Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-06-29
GEN. HOLYES-GEN. KIRBY SMITH = GENERAL
PRICE THE TRANS MISSISSIPPI ARMY AND
THE RICHMOND GOVERNMENT.
IRON the Mis- sslppian |

M Editor When, some months since, Lieut.. Gen.
Z. X. Smith and Maj Gen. Price we're ordered to the
department west OF the Mississippi, it universally
understood, and stated without explanation contra
Fiction that Gen Smith would lave command III the
department senior in rank, and Gen. Pcoe would be
assigned to active untrammeed command in the field,
where his great and admitted talents as the leader oil
armies would be made available to the country in this
the most trying and perious hour of its fortunes In
this the public have been sadly misled and deceived
Gen. Smith preceded Gen. Price bV few dlys TO Little
Rock and when Gen. Price met Gen. Smith on his way
70 Alexandria the latter frankly stated the former
that his Ger Smiths) expectations had been disap
pointed that Gen Holmes was in command would
remain in command Gen Price would be uhject Gen.
Holmes orders; that his (Gen Ss) presence
qured in Loui iana and that for the time but little
nothing could be done for Gen. Price and his command
Gen. Pice reported to Gen. Holmes at Little Rock his
name brought back thousands of the demorazed army
under Holmes he has earnestly pleaded for permission
to lead his to battle, all which eneaties have been
refused by Holmes; aud now to place Gen Price as far
possible from any foe, he has been ordered With his
whole command, to Jacksonport, Ark and might
well for the time be stationed in Australia.
At the time Jackson was being burnt By Grant, and
Vcksburg was being invested, Colonel Clay Taylor Of
General Prices staff crossed the Mississippi river Ar.
kansas witnessed the efforts making by the enemy TO
reinforce and feed Grants army and the practical
bility Of cutting of supplies and achievements from
the west bank CT the river He made Gppi-
cation 10 Holmes TO be allowed to take few heavy
guns and station them az point where the enemy's
ranspor. feet could be destroyed, Offering to work
private and gunner. Holmes army was doing nothing
never doing anything but dying, running and
being captured at Arkansas Post. But Col Taylors
apI lcation refused the ground that the enemy
would land and burn the country. THEY did not burn
Mississippi homes and pantaionsD General Price then
went in person to second Colonel Tay!ors application
al will CO. sal he aud take my division with me
and let the enemy land If he dare; II whip him back
into the river" BIT Holmes Doud ',os dloV anything
of the kind 10 be attempted
This is only instance ost of thousands in which
that cid imbecle has hwared all the Efforts Of tie best
officers and brayes in the South to aid in saving
the country. He had at one time 10000 men-earnest
determined, undaunted, lighting men, many of whom
had the gauntlet of death reach his army and
that host was scattered held in mud camps borne TO
the ground with the deed march, disheartsneJ, demos.
allied, ruined anuhilated, without fg ting one battle
or striking blow for the of our TERRITORY
or divert the enemy from the Gulf Safes. About,
$4,000 effective men remained when Gen. Price reached
Arkansas Now, when our fate rembles in the balance
$4,000 10 10000 men are held vice they neither
help Kirby Smith opposite Vicksburg, nor capture
Hele destroy the enemys means Of subsistence
nor threaten $. Louis nor anything else in Gods
word to aid our Gen Price chafes like acsged
eagle and can only lament his and his countrys fate
IL have done, and sought TO DO God knows, all that
was in my power; AIN in the ervics of my Govern
ment, and, good soldier, my first duty is 10 obey
orders and respect my superiors in rank. can only
hope that in some way, at some time, may be permit
ted TO serve eifeesuslly." This is the
language of that great and gallant chiefain Now in
Gods name will the administration thus eopardize
safety How long will this sta Of things continue?
know that genteman--an officer Of tie Govern
ment-a former IT, s. Senator has faithfully reported
the main facts of the the Secretary Of War at
Richmond. know that that officer is willing TO de.
pose oath before court Of chancery that, in his
solemn aud deliberate Judgment formed upon actual
observation Gen. Holmes has not capacity, unaided, TO
take carriage aud horses and make his way out of Ar
kansas.
Now, Mr.. Editor, we all have something at stake.
We want to be free from fate than death-from
Yankee thraldom We want country and Il home for
children 1t $ great people, numbered by millions
for whom We labor and suffer. IL is unpatTiouc end
criminal before God and country to be silent under
such abuses.
1t is proper to add that neither General Price, nor any
officer nor private of that army has the remotest
knowledge OF this communication; nor have they, or
any Of them, authorized requested the publication
OF these any other facts connected with that depart
ment. But honestly believing that silence was sin
against our dearest interests, l have made myself
sponsble for this article.
Very respectfully, &C.
j. W. TUCKER