From Arkansas and Southern Missouri

BENTON, TEXAS, CO. MISSOURI, April 19. – The Missouri Democrat’s correspondent says: We have been amused at the reports of the whereabouts of Price and Van Dorn. One day they are at Pittsburg, Tenn., and the next at Pitman’s Ferry, on the Black river, whilst we know they are at neither place. Last Monday Price and Van Dorn’s commands were at Desark, Ninety miles below Jacksonport, on White river. So far from the rebels being at Pitman’s Ferry they have actually evacuated Pocahontas. The town is now deserted, the merchants having removed their goods. Jacksonport is also nearly deserted – the troops having been removed to Desark, ninety miles south, where the rebels seem to be concentrating in large force. Price is reported to have gone to Corinth; Albert Pike with 2,500 Indians and 600 Texan Rangers were left on the border to harass Curtis and engage the Kansas troops, if possible, while upon our south Coleman is in close proximity. One Edgar Ashbury is also trying to raise a regiment for guerilla warfare on the border. Col. Schenable is at Yellville, Arkansas, with 1,500 men. General McBride has gone to headquarters to get an order to raise an independent command to operate in Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri. Col. McFarland with his command has gone to Desark.

Lieut. Col. Wood, commandant of this post has been absent nearly a week. He returned last evening, and already we are under marching orders. So look out for something in this district soon.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 3