Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-10-08
LETTER FR0u ARKANSAS.
POcAHoSTAs, ARK, October 3, 1861

PocAHoSFAs, ARK, October 3, 1861.
EDTroEs APPEAL: For prudential reasons
which are evident to you, have kept quiet with
regard to the movements of our army during the
past two weeks. Now, however, it is safe and
desirable to give eeTtsin information to the peo-
pie interested The people Of Arkansas paytieu-
larry are anxious TO know why the army Of this
frontier has ben moved, and few words Of ex-
planation from the fountain head, surely, wiz
SET their minds at rest. Some few weeks ago, it
became evident 70 our military leaders, that the
hanks Of the Mississippi and the fields Of Ken
tackys,yould, Of necessity, become the places Of
contest beisseen the hosts of the Federal king
and our better soldiers. Il became a certainty
thar the fcow Fremont was concentrating his
forces for another enterprise than an attack on
this frontier Our foraging ground IN Missouri
became scarce. The eneiny. would not visit Us
or give as any chance at them on nearly equal
terms, and every movement showed clearly that
our army was needed in another quarter I'm
Inediatelr, Preparations began, and IN few day
he entire army Of she uppeF district vas on tie
.1lrch for the Mississippi They had seaTeelyre-
covered from the fatigue and irritation attendant
upon ON return from Greenviile, but with the
most cheerful alaerity they marched to hoped
ior feld Of contest, where may we not be disap-
pointed IN our expectations.
With sagacity which few military leaders
possess, or at least exhibit, our general, W. J.
IIarlee, secured forward movement, which far
dispatch and pTomptness has been the admratiou
of our people Notwithstanding his quarters
EgeTeueveT guarded and every person hadtleireest
access to him in person, AMI notwithstanding he
never prevented visitors and strangtrs from bsing
in and about the camp, his movements seemed
70 have been almost unknown 10 tx enemy
Doubtless there were spies among us, but nom
slrsyyd enough 10 give the baoks any accurate IL
formation. The disposition Of our camps and the
inexpEcable movements Of the men, which were
even seeua 10 their officers, kept those who
should not know, from al accurate knowledge
concerning US. The brave men who have come
out 70 Ggh, hattles for protecting ARKANSAS and
the South, We're told by their general, thai 10y
fighting the foe on The hanks Of tlie great river,
they would best protect their homes and defend
the South With an abiding faith in their leaders,
and implicit corfdence in she powers which guide
them, they went forth cheerful and brave army
Sof true southern soldiers
Gen. Harlee crossed by the lower road, and
by the time you receive this, his flag win be
floating on the west banks Of the Mississippi
He took up his march with the 9Th regiment, and
by a kind word here, quick command there,
encouragement now and laugh then, kept
among the men. and the more eheerfully they
trudeed onward. There are few men 50 popular
with a command, or as elegant q gentleman in
social If. Few men could gain the confidence
Of a people as our general did here.
Our army, by this time, is at Point Pleasant.
The march was made in one Of the most pleas
ant seasons Of the year. Everything smiled
success on our movements, and now i is
best to tel Won how we are situated with regard
to defense. We have large force left and ac-
eumuIalng. Two fine rife regiments, Of the
toughest and hardest sons Of Arkansas, are
guarding our posts As fine body Of wellarm-
ed and equipped cavalry as there is in the service,
are effectively protecting the roads between Iron
ton and this point. loves regiment is giving
She Union men the old jingo occasionally, and
we have battery Of light guns which are in
proper and sufficient hands There are, within
fifty miles Of this place between four and five
thousand men. in whose hands domestic weapons
have been playthings from their childhood, aud
without organization, leaders or any rule theywill
he terrible people tomeet. Let the blacks come,
is their cry, and mark il, at the first alarm there
win be such a rush to the roads such firing from
bushes rocks and hills as would destroy the
grand army Of the North before they could march
one hundred miles
Unfortunately for Us, the enemy know TOO
well how futile their attempt would be, and we
viii be obliged to rest in ingloTious ease at this
post, too long, l fear, too long The people Of
Arkansas need not fear for this frontier post We
are entirely protected and safe The simple inn
hostility Of the enemy EePing up, or even
making military line from St Louis to THE
place, the want Of provisioning on the road, i'm
rnense difficulty Of transportation and their cow
ardice, will always be a 0rotection to us here.
We wanl a brigadieT-general at this post
There via constantly be several thousand sol
djars here and the colonel commanding Is too
contracted IN his limits Of duty. We must have
a general on the ground If one is placed in
command he win not interfere with or detraet a
man from Gen Hsrdee's army, and viii relieve
that officer of an immense deal of labor, the
fnsncierine and quarteTmaster's department
being to him source of eziraordinary labor aud
&, viii ha more 50 now than ever, unless be is re-
2 iieved ly thf appointment Of a commander es-
r,eeial fo this district. Our eyes are turned To-
- ,be Dre=ant officer Of the posts, CO. Bor-
fos8 He has fairly earned Hame for fidelity,
esnssitv and untiFing eaTnestness and we speak
,Sa vii at the people when We ask teT him the
.,.,,oiutp,ert We must have a general herr.
RsSterate i to the Department Let the IN,
-saenIafe military board issue its mandate aud
Richmond listen,