w
J. c. MORRILL, EDITOR._
DES AKC, ARKANSAS :
PRIDAY.. . . . MAY 10, 1861.
DES ARC SEMI-WEEKLY CITIZEN.
We present the public, to-day, with the
first number of the Semi-Weekly Citi
zen*. To sustain this enterprise, we must
have not less than two hundred and fifty
cash paying subscribers. We propose to
try tho experiment for six months, so all
who wish our Semi-Weekly for that
length of time, must forward us 82 00.
Near seven years have elapsed since
the Citizen was first established. In
September, 1854, when the first number
was issued, Des Are contained less than
imn Inirwlrnrl cnnlo M*»ixr urn liflVn fl tintl
-. . l i
ulation of over fifteen hundred. We have
a semi-weekly river mail, also a semi
weekly line of stages from Des Arc west
ward. * Wc are entitled to a tri-weekly
mail, westward, and we trust the contrac
tors will do their duty in this matter, andj
not overlook the interests of Des Arc and
the country from thence to Fort Smith.
Will the people of Des Arc and adja
cent country, together with the residents
of the White river valley, sustain us in
our attempt to establish a tri-weekly paper?
We’ll see!
Postmasters, and all others, who
are anxious to obtain the news, are re
quested to exert themselves in behalf ctf
our new enterprise.
The money ($2,) must in all cases
accompany each name of a subscriber,
which secures the Semi-Weekly for si/
months.
-*-<*..*>-.
We invite attention to the letter
of our correspondent “ Coe,” who gives
an accurate description of affairs since the
“ Rector Guards” left Des Arc. He writes
spiritedly, and we hope to hear from him
often.
Wo find in a private letter the follow'
ing: “ We have about sixty men—six
men mess together. Near me is a mess
I AT AT -L'.tv. T.i m I
.r v* xu. x.
Swyyer, L. T. Cox, Ed. Carroll,,A. But
ler and J. H. Balding. M r. Erwin reads I
a chapter to his mess, from one of the
Testaments presented us the day before
we left Des Arc, every night, just before
the cannon fires for the lights to be put
out.”,
—
We learn from the Pine Bluff
News, of llio 1st inst., that the Circuit
Court of Jefferson county commenced its
session on Monday the 29th uh., arid that
after empanneling and charging the Grand
Jury, it was announced from the bench
that the civil docket would not be called
for trial, but the criminal docket would bo
proceeded with as usual.
liie same paper adds, that at a meeting '
of the Pine Bluff bar on’ the 27th ult., it
was unanimously agreed to withhold the
sale ot property advertised by the Sheriff. -
fn pursuance of this agreement no sales i
were made, on the return day, last Mon- 1
-day, but the executions were continued ^
over to next term of the court.
This was considered necessary to pre
vent the sacrifice of property at this time
of pecuniary embarrassment.
We suggest a similar course in Prairie i
county. Our Circuit Court meets on Mon- t
day the 27th of this month. i
---- t
Shall the Convention Pass a Stay i
Law ?—This question is exciting a good t
deal of discussiou throughout the State, i
That such a law should be passed to pro- i
lect those persons who have already or may I
be called into military service, we have not 1
the least doubt. They should be protected <
against any execution or civil process of j \
any kind during their absence. Missis
sippi has passed such a law, and her sol
diers are thus protected, and have no fears
that their property will be plundered by
either just or unjust claims and executions!
durin!7 their absence. Let the Arkansas
Convention do likewise.
---
GREAT DEMONSTRATION AND
- ILLUMINATION.
THF. PEOPLE OF DES ARC AND VICIN
ITY CELEBRATE THE SECESSION
OF ARKANSAS AND TENNESSEE.
On Wednesday night last our people
illuminated their houses, built bonfires,
formed a procession, and held a “ general
jollification,” over the secession of Arkan
sas and Tennessee.
The procession, headed by music, under
the charge of Col. A. O. Edwards, formed
about S o’clock. The “ Des Arc Regula
tors ” led the column, followed by the
“Prairie Cadets.” Next came the “Home
Guards,” composed of our citizens gener
ally—last, though not least in.the line,
were the “ Admiral Guards,” composed of
the officers, crew and passengers of the
steamer Admiral. The procession con
tained near four hundred—most ot whom
carried transparencies and torches. The
I streets wmre lined with men, women and
children, and as die crowd passed through
the different streets, hearty cheers went
up for the variously illuminated buildings.
Among the various transparencies, we
observed the “ Immortal Andy Johnson”
1. . a- am tl.A I i‘iv< l, /.r .1 f i-.,A ll Umiircn i
UUil WU liliO urnw u* VWI * ---
CJ
Etheridge, the traitor,” hung on a gallows.
“ Andy Johnson’s nose pulled in Virgin
ia.” “ Abe Lincoln leaving the White
House for Canada, with two servants car
rying his trunk.” “ Seward affrighted at
the taking of Fort Sumter.”
The mottoes on the transparencies em
braced a large variety. We append a few
of them: “ Arkansas slow hut sure.” “No
coercion—Never.” “Tennessee, the vol
unteer State—she dares to follow where
any dares to lead.” “ Old Kentuck will
soon follow.” “ Hurrah for Totten’s Con
fiscation Bill.” “ Ho! for Dixie’s Land.”
“ Tennessee Ready in the hour of Need.”
At a late hour the procession w.as dis
missed—not a solitary circumstance hav
ing occurred to mar in the least the joyous
occasion.
Our thanks are due the vast assemblage
for the three hearty cheers which they
gave the “ Citizen Office.” v
f ---
The Contemplated Insurrection in the
Hickory Plain Neighborhood.
We are in receipt of a private letter
from the Hickory Plain neighborhood, da
ted yesterday, which states that Tom
Williamson, the white man who was to
lead the negroes, together with the foiiow
ingnegroes: Big Dave and Lewi's, be
longing to R. E. Dunlap, and Jeff., be
longing to Col. John C. Davie, were to
be hung to-day, between the hours of 12
and 2 o’clock, r. m., until they are dead !
llnJII rn w) r\ C <!,<*» si c* i r» 1
plicated are to be whipped severely ; some
are limited to so many stripes—others are ,
to receive as much as they can live under. !
Three of R. E. Dunlap’s negroes are to
be banished from the country. The writer ,
adds: ■'
“ There are still signs of something yet
.0 come. Guns have been fired in cypress
aottom, north of Hickory Plain, at a late
sour, for several nights, which are sup- '
)OS'ed to be signals. We are about to t
'tart out a scouting party. We have no i
'ears of our negroes just now, but are
'onfident that something will be attempted
>y tom? mean white men, who we hear '
ire dodging about every night, although 1
ive have no idea who they are. One white c
aan la still on trial, hut I tan form no
ipinion as to what disposition the commit
ee will make of his case. r
“ Big Dave and Lewis are very much *3
dfccteii, and are singing and praying s
learly all the time. Jeff, says he does ■
lot care if they do hang him—he seems
lerfectly indiiferent as to his fate. Wil- e
iamson, the white man, still says he is (]
lot guilty, but declares he does not care a
or hanging.” • #########.
-«-•--*
Guns of Southern Manufacture.—
file columbiads that made the first breach
n the outer wall of Fort Sumter, were 11
aade at the Tredegar iron-works, at Rich- 3
aond, Va. On receiving the news that 13
lie columbiads had made this breach, a v
rrge crowd of the citizens of Richmond
narched in procession to tho Tredegar ti
vorks and gave it three cheers. In re- “
ponse, the proprietors hauled out several
urge cannons just finished to order Eiiihe c
Southern Confederacy, and made the earth o
[iiake, as the Charleston Courier calls it, d
vi’h >iflanous salt petro.
LETTER. FROM CAMP RECTOR.
Camp Rector, Mound City, Ark., ^
5 Miles above Memphis, >
May 4th, 1861- )
Dear Citizen: Our company as you
know, left Des Arc on the 30th ult., on board
the good steamer A. W. Quarrier for
this place. On the wharf were collected
the relations and friends of the soldiers to
bid them farewell, and bid them God
speed in their glorious mission. Many
stout hearts were melted into tears, in be
ing compelled by the action of our Kanga
roo President to rend every dear tie ot
home and kindred; but still they were
proud and happy, because permitted to
rally around the flag of the Southern Con
federacy, and defend our household gods
from the polluting touch of Northern fa
natics. But after we left the sad scenes
presented to our view at Des Arc, and
glided swiftly down our beautiful river,
change of scene brought on a correspond
ing change of feelings ant. the wonted
good humor of our boys returned. As we
passed the many farm houses which skirl
the banks of our lovely little stream!
the air was rent with huzzas lor our glori
ous cause, which was answered with in
terest from the shore.
Wo arrived at Clarendon about*! o’clock
and found a large crowd collected on the
bank, who greeted us with hearty cheers
as the boat rounded to. W e marched over
their beautiful little town, and were pres
ent at the reception of a "very neat flag
by the Harris Guards, of Monroe county.
m , .- - -- d ! 1-. tr\
JLUlUUUCm uv-H.wvv. ^ *■*
occasion, and one especially appropriate
by the beautiful young lady who present
ed the flag. The Harris Guards are
named in honor cf Col. J. T. Harris, of
Monroe county. They are a fine looking
body of men, and number about 80. Our
company took supper at the hotel, and then
we separated, each man seeking pleasure
after his own fashion till we were called
together at 12 o’clock to leave. We were
well received by the citizens of Clarendon
and their kindness towards us were ap
preciated and will be duly returned if we
ever come back from the wars.
At 12 o'clock we left, accompanied by
the Harris Guards. On Wednesday
night we reached the Mississippi river,
and as we left our pretty little stream,
cheeer after cheer rent the air, mingled
with the hope that we would all be able to
look upon its swift rolling waters once
again.
We met the steamer Victoria at Hose
dale, Mississippi, and embarked on her
for Mound City, where we arrived safe
and sound on Thursday night, at 9 o’clock.
The Victoria brought us up free of charge.
This act of patriotism and generosity will
long be remembered by every one of our
company. They showed us many kind
nesses and provided for us in the very best
style.
On Friday we went into regular mili
ary discipline, performing ail the duties
)f camp life. We drill twice a day, three
. IIr nnQt nnrl r.nnlr nnr
luuiu vui/i,' j - * ;
mn victual?. You can appreciate the
jeauties of our culinary department when
1 tell you there i? but two or three in our
;ompany who know ijie least About cock
ag, besides, we arc living on "0/nbread
md ' aeon, with a little coffee to vfftsu it
iown.
We have a good string band anJ some1
cry fine singers and so we get excellent
uusic when off duty. u Dixie,” and
■’Way down in Cairo,” are the favorite)
uues here. They sing “ Cairo” because '
ome think that is our destination. We (
avn’t any place to dance, so we are i
ompelled to forego that pleasure.
Six men occupy one small tent with a i
on-commissioned officer in each one.— t
"he ground in the tent is covered with 1
iraw and we lay a pair of blankets on (
lat and cov<ar with our other blankets—
ach man having a pair. The nights are l
uite cool, so as yet we are quite comfort- f
ble, but. I fear we will suffer from heat 1
1 the summer if we stay in this section 1
f country.
No one yet knows where we are destined '
> be placed, and many are the surmises *
ti this question. The officers even do
ot know, and if they do will not tell, so ^
e are in the dark.
The boys are all anxious to get into ac- 1
ve service, and Gin. Erwin says he’s 1
spilin’ for a fight.”
The boys are all in excellent spirits_ d
aching jokes and singing their principal s
icupation, when not engaged on military *
ities. b
VVe have at this camp over 500 men,! C
m^ i , imunirni -' ****r*»f
the post being in chafg- of Col. D. McRae,
of Searcy, White county.
The following is a'listof the companies
here:
Yell Rifles, Phillips county, Capt. P. R.
Cleburne, 90 men.
Hindman Guards, White county, Capt. H.
B. Blakemore ; -13 men.
Border Rangers, White county, Capt. D.
McRae; 32 men.
Pine Bluff Artillery, Jefferson county,
Capt. F. Stake ; 41 men.
Harris Guards, Monroe county, Capt. J.
j T. Harris ; 72 men.
Jefferson Guards, Jefhyson county, Capt.
C. Carlton; 80 men.
Rector Guards, Prairie county, Capt. G.
W, Glenn ; 04 men.
The following is a list of the rank and
file of the Rector Guards:
G. W. Glenn, Captain;
J. E. Glenn, 1st Lieutenant;
G. S. Pol leys, 2nd Lieutenant;
Geo. Murray, 3d Lieutenant;
M. M. Erwin, Commissary ;
H. B. Kendall, Orderly Sergeant;
T. H. Osborne, 2nd Sergeant;
G. A. Hanson, 3rd Sergeant;
Wm. Lee, 4th Sergeant;
C. O. Locke, 1st Corporal ;
B. F. Munroe, 2nd Corporal;
T. Jeff. Woodson, 3d Corporal ;
J. C. Butler, 4th Corporal;
J. H. Balding, 5th Corporal;
Jesse Avery, J- Krebbs,
J. S. Anderson, F. Kline,
W. J. Alexander, W. C. Lea,
Ed. Brown, M. Mizell,
A. Butler, ' H. L, McKisick,
J. Blunt, S. V. Me Craw,
M. J. Birdsong, P- A. JVIcCraw,
Tr A. Barnett, W. C McKendree,
S. H. Barrer, R. Newby,
W. M. Barksdale, S. II. Purtle,
Ed. Carroll, W. Perry,
L. T. Cox, Ed. Poe,
Wm. Colter, J. H. Quisenberry, jr.
J. F. Cloud, F. T. Ryan,
J. II. UV J- •
H. (* Earhart, G. W. Smith,
A. Gillman, P. Stubblefield,
N. B. Gair, H. 0. Sossmao,
J. S. Golden, -H. Thompson,
F. Hill, H. L. Tant,
S. Herrine, Amos Williamson,
H. J- Jones, Nah Williamson,
L. H. Johnson, T. Yore.
You must excuse the dictation of this
letter, for I am writing in my tent, where
music is playing, some whistling, some
singing, others all making some kind of
a noise.
I will write again.
Yours, etc. COP.
■--<-r, .>-.—
The Stern Logic of Events.
Under the above caption, we find in the
Bangor (Maine) Democrat, the following
article?. It chows .definitely that the editor, -
Marcellos Emery, Esq., views the con
dition of affairs from a proper stand-point
He is one of the few noble spirits at tbe
North who thinks for himself, and in the
utterance of sentiments and facts dares to
“ beard the Lion in his den
The rapid fulfillment of all the predic
tions of Democratic speakers and writers,
as to what would take place in our beloved
country in the event of a sectional tri umph
in the election of a President, need not be
attributed to any gift of prophecy; it is the
result of the Stern Logic of Events.
Poorly read in the history of government,
and a poor student of human nature, must
he be who,' in the face of the warfare
which the Black Republican party has
been for years waging upon the institu
tions of the South, could not have foretold
the disruption of the Union, and the dis
Aot/iro t Vi *T t- 1 Vi l nr It o Itnvirl ♦ l \ *r ♦ rDenoM !
Now that we have entered upon civil
war, let those who would read the story of
the future, appeal to that same “stern logic
ol events.” What does it teach ? We
speak by its instructions.
It teaches that, if Abraham Lincoln
shall persist in attempting to carry out the
policy indicated in his reply to the Vir
ginia Commissioners, the fifteen slave
Status, numbering more than 12,000,000
of people, will unite in a common cause
Lf defending their firesides and homes.
i *• teaches that every man, within their
limits', capable oi wielding a sword or
b veliiig rifle, will take the field, deler
niiu'd like" their revolutionary fathers of
;id, to repel the invader, or to die in the
ittempt.
It teaciit3 that, sooner or later, the fate
>f every No^bem army sent within their,
iorders, will inevitably be that which over
ook those of vhe British tyrant which
vere landed on ou’r coast to rivet on our
orefathers the chains' of slavery.
It teaches that the armies oi the North
nay meet with occasional triumphs; may 1
urn a few cities, and de vastate a few i
ields; may rob the Southern mother and t
er tender children of their peaceful and ?
u:ot homes; may here and there incite t
ervile insurrection.,; but successes bite \
iose will only provoke the wrath of He,a- c
tn, and laise up tor the South “armies to, e
ght their battles for them.” 0
It leaches tuat, at last, after one, three, s
cn on, or ton years shall have passed away b
fter our armies have vanished before the s
ever failing arm of the Southern rifle s
m nresistible charges oi Southern caval- p
l’ and lha terrib|e ravages of a Southern
hmate; after myriads of Northern homes ii
ave been made desolate, and poverty and tl
litres^ shall begin to stalk abroad in the o
leets of our cities and villages,—then l
18 hearts oi our people will yearn for b
eace, and peace will come. a
It teacnes that the independence of the fc
'Onfcdcrate States will be recognized, and rt
’ it he North will be compelled at |as,,
■ • it that which, in accordance with ?
I'i ''t of American liberty, it should pron?
y cheerfully concede.
St.ch are the teachings of the stern |0(*
»t events. We put them upon record i’i
invite all who read this article to ream
her predictions founded upon them.
authority of the Federal Government?
never again be established within the lj *
its of the seceded States. The peon?'
those States will never again recoct?
that authority voluntarily, nor can theyp
compelled to do so by force.
--——
What the New York News Say*
—Says the New York News of the 24t[.
'This city is full of individuals who co
demn the war measures of the admini?
lion; repudiate the false, insidious, treacP
crons policy it has pursued, since the 4m
j of March; are alive to the dangers?
| menace the country from successful Abo
litioriistn; view with horror the inaugura ‘
j tion of an epoch of “fire, rape, andslaugl*.
ters;” and shudder from the prospect o;
an internecine strife between the slave,
holding-and non-slaveholding States —
Nay, more, they regard the excitement
which has been gotten up, since the bom.
bardment of fort Sumpter, as to a gr9a.
extent artificial and unnatural—the result
or the combined machinations of partisan
wirepullers, secret organizations, and ve
nal office seekers; they have no doubt
that there will be a speedy and terrible re
action; that, in the desperate, unscrupu.
Iot’,3 game Mr. Lincoln and his adviser*
are playing, they will he the losers: ami
that a general uprising of the people will,!
eventually, drive them, bankrupted in
character and position, from the high po
sitions they hold.”
President Jeff. Davis.
Crafts J. Wright, Esq., who was a class ?
mate and room mate of President Davis- •
graduating at West Point at the sametiroe
—has communicated to the press some of
the traits of character of the distinguished
Mississippian. He says of him:
“President Davis is a gentleman—cau
tious, quiet, firm—acting decisively. The I
natural inclination of the mind ofPresi-f
dent Davis is military affairs. As secre
tary ol War, he had large experience.—
In the line of his duty he has made him
self thoroughly acquainted with the capac
ity of of the country—its lines of attack
and defense—the power of the forts, de
pots and stations. While performing his
duty as an officer of Government, he knew!
no party—he would know nothing but effi
ciency and ability in the performance off
his duty or appointment to office. He'
left his position without a shadow of el
charge. He will not now know anything
but efficiency. He will surround himself 1
only with those who are competent. 1
know most of the officers about him to be
the most efficient in the service. This
statement is due, not only to relieve Da-;
vis from the charges of official iniproprie-l
ty so often made, but also that we maynat';
underestimate his ability, nor be deceived
as to his policy.”
xie tells us that caution is one of tbel
nabits of Mr. Davis—which, while btl
takes every possible measure to coiicec*|
irate information in regard to every point;
and measure—yet the same will preventl
him from allowing any to know his uki;S
mate purpose. It is these qualities of Mr |
Davis that make those who know hint
apprehensive of the fate of Washington!
City. He may be occupying Georgetownf|
Heights^ or the city itself, before we, out
here, could hear that he was marching’
[Cin. Enquirer, (Union,)
- — -.—
-Cue Blockade Proclamation.—The
telegraph has already informed our read- ^
ers that on the 19th ult., Lincoln had is
sued his proclamation ordered a blockadi^
ing of the ports of the Confederate State?,j|
1 he following extract from this abolitioni
pronunciamento informs us how this block*B
ide is to bo enforced i
for this purpose a competent force will
-e posted so as to prevent entrance and
x.t ot vessels from the ports aforesaid. If,
here fore, with a view to violate such bioci
de, a vessel shall approach or shall at
stnpt to leave any of the said ports, she
■ iii . e duly warned by the commander of
ne of blockading vessels, who will'
ndorse on her register the fact and date
t such warning; and if the Same vessel
utii again attempt to enter or leave the
lockaded port, she will be captured slid
3ut to the nearest convenient port, fa
rch proceedings against her and hen cat'
o, as prize, as may be deemed advisable'
And I hereby proclaim and declare tfa1
any person, under the pretended an
lotity of the said States, or under any
oer pretence, shall molest a vessel of tfa
nited States, or the persons orcargoon
3ard of her, such person will be held
nenable to the laws of the United States
i the prevention and punishment of f*
I