Washington telegraph., 1863-10-28
LEwIsvILLE, ARK, Oct 13. 1868.

Mr.. Eokin-Dear Sir: In the last number
Of the Telegraph | notice an order from Gen.
Holmes assigning Gen. Pagan to the command
of all troops raised in this State for local de-
fence, under special order AZ by Cen Smith.
After due reflection, 1 regard this as most
excellent move. We see our homes now fall
ing into the hands of the enemy, and our people
almost ready to sink into helpless submission.
Our army is now moving in the direction of
Louisiana, and will doubtless be out of the
State in short time, which leaves the State
to her fate, and a sad and deplorable Que it
will be. There is much yet in our possession
in the State that is valuable, and worth fight
ing for, and if we would hold it. we must re-
sort to just such measure as this, and that
quickly. There is still in our State bone aid
muscle enough to stay the tide of invasion.
and protect the valley of Red River from a
large force of the enemy, and it becomes n one
better to DO tliis than those whose homes and
property are here. We have often heard men
say ''when the enemy comes here we will fight"
Well, he is here in all his terrors, shaking from
his nodding plumes the red dew drops of death,
and spreading desolation all over the land
We should meet him, not for courage not for
patriotism no, but for duty, and duty alone
The same motive that prompts US to expel the
robNer from our house, should now stir us to
rally to Gen. Fagan's heart-moving CALL
When run our negroes aud other property,
what? Where is all this tide going. and what
is to be done when it ceases 10 fog in? Pom
der these questions, and answer if it be not
better to stdnd-tu.n your negroes aud other
property to aiding and assisting the troops We
are to raise under this call, and there j. 40
doubt we save our State. 1t can be DONE
Gen. Pagan is the man to accomplish L. He
is one of us-rased here. with all his interests
here-he has made character here and on the
other side of the Mississippi river Among
the first to rally to his couutry's voice, be Is
still nobly doing battle for her. He has cour-
age lie has sense, he has modesty and he has
experience. He proposes to lead you-and he
will Eead and if he falls he will fall like Bayard
wrapped in the folds of the hig for which he
has periled his oil. Then you have your own
leader, to fight foi your own homes and fire.
sides and property. How long do you expect
others to spill their blood for you, while you
take up your time in marching to Texas or
elsewhere? to do, God only knows what! We
will hoye to meet the enemy at last, and |
would suggest. we meet him first on our own
soil, by way of getting our hanis in There
is no better place than here-no better time
than now. Texas cannot take care of us, and
does not really want us.
see no other hope Of saving our State than
in this plan. Let us, then, do something-let
us redeem our country-let us see if victories
cannot crown our efforts even here! Already
hear of four companies being formed for this
service, and many individuals preparing to en-
list. God speed them. Let us work then in
earnest to make up this command, and what
nucleus it will be for our hopes to form and
cluster around 1t will truly be command
of which Gen. Pagan might well be proud.
To this | know he will devote his whole ener-
gies and abilities Come, one and all. and let
us make the stand, and strike one more hlow,
if it be the last, for our suffering State. If
tnen we must surrender her, let 1t be amid
smoke and carnage of battle-let the end be
terrible at all events. For one, VIII be the
proudest man in Am erica, if the State will yet
rise and strike blow, such as men nerved by
every holy and sacred consideration can strike.
Push this forward, Mr.. Eakin, and do all you
can for it, and you will do more to make our
people love you while alive and cherish your
memory after Sou, than by writing books upon
the probable duration of the war and its pro-
oaoie consequences. While this is right and
just, 1t is feasible and if ''there is life in the
old land yet" it will and must succeed. |
have no heart to write about anything else
therefore can give you no news.
Yours respectfully,
SOUTHERN.