The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-09-04

Gen. Holmes Succeeded in Com
mand by Gen. Price.
Gen. Kirby Smith Made PrOviS-
iOnal Secretary Of War;"

From the Memphis Argus, Aug. 25
The arrival in this city, within the past
day or two, of several gentlemen from
different portions of Arkansas, has aced
us in possession of very late military in
formation from that State regarding the
movements and designs of the rebel for
ces. We regard the information as trust
worthy.
1t will be remembered that few days
ago, in speaking of Arkansas matters, we
mentioned that Gen. Holmes had been laid
on the military shelf, Gen. Price, or "Old
Pap" as he is usually termed by his
soldiers, having succeeded in command.
This statement has had repeated confrma-
ton since then, and one of the gentlemen
to whom we are indebted for the informa-
ton published in this issue, tells the same
story. Gen. Price is certainly in immedi-
ate command of the Confederate forces of
Arkansas. Gen. Holmes is sick, and it is
generally understood that, if he has not
already done so, he will resign as soon as
he RECEIVERS. Some viii hardly believe US,
but our infOrmants state it as a positive
fact, that not a few, in and out of the
army, express the wish openly that "old
granny Holmes would be taken to Heaven,
where he belonged"-an expression which
can be regarded as compliment or 9TH
erwise, as the reader chooses to con-
strue it.
General Price is said to retain his old
popularity among his troops, and it is prob
ably to that fact that the COnfederates
have managed to retain even the SEM
blance of an army; for while it was I'M
der Holmes in person it was generally
considered as worse than no army at ALL
Regarding the condition of the men, we
learn that it is by no means fattering to
the resources Of the quartermaster. They
are wretchedly clothed, but are reported
to be not deficient in such articles of pro-
vision as corn bread and pork.
Sixteen miles this side of Little Rock,
at point said to possess considerable adj
vantages in the way of natural detences,
Gen. Price had massed the troops under
his immediate command. We learn that
he is having the point fortified as rapidly
as his facilities admit. 1t is generally I'M
derstood throughout that section of the
country that here he designs making a
stand, and fight the battle that will decide
the fate of Arkansas.
In former article we mentioned that
Price and Marmaduke had left Bayou Me-
taire for Jacksonport and Augusta. Price
advanced soon afterward to his present
position, leaving Marmaduke with a force
at Jacksonport. Here the latter remained
until upward of week ago, when he join
ed Price. 1t was understood that all the
troops Price can muster from different
portions OF the State are being massed at
the point mentioned.
Our infOrmants also give another state
ment which has never yet reached the
country. Lieut.. Gen. Kirby Smith, as is
well-knOwn, is now, as he has been for
nearly a year, in command of what is
termed the Confederate Trans. Mississippi
Department. Until recently his powers
have been no greater than those usually
granted to department commands; but
the victories achieved by Gems. Grant and
Banks, resulting in the opening of tie
Mississippi, thus for all practical purposes,
by aid OF gunboat patrols and other means,
completely isolating from the east all that
section lying west of the river, have COM
PEELED a new arrangement 1t is stated
to us as fact now becoming generally
known in Arkansas, that general Smith is
invested with additional powers as "Pro-
visional Secretary of War;" as the Arkan-
slams term it, with full power to act as he
deems best, without awaiting general Or
ders from his War Department. His
headquarters are at Little Rock, which
is now the grand centre of confederate