Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-05-01
4 Guerilla War.

If in the adoption of new lines of defence,or the
 possession, by the enemy, of the Mississippi river and it's tributaries, Missouri Arkansas port of
 Louisiana and Texas are thrown outside of the lines, thev will be compelled, in self defence, to resort to a guerilla war. l. 80 happens that these States are peculiarly fitted for this mode of war ] fara There ia n vast extent of diversified conn try, spaisely settled, except on the principal rivers with swamps and mountains aiording places ofre treat There are few railroads and the rivers in the summer are too low to enable the foe 10 move on boats The federals my march over our State, but they never can hold it forany length of time, if men who are determined u be free will organize companies and war upon them. The fedeTals may occupy our cities and move in large bodies, over the country, but with guerilla bands around them, ready to cut off every strggler or forging party and to destroy their trains the permanent occapa- ton of the country would be rendered an impossi- blity Their policy will be to profess respect for proper.y until they shall have established their gov ernment over us and police system. Then they will commence confscatng all property and dirid ing our lands. This government must not be per mittedto extend beyond their military lines and they should be so hanassed as to eforced to with draw.
 Two objections have been urged against this mode of partisan warfare One is, that it is cruel and relentless war, and the other, that nds of robbers calling themselves gueriIlas will roam over tho country, Fillaging friend and ice. There is some weight the first objection; but very lttle in the second. When q patriot is driven to the swamps or mountains he takes his life inhis hand and is resolved to sell 1t tas dearly as possible All commanders ofinvading armies dread gnelillas, for they know that if an incessjnt warfare is kept up against them, in time their force must be weak ened as to make a retreat necessary Hence they show no mercy. The infamous Fremont and no less infamous Halleck by their barbarites in Mis- souti tried to ntmdate patriots there. Gaerillas were shot or hung caught and in return, the guerlas took no prisoners. 1t is true that it Is cruel warfare, but that tells well against the enemy as for him. If the invaders execute their prisoners they seal the fate of every one of their pickets or scouts, or forlgers who come witlin rifle range of a Confederate. Partisan warfare is the primitive mode and IS the natural one adopted by people to resist an invader IL is re- sorted to at first until large armies can be gathered and when they are defeated and scattered, then to annoy the foe until he is compelled to retreat.
 As to armed bands oi thieves securing the coun- try under the preence of being guerilla bands the objection has little force These maurauders are found where there are large armies of whose slow movements they can keep appraised and from whom they can keep ata distance. In the first revolution they called themselves COW boys and shinners and followed the respective armies, or lowered about the neutral ground set of these rascals followed Price and proes ed to be patriots Others calling themselves jayhawkers, follow or hover about the federal army. A guerilla vsr is destrpptiye to