Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-10-30
LETTER FROm ARKANSAS.

I'M ~ tLF Ott- ~.
EDITORS APPEAL: Since my note Of the 81 to
you, there has been a deal Of excitement agita-
ting This country, and with scarcely a shadow
Of necessity. The various rumors Of an advance
on MS by Federal forces, originated in the occur
renee ola fight between Gen. Thompson's com
mand and the combined Federal troops from
I%ronton and Cape Guardian, in which battle
Thompson had scarcely three thousand men and
only four pieces of cannon to combat about
seven thousand Hacks. The intrepid and reck-
less Col. Lowe was killed whilst laying on the
ground shooting at the enemy. In his death
we suffer a great loss, hut the enemy win find a
hundred in his place TO ayenge his death. They
have sowed the teeth Of The dragon, and To- a
prolific crop astonishes their c~owarlly souls.
Gen. Thompson retreated toward Greenvine and
thent Bloomfield. This movement gave rise to
the report that the Federas were pursuing to
Pittman's Ferry; but it was the faIthest from
their intention Prudence and cowardice tell
them that the country this side ofGreenylle is
a dangerous one to make q Yetreqt through.
Their fourteen hundred cavalry do not deem
themselves able to cope with hundreds Of unseen
/ ChiAAEUe4 anu ii NtlAFEiLt4L At4N nULiUl OA IInsAE0
batteries actuate them in their movements. There
is no danger of the Federals reaching Pocaion-
tas. We credit them with what little sense they
have. Think the movement We made ON Iron
ton was the most daring feat perpsrated
during this campaign. We left this post
on the evening Of the Eth and on Sun
day morning, the 20tb, cauped at Mller's, only
eight miles from lr0nten. After ~f0raging and
dining vs. e posted pickets, within four miles of
- I'D o.
G. Earle, Of BoTland's regiment, had the pleas
ure OF going within three miles of Arcadia. and
We're considerably exercised that we were not
permitted to 20 into the village and see how the
land lay, or at least % get a chance 20 toast our
friends. The enemy knew Of our advance, but
did not dare to oppose us, and had lhey have
done So, with ten times our force, ! think we
would have cared very little. Gen. Thompson
failed to make the Intended connection with us,
and at midnight we commenced our backward
movement, and tied up, at daybreak, at Stony
battery. The next day, not getting any reliable
intelligence from Gen. Thompson, He took up
Sthe line of march for our quarters at this post,
and had scarcely tied our horses when a courier
brought the news of ~Thomps0u's fight and re-
treat, Fearing an attack on our camp, an order
was issued to call OUt the militia, and tie entire
country set 4eUg. The same evening, Il more
sensible order was made, cOuutermanding the
hrst, ana we are once more quiet, only too eager
for the blae caps to come. Our command
amounted to over Ave hundred horscmen, aud if
Gen Thompson would have managed TO secure
cur aid, we are certain he would not have re-
treated. Don't you think we bearded the lion
in his den, with.ar unusual daring My hand
is very sore from a saber, and it is with much
difficulty I write. When well enough, / viii
give you a diagram Of Ironton and neighbor-
hood, with the forces, etc, Of the enemy. They
viii discover that q man Ia petticoats can learn
a GREAT daaI |