True Democrat., 1863-04-15

hearts throbbed high with hope; ana many an l anxious gaze went far away northward where the oppressed were waiting for forms that came not, for the gleaming of mingled banners that never 1 gladdened into full frution Soonest on the field came the gallant nrst, with Frank Gordon at it's head, as when ,n the dread and the gloom of that tangled copse at Hartville he led them to the charge his best and bravest falling all around him. Then the hghtlnS third with Thompson in advance-always cool, cautious, wary-and the first presented arms, and they halted in column for the final struggle.- Lastly came the charging second, ana With It Jeans and Shanks-the former the gflm old nSht- CT that now scares the visions oi unlon men in Mssouri the lattor the same bold, daring, dashing. chlvalrous dragoon, with
 Red hand in the foray,
 Sage counsel in chamber" The field was surrounded by heavy rail fence, with openings one side for the varlons regiments and spectators to pass through, and 1t required but little stretch of the imagination to call up the knightly days of yore when plumes were rent and crests were shorn, and women crowned the manly sport with wreaths of flowers and smiles. The buges rang out their merry peas, the regl- ments sprang from li6tlessness to attention and at the northern gateway br Int and beautiful oavai- cade came gleamng through. Ill the youth, and the beauty, and the bloom of BatesvIlle were present; galy caparisoned steeds danced in the sunlight; black eyes, blue eyes, hazel eyes shot glancrs hot enough and wild enough to sra fever Tn the blood of age; old men forgot their cares and came creeping to the inner verge ot the square and looked up with joyful faces; old lac les, who came from the c0untrf--who came to see and cnioy---warmly capped their matronly hands, once fair and smoothe perhaps as any, and almost salo C would were q girl again"
 Not cloud was in the sky. The pale banners of old winter had faded far beyond the sunset shore, and the vail of his icy breath had been drowned by rejoicing streams and songs of unet ! tered birds. Natures old heart was rich ill sym | pathy, and the air sweet with the blush of the coming spring.
 1 Wosld it be just to particulaIize the ladies ! Why not? Let it go forth now to the South that, wherever blows fall thick and fast, wherever Greek meets Greek, there will Joe Shelby's Mis- souri cavalry brigade proclaim the Batesylle girls | the faire5t of the fair. and
 " Their empire shalllast
 ,Til the red flag by inches is torn from the mast.' | There was Miss NV, the beautiful, the daring, the flashing, the fascinating" Die ernon" | with world of me lning in her wild, black eyes, | and a glance like the sunlight that flashes on 1 steel.
 There was Miss E--W, young and beautiful with step as free tue wild sdzee; and there was Miss t..--B polished as an icicle, but warm an admiring as young loves first dream. There was l Miss E.--,and Miss S.--,and Miss P.--, and Mrs. C.---and many. many others, and they watched the drill of tue battle scared veterans; and they knew they were exles: and they spoke kind words of cheer and hope, and the men, | thrlllc with old memories of home, swore deeper VOWS, lighted sterncr fires than ever yet to defend | the ladies of Arkansas.
 The champion companies were and C of the Ist: of tie 2l and A and K of tue :}rd. The drilling began in earnest. The companies were admirably disciplined, and walked and moved with | the position o veterans Finally, the contest mar rowed down to A of the l5t, and K of the ;rd. The prize was three days turlough, and both parties felt their honor Ut stake, and srugg ed l manfully-not to win so much the prize the credit.
 The judges were Col. J. T. Cearnel, the same | that led almost forlorn hope at Elk Horn, and was badly wounded; Capt. W Nj. Price, and Gen. | MarmaGuke's adjutnt, Capt. G, G. W llams.- The two companies drilled and drilled, and the ladies admired, and finally it was determined to dismiss them fDr the day, and render a verdict the next morning.
 Company A, of the lst regiment, is that com nany of Mlssoulians which were detained De- [ yalis' Bluff 1as: summer, and, ladies of Little Rock it is the same company that won your beau tiful flag sent to Gen. Marmaduke to be given to the bravc9t company in the next engagement.
 When the company drills were over, Col. Shelby gave command for grand brigade movement, and squares were formed; movements en ectle0a in column in every way laid down in Hardee, were executed with great rapdity and skill. The a dies we're dchghteJ the spectators of all kinds were delighted, and the men were delghted- Never was q command III HHeF SlTltS never OLt more eager for the rough, red fray.
 The brigade has been abused, and abOmnated, and cursed, and reviled never by those who had arms in their.ha to make their islanders good, it is true but 1t is fact nevertheless They will wash out in their next fight all the wrongs they have committed, and they have committed some, but time will yet prove that they are not as low, not as despicablc as has been represented ID your | beautiful ctty.
 The pageant closed at sundown with three grand dress parades, and the large crowd dispersed, eX pressing great satisfaction at the result. The judges decision was that of tie between compa- nies A and K, so both obtained the furlough And whatever of skill and proficiency company has | attained Is almost due to Col Kelly, of Gen tral Parson' E command. In Ms5issipp $ sultry swamps he drilled us, that noble old Roman, with eyes ol fire and words of deep but generous energy. God bless him, Many brave heart thinks of hlm often, and many prayers go up that he may receive command pronortionatc to his fine intellectual and military abilities.
 The brigade is in splendid spirits they are keen and eager for q move, and just turn them loose once more for the Missouri river, let Joe Shelby lead them with the dev of blood ill his heart, and the hatred of tbeoppres5or in his bold quick mind, | and the war will be carried into Africa. He Is the lol of his men, daring as Murat, anu as tena- cious as Mascara.
 have trcspassed too long. Mr. Editor, upon your pAtience but in after times, when We arc on the war path, and the red tide ot var IS driven back from your borders, yoQ will at east speak words of encouragement, ani not believe all that | is told to our dl5cr1dyt. We m)urn that Gen. Hindmqn has left us. He was our irend-brave, Fnoble intellectual, and chivarous, and Missouri ans prayers will follow him with anxious longing l beyond the water
 When the warfare is over, when peace strikes records with her history; when glorious cause shall rise beautiful from it's urn of death aud chamber of decay, with the glory of Gods eternal blessing on it's wings, and the bloom oi eternal youth on its crest then, let our past be written; then let the song go forth:
 "Ah. soldiers, to your honored rest
 Your truth and valor beaming;
 The bravest are the tenderest,
 The loving are the daring"
 FIRST REGIMENT.