Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-02-06
OLD SERIES, VOL. "a, NO. 20.
Albert Pike.

a letter from Arkansas gives the follow
ing interesting sketch of one of the most
remarkable men who have lived in the South
west
He is now a refugee in the mountains Of
Southern Arkansas, and is said to be occti-
pying his leisure time in the composition of
two works--onc ON the "Art of War; and
another on Civil Government" which is
said he proposes to publish. Soldiers who
saw him in the battle of Pea Ridge. whc. G
he led the Cherokee Indians, whom ne had
seduccd from their allegiance to the Gov
eminent of the United States, describe him
as noble-looking white-haired man, of very
imposing appearance. Citizens here tell me
that he proved an utter failure as a military
leader, and his friends here did not deny
that he ran like coward before the veto.
rams of Curtis and Sigol on that bloody
day.
Gen. CAN'T said that Pike was a man of
extraordinary genius that he had seen him
during term Of court, meet his brother
lawyers for an evening carousal, drink with
them until the stoutest was "laid out" under
the table, and Then scat himself, and, in the
midst of their singing and roaring, draw up
a most intricate bill in chancery, without an
crasure or interlincation. He would do the
same thing in court, apparently undIsturbed
by the noise of a trial in progress but, with
all his genius and wonderful versatility of
talent, he was utterly wayward and dissolutc
IN his habits, and had spent dozen fortunes
in reckless and prodigal eXcesses. l was
told by citizens that Gen. Pike had pocket
ed hundred thousand dollars, the fees of
single law suit His wife, who is now here.
occupying part of their old residence, has
long since retired from society. and is, as
have been told by a lady who resides in the
city. half inside-a mild maniac who "wan.
ders" in her talk whenever the conversa-
ton turns upon Albert as she iondly calls
him.
To q friend of her husband, who called
upon her a few days since, anxious to aid
her, she insisted that General Steele had
promised the day before to send her to her
husband. No" said the gentleman, Gen
Steele will permit you to 90 to your hus-
band, but he has not the transportation that
he can spare to send you But the Gene
raj promised to send me-" she insisted, AMI
could not saem to understand the distinction.
Oh well, she finally said, Albert will come
back if they will let him publish his book,
which abuses both Sides but sides with
neither All this interested me deeply, and
my Inauguration ran backward over tnc pain
OF life whose heart sorrows made up one
of those tragic histories which God alone
has read. | recall my school-boy enthusi-
asm for the young poet who wrote the
"HymnS to the Gods" while student at
college, and which had been pronounced by
an eminent scholar to he the most renlarka-
bic literary creations, considering the age of
the writer, this country has produced.
One young, highly educated, graccd with
personal accomplishments which entitled
him to be called the "handsUmest of the
Southwest" his magic touch had swept the
Tyre of the gods, compelling busy, dim-rc-
sounding nation to stop and listen in enrap-
tured silence. Now, an exile from his home,
traitor to his country the pusllanimous
leader of red handed savages against the
valiant defenders of the Union and the old
flag, and, to cap the climax of his infinite
disgrace, deserving the savage victims of his
own stlver-tongued, satanic eloquence, and
running like Il coward in the day of battle !!
80 falcn.! so lost the light withdrawn
Which once he wore
The glory from his gray hairs gone
Toreyermore -