Year: 1861

4 LARGE number of our fellow -citi- "A zens having gone forth to the field of battle for the defense of their country, and being destl tute of those articles of clothing made andispensi ble by the rigorS of the approaching wlnter 1t IS necessary that some effort should be male to sup ply thesearticles and to provide for their comfort The enemy trusts to the depression of trade and the blockade of our ports to prevent sufficient sup plies from reaching our army, and the Military Board deems it their duty to appeal to the patri- Otsm of the country to aid them in their winter preparations None will be f0rgetful of the wants of their friends and kindred III the army. For the purpose of svstematzing this appeal to the country the Military Board has appointed the county judge the county clerk, the sheriff, in his absence the deputy sheriff of each county, central committee for the purpose of collecting such clothing as may be procured in the county. This committee again (two being quorum) shall invite the ladies of each township in the county to form soldiers aid socites and shall assist in their organization. The animating patriotism of the ladies is especially in voked in flrtherence of this effort to supply the volunteers with clothing The ladies otthis State have already done much, and their efforts held in the highest appreciation Slmilar appeals to the one We make have been made to the patriotism and devotion of the ladies in other States, and they have been noby responded to. We feel as sured that the ladies of Arkansas are no. deficient i'll patriotism; that they will not lag behind their sisters in other States but will act in concert with the State authorities in providing for citizens soldiers who have gone forth to defend them.

 We haven no msgivings or doubts as to the suit of this appeal. The patriotism of tho people is equal to any emergency any occasion, and it is only necessary that 1t be systematzed and direc ted in such channels as to render 1t available and useful. For this purpose the central committee already indicated, will establish clothing depots at such point in their respective counties as they may deem the most advisable. At this place they

 

 table for the army that may be placed there, which they will place in the of safe and reliable per sons And the Military Board will pay i'll ArkaI sas or Confederate Bonds, for all goods of the de- scrpton herein indicated that the patriotism of the country may place at their disposal. That prlce will be paid which is reasonable III the county where the articles are purchased. As fast as the garments accumulate the central committee will report them to the Military Board so that the i'm mediate and pressing wants of the soldiers may be relieved at early period as practicable. Blankets are greatly needed and are indispensa- blc to the comfort of our soldiers. In many ln' stances domestic blankets may be manufactured. In others they may be supplied by division of the articles of that kind which families have provided for themselves. There is scarcely house in the State in which there is not an excess Of bed-coth- ing. IL s not making too great a call on the pa trotism of the county, at time like this, to ask that the soldiers be supplied from this surplus and aOintldnCe. " nGfe DlhHhctS CiI!uOb Dc SUppl4cu comforts may be substituted; but brankets much preferred All the other articles of soldiers cloth ing such as woolen uniforms, flannel shirts, drawers, socks, etc., are equally needed. Whenever shoes can be supplied they will also be received and paid for in the manner and in the currency already ind cated.

 The cental committee will keep book in which they will register the names of those who furnish cl0thing-the number and character of the goods and the price to be paid for them In order to facilitate and systematize this, blank forms will be sent with this circular letter to the various central committees.

 The individuals comprising the central commit tee have already been selected by the people for responsible positions; this selection will be suh- cent that their exertcn will be active and that they will place the goods at the different de- pots for clothing ill the care of gentlemen respon- sble in character and in property. Thus the peo- pie will entertain no doubt that the goods deliver ed will reach the destination for which they were intended.

 The rapid approach of winter renders 1t necessa- ry that our eforts should be prompt Hd energetic, and our inability to procure clothing Yin the usual market leaves no other course but to appeal to the patriotism and domestic resources of the country Our soldiers are already in need of clothing. They will need them still more as the winter approaches Is it right that they should be permitted to suffer while fighting OUT battles for us? We feel conf dent that the people will not permit this

 II. M RECTOR,

 BENJ. c. TOTTEN,

 Ang. 9, 1861. 4w Mlhtary Board.