The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-12-09
WHOLE NO. 373.
Letter from G.. C. Wood,

Letter from G. c. Wood.
LITTLE Rock, Ark, Nov. 11th, 'G3.
Dear Times: There is nothing of exciting
interest here, and in my opinion::there will
not be for some time to come, as there is
but little left for the Army of the Arkan.
sas to perform in tn: State, other than to
defend ii against rebel invasion, until there
is sufficient number of State troops or
ganized for its self defence. Recruiting
for Arkansas Regiments is meeting with
success in many parts Of the State. Com
panies Of the Mountain Feds" as we
term them, are being rapidly formed in this
section. Trey are all to be mounted.
When they scour the country in search of
those guerilla bands that plundcred and
deselated their homes, they are determined
to have Revenge. The stories many of
them tell Of the depredations committed on
themselves and their families, are unpara!.
leled in civilized country. These men
who are now joining the Union Army Of
Arkansas know full we'll the desolating ef-
fects Of this rebellion, and how they have
been dragged into its embrace. They can
now see plainly the unceasing Liars that
have been at the head leading them to de-
struction. They hail with joy the shrine
of Liberty planted as it once was in their
prosperous State. The downfall of slavery
will not be serious barrier to its future
prosperity. Its prospects as an agricultur-
al State are very good. The soil is rich,
its prairies extensive, and, judging from
the geological researches made, the State
possesses great amount of miner;l wealth
which will be nnfolded by the energetic ard
industrious. The citizens of Little Rock
are beginning to think that the Yankee
soldiers are human beings and rot beasts
for several days after the capture of the
place by our forces the ladies kept them.
selves shut up or confined in their houses
to escape the violence which they expected
to meet at the hands Of the Yankee army.
Depredatons eere committed by few
men of our advance, but, by the vigilance
OF our military commander. law and order
were soon established, so that business
transactions of all kinds are conducted in
proper manner, to the satisfaction of both
citizens and soldiers. Several merchant
traders from Memphis have come to Little
Rock with goods Of all kinds, which meet
with ready sale at cxhorbitant prices.
The citizens generally are inteIip ent, and
are eastern in their habits. The town is
well laid out, and has usually been lighted
with gas; it contains many expensive
dwellings which stretch back on the retired
streets from the river The town, in com
mercial point Of view, possesses no superi-
or advantages; but if connected with
Memphis by rail, distance Of over 12o
poets, with a rich agricul ural country sur
rounding to support it. Both ends of the
road are already completed 40 miles, which
leaves 40 miles in the center yet incom,
plete. As regards the Arkansas, old set
tiers tell US it is only navigable to this
point oace in many years.
Pine Bluff, SO miles from here, where
were stationed the lst Missouri and 9th
Kansas, comprising 600 men, was attacked
by Marmaduke with 2,l0O men and six
pieces of artillery the fight lasted several
hours and resulted in the repnlse Of the
rebel band by the heroic valor of the 600.
The Colonel commanding vas asked to
surrender, but the staunch reply was
Death or victory to the last man." A
despatch was sent here ard cavalry force
was sent in pursuit, when it was reported
that Marmaduke was returning, having
been reinforced. Measures are being adop.
ted to retard his further operations in that
section. GEO. c. WooD.