The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-20
NEWS FROM ARKANSAS.

NEWS FROM ARKANSAS.
ARMY iMPREssMENTs-BEN. M'CuLLocH COURT MAR
TAILED.
RoLIA, Doc. is, 1861.
Union refugee from Arkansas says Governor Rector
has issued proclamation requiring all persons 10
the ages of sixteen and forty five to join the army. The
persons charged with the execution Of the order
relentless and the citizens being arrested
and imprisoned.
Ben. McCuloch had been summoned TO Richmond to
answer charges preferred against HIM for nsedlessy
Burning property Of Southern men, and for refusing to
reinforce Price when the latter pursued by the Union
troops McCullochs forces were in winter quarters
in Benton county Arkansas. Six regiments Of Indians
were in his camp
All Union men from Roa were being arrested on
their arrival at Springfield at the instance of John
Price, lately released from arrest at st. Louis
The Union Prisoners in Richmond.
PATRIOTIC ArREALS IN BEHALF OF THE SUFFERING
soLDiERs-GENERoUs OFFER OF CONGRESSMAN
ELY, ETC.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1861
Chaplain Mines brought, among large number Of let
for friends and relatives of the prisoners at Rich
mond. the following letters, franked by Congressman
Ely. They touching appeals for clothing, which,
under the arrangement made by General WOOL may now
BIO forwarded for the relief Of the sufferers
LETTER FROM QuARrERMAsTER HART.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, Esq New York
no object OF this communication is to Call the atten-
ton OF your readers TO tho condition of the
federal prisoners nj this point 1t calls every emotion
Of the souls pity as we have behold from day to day
their perfect desntuton and suffering have been tIe
quenty inquired Of by the pao and sickly, half clad,
heart broken soldier from homo and in prison in an
enemy's land, W3ien will our government send Us
clothing and blankets Do you know Lieutenant Aud
have heard them say despondingly, III friends
but suppose they think the will see to it,"
have seen the tears trcke down their che ks Repeated
OF this kind esby described prompted the noble
hearted Ely to make the proposition that clip from tho
Enquirer OF this morning Tho soldiers refused it, be-
they love their Country; and as they had volun
tccred in her service they still believed she would come
70 their relief and still they safer use the term
g half Clad. II is not axaggcraton have seen them
dirty, and pale from long confinement, without Shoes
with only drawers for pants Hundreds Of them have
been sent South to other quarters in this condition.
posed TO the gaze of tho curious and excited crowds As
generous the pro position OF the Hon. Alfred Ely it
would avail little at the present list OF prices here The
confederate soldiers are supplied by home cont buttons
with all If Dir. Ely IN his paca IN Con-
gross he could present the in such light
would the whole heart of The people to throb with
sympathy for tbs prisoners, and institute at once
TEN Of exchange demanded by every principle of jus
ticc and humanity. The first sent by the corfcderatcs
was seventy which was promptly responded 70 by our
government Last week Ave sJnt by the fcic
raj government and promptly responded - by the con-
retierae government This principle applied and carried
out would exchange ovory man Of VI once. Shall
have itY cots Let it II would be act
Of puret bcnevolencc and would Gail forth blessing
hca and hearts that the movers IN the mat
than any act that could or has presne itself TO
Christian world in this the noon OF the nineteenth cen
fury Three thousand prisoners have their eyes turned
to the government Thor numerous friends at homo
arc all looking and praying for their exchange. Shall
they look vainY May all that is holy good or patriotic
forbid IT, and may God blessings descend upon that
heart that just is the pray 4 ono Of the prisoners
a; Richmand to which all the fsst res ondmAmen
Yours respectfully, j. W. HAKI,
from the Richmond Enquirer, Icc. d.
sUFFaRsG.
The Yank 20 prisoners in this city beginning
to feel the Of proper clothing. Congressman Ely
has very generously offered learn to expend S. 600
OF his privae meas which are quite ample in order to
purchase them necessary clothing but his Fellow prison.
ers decline permit him to do that which their govern
ment Should long since have recognized as binding
dGy.
A LETTER FROM WIN. ". GAGE. OF THE SEVENTY
NINTH REGIMENT.
PRsoNEss' QUARTERS, dJHMoSp, VA, Nov. IL, 1861.
TO tho Error THE HERALD New York
We seize happy opportunity. offered by private
hands to send you a few items, which may not b unac
cop,able those Of your readers Interested il The wei
fare OF the prisoners OF war confined in this CITY We
are about fifteen hundred in number. AS many more
have been forwarded southwark u Charleston, Coum
bia Tuscaloosa, New Orleans and Raleigh AS sacred
duty which TO ourselves TO friends and 10
humanity we consider that compelled make
staten MT OF few facts knowing the recital will
be Sufficient to call forth prompt remedial action We are
nearly naked. Nearly five months have elapsed since
the eyctul 1st OF July. Since that dnte we have not
had change OF clothing. Tie few tat:ered rags that
hang around shvoring frames the INFANTS Of
from Washington prior 20 the battle Of Manassas 1t is
not All unusual sight to soldier OF the Union shrink
| from observation with no other apparel Than single
shirt pair OF tatered pants Is it not our right as
| soldiers Of the United States Army, 10 demand
| clothing? Does government imagine that we arc
| clothed by confederate authorities, or that Its
garments ndistructsbo BY tmc and hthf Massa-
chusets has generously sent abb ndany clothing to her
soldiers captured only month since at Leesburg Shall
\ no. men, who have proven themselves equally loyal
through i've months Of suffering and dnprivaon at least
protected by apparel sufficient TO satisfy the demands
OF dec ncyS Please mako such appeal, If any may be
needed you may deem proper 10 the occasion 1t is
understood AT Richmond that Congressman Ely is to be
exchanged for Mr. Faulkner late Minister to France and
that he il his way from Fort Warren to this city
We rejoice that Mr. Ely is TO be released from his i'm
/ prisonment which he has honorably borne for
i've long months. We shall all regret his departure,
his kindness the prisoners has endcared him TO all
| He has tho respect OF tho whole. His offer TO ad
vance five thousand dollars out OF his private
to relieve destitute soldiers entities him to the graft
| tude OF our army and government.
Your cbedient, WILLIAM W. GAGE,
Company A, Seventy ninth regiment, N. Y. S. NJ,
/ No. Jones street, New York