14 February, 1862

The Daily Picayune, New Orleans CS

Active Movements of Van Dorn’s Command.-We learn from our Arkansas exchanges that the greatest activity prevails throughout Gen. Van Dorn’s department in preparations for the spring campaign, and for rendering immediate assistance to Gen. Price. Numerous regiments are organizing under the late call of Gen. Van Dorn for ten thousand men. The Little Rock Democrat, of the 8^th, thus notices military movements:

The Fayetteville Arkansians of the 25^th ult. Says that Gen. Price sent an express to Col. Hebert, commanding at Fayetteville, informing the latter officer at the Federals were advancing upon Springfield with a heavy force, and asking for aid.  The Arkansians says it is understood that Gen. McIntosh will go to Price’s assistance at once.

Gen. Van Dorn remained in our city but a short time. He is a man of energy and Napoleonic celerity of movement.  Gen. Pike and staff proceeded to the Indian country, and the Gazette says that captain Woodruff’s artillery company will form a part of his command.

Col. Dawson’s regiment, and the southwestern portion of the State, has been attached to General Pike’s command.  The Texas (Maxey’s) regiment, which had crossed the river on their way to Kentucky, have been stopped and will go under Van Dorn.  Col. Lemoyne’s regiment, in Yell county, will be ordered to Pocahontas. Gen. McCulloch is by this time with his troops and Western Arkansas. There is unusual activity in every military circle and department.

The Washington (Ark.) Telegraph learns from a private source that is not the intention of Gen. Van Dorn to interfere in any peremptory matter with the authority of Gen. Price, of Missouri, whose commands is altogether separate and independent; but, for the common good, to visit Gen. Price in person, confer with him freely, and concert plans of mutual cooperation. 

8 February, 1862

Memphis Daily Appeal, CS

PREPARATIONS IN ARKANSAS.

            On the requisition of Gen. VAN DORN, commander of the trans-Mississippi department, Gov. RECTOR has issued a proclamation calling for ten thousand men, which invitation should, and we presume will, be at wants responded to with alacrity.  The State is divided into four military divisions, and a quota assigned to each, as follows: First-the counties of Benton, Crawford, Yell, Carroll, Franklin, Scott, Madison, Johnson, Sebastian, Searcey, Pope, Newton, Van Buren, Marion, Conway, Washington and Perry, three thousand five hundred men. Second-The counties of Saline, Dallas, Hot Spring, Calhoun, Montgomery, Ouachita, Polk, Union, Sevier, Columbia, Pike, Lafayette, Hempstead and Clark, two thousand men. Third-The counties of Pulaski, Jefferson, Prairie, Bradley, Monroe, Drew, Phillips, Desha, Arkansas, Chicot and Ashley, fifteen hundred men. Fourth-The counties of White, Jackson, St. Francis, Independence, Crittenden, Izard, Mississippi, Fulton, Poinsett, Lawrence, Craighead, Randolph and Green, fifteen hundred men.  All or either of the divisions failing to report the number of men respectfully assigned to them by the 5^th of March will be subject to a draft, by counties, until their due proportion according to population is furnished to fill the requisition made upon the State by the general in command.



1 February, 1862

The New York Herald, US

NEWS FROM THE SOUTH

ARKANSAS

AN ESCAPED PRISONER FROM CAIRO—A FAITHFUL SERVANT

{From the Helena (Ark.) Shield}

            A few days since Major, a slave belonging to Mrs. Rabb[1] of this vicinity, who was taken prisoner at the battle of Belmont[2] and carried to Cairo, made good his escape and returned home, and is now at the plantation among his real friends—A happy, contended, honest darkey.  Many interesting incidents connected with his captivity, perilous escape, fortunate meeting with friends in the depths of the forest of Missouri, his arrival at Columbus, where he had the happiness of finding that his young master had escaped unhurt on the battlefield, where he was taken prisoner, are all related by Major in a manner at once concise, straightforward and doubtless honest.

            On the morning of the battle he was instructed by his master, Mr. Rabb, who was a private in company A, Thirteenth regiment Arkansas Volunteers[3], to remain at the hospital tent during the progress of the conflict; but the enemy having gotten possession of the encampment, he, with others, was taken prisoner and was taken to Cairo—was confined in one of the guard rooms several days, during which time he was frequently interrogated as to whether he would like to return home.

            Being shrewd enough for unprincipled captors, he told them that he had no regard for his owners, and was delighted at the prospect of freedom, which was promised of course.  He was subsequently taken by an Illinois captain for his cook, with the promise of $12 per month, but up to the 31^st of December received nothing.  On that night he managed to crawl through the lines, secured an old leaky skiff, which he had seen in the willows about a mile above town the day previous, whilst out with an officer’s servant watering horses.  He found the skiff destitute of oars, but with a bit of plank as a substitute, poor as it was he boldly pushed out into the stream—landed upon an island first, mistaking it for the Missouri shore, where he wandered about several hours; again embarked, reached the main shore, where he was near being discovered by a sentry nearby or at Bird’s Point.  But he eluded the drowsy Lincolnite, escaped into the woods and made for Columbus.

            This was on Wednesday, January 1, and he wandered about until Friday following, when he came upon an humble dwelling far back in the forest.  He tells us that at this time he was greatly fatigued and worn out by constantly travelling and the cravings of hunger.  He determined to venture into this rude hut, and did so, finding it tenanted by three stalwart men, whom he soon found were Southerners, to whom he, without reserve, told his tale of suffering and privation, and who kindly proffered to accompany him to Columbus, where the four started and reached their destination about noon the next day, where the poor fellow experienced the joyful happiness of again meeting his young master.

            Lincoln and his myrmidons will learn from the story of Major, which we have briefly narrated, that they cannot convert such as he (and there are many such in the South) into incendiaries and executioners.  The truth is, we know many servants whose attachments for their masters and owners amount almost to frenzy or adoration.  There are, maybe, a few who might be induced to raise their hands in an insurrection put on foot by abolition emissaries, but the loyal slaves in our midst would so far outnumber them that they could do but slight mischief.

---

[1] Harriet Rabb is listed on page 169 of the 1860 Slave Schedule for St. Francis Township, Phillips County, as owner of 87 slaves.

[2] November 7, 1861.

[3] His military records indicate that John Rabb joined Company C, 13^th Arkansas Infantry, at Ft. Pillow, Tenn., on the 21^st of September, 1861. 

28 January,1862

Memphis Daily Appeal, CS

ARKANSAS ITEMS

            The Little Rock Democrat of the 22^d has the following:

            The Texas regiment is expected here within the next few days.

            Earl Van Dorn has been made a major-general, and assigned to the command of Missouri, Texas, and the Indian country and Arkansas south of White river.

            Every where we hear this appointment highly commended.

            We are requested by the auditor, to state that persons having claims against the State, on account of clothing furnished, or other matters connected with the military affairs of the State, should transmit their accounts to the military board, paymaster-general or quartermaster-general.  The military board all that’s all accounts connected with military expenditures, and either orders the auditor to draw his warrant a pond the treasurer, or the paymaster to pay the claim.  Such claims, if sent to the auditor, can only be handed over to the military board for their action, and in the absence of a proper person to receipt for them, maybe mislaid or overlooked.

Oath of Allegiance

The National Republican. DC, August 20, 1862 US

The oath of allegiance will not be administered to any person against his will. It must, in all cases, be a voluntary act on his part. Nor will any compulsory parole of honor be received. But oaths taken and paroles given to avoid arrest, detention, imprisonment or expulsion, are voluntary or free acts, and cannot be regarded as compulsory. All persons guilty of violating such oaths or paroles will be punished according to the laws and usages of war.

(Comment) So, you were under no compulsion to take the Oath, just because if you didn't you would be imprisoned, or driven from your home, or worse. Would that mean that you are under no compulsion to hand over your cash to an armed robber? You did have the choice of being shot.

Disturbing Story.

The Semi-Weekly Shreveport News, August 15, 1862 CS

From a Norfolk letter of a recent a date we learn that since the battles near Richmond, the Irishmen at Old Point have hauled up in their seines, large numbers of legs and arms which had been amputated from the wounded received at the fortress, and thrown feed to the sharks in the Roads. What will the Yankee nation say of the disposition made by the surgeons of the dismembered limbs of the army of the Potomac? They will anxiously enquire whether McClellan indeed retains so little of Virginia soil as not to afford him decent burial space for the mangled limbs of his followers.-Richmond Examiner.

Narrow Escape

Memphis Daily Appeal, 31 July, 1862

Narrow Escape.—Lieut. McKinney, of the 46^th North Carolina regiment, while on picket duty during the recent fighting at Richmond, suddenly add rather unexpectedly came immediately in company with a large number of Yankees who were out on the same pleasant and exciting diversion. Not wishing to be taken prisoner, and knowing the uselessness of engaging so many adversaries, he was quite at a loss as to what he should do, until hailed by the Yankees —"Who are you?"— when a thought occurred to him,  and speaking quite authoritatively, he commanded silence, that there were a parcel of rebels not far off, and be wished to surprise them. The valiant Yankees, on hearing they were in such close proximity to the rebels, skulked off, leaving McKinney to "surprise" them at his leisure.—Greensboro’ Journal.