Washington telegraph., 1863-10-21
Adj't 4th Ark Reg't.
Maj. j. A. Ross, Commanding.
(Camden Herald please eopy)
LEwIsvILLE, ARK, Oct 13. 1863.

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 refec ton, 1 regard this as a 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 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 a measure as this, and that
quickly. There is still in our State bone aud
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 ts than those whose homes and
property 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 desolaton 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
rob'er from our house, should now stir US to
rally to Gen. Fagans heart-movng CALL
When We 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 il be not
better to .tdHd-tuln your negroes and other
property to aiding and assisting the troops We
are to raise under this call, and there j. no
doubt we save our State. Ii can be DONE
Gen. FagaD is the man to accomplish L. He
Al
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 il
still nobly doing battle for her. lie has cour
age lie has sense, he has modesty and he has
experience. He proposes 10 lead you-and he
will iead and if he falls, he will fall like Bayard
wrapped in the folds of the fg for which he
has periled his all. Then you have your own
leader, to fight fo 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 have 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 u.s. 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 crowa 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 a
nucleus it will be for our hopes to form aud
cluster around 1t will truly be command
of which Gen. Pagan might well be proud.
To this l 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. II
tnen we must surrender her, let 1t be amid
smoke and carnage of battle-let the end be
terrible at all events. For one, | will 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 ycu while alive, and cherish your
memory aftei gou, than by writing books upon
the probable duration of the war and its pro-
baole 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.