The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-05
General shsrRau's Report on the Condition OF
the Southwest.

the Southwest.
HEApacARTEss, J
MILITARY DIVISION or THH MISSISSIPPI,
Sr. Louis, Mo, December ~, 1855.
General J. 4 Ravlins, Ct!Q9 sag Washington,
d. C.:
Gencral,-I have just returned from n par
tial inspection of the Department Of Arkansas.
Ii was my purpose 10 have extended my visit
up 10 Fort Smith but the Arkansas river was
too low and limited IL TO Little Rock. The
route usually travelled remains substantially
as ii was during the war--by way OF White
river, Duyalrs bluff, and hence forty-eight
miles OF railroad 10 Little Rock. The Arkan
sas Is At all seasons too prccariOus TO he relied
on. But the White river, lying in the allinion
of the Mississippi, retains ut all seasons n
depth of water of three md 4 half feet rs far
upas Duvalls bluff The railroaj hence TO Lit
tie Rock is in good enough condition for all pre-
sent purposes, and has been res tored TO the pos
session of the company who built IL. and Is Ope
rated to the satisfaction OF General Reynolds
ard his chief quartermaster, Colonel Noble. II
would contribute much to our military conve-
nienCe as we'll as TO the general interests OF the
State Of Arkansas II the railroad colld be
finished to Memphis. saw Mr.. l.. G. Brink
lev, of Memphis, President OF the Railroad
Company, who seemed very anxious to finish
It, but said that the company had lost 30 much
by the war that unless he could receive help
from the Government he feared he could not
under take it. The road was once In operation
from Memphis 10 Madison, on the St. Francis
river, with q fine bridge completed over that
stream, and ut the time the Federal army
occupied Memphis. In 1862, he had IL thousand
tons of railroad iron on hand, ready 10 be
applied on the unfinished section between
Madison and Duvall's bluff; but this iron was
taken up BY US and carried away TO Columbus,
Kentucky, and used in repairs on the Mobile
and Ohio railroad, then In our military posses
sion from Columbus 10 Corinth. The costly
bridge over the ST Francis was burned by the
rebel General Hindman. Mr.. Brinkley
agreed, il va could help him 10 grade
the road from Madison 10 Duvalrs bluff,
and to cut in the woods along the
line the necessary number Of ties, he
would undertake the purchase, on credit, OF
the necessary quantity of iron, and 10 con-
struct Il continuous railroad from Memphis
10 Little Rock. General Reynolds has now at
Helena three colOred regiments, At Pine Bluff
one and ut Little Rock another. He Could
easily apply the labor OF two or more of these
regiments 10 the grading of this road and in
getting out the ties, and Mr.. Brinkley agrees
TO pay for this labor in land belonging 10 the
company lying adjacent 10 The road General
Reynolds, commanding the department, and
Sprague, Commissioner for Freedmen in
Arkansas, approve heartily Of this plan, and
think we are sufficiently interested in this road
10 encourage it by all means. Accordingly
ask that, unless il be proposed 10 muster out
the colored troops, the War Department will
sanction the plan so far rs 10 authorize Gene
raj Reynolds 10 order the execution of the
work during the present winter and spring
months.
/ found all the troops In Arkansas in good
condition aud we'll commanded, General
Spraguc being admirably adapted TO his com
mand. General Sprague also has the respect
Of the civil and military authorizes. The
negroes in Arkansas can all find profitable and
lucrative employment, and are protected in All
their rights and property by The eli / authori-
ties. | met no one citizen or soldier who qHcs
toned or doubted that their freedom was rs
well assured in Arkansas az in Ohio. Cover
nor Murphy says that negroes could acquire
title 10 real estate or any kind Of property, aud
that the courts, both Federal and State, would
protect them. There was al universal ~ pres
sion of confidence in the present condition OF
affairs, except on the part Of some former
rebels, who thought the present test oath pre-
scrited for them was too stringent and severe.
A convention of them, convened | know not
how, was In session ~ Little Rock when
| was there, and Il committee from II waited
on General Reynolds and myself. inviting
rs TO attend, We agreed TO go, provided no de-
bate or proceeding were in progress during
our visit. On our entrance TO the hall the
President addressed us in language rs loyal
and earnest AZ possible. and asked our advice.
| responded, and gave them the best advice |
knew how, amounting substantially rs fol-
lows That political matters since the couclu-
sion OF hoStiiItles, had progressed, and were
still progressing, rs fast as they could expect
that | doubted If any action on their part
would he regarded as The act Of Arkansas, but
that any respectful representation OF facts
from them IN their individual capacities in the
nature Of q petition 10 General Reynolds, 10
President Johnson, or to the National Con
yress would doubtless receive every proper
consideration. At the same time | called their
attention To the poverty of their country, and
how much better it would be for them 10 give
their personal attention each TO his own affairs,
rather than bother themselves with the gene.
raj matter of politics.
After leaving Little Rock, l learned that
the convention had adjourned so that hope
things viii remain asquict rs before. Indeed,
so far "a my observation goes, there is perfect
satisfaction felt 10y all classes of people, except
on the part OF Il very few, who are looking 10
future combinations involving the local and
unimportant State Offices. | found every
where in the South n large number Of our
officers and soldiers looking out for land and
emplovncnt, and doubt not that during the
next year all the land which is cleared VIII bc
under cultiyation--a large part of il under the
direction Of energetic young men-aud that all
branches of business in Arkansas VIII be
stimulated hy the presence OF a class OF men
which has not heretofore existed III that State.
Single individuals now travel unarmed from
one part of the State 10 another, and General
Reynolds is rarely called upon 10 afford mill.
tary protection 10 any one, white or black. l
anu with respect your obedient servant,
w. L. SHERMAN,
Major General Commanding.