Des Arc semi-weekly citizen., 1861-05-24
LETTER FROM CAMP RECTOR.
CAMP RECTOR, MOUND Cry, ARK, FIVE MILES ABOVE MEMPHIS,
 May 18th. 1861.

ous companies composing this regiment took
 the oath of allegiance to the State of Arkan-
 sas. The oath is the same as that taken by
 the troops of the Southern Confederacy, ex- cept substituting the State of Arkansas in place of the Southern Confederacy. .s ,e
 But a great many soldiers were dissatisfied l in being compelled to enlist for i2 months, un-
 derstanding when they came here that they l were to be mustered into service for only three
 months So they determined to go home, and | majority received an honorable discharge
 from the Captains of their respective compa- nies but some did not obtain discharge, and
 they were ignominiously drummed out of camp
 to the tune of the "Rogus March," But still,
 this question of enlistment was good excuse
 for few, and only few Tam glad to say, who
 came here on frolic and having found out
 their mistake were glad of an opportunity to
 back out I am proud to say that none of our company are included in this catalogue. l The election for officers of the Regiment
 took place on Tuesday, and resulted in the
 election of Capt. Cleburne for Colonel, A. K. Patton Lieutenant Colonel and J. E. Glenn Major. The result gave more general satis-
 faction than that of any election l ever wit messed before. The troops were quiet and or
 derly during the day, but when it was finally
 known how the election went, cheer after
 cheer was given for the successful N2ndidates. Every man here felt the weighty responsibii- l ty which rested on him in the proper election l of our officers. In time of peace much anxie- 1 ty is exhibited in choosing legislators to pro-
 tect our property and interest, then how much
 more anxious should the troops be now in time of war, for upon the election of good officers, | who are thoroughly competent to guide us 1 safely through this coming struggle, depend l not only the success of our enterprise, but our
 lives, property and happiness are in their hands for them to determine. Good officers are the soul of an army. This truism has been demonstrated to the world in all past ages.-- Officers of inferior talent have destroyed im-
 mense armies by their want of skill and expe- rience as we'll as determined the fate of Em- pires in manner contrary to the wishe, and feelings of their inhabitants. Good officers on the contrary, with but handful of men, have accomplished such mighty results as to make the world gaze in wonder and admira- tion. Leonidas at Thermopyla is but one of
 the many instances on record of this charac- ter.
 The election to the responsible position of Major of the Regiment of Col. J. E. Glenn, caused great rejoicing among the Rector
 Guards, although we regretted very much the necessity of being separated from him, yet, we
 were proud to know that he was elevated to such position, and was held in such estima-
 ton by the regiment at large. His gentleman ly department, his skill and experience as
 military man, his many virtues endearing him to the heart of every one he came in contact
 with, all contributed to make it a desc yed and
 merited compliment.
 Our other superior officers, Co.'s. Cleburne | and Patton have wide reputation for their a. bility and experience, and will no doubt reflect new honor on themselves in the coming clash of arms Our First Lieutenant, Colonel Glenn, hav- ing been elected to Major, our End. and 3rd. Lieutenants were promoted, and an election was held on Thursday for 3rd. Lieutenant, which resulted in the election of M. M. Erwin for that position.
 Divine service was held here last Sunday and was largely attended by the troops. We will have services every sabbath in future and they will not be confined to any particular sect or denominations. &
 A splendid flag, which it is said cost $500, was presented to the Jefferson Guards last Wednesday by delegation of ladies from Pine
 Bluff. The presentation speech was made by Miss Bocage, and the flag was received on the part of the company by Captain Carlton.- The motto on the flag is s.fat justitia, ruat cGlum."
 Another flag was presented on Thursday evening to our Regiment by the same ladies, the presentation speech being made by Miss Lillian Rozelle of Pine Bluff. It was the f- nest effort for lady I ever witnessed. The flag was received by Col. Cleburne. It is beautiful flag, and on it's bright folds are in- scribed the appropriate motto from the ladies "Our hearts are with you" f After the presentation was over, Col Me 1 Rae came forward and publicly resigned his temporary appointment of Colonel command ant of this post As you know his reputation for speaker it is useless for me to say how he acquitted himself on this occasion. He was answered by Col. Cleburne in short but l appropriate speech, thanking him in the name 1 of the Regiment for the faithful performance