New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-20

power of resistance. oo.,-o
One intelligent uan, Thomss Williams, io'%V 20
q severe sufferer from rheumatism, wDlcn f"' A.
lis imnressmept into the Rebel service, -"
reonle of Arkansas even after the election OF n.'
had made nm thej, minds nevero go ontoi we 'l'OD
IL, IT, h.,sd left Davis and oil bis chqur, h"u
a.,o,od,bov ,yanted 10 see some effort OF the ""'
ernrnen, to destroy their rights pe'Ore 'H''
hostile position ~, rur PEOPLE.
Tbese politicians knew the people n'i"o' N'"', ~
obnsed and therefore, through the press, pun,
sroecbes and private Conversations tne feue'a'
Government and especially the Yankees were C. Il
,;a,o,slv represented as the incarnation OF evil
crueltv. and barbarian. The poison Of Islander had
rs eject. and in less than three months no Yankee
could have safely ret bis foot on the coil Of Arkansas
Since tbat tune, Williams added, something o!
reaction Lad taken place. portion OF The people
had failed to perceive my hostile intention ~ 'h'
Government, and began to believe they had been
Grossly deceived. The mass, however, had 20 ie"
sources OF information, and tho,o 30 corrupt, ana
their worst passions were 90 constantly addressed
that they remained buried in the ignorance witn
which Slavery demagogues had enshrouded men,
In addition 10 their deception, the people even tie
poorest were robbed under the name Of taxation 70
defray toe expenses Of The war-being informed u
was far better they should surrender bali Their prop
erty to aid their friends than be deprived OF 'ne
whole by their Northern foes.
Wien The Southern soldiers arrived in their midst,
the condition Of the Arkansans was deplorable IN
deed. Everything they had wac taken by the pr
Maj ut.lU e. 1
and barns were robbed at night and frequently CLOTH
ing and quilts carried of from their dwellings, some
times before the very faces of the owners, who u
they demonstrated, were called Odd Abolhionis's'
and threatened with direful vengeance.
In word the reign Of terror was absolute IN hr-
kansas and oil sane men in the State had become
weary of snd dqgustcd with war that had caused
them nothing but unmixed evil. Williams said he
believed three quarters Of the people would Purchase
Pence at any price that did not involve the lose OF
their independence meaning by this word, the same
rights thew had before the Rebellon) aud that the
submission Of the question 20 item in candid and
impartial way was all that was needed 10 sssure
their assent 10 a restoration Of the Union, without
any guarantees for Slavery, or any provision for III
extension.
So much superior did Williams eeem to almost al
hrksnsan, bad ever met especially non-.lsvehold
ers. in Intelligence end ratiocnstion thst asked hin
If he were native II The State lie replied that b
had lived in the State twen,y-hyee year, and FIVE II
Tennessee but that he was born and had resided fo
twe nty years in Seneca County, New-lorS-a fac
that accounted at once Tor bis higher mental condi
lion.
SUPPRESSION OF UNION SENTIMENT IN ARHAN
| SAS.
No one. IS have ssi5 would suspcot-I wa
about 20 say 10 one would desire-to End Union zen
tiuent to any extent in Arkan'ar, which seems IS
ia were specially adapted for tie home Of Secession
and The heart Of Rebellion. STILL loyalty exists Wit
many a. II did before the war have learned from
conversation with various citizens
Outwardy, slmosi every nsn assumes 10 be n Sc
cossiouist, whatever may be the interior feeling O
the private conviction; for in such course alone i
there the least fafeiy Dis;rust and doubtsre widely
difused, no one daring to confde in biz next-cool
neighbor or in bis relatives lest they should expose
him 70 some Of the odious committees thai niesi tie
south, and make it their business to mob end muir
der al rersons suspected of fidelity 70 the Union.
| Daring lat Autumn, am informed by several
trustworthy citizens Of Arkansas not less than forty
men were shot and hanged in Benton County alone
for cherishing hostile sentiments, az it WAS phrased
toward the South aud her institutions. They were
GENERALLY executed without any form or show o
iustice-being taken from their houses at the dea'
hour Of night gagged, aud carried away with dread
fol mystery. Wives, children mothers, imp.ored il
vain for the doomed. Their prayers aud cries wer
silenced with threats or with force.
The gong. generally disguised, hurried Of will
their victims, and tie next morning corpse wa
found hanging to tree, with buliet-perced hear
or cloven SKULL among the bushes, or By the road
eide.
No one asked questions; no one dared TO inquire
for often tie piicc Of curiosity was death.
Unlimited power was in tie hands OF a few merci
less tyrsrts, and when their names were antoned
,Ludder ran through The frame OF the hepess people
who had no remedy foF THEN accumulated wrongs NJ
protection from plumber, eontiagra,ion, or slaughter
Such are the blessings Slavery vouchsslcs; sucl
the beuisons the recognition Of " Southern Inde
peudence" would inIure!
TIE NATURE OF THE BAJrLE-GHoUND.
| The battle was fought in the extreme northwest
ern part Of Arkansas, in Benton County said % b'
one Of the richest in the State, though the par
through which our army passed looked rather ariC
and unpromising. The country is uneven and rough
containing many small hills and raviues, with
heavy growth Of scrub and post-oaks. Tie road
from Keetsyilie TO Benlobvile aid Fayetteville ar,
crooked, and generally difficult for The passage q
transportation. They are often lined with oaks anC
devious in their courses, aiiordng excellent oproru
pities for ambuscsde and sudden attack and, il
many places. small force could successfully resist
very largo one.
! The region known IA Pea Ridge extends from IL,
White River, on both aides of Sugar Creek. "a fai