davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11

THE AFFAIR AT V1ExSA--We are per mitted 10 copy the following account of this affair." says the Ms8issippian, related in letter written by Master Thomas c. Catchings of the Burt Rifles, son of our respected fellow citizen, Dr, Thomas J. Catchings, only fourteen years of age.-l The account is the best we hay. seer. The youthful chronicler Is destined to make his mark in the world:
 "There were 300 southerners to 500 of their men; but they were afraid to fight even with that majority, so they went back on the cars to their encampment and come back shortly afterwards with over 1,cU0 men. Among our men, was an artillery company, anu while the enemy were gone for endorsements, they planted their ean- non and stationed themselves behind the bushes and little elevations. They came back in box cars; and the train backed slow ly down the track to the bridge. But not seeing any of our men, concluding tnat all was not right, they commenced rapid re- treat Our men then fred upon them, and ancouplcCl seven cars, killing great many ol them The National Intellisencer, their principal paper, says 250 were killed and that the cars were dripping with blood.-- Ttey did aot fire gun. etook 20 stand of arms--a good many blankets and knap. sacks, together with great quantity. of very valuable carpenters tools with which they were building the bridge.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11

WHAT EVERYBODY THINKS. .-Ever since the secession of the State, and the subse- quent gathering and organizing state troops, every one Is asking what IS the reason that all of the troops, munitions of war, pfovI- sion, etc, are not turned over to the Con federate States. We are at loss, our- selves, to know why this has not been done. We fad that the state is not prepared to keep up d separate army. She has no de- partments tor the various and varied duties to be performed. Sire has no means of transportation, one of the heaviest and most expensive arms of the army, but has to depend upon hiring wagons ana teams, an uncertain and unreliable way when troops have to be removeI. Without going into any of the difficulties lying in the way of the state keeping Up separate army, w. will refer to the fact, that the Southern Confederacy has every depart ment thoroughly organized, and IS ready
 to meet all emergencies. Virginia has turned her whole army, etc, to the Con- 1 federate States, as soon as the vote of Che people was known, and Tenliessee will do the same, leaving Arkansas the only state, keeping up separate army organization.
 Why the army ol the state, with all of it's appendages, has not been handed over to the Conie leratc States is mystery to us. We, as q state, will have to pay our DOT
 tion of the expenses Of the war, and in the present position of affairs, we shall he com- peled 10 pay double por;ion,t hat incurred by the state, and the government also.
 We hope the military board will see to this matter at once. --Ft Snsdh Tunes.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11

seeming 10 lnvste adventurous feet so trase over it. 1t Is probable q submarines" aft now traversing these sanls. acquiring con fidence in their new clement and skill in the use of their terrible engines of destruc tion Experiments should ba mnliiplin. for fixing upon the most effective form for the subnianne shell, percussion cap 1ol firing the fuse, and especially the arrange; msnts of the fatal wise-saie when not IL use, and inevitable when drawn upon all enemy. All that art can do, we will d., for the destruction of our invaders; but we would rather capture them than kill them | We will, as far as possible, heed the cali- of humanity. If, in the course of week ! or two, the Niagara should see, by day such smoke rise near by from the sea q she never saw before, or by night, a rockel thrown by unseen hands, it will be an in vitation to her to come to an anchor under the guns of Fort Morgan.
 Even before any submarines" have drillel, shells may be easily planted all over the cruising grounds of the blockading fleets, which cannot be sailed over without exploding them.
 But I would have every hostile keel caosed from our coast, by submarine pro- pellers. The new vessel must be cigar shaped for speed--made of plate iron, join ed without external rivet heads; about 30 feet long. with central section of about f by feet-driven by spiral propeller, fshtail sculler, or, far better by steam engine, occupying the after part of the boat. When its bottom is tight, the Torpedo boat takes the surface like any other boat, a part of the top folding back. Closing its top, it sinks on getting prize fairly in range and within striking distance. A harpoon point, easily separated from the forward end of the boat after driven into the enemy's side, (somc ten feet under wa ter, carries the wire that holds the shell. The shock of the attack diSengages the shell from the bottom of the boat and strikes the percussion cap for igniting the haf-minute fuse. The air pump, the in- halation tubes, the eye glasses, are already use,l. Tho new Aneroid Barometer, male for increased pressure, will enable the ad , venturer easily to decide his exact distance below the surface.
 If not furnished with steam, the torpedo boat should carry sail when on cruisc- Two of them-each an outrigger to the other--could spread so much canvas as to outsail all competitors.
 Such-in brielest terms--are the efforts which skillful and patriotic men will un doubtedly attempt tortAwuM. These out lines are freely given to our enemies as well as our frends--for in submarine war fare, the invader has no resources.
 Robert Fulton failed in 1914, simply for the reason that he had neither friction match, percussion cap nor safety fuse. h. the present state of the mechanic arts ami the cognate sciences, it would be a burning shame to the South if hostile ships should continue to venture upon Soundlngs near any of our harbors.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11
Su hr.arine Warfare.

MEssRs. EEIToRs-Excepting our priva- teers, the Confederate States have not a ship at sea- We may safely originate plans for blowing up the vessels employed Tn blockading our ports, without danger oi being hoisted by our own petard.
 Such an attempt is not to be expected from governmental departments and bu- rcaus; projectors. with their seethlng brains and shaping fantasies" are terror to them. Throughout our southern sea. ports, men of mechanical turn and -ot | the rigb. spirit. must go to work, maturing the best plans for the destruction or tho capture of every blockading ship.
 All things invite the enterprise. From the Chesapeake to the mouth of the k,o Grande, our coast is better fitted for snb- marine warfare than any other in the world: It has all been most infinitely surveyed and msped. It has almost no tides; it has uni form currents, and bottom always sandy,
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11

phis Appeal:
 RICHMOND, June 27, 1861.
 The command to which Gen. Polk is as signed embraces that portion of North Ala bama to the Tennessee river at Decatur; that portion of Tennessee west and south of Tennessee river; the counties of Arkansas and Mississippi, including Corinth, in Mis- sissippi and the country adjacent thereto; the river parishes of Louisiana, north of Red river, and that portion of Arkansas. besides the counties therein lying north md east of White and Black rivers.
 All the troops within the limits of this denartment will be under Gen. Folks con- trol, and his appointment as "major-gener- Al of provisional forces in the service of the Confederate States" will subject to his orlers the brigadiers general and such of of the major generals as may be in commis- sion and commanding within the limits of the department. His headquarters will be at Memphis.
 Col Hardee has been promoted to the rank ofbrigadier- general of the provisional force, in the service of the Confederate States, and is assigned to the command of that portion of Louisiana north of Red river and west of the river parishes, and all of Arkansas except the portion lying within the department of Major General Polk; that is to say, all of Arkansas except the river counties and that portion of the State besides the river counties lying north and east of White and Black rivers. The com mand of Brigadier General Hardoe embraces All the territory lying betwee the command of Brganier- General McCulluch and the de- partment of Major. General Polk.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11
JOIN MITcnELL OK THE WAR.-Joh

JOIN MITCHELL ON THE W Aa.-Johi I;rh T writes n Paris to the New o k Irish News as follows:
 lou ate s.ls n sympathlzlng with the SaAlh Tha Snn'b ha- nat tilfnwn nit th shackles of the Union one hour too soon.
 she has not ueeu tue asSressor, Du' has difered much ahd tong t;oln the greedy commercial, altogether British commercial
 nil industrial system forced upon her oy he North. Her cau>e b q just cause; he institutions are safe, and sound, and bene icient; and lam haFpy to say that the IriSh citizens oi the Southern States are standing oyally with their adopted country. The Irish companies of South Carolina militia nave distinguished themselves by their zeal n volunteering upon any service. In the regular army of South Carolina a very near relative fyour correspondent has the honor to hold a commission as an officer of artil lery. Another very near relative belongs to the First Regiment of Virginia Volun- teers, and may be at this moment in W ash ington or whereabouts. There is no better cause, no more honorable service; and l think it highly desirable that young Irish men should learn the art of war somewhere, seeing it is transportable offence to learn 1t at home.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11

DowN WITH FREE SPEECH. line Knox Republican calls upon the State author ities to arrest us, with some oher demo- cratic editors, as traitors, simply because, in the laguage of that enlightened journal we 'are very busy inst at this time, Ill heaping abuse and sharp epithets upon the head of Mr. Lincoln.'' This Is the only complaint against Us, and we plead guilty! If to detest Lincoln makes one traitor, we are as full of treason as an egg Is of meat; and, moreover, upon that basis there are four thousand of the best traitors in Fulton county the sun Tn heaven ever looked upon! Come on with your black republican State authorities for the purpose ot crushing ott free speech! we arc willing to be sacr.fced upon that altar; and rather than Iigs under military lespotiSm. such as. ,s invoked by the Republican, we ha3. .'ather see the state of Illinois running .<ten feet deep in human gore, and hes last inhabitant drowneI in the rel asoi "Giye us liberty or give Us death!"-Lesgistoa H.. Dem Ocrat
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11
THE HERoINEs. two loyal vom

THE HERoINEs.-Th two loyal women who at the peril of their lives from hired enemies and home traitors, escapel from the black republicans at Grafton, to cry to our troops at Phillippi: "ro your arms, OlIsrsel! the enemy are upon you." are now at the Virginia Hotel, in Staunton, refugees from their homes. Had the com manders at Phillippi been made of such stuff as these fair ones are, the surprise anu stampede which took place, and which nothing but fighting to the death on the part of the retreating troops can atone for, never would have happened.-Staanton { Ea) Tadieotor.
 Tine Richmond Dispatch, of the l7th instant, announces the arrival of these heroic ladies in that city. They had an interview with Governor Letcher, who re- ouested them to make the executive man sion their home during their stay in the city.
 A letter received in this city also alludes to these herones, and we have been kindly permitted 10 publish the subjoned extract on the subject The spirit of 76 is still alive, and the mothers and daughters of the South are as true, as patriotic, and as brave to-day as their ancestors were ia the "tlmes which tried mems souls."
 Who can doubt the result of this contest, when the women are emulating the nlen in deeds of daring and in devotion to their Southern homes? All honor to the daugh- ters of Virginia--the heroines ofPnilippi. But to the extract:
 ."SrAuSros, VA, June If. 1861, "Thcre are many beautiful young ladies here, who add much to our pleasure among them are two young heroines, who arrivci day before yesterday. They resided in the north-western part of the State. Nearly all the inhabitants were our enemies, an,l when the hirelings of Lincoln invaded the State, not man who saw them moved to arrest their progress. These two young ladies, knowing that our soldiers a. Phil | lippi were in danger, mounted their horses and alone in heavy rain, rode folty-two miles to warn our soldiers ot their ap- proach. They then role to ths place, 1 (Staunton), riding on horseback distance of one hundred and ftty-two miles, and then gave their horses to two soldiers who
 were going to fight the enemy. The black
 ren.blicsns have offered reward ot twen
 tv.two thousand dollars for these two rebel
 ladies. A party was given them last night
 and the officers of our regiment invited; we
 went and had adelightful time Tine young
 ladies were there and the officers of our regi- I ment promised that they would defend the two young heroines. and elect them daugh- ters of the regiment. 1 was surprised to find them we'll educated ladies-and not, ! as we supposed, plain country girls" The names of these ladies are: Miss Mollie Mcleod and Miss Abbie Kerr.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11

A DYING NATION. The New York Day Book says: "A merchant ofthis city, whose opinion is entitled to credit, both from his experience and his sagacity, says that it is useless to deny that complete financial wreck of the whole North is inevitable un- less something is done when Congress meets to bring about an honorable peace It IS a sal business to walk out in the streets. One can scarcely pursuade himself that he
 is not in Bedlali. Such faces! Some oiaz- ing with fiendish passions; others sad, sor- rowful and despairing; but not one pleasant and joyous countenance in the whole cl'y' There is something in every man iace which seems to say, nation IS dylng!
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11

No QuARrEa roBE GIVEN TO THE REBELs.- The policy marked out by the more prom inent of the leaders and journals of the Lin coln party, shows them worse than savages The Buffalo Express, prominent journal of teh Fillmore school, thus closesa lolgand bloody article upon the policy of the Lin coln administrations.
 The day of compromise or concession has gone by. The government has deter mined upon it's policy. It is full and per feet yindication of it's authority over every State in the Union, and that end will be reached if 1t costs the life of every man South of Mason and Dixon's line. The more vigorous the campaign, the shorter it's duration If the rebels refuse to throw down the weapons of their rebellion, let them pay the forfeit of their treason. The government wants no prisoners. It has no place for safely conining traitors-neither has it money to devote to their feeding It must purify the land and 1t cannot do so successfully except by wiping out the polit- ical nuisance that has diseased the national atmosphere. Death to all traitors is the watch word and battle cry of this contest.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11
nETwo boys, under seventeen years (

EgTwo boys, under seventeen years of age, sons of wealthy cotton planter on Lake Jackson, near Tallahassee, contracted the war fevcran volunteered to go to Pen sacola. When equipped for the march. and having taken leave of father, mother, and sisters, they came to part with their old negro nurse; overwhelmed with tears, she addressed them thus: ''Now, young mas ters, stop this weeping, go and fight for your country like men, and mind don dis Oraca ma o
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11

VIRGINIA MEMBERS OF THE CONFEDERATE CoNGnEss.-The Virginia convention, on the 21st ult., elected the following mem bers of the Congress of the Confederate States, which is to meet at Richmond on 20th of July:
 For the State at large: James A. Sod den and Wm E. Preston.
 Representatives: John Tyler. Wm. H. Mcfarland, Roger X. Pryor, Robert J ohn- son, Walter Preston. Robert k. Scott, Charles w. Russell. James L. Mason, Thos s. Bocock, Wm. c. Rives, Jno. w. Brock, enborough. Walter R. Stapler and R. NJ T. Hunter.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11

F,urprs-The Boston Bulletin gives Inc fallwiur statistics from its report rel alive to failures and suspensions, for three weeks ending June l, 1S6l, Tn the toiiow- ing cities: r..
 New York, three weeks' ending June i' forty-two. cs tytive. l, thirty-two. :, ten. q.
 St. Louis, three weeks, ending June l seventeen.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11

Ey- It is said Gen. Butler sent word to Gen. Magruder he hoped the war would be conducted on principles of civilized warfare. Gen. Magruder replied. l have buried yonr dead and taken care of your wounded in sight of the houses of widows and orphans whom you have driven forth, and whose property you have destroyed,
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11

see days march of Msstnshafs, Johnson three iu.,es of Martinsburg.-4,00o less than federal forces.
 RICHMOND, July 6.-passenger just arrived hese from Winchester contradict the report current yes' terday that Patterson had retreated- We learn
 that Gen. Johnston repulsed him three times m the evening yesterday, near Martinsburg--heayy losses on federal side. We are not informed as to the
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11

EE A powder mill has been built at Kingston, Ga, and the manufacture of powder will be commenced immediately. The saltpeter cave near that place con tains an abundance of nitre almost pure, and scientific men will soon turn it to i'm. mense value to our country,
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11

A Coop JoKE.-A gentleman ofthis city, and head of family, last week received box of provisions from some anxious friends at the north, who were in great tribulation lest their kinsmen should perish for the nec- essaries of life in these troublous times,-- Wilmington Register,
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11
sA< @@-<&bNf-~.-

VAxpAIs AT HAMproS.-We are inform that B Bltler's vandals are committing dep- redations at Hampton, Newport News, and the country aFoand, that would disgrace the warfare of Camanches or Apaches. They have stolen fifty negroes from our citizens, they have cut down our beautiful fields of fwheat, now nearly ready to be garnered' for fodder, and they have insglted the wo- men by the most beastly attitudes and Ian guage as they marched through the streets of Hampton Petsrs5arg Express
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11
A+<4~N,~

GS- General Picayune Butter is said to have been so drunk in Baltimore, while he was in command there, that he required the as sistance of two men to put him on his horse. The Richmond Dispatch advises Ben to save his whiskey, to be sent in after his first battle.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11
THEN AND NOW.

MEssRs. EolToRs-fIappening to take up a cory of the True Democrat published three years ago, 1 found the extracts below. They furnish swe,t commentary upon the sent attitude of the North Nothing could more clearly exhibit the beautiful consistency of abolltionism Three years ago, | they heaped the vilest anathemas upon the "ac- cursed Union,'' and were clamarous for dissolution even if it required fearful sacrifice of blood and treasure. But circumstances alter caseS and now, lorsooth, their battle cry is 'the Union;' and they threaten us with an army of half mi'lion 10 maintain |" the glorious Unlon,' which they then lienouacei with bitterness and mahgnity, which the dialect of the internal world could scarcely ex eel But here are the extracts: War between the northern and southern States let it come-Biaek republiea party of Da5uque
 have no doubt that and slave States ought to separate-J. Fn' ef tse Neu York Tribune
 It s the duty of the North in case they fail of electng president and Congress that will re- store freedom to kansas to revoutionize the go- verument.- Resolutions of Llaek republican meiiag in Wisconsin.
 pray daily that the accursed Union may be dis solved even if bieod has to be spt.- Btac& ytpub- iican clergyman of Pouyakeepsie, Ne,c York
 We earnestly request Congress, at it's present session, to take such initiatory measures for the speedy, peaceful and equitable dissolution of the existing Union, as the exigencies of the case may require.-B!aek republican petition to Congress-
 This Union is not worth supporting in connec- ton with the South.-HoYace Greeley.
 The constitution is reproach and league with tophet-W. L. Garrison
 Let the Union siide.-N. P. Banks.
 When the torch of the incendiary shall light up the homes of the South, though l may not laugh at her calamity, nor mock when her fear cometh, l shall hail it as the dawn of political milleniur. J. R. Giddinys.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11

PATRIoTrc.- Atlanta inteifigencer has heard it suggested that it is the intention of the members of the Provisional Gov ernment to initiate the example of Mir. Yan. cey, and pay into the common treasuary. the amount of their salaries during the war. It is said that the principal officeholders, who can afford it, intend to receive ouly half of their salaries, paying the other half for the benefit of the volunteers.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11
JAMES ". JACKSON, PROPRIETOR. CosvER KlyG- AND PiTr STREETS. ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
MARSHAL HOUSE.

VIRGINIA IS DErERMfxED, AND WILL CONQUER UNDER
 TILE COMMAND OF JEFF payi5
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11
x~ The county court of rpinwlddie, Va, on

.on-sy 'ast ,.pgiorfista'.. -'tD, ,0V1 iof va purposes, making tiie entire opriation by the county s55o,000.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-07-11
Genls Polk and HarGee.
RICHMOND, June 27, 1861.

We extract the following from the Mem phis Appeal: