Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-08-14
FROM TIE TRANS-MlSSISSIPpI.

bring it within rurgc Of the human voice.
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FROM TIE TRANS-MlSSISSIPPl.
ISrEClAL CoeREsroS DEScE OF TIE ENQUIRER.
LITTLE Rock, ARKANSAS
July 10Th, 1863.
|. The fall Of Yicksbure renders the Trans
Mississippi Department almost self-dependent
of difficult commu7;cation with the Capital o.
the Contederacv, and an object therefore u
increased Importance and interest to the States
| and people East Of the Mississippi.
violate no military confidence hy stating
that Lieut.. Gen. f. Kirby Smiths headquar-
ters are in Louisiana, Gen. Holmes at Little
Rock, and that Gen. Price is in the field in
Northern Arkansas. Cen. Mag uder is also
understood to be in the field, but his distance
from US prevents any further statement in re.
gard 10 his movements. Red river is POSSESSED
ut present through its whole length by our
whole forces The Ouachita ia defended at
llarrisonburg, a point some thirty miles from
Natchcz, and ten or twelve miles above the
confluence Of the Tensas, Ourhita and Little
rivers which several streams form the Black
river ut Trinity; this latter emptying into the
Red. The Arkansas is defended at Pine Bluff.
The White river, though little knOwn.-onc
Of the best naviSuble streams OIL this conti-
nent--is undefcnded by any works. 1t is nuyi-
gable at all seasons to Jacksonport, point
near hundred miles from Hclma, the nearest
fortified point Of the enemy. We haze forces
in the Indian countries as we'll ~ at various
interior points. 1t will thus be observed that
our forces extend over and occupy vast ter
ritory-an empire. not only in extent, bat III
resources.
Gen. Smith, now occupying one Of the most
important positions in the Confederacy, be-
cause holding in great degree the doStinics "t'
this vast section in his hands, it will he source
Of profound qualification to the Government
and people uf the States cust Of the Mississippi
to know, possesses in Il singular manner the
enthusiastic con n"dcnce Of army and people
This, itself. would 20 far to render mediocre
ability successful. But there are most COLI
vincng reasons to believe that. besides being
IL field marshal of brilliant caplcity, he pos
sesses also that higher qualification for the
post he fills, cmin"At administrative dbVity.-
Under his comprehensive measures ami vigi-
lint eye, the nitre bureau isactivc. lead mines
are being opened, manufactures Srrin.ing up,
and whatever is necessary to our separate and
s61l-NltIlchucuL pUSlliOH 10 tNcI IS"HcTc IIb-
crossing in Il manner nj once tn give hope ann
manifest. Much ufthiS is not now apparent
to the popular eye; but is none the less surely
matter of fact, and known to the informed
Whatever may be the future of this most dihi
cult department at pres.nt.wc have much to
hope from our resources and our leader.
In addition to the foregoing hopeful state
ment may add that never did Providence
before bless any land with such treasures
from the soil. The cornucopia of plenty has
been so prodigally emptied in the laps Of our
people that it is believed the present crop
would supply all the waats cf this department
for three years to come, even if VIC should, in
the future. Lc denied the ordinary harvest.
In recent military movements we have sue
cesses and defeats blended. Under the inu-
ence Of the fortunate star Of Cen. smith, his
| more immediate vicinity has witnessed some
very gratifying operations, most important di
| which is the capture of Brashear City, on the
coast with Il large number of arms, much
| needed ut this time. In our own neighbOr-
hood, the movement W on Helena. under the
| immediate command of Gen. Holmes, was
unfortunate, not only in its failure, bur in
very heavy losses of brave officers and men.
Tnasmuch as Fickshurg has fallen, the loss OF
| men is the only thing in connection with the
| enterprise tn be now regretted, rs the place
would had to have been given up almost i'm
mediately, az the attack took place on the
| same day with the fall of Hills City. The
movement originated in the impcrious neces-
| sity felt everywhere for the relief Of our sar-
rison Mt Tickshurg. The mistake was in the
point on the river which it was .iudiciouS to
occupy. The defeat excited no surprise, and
| cannot say has operated to farther prejudice
Gen. Holmes in the public estimation. 1t
| would be uncuudid to deny that he has drift
ed so far to lceward in the good opinion of
both army and people, as to make better abil-
tiles than he possesses necessary to success in
our difficult circumstances. MI, however.
award to him the need of praise for great
daring on the, field in the moment and point
of danger. In this respect he is much
praised.
General Price has lost nothing Uf his won
derful and Justly deserved hold upon the af
fections of his troops. lie only waits oppor-
tunity to rindicate the exalted opinion the
nation has conceived of him. lie simply lead
the troops in the Helena affair, and that they
were gallantly led is apparent from the list OF
killed and wounded at the almost impregna-
Bile breastwork. of that carefully fortified
stronghold. The immediate works ASST igned
for his attack were gallantly carried. The
failure Of others il not, so far us | have heard,
attributed to less gallantry on their part. but
to greater difficulties in the assault or moro
formidable resistance. 1t would not, perhaps,
be considered invilious. it is simply Just, to
say that Brigadicr Generals Parsons, Of
Missouri, and Fagan, of Arkansas behaved
with that intrepidity which spurns all per-
sonal danger, adding to the cnviable reputa.
ton each possessed before. They are both
| looked upon rs rising men.
Governor Reynolds, Of Missouri, is here, en-.
gagged in the labors Of his Office, which, owing
| to the confusion resultrg from the demise OF
| Governor jackson and the unfortunate condi'
| ton of the State, are no doubt difficult and
| onerous. His distinguished patriotism, expc-
| rience in public affairs and indcintigable in.
| dustry and vigilance. added to his good under
| standing with the Government and military
| authorities render him one of the most i'm,
portant as well as eifcien, agents in the pre-
sent great struggle in the West. lie seems
to appreciate the Importance Of tho position
he holds, and venture to predict that the
history of our Trans:Mississippi struggle will
reveal the fact that Missouri's executive ha.
not been unequal TO the OCCASION. The un
settled accounts Of the State with all pGrtic:
are being rapidly audited and liluidated.-
| Order and satisfaction must thus grow ou; u
confusion and complaint.
| From Missouri We hear that the spirit o
the people remains unbrot! zen. though for th'
time they are powerless. Partisan warfare
goes on in various quarters, accompanied by
the usual horrors which it we're bootleSs tt
! give you from here. -.
+ General JEFF. Thompson is AT present in thi:
city, full of hope and vig"r. which never ta:
| in his bosom. If he has not recently accom-
plished what was expected from his earlie
career it is because Of ine1orably advcrsecir
cumstance-. His time will certainly come.
On tbs 18th of August prczimoa most i'm