, 1864-01-09

Little Rock is guarded by at 1east 5000
men We include those detachments, which
though at distance, yet serve ns advance
guards radiating from the Capital It was
won with scarce st1ugglc-a slight skirmish
and the enemy retreatcd. It WAS not Pricc's
intention to offer battle. To save appear
and to prevent too rapid demoralization of
his own forces, was our advance opposed:
he offered slight resistance This opposf-
tion has, by some erratic Imagination In the
Tines, been magnitled into sanguinary bat
Tie, where were displayed the consummate
strategy and brilliant talent Of favoritc
General-mythical oil. Had the writer just
finished Amadis de Gaul, or Baron Nun
cLausene Well might the General e1claim,
''saye me from my friends!'' for the Hattery
of The Times has too much significance. The
arsenal was untouched. No public building
was dcIaccd.
Though preparation had been made to
cvacuate, yet VIC came upon them unawurcs,
and this, to some extent, affords the solution
Of the little injury done In their retreat. It
wes with undignidcd haste.
But tour hold on til, Capital is
strong and 1t Will not be wrested from u.s.
Upon 1t depends the speedy organization Of
The State under the proclamation, and its
restoration to tho sisterhood. By its occu-
patton is the Union element of the State
evoked, upheld and fostered. The power of
the Government thus manifested, eause the
sshaint Of heart' to rally, and mountain, cave
and forest glen TO yield spirits brave, vtgtlznt,
eager for fight, painting for revenge. Even
under the assurance Of constant Government
aid The Union men will work ont the saliva.
tion Of Ibis State, in fcar ind trembling. The
occupation and retreat from Faycttyllle Reem-
ed O sud commentary on Federal faith.
Had Curtis in his carly expedition pene-
tfated hither (as it was supposed he wonld,
and in anticipation Of which great exodus
was meditated,) it Is believed the State
would have been seIf.sustaining, and that q
still larger army might haye been recruited
and done valiant deeds in setfprotectlon.
Since then the Union element has been
much dIsorganfzed. The leaders had been
forced to fly. A ruthless CONSUMPTION swept
many into rebel ranks, and desperate ruffians
spread fear, trembling and terror. Fugitives
were in the mountains. From grape vines
daDgled lifeless bodies in tangled, matted,
solitudes; human bodies were left as carrion,
and devoted patriotism, yielded life to tyranny
and treahccry. Tales Of crueltIes there are
old. It was well nigh fatal c1orcism Of
the Union spirit and It's strength.
AS 1t now Is some I, 200 troops have been
Organized. Deserters come In, take the oath,
enlist and fight. The Mountain Feds, by this
name are the Union soldiers Of the State des-
iguated, understand bushwacking we'll and
play the game successfully a5ainst the rebels.
They nre organized By allowing the captaincy
to any person who recruits the nucleus of q
company-6ay forty men. The first lieutenant
is appointed by The field officers, aud the Sec
ond lieutenant Is elected by the company
when filed The field officers arc not un-
frequently tayorites Of the commanding gen
.eral and receive their commissions from the
War Department.. The contrnbands arc not
60 numerous, having for tho most part been
run into Texas by rebel masters Between
two armies what will become Of the divine
institution?
TIE General commanding has not fully met
either the wishes or expectations Of the Un-
ion men here. Indulgence will avail but lit
tie; rebels should DO treated rs such and
marked distinction shown in favor of Union
citizens. The paper now published here has
Copperhcad tendency. It's extracts are not
unfreGucntly from Journals of. that type and
II is said and believed, that steele's Chief Of
staff, to some extent, exercises IN cditorialsu-
peryision, and from the semi-otf1cial character
thus giTen, causes much dissatisfaction among
Union men 4 new paper Is therefore to be
started. thoroughly Union and Ad1ninistra-
llOO. McEsFS. ftsnDach anu 40Hn9ly are spQ.
ken Of Us its editors.
Judge Murphy is here, heroic and devoted
as when alone in the convention he dared
to vote nay on the passage OF the secession
ordinance. May he be honorcd as true hero
and his name be perpetuated not only in bur-
rem State papers, but In the hearts Of his fel-
low citizens and sufferers. We hope some
important trust may be conlded him, belley-
Ing that in such hands it would receive It's
highest significance and power. Among those
OF northern birth who have not proved re-
crcant in this crisis we mention, In all honor,
Messrs. Warner e. Dyer. Hon E. ". Gnant,
formerly Brigndier GeneraI in the rebel ser.
vice, lately Pardoned by the President, has In
speech become radical His address is do
ing good service, and his influence is Of ben
eft 10 the cause More impetuous and fear
less than many, he already has become lead
er. E, B, s.