of course, under his command. Fifth, these troops should be drilled, but as soon as moderately drilled they ought to serve with the Coi federate troops in the field. Sixth, I recognize the necessity of troops acting under one head, and you as commauderin-cbief of the State, as well as Confederate forces in the State. Perhaps I may add that the troops raised by the State are more than double all the troops raised by volunteering, or by the conscript law, within the past few months; that one-half of all the volunteers raised outside of the State troops were raised in Polk and Montgomery Counties, where the militia were called out, and by Major Ousley. In addition to the troops in this section, I have a number of men within the enemy's lines, raising troops, but with what success I am not informed. You are aware that troops to operate in Arkansas after the Confederate army has lelt, must be held together by their patriotism. For this reason it is important that these troops should be convinced that assurances given by "me to them should be strictly observed.

With assurances of the highest confidence and regard, I am, your obedient servant,

H. FLANAGIN. ________________________________ Special Orders, ) Hdqrs. Governor And Commander-in

> Chief Of The Militia Of Arkansas, No. 26. ) Washington, June 30, 1864.

Col. "William H. Trader having reported for duty at these headquarters under special orders from headquarters of Trans-Mississippi Department of 4th of September, 1863, and having been assigned to the command of the volunteer forces organized for State defense, is now, in compliance with his own request, relieved from command ami ordered to report in person to General E. Kirby Smith, commanding Trans-Mississippi Department.

By command of His Excellency H. Flanagin, Governor and cominunder-in-chief: _________________________

General Orders, ) Hdqrs. Governor And Commander-im

> Chief Op The Militia Of Arkansas, No. 13. ) Washington, August 31, 1864.

I. The term for which the State troops were mustered into service being about to expire, and they being then subject to conscription under the laws of the Confederate States, with the view of maintaining the organization and preserving their efficiency Rs far as possible His Excellency H. Flauagin proposes, under agreement with General E. Kirby Smith, to transfer them to the service of the Confederate States.

II. The companies commanded by Capt. E. C. Reed and Capt. Samuel Ogden, formerly Capt. E. K. Williamson's company, have been reor gauized with special reference to this transfer.

III. The companies of Capt. C. K. Holman, A. A. McDonald, G. A. Hale, and T. G. Henley will vote upon the question of transfer and report

• See Vol. XLI, Part II, p. 991.

the result to the adjutant general of the Stat*. Men whose terras of service have expired, and who are not willing to be transferred, will be reported to and turned over to the proper enrolling officer of the Confederate States for conscription. Men whose terras of service have not expired and who are opposed to the transfer will be required to serve until the expiration of their term of enlistment, and such as do not then re enlist will be turned over to the proper enrolling officers of the Confederate States for conscription.

By command of His Excellency H. Flanagin, Governor and commander-in-chief:

GORDON N. PEAY,

[41.] Adjutant-General.

___________________________

Special Orders, ) Hdqrs. Governor And Commander-in

> Chief Of The Militia Of Arkansas, No. 40. ) Washington, September 19, 1864.

Col. R. 0. Newton, commanding Third Regiment Arkansas State Cavalry, will immediately put a command of his most reliable men on the south side of the Ouachita River, at Rockport (the number necessary is left to his own judgment), with instructions to picket and scout the roads in front of that place in the direction of Little Rock, aud to send speedy reports of any Federal advance to Colonel Logan, at Princeton, Ark., aud to these headquarters. By command of His Excellency H. Flanagin, Governor, &c.:

GORDON N. PEAY, [41.] Adjutant-General. Special Orders, ) Hdqrs. Governor And Commander-in ___________________________ General Orders, ) Hdqrs. Governor And Commander-in> Chief Of The Militia Of Arkansas, No. 17. ) Washington, October 25, 1864.

I. The following-named companies of mounted volunteers mustered into the service of the State under the proclamation of His Excellency Governor H. Flanagin, dated 10th of August, 1863, and designated by General Orders, No. 14, current series, as the Third Regiment Arkansas State Cavalry, are hereby transferred to the service of the Confederate States, under agreement with Major General Magruder, commanding District of Arkansas, such transfer to take effect on the 31st instant: Capt. Reuben C. Reed's, Capt. Robert S. Burke's, Capt. C. K. Holman's, Capt. Joseph W. Miller's, Capt. Samuel Ogden's, Capt. T. G. Henley's, Capt. G. A. Hale's, Capt. W. C. Corcorau's, Capt. A. A. McDonald's, Capt. John Conually's.

II. Col. Robert C. Newton, commanding regiment, will cause the proper muster-rolls and descriptive lists of the companies to be made out and one copy of the roll of each company to be forwarded to the adjutant general of the State.

By command of His Excellency H. Flanagin, Governor and commander-in-chief:

GORDON N. PEAY, [41.] A djutant- General.

______________________________

GOVERNOR RECTOR'S ADDRESS.

OmcB Military Board, I Lmu Rock, Mar 5,1862. f

To the Freemen of Arkansat:

Fellow-citizens: Again your authorities, charged with the duty of preserving and defending your State government, deem it imperatively necessary to call you to arms. Northern troops, formidable in numbers and preparation, are in the heart of your State, marching upon your capital, with the avowed purpose of perverting your government, plundering your people, eating your sub-' sistence, and erecting over your heads as a final consummation, a despotic ruler the measure of whose power will be the hatred he bears his subjects.

Will the thirty thousand freemen, capable of bearing arms, yet in Arkansas, look listlessly on, while chains are being riveted upon their limbs by a few thousand Hessians from the North — hireling mercenary cowards as they arc, seeking to enslave us, that they may grow rich upon our substance, and divide us and our children as conquered subjects. This cannot, will not be—our people in the government of their choosing — in the sacredness of their persons — and defence of their property must be determined. Wo can and will defend it; unaided if it must be so, at every cost and sacrifice, rather than live under the domination of the detestable and execrable Lincoln government.

The enemy upon our soil is crushing to earth the proud spirit of our people; presuming upon the temporary absence of many of our brave men, they seek to crush the energy and courage of the remainder. We will drive them from amongst us. Where there is a will there is always a way. An enlightened and brave people will never be subjugated.

The armies of the revolution were atone time under George Washington, reduced to' two thousand five hundred men; still with the blessings of God and an undying spirit of resistance, the American colonies, each upon its own account, putting forth its entire energies, conquered a peace from a reluctant and powerful government. So if we of Arkansas are true to ourselves —true to our professions of hatred for the North, and devotion to the South—true in our devotion for constitutional liberty and free government, the sun will never set upon us a subjugated and conquered race. Then by authority and sanction of the Military Board whose duty it is to protect the State from invasion—whose right it is to call an army in the field when the confederate States "refuse or neglect" to protect the people, I call upon each and every man capable of bearing nrms to prepare at once to meet the enemy, though it is not contemplated that all will go—some must—a sufficient number must, to free the State and repel the tyrant The law is, "that every able-bodied free white male inhabitant between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, shall constitute the militia of the State. No person shall be called upon to perform militia duty who has not resided within the State two months, except in cases of invasion, in which case they are subject as other citizens, and subject to the same penalties." Further, the law provides: "Judges of the supreme and circuit courts, secretary, auditor and treasurer of the State, clerks of the supreme and circuit courts, postmasters, post-riders, ferrymen on public roads, all licensed preachers of the Gospel of every denomination, and justices of the peace, shall be exempt from performing military duty, except in cases of insurrection and invasion." Hence it will be seen, by the law above quoted, that all men found in the State, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, if physically able, may be called to the field now, the State being invaded. The State, always sovereign, is sovereign yet, in her reserved rights, one of which is to defend her own soil—her own government— her own people, and to put every one, between certain ages, found in her borders, into the field, if necessary to do it This is the law, State and national, and if it were not, the people in their potential power, would make it so.

By your authority and sanction, your representatives in convention assembled at the capital in May last, severed the State of Arkansas from the United States of America, upon the doctrine of State sovereignty, from which grew up the confederate States. This, in the retrospect, may be viewed no less a political right than a moral and political virtue. Looking to our happiness, and the transmission of republican liberty for the present age and future generations, an alliance was formed with the confederate States of America. In the support of this government no star in the galaxy has shed a brighter lustre than Arkansas. No people have evinced more valor or a more self-sacrificing spirit, than hers in upholding confederate nationality. Every doorway is stained with the blood of her children, every roof is a house of mourning, and her altars are consecrated to benedictions for the dead and lost in battle. The flower of her youth, the pride of her manhood have without stint been lavished for the maintenance and support of the Confederation. She has done this because of her generous confidence, that when the evil hour came upon her, the national ensign, the confederate flag, would be found floating from her battlements, defying the invader and giving succor to her people.

Untoward events have placed her beyond the pale of protection much impaired, though not incapable of resistance, she will strike a blow for liberty, and continue to be free ; if left to her fate she will carve a now destiny rather than be subjugated. It was for liberty she struck, and not for subordination to any created secondary power North or South. Her best friends are her natural allies, nearest at home, who will pulsate when she bleeds, whoso utmost hope is not beyond her existence. If the arteries of the confederate heart do not permeate beyond the east bank of the Mississippi, let Southern Missourians, Arkansians, Texans, and the great West know it and prepare for the future. Arkansas lost, abandoned, sub

jugated, is not Arkansas as she entered the confederate government Nor will she remain Arkansas a confederate State, desolated as a wilderness; her children fleeing from the wrath to come, will build them a new ark and launch it on new waters, seeking a haven somewhere, of equality, safety and rest Be of good cheer, my countrymen, there is still a balm in Gilcad, the good Samaritan will be found. Strike now and ever for your homes and liberty, against all men who invade the one or dispute the other. The despotic power of the North, which seeks now to crush you, contains in its own creation ripe seeds for its early destruction.

Stand out like men and resist that power, until the hallowed light shed by Southern States rights Democratic liberty shall throw its light back upon the very North itself, from the Rio Grande of the South to the Lake of the Woods; and westward to the Pacific. The God of nations has not decreed, I think, that tyrant hands shall stay the progress of civil and religious liberty upon this continent. The right of the people to govern is an admitted truism. Their capacity to do so is not a fable; but "the price of liberty is eternal vigilance; be jealous of encroachments, mindful of your public servants. Take the Constitution of your State as 3'our political text-book, and regard the defence of your homes and firesides as a duty you owe to God and humanity, and all will be well.

Correlative with these views, it is by the Military Board of the State of Arkansas deemed essential for the public safety, that four thousand five hundred men be called as volunteers from the militia of the State, to be organized into companies, battalions and regiments, as directed by ordinances of the State Convention, to serve for twelve months in State service unless sooner discharged. The companies not to contain less than sixty-four nor more than ninety-six men, exclusive of commissioned officers. Twenty companies of cavalry will bo received, and thirty companies of infantry, with the right, on the part of the authorities, to assign one or more of the infantry companies for artillery service. Each volunteer must furnish his own gun, which will be valued and paid for by the State, or a certain amount paid for it monthly by the government for its use, as the State may ultimately determine.

Companies organizing south of the Arkansas River will rendezvous at Little Rock, unless other instruction are given. Those organizing north of the river will be advised of the proper point to rendezvous by applying to the Military Board for orders. Transportation, subsistence, eta, eta, will be supplied upon application, for organized companies; no company will be esteemed organized until a descriptive list is filed with the Military Board, showing the requisite number of men; certificates of election for company officers should accompany the descriptive list Any commissioned officers of the State may hold and certify to company elections. Able-bodied men, sixteen years and upwards, may be received into service. If the requisite number of men is not made up by volunteering by the 25th of May, the deficiency rill be detailed or drafted from the militia brigades or regiments having the fewest men in service. Troops raised under this call will not be transferred to confederate service under any circumstances without their consent, and on no account, unless a confederate force, sufficient to prevent invasion, is sent into the State. These are raised exclusively for home protection. Horses, horse equipments and arms lost by the casualties of war, will be paid for by the State.

Men of means and leisure, although advanced in years, now have an opportunity, without sacrifice, to go and fight — too old to walk, they can now go on horseback. Men tilling the soil can be less conveniently spared; something must be produced to eat, either to live or to fight I say to the gentlemen of leisure and wealth, make \ip this call; leaving the tiller of the soil at home to produce something for our families and the country. There are many more than the number called for here in Arkansas who will not run a furrow this summer, nor do anything else substantially beneficial to the country. Business, in the way of trade, is measurably suspended, and money-making for a time ought to be. To be rich now, is impossible, for if one owned the whole State, it is worth nothing until freed. The wave of destruction has rolled over the north-east portion of the State, and will soon reach the south, unless staid by a rampart of Arkansas freemen. I am for defence — the Military Board is for defence, and if aided by the people, the State will be redeemed. H. M. Rector,

Governor, and President of Military Board.

HEADQUARTERS, Pocahontas, Ark., November [10], 1861.

Maj. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, C. S. A., Comdg. First Division, Western Department, Columbus, Ky.:

GENERAL: Since my dispatch of the night of the 5th I have continued my steps of precaution and preparation for defense without intermission. Details in respect to them are at present unnecessary.

My call upon the militia for re-enforcements has been responded to with spirit and alacrity, but, as was to have been expected, in a manner somewhat tumultuous, and in no light degree troublesome in disposing of the forces thus furnished. By last evening something more than 1,000 men had assembled here, and about an equal number reported themselves in several more distant neighborhoods as assembled and awaiting instructions. By that time I learned from my scouts that the enemy had ceased to advance and were probably falling back a little. Finding that I was thus allowed more time for preparation, and that the militiamen, as well those who had arrived here as those on the way had left home so hurriedly as to be very ill-supplied with arms, deemed it best to direct them to return home, and there organize, arm, and prepare for service as well and as speedily as possible, and having done this, as they will be able in a day or so, and reported, to await my orders, with the exception of about 100, who are sufficiently prepared here. They have all followed this direction, to an extent at least to assure me that within a week from this day I shall have within three days’ march of this place at least 3,000, probably more, men at my command, and as well prepared for service as the means of the country will allow; by which I mean that while every man will be armed with some sort of a gun-for I will have no others-yet they will be far from uniform in this respect, and many will be rather poorly armed, owing to the scarcity of guns of every kind, and especially of good ones, in this part of the country. Companies thus organized and prepared I have agreed to receive into the service for thirty days from the time they report to me, to be subject to my orders during that time. I adopted this course and this term for these reasons: 1st, Within that time, if at all, it seems obvious to me I shall have to engage the enemy here or hereabouts; 2d, It is the only source from which I can calculate on re-enforcements of any kind within that time; 3d, Without such re-enforcements the handful of troops I have here is wholly inadequate to resist such a force as we know the enemy have in striking distance and as there can be no doubt they will bring against me if they come at all; 4th, I have made neither preparation nor calculation for a retreat, that being out of the question, as it would open our State to invasion, the very thought of which is not to be entertained for a moment, there not being one among my little band who does not feel that in holding this place he is holding the very door to his own domicile, within which are wife, children, and friends, and who would not deem himself criminal, as well as craven, if he could weigh his own life against the importance of maintaining it; 5th, within that time you will be able to order what other and better course should be pursued. Of the forces under my command I briefly report-for there are so few of them that a brief report will cover them easily- 1. My own cavalry regiment, seven companies, number 460, and are stationed for purposes of observation, convenience of supplies, &c., between this and Pitman’s Ferry, with several companies at and near the ferry, throwing forward scouts, &c. In this service it is very constantly occupied and has been all summer and fall, until pretty well used up. 2. Colonel McCown’s five companies of infantry (raw troops), men and officers, number 378, indifferently armed and but slightly trained. 3. Major Desha’s four companies infantry number 238, in the same condition as McCown’s. This is my whole permanent force. In addition, for this emergency, {p.685} I have stopped here in passing and retain for the present Captain Roberts’ company, about 60 men, nominally artillery, but without a battery, but armed and pretty well drilled as infantry, and about 150 recruits for the army, brought here by Major McCray and Captains White and Kykendall, and retained here by me, as is Captain Roberts’ company; altogether about 1,286 men. Of these, owing to much sickness, casualties, necessary details for guards, nurses, &c., as you will readily apprehend, I cannot, as I have ascertained by careful examination, count on more than 600 for fighting service. All even of these must be regarded as raw, inexperienced, and poorly disciplined, and indifferently armed. I may say that I have no artillery, for, although there are six pieces-four iron 6-pounders and two brass 4-pounders-here, they were repudiated by General Hardee as worthless, and are, so far as I can judge, quite so for any active or reliable service. They are so ill mounted, &c., that they cannot be used at all for flying artillery. In my destitution of such things and for this emergency, however, I shall do what I can with them by placing them in positions to cover the approaches to this place; and as Captain Roberts is the only officer here who knows anything at all about artillery, I have put him in charge of them. I have in the first part of this letter said all I need say about the probable militia re-enforcements. As to the supplies here, the amount of which seems to have been greatly exaggerated to you-mentioned by you in one of your letters as probably $500,000 worth-though I am satisfied not more than one-half perhaps not more than one-third of that, I have not deemed it necessary or proper to remove them lower down the river, for the reason that I don’t intend to abandon the place, and if we are to perish for the want of the timely aid that ought to have been given us if retained here at all, we will all, men and supplies, perish together; the enemy shall never have them. I have been unable to hear from General Thompson since my last dispatch to you of the night of the 5th, though at that time and the night after I wrote to him. My messengers ought to have returned last night, but I have no news of them. Reports are here, I know not how reliable, that he has either had an engagement with the enemy at or near Bloomfield or that upon their approach he has retired south and east. If I don’t hear from him by to-morrow morning I will send again to ascertain. Inclosed I send you a militia order and the proclamation of the Governor of Arkansas.** To the latter I invite your attention. It looks well enough on paper that I am to have so large an auxiliary force, but you need not be told that it gives nothing at all for present purposes, and promises only what will be received, if at all, in small portions at a time and a good while hence. MONDAY MORNING, November 11.

I had written so far last night when reports reached me that induced me to pause until something more reliable should come from my scouts in time for this dispatch. At 1.30 o’clock this morning a dispatch from my outpost at Pitman’s Ferry, 20 miles north, to this effect: The scouts send in word that they have reliable intelligence that there are 300 infantry and 150 cavalry at Rives’ Station, on Black River, 35 miles north of Pitman’s {p.686} Ferry Also that there is a strong infantry force-7,000-at Greenville, 15 miles north of Rives’ Station. This is confirmatory of the previous reports during the day, so far as it is reliable. Allowance must of course be made for natural exaggerations, &c., and I am doing all I can to ascertain the truth, and prepare as well as I can for whatever it may prove to be. Not hearing from General Thompson, I have dispatched an intelligent and trusty messenger on the best route to that officer to learn what I can. I am not without hope, of course, that what I have done and the views I here add will meet your approval, viz, that what force I have here is wholly insufficient for any useful purpose of either attack or defense, but only a provocation, and, coupled with the supplies here, an inducement to the enemy to attack us. It seems obvious to my mind that if any force at all is to be kept here or on this line it ought to be at least three if not four times as large as it is. Either make it strong enough to sustain itself or abandon it altogether. Arkansas has some twenty-two regiments in the field and some nineteen of them are in other States, while next to none are left to defend her own frontier where most exposed. If these views are not approved I respectfully suggest that I be superseded in command over here at once. It would indeed, it seems to me, be better to do this anyway, by sending some one of the brigadier-generals to take charge. It is a brigadier’s command, and should be his responsibility, which I am daily growing more and more distrustful of my competency to sustain. Besides, indications of failing health admonish me that the public interests here would be better provided for by other and abler hands. In haste, but from careful consideration of all I have said, I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant, SOLON BORLAND, Colonel, Commanding.

Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN: Arkansas is arming the twelve-months’ troops raised under your requisition to me for McCulloch. There is a battalion at this point. {p.687} Shall send it to Borland’s command at Pocahontas, where there is trouble. Must they go to McCulloch, as originally intended?

H. M. RECTOR. –––

HEADQUARTERS, Pocahontas Ark., November 20, 1861. Col. W. W. MACKALL, A. A. G., Western Dept., C. S. Army, Bowling Green, Ky.:

I beg leave to add a few words about my position, &c., here. I think General Johnston will concede that it is a very precarious one in itself, and I know it is a very embarrassing one to me. As he is aware (at any rate I so informed him at Columbus), the force left here (i.e., Pitman’s Ferry, &c.) by General Hardee was very small, so small that, as I have all the while insisted, it was available for no useful purpose whatever, either of attack or defense, against such as the enemy certainly had the power and would not fail to bring against me if I should have to deal with him at all. This is obvious from the following statement of its character and numerical strength: It consisted, first, of seven mounted companies-nominally 460 men-indifferently armed, and much enfeebled by the hardest and most constant scouting service to which any troops were ever subjected, through an exceedingly {p.688} sickly season, and on little more than half rations for man or horse; and, second, of two companies of infantry, about 130 men, just mustered into the service, and indifferently armed. To these have since been added eight companies of similar infantry, numbering about 500 men; and within the last few days I have added still a little further by retaining two and a half companies, together about 150 men, that were passing here. All these together, 1,240 men, being twelve-months’ volunteers, with officers and men alike raw and inexperienced, poorly armed and equipped, and without an educated or experienced military man in the whole command. No cannon were left me, or what are no better than none; that is, six iron 6-pounders and two brass 4-pounders, all old, partly dismantled and dilapidated, and without equipment for transportation or active use, and all rejected as worthless and cast aside by General Hardee. Of the nominal force I have enumerated, making by no means an unfair allowance for sick, details, &c., 700 would fully cover the number I could count upon for the field.

Thus situated, on the 5th instant I found my position threatened by the enemy with some 400 cavalry and not less (I had some reason to believe much more) than 3,000 infantry and a battery of artillery, reported on good authority (since proved to be true) to be within 60 miles of me and marching rapidly in this direction. This has since proved to have been one of the several columns moved simultaneously from Cairo upon Columbus, from Cape Girardeau upon Bloomfield, and from Ironton upon this place.

As now ascertained, the fate of Columbus, upon the result of which doubtless the others depended, caused them to fall back, how far is not yet known with certainty, but supposed to be to their respective starting points; circumstances warranting the expectation that their southward movement will be repeated as soon as the terms of concert can be again arranged, unless forestalled by an early setting in of such winter weather as shall make the roads impracticable-a contingency too uncertain to be relied upon where interests so vital are at stake.

Thus situated, and feeling that this position is the door into our State-which in turn is a large portion of the right bank of the Mississippi-and that in holding it I was holding the very door of our domiciles, within which were wives, children, and friends, I dared not think of abandoning it, although with the force then at my command it were little better than madness to expect to do more than sacrifice every man of us in a conflict so unequal. This I resolved upon and so announced to my men, and I have no reason to doubt that I had their unanimous and cordial concurrence.

But, not to be desperate as well as determined, I instantly called for the only help then possible in reach-the militia of the adjacent country. This call was promptly responded to with some spirit, but in a manner so hurried, inconsiderate, and tumultuous-throwing in upon me an unorganized and generally unarmed crowd of some 1,500 men within two or three days. Finding this crowd unavailable in the condition in which they came, and the result of the affair at Columbus having temporarily at least warded off the threatened attack upon me, I dispensed with the militia as such and called for volunteers, organized into companies, for thirty days’ service, receiving none that are not properly organized, armed with serviceable guns, suitably equipped, clothed, &c. I fixed thirty days as the term of service, for the reason, 1st, that it would bring me the largest amount of force in the shortest time; 2d, that term would cover the period at which we would probably be attacked, if at all, as by the middle of December the weather, {p.689} roads, &c., would have made active movements of any extent impracticable; 3d, that within that time General Polk, to whom I at once dispatched an account* of my situation, could issue such orders in respect to it as he might deem best. Under this call I have received up to this time eleven companies of infantry and one of mounted gunners, numbering together about 700 men; and there are reported to me as on the way, to be here within a day or so, some four more companies, say 300 men.

It is not for me to do more than thus make known to General Johnston my situation, not doubting that he will order what is right to the extent of his power. But I trust it will not be deemed out of place to say to him that my situation here is very embarrassing. It is a brigadier-general’s command and should be his responsibility, needing not only the capability of a commander of the qualifications suited to that rank, but the advantage to the public service which the prestige of that rank confers. I do not wish that place for myself. I did once, but in all sincerity I do not now, greatly preferring to return to my regiment or even go into the ranks. I hope, therefore, some one of suitable rank will be ordered to relieve me at once. The public interest requires it.

Very respectfully,

SOLON BORLAND, Colonel Cavalry, Commanding..