Year: 1863

Ny last communication for the Jour
''atwas dated September 18th, at Little
Rock Since then we have wandered
up aud down and around until we, final
ly, landed at this place with every indi
cation of making this our winter quar-
ters. We left Little Rock on the 18th
September, our regiment being ordered
to Benton, the county seat of Saline
county, which was the outpost of the
army, being on the direct Arkadelphia
road, some twenty-five or thirty miles
from Little Rock. Here we re mained
eight days, employing our time in scout.
ing and picking up stragglers. Our stay
at Benton was pleasant one, enlivened
as it was, by many a rich scene at head
! quarters, resulting from the ignorance
and gullibility of the inhabitants. On
the day we entered Benton, Major Nc
Cauley took three companies and cir
cling around, through by-ways and high
ways, came up in the rear of the place,





hoping to bag some prison ers, bat he
was disappointed, although we took quite
number on the road Among them
was a young man who had obtained leave
of absence for a few days, and had come
home and got married the day before we
captured him, We came upon him sud-
denly in turn of the road, and soon
had him in duranee vile. He begged to
be permitted to go by home and take a
parting farewell and as he lived directly
on our road it was readily agreed to-
We soon arrived at the house, and ere
he had dismounted, a young, fair, plump,
good-looking Arkansas girl came bound
out and winding her arms about his neck
the tears fell thick and fast, and many a
kiss was imprinted on his lips. l fear it
will be long time before they are re-
peated. We could not:stay. long, and he
reluctantly remounted his horse. What
a contrast Yesterday swimming in
bliss, with the prospect of honeymoon
all the sweeter from his long absence
amid the tolls and privations Of camp
life, and to-day to exchange it all for
prison life and prison fare! He felt bad,
no doubt, but we could not pity him; all
our sympathies were enlisted in behalf of
the beautiful bride, the tear drops glist-
ening like diamonds on her dark eye
lashes as she stood there the very picture
of despair.


On arriving in town we found Gel,
Pace already in full possession, and what
few citizens were left eagerly crowding
around him, anxious to know their fate.
Many of them expected to be ordered out
and shot First an elderly man approach
ed and calling the Colonel out to one side
.nervously told him he was Sheriff of the
county. Said he understand, Colo
mel, you are in the habit of hanging all
the Sherifs you can catch. Now, am
Sheriff, and thought would tell you,
and find out what is going to be done
with me-" The Colonel soon quieted him,
and he left much relieved in mind. The
citizens were agreeably surprised at our
treatment of them, it was so different
from what they had been told by the re-
bel army. m


On stepping into Headquarters a day
or two after this, found quite number
there. hunting their rights. One lady had
come in II miles She understood the
land was all to be confseated and then
sold out, and no one was to be allowed to
own more than 160 acres. She wanted
tc know if this was the case and whether
we would take Confederate money. She
was much pleased when she found she
would still be allowed to keep her farm
unmolested. Another stepped up and
said she wanted protection. Where do
you i've" inquired the Colonel. "About
Is miles out, J" was the answer. "Well,"
said the Colonel, "Our men never stray
off that far, you need not be uneasy"
II was not our men, however, that she
was afraid of, but Marmaduke-she was
afraid of him, and went away badly dis
appointed because we did not send her
out two or three companies TO guard her
property Hardly had the Colonel got

through with this case, when up hobbled
an old lady, bent over and tottering with
age. She wanted guard at her house
Have you been molested, inquired the
Colonel. No, she was not afraid of her
property-it was her person. A broad
smile passed over the Coloneps face, as
he assured her there was not the least
danger, and she hobbled away apparent
ly fearful that her extreme youth and
beauty would yet prove her ruin.


The next case was that of man who
wanted permission to kill one of his hogs.
The Colonel wanted to know if the people
here always had to get permission before
they dare kill their own hogs. "No,' he
said, abut ne did not know how itiwould
| be now, and he would like to have writ
ten, permission. He was finally con
vineed that he still had right to do as
he pleased with his hogs, and went of
very well satisfied. 6~e r


This will serve to give you an idea of
what the people had been told concern
ing us, and why SO many run away on
our approach. We had several skirm-
ishes, while out on scouting parties, just
enough to keep us wide awake and on
the look out 1t was here I found some
papers and letters, specimens of which
| sent you by the hands of DR.. Cassel-
berry, who started for home about a
week ago.


! Another thing that saw for the first