Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-04-03

quite clever gentleman; and for three long and
dreary days we were snow-bound. When par
tial thaw had permitted US to move, We struck
camp and passed through doleful region of road
called the "Poney-holes." The name was given
it in 'S8, when the United States troops were re-
moving the Indians westward. The countryis fiat
and marshy-thickly intersected by bayous (pro-
nounced by-oo) or lat creeks, which are met with
every few hundred yards, for distance Of about
forty miles. The Indians would ride into these
places, and, swamping, would with whoop spring
off and leave their ponies fast in the mire. The
Military did not care to get them out and the
luckess beasts, worried and fatigued with travel,
would lay there like sheep and die!
How we succeeded in passing over this road,
shall not attempt to tell you. 1t is a common and
perhaps the strongest expression, when one passes
through unusual trials and difficulties, that such
were "the times that tried mems souls" Well,
for want of language more potent, must use that
expression here. Travelling in q strange land
in the season of dead winter-the ground covered
with snow and ice-the thermometer 80 degrees
below Zero-wagon and team begging down
mules quietly laying down and giving up the chase
making US wade knee-deep to unharness them and
by force Of hand to roll the wagon out of the
"stalr-all the time buying corn at one dollar
per bushel, and fodder at fifty cents per dozen
and worse than that, too, our women and children,
almost frozen, nterspersing the trouble by pteous
cries-if We were not up with the times that tried
mems souls, may never expect to see the hour!
Why, sir, the earth might have quaked-the Mis-
sissippi river run to the Pacifc-the Lookout
Mountain sunk to the level of the sea-New Or
leans might have been swept away by an avalance
of waters into the Gulf Of Me1ico-all such catas-
trophies would have been unnoticed by US, so in
tently were We engaged in trying to yet along that
journey! But enough of this-we got through
safely, and it is now almost forgotten.
Sixty miles from St. Francis, we crossed White
rivera beautiful stream, and, though small,
navigable all the year for great distance. The
land on White river is very rich and is located
prettily; but the country is sickly, and even in
winter the water is bad. Six miles from White
river We came upon the Grand Prairie, through
which we journeyed thirty miles. Here are thous-
ands of acres of land with not stick of timber,
and almost perfectly level.
We next came to Little Rock, the capitol of the
State, on the banks of the Arkansas, GO miles
from the point where we crossed White River. As
the Arkansas is navigable for considerable dis
tance, Little Rock is town Of some commercial
importance. The stream is bordered by large
tracts of bottom, considered to be the richest in
the State, but, like that along White river, very
unhealthy. For some distance west of Little
Rock, the ridge is very poor. 1t then changes to
medium quality of ridge-land, relieved here and
there with fine bottoms bordering smaller streams.
On the 9Th ofJanuary, we reached Tulip, Dal-
las County, Arkansas,-our homeland felt,
imagine, much as cold Hickory did, forty years
ago, when on the same day he delivered his coun-
try from the invader, and for himself won the high
est niche in our temple of fame. Our little army
had made as fearful march, and fought their bat
tie as bravely! And now, we rest from our tolls
just as calmly anil as happily as If reposing up
on laurels gallantly won.
This, closing the account Of my journey, must
also close my letter for the present Hereafter,
shall think to give you an episte on our politics
out here. "Sam" has not quite "gin out" yet,
though his race is well-nigh run. There is just
enough of him left to keep up the party; and as
this is selection year." we shall have time Of
excitement. have thus far kept aloof; but you
know my temperament and you need not be sur
prised if you hear Of my movement among the
"sovereigns" Of this free country. When "dip
in" look out for your share. Yours truly,
HANNIBAL.