The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-12-31

t 90, 900 men. Ifyou don't, this Departmen
is gone and Arkansas must and will see
protection elsewhere
Gen. Holmes has no. plan of campaign
Hindman is in the North West with som
$4,000 men. But the centre, under Roane
, and few other stupid political appointee
Of Hon. r. w. Johnson, is too far off t
support him. The centre' in turn cannot b
supported BY the right under Hindman, o
the left under Churchill at Arkansas Post
While the latter place, If at acked, canno
oe supported and must fall. Besides, Gen
o., although good soldier, is, in my opinion
'ncomPetent to the command. speak o
these things as against offensive movements
upon the part Of the enemy. As for often
sive movements upon our part Gen Ho,rue
has undertaken none. Nor docs he ever
/ contemplate it. If our troops remain her,
they ought to 60 into Missouri at once
| But, as said in my last letter, all the SOL
diers on this side the river, except abou,
5000 mounted men to keep out maurading
bands onght to be sent across the Mississippi
river. For, every man sen. from tnis side
the river, forces the Federals to send one tc
meet him. Thus, Arkansas would be relieved
Of friendly and hostile army both. Then
holding Vicksburg and its approaches in the
meantime, and our people being left free to
SOW and reap in peace, we can supply the
whole army on the East side of the river.
But, by all means send Price here, and le,
him 60 into Missouri. He would be received
with the widest enthusiasm. If he is not
sent we are ruined.
know that certain politicians from our
State talk differently. They either don't
know what they talk about, or are subser-
wing some selfish ends at the cost OF the peo-
pie. I know that I have long been the VIC
tim OF petty partizan intrigue there, but. as
having been the chosen representative Of half
the people Of Arkansas in the Federal Con.
gress, and as that verdict has never been set
aside by them, have the right to speak,
and do, In their name and behalf, most SOL
emnly urge these views upon you. be-
seech you not to listen alone to politicians
who, repudated and kicked ont Of power in
1860, were so unmanly as to crawl back into
like places when the country was in arms /.
| beseeth you not to let their selfishness be
our ruin. While would scorn to ask this
Tor myself, I can 10 so cheerfully for my
people.
This letter, for the present. desire should
be considered as private and confident al"
Your obt. serv't,
E. W. GNATT.
His Excellency Jefferson DAVIS"
My appeals did not even elicit response
Time wore on. Ny predictions proved true
Hindman was defeated at Prairie Grove. -
His shattered columns, over snow and ice !;
half clad, and half fed. wound their toiIsome
way back to Little Rock. About 5000 went
home by force. Churchill was attacked at
Arkansas Post, but being cnt-off from the
hope of succor, the place was surrendered
after feeble resistance. Mr.. Davis had
been warned time and again of these dan.
gers. But Hindman was his pet and protege.
Sending Price would interfere with Hind.
man and would likewise give opportunity
'or diAtnct,on to a man he hated. This no
BILE and good old man, who is Statesman
and soldier, has been meanly and malig.
nantly disparaged and oppressed by Mr..
Davis since the commencement of the war.
OUR PEOPLE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CON.
DUCT OF Mr.. DAVIS.
Our people, after these reverses, were
more disheartened than ever. They clam
ored for Hindman's removal and trial. Gen.
Pike preferred the charges and went to Rich.
mond in person to prosecute them. But Mr..
Davis smuggled Hindman back on the other
side of the river, and gave him the dignified
and appropriate position of President Of a
Court Of Enquiry to investigate the conduct
of one other pet of his, Gen. Mansfield Low.
ell, who SO ingloriously surrendered New
Orleans-commencing in, Louisiana, what
Hindman completed in Arkassas. But as
to add insult to injury, Mr.. Davis, at last,
"endorses" openly, the acts of Hindmap,
and to add to your shame and humiliation
gives him command of division in Br agg's
army! Humanity stands appalled,, and
Reason aghast at such acts Of perfdy, base
ness and cruelty
Oh my countrymen your suffering has
been indescribable - inconceivable We
thought we were fighting for Constitutional
Liberty, when q tyrant was most mercilessly
treading that Constitution under his feet by
every act Of outrage and oppression that
conquered people can feel! And after near
| ly two years of strife. we awaken from fear
full baptismal of blood, to the terrible truth,
that the shadow of the despotisp which we
fed from under Mr.. Lincoln, disso,ves into
nothiAgness compared to the awful reign OF
tyranny that we have groaned under at the
hands Of Jefferson Davis and his minions
will we profit by such awakening. 1t re.
mains to be seem
The army that Hindman raised and off.
cered here against authority, and "withou,
suthori,y," has, by disease, death and de-
sertion dwindled to mere handful Of men.
The same material, If il had never been thus
organized, or, If after organization It had
been sent to Bragg as he entered Kentucky
would have enabled him to be on the Ohio