From Gen. Curtis’ Column

Correspondence of the St. Louis Democrat.

BATESVILLE, Ark., May 10 – A portion of Gen. Davis’s and Gen. Asboth’s divisions and two of Gen. Longstret’s regiments left her to-day for the North.  An adequate force is still here, however, for operations in this district.  Our advance, under Gen. Osterhause, crossed White River and took the road to Little Rock, the Capital of the State.

As many as 150 persons per day have come in and taken the oath of allegiance, embracing judges, ministers and many of the most influential citizens.  The sentiment of the people is rapidly becoming more and more loyal.

The news of our occupation of this place was received by Gov. Rector, at Little Rock, on the 5^th, and produced great excitement.  Some of the citizens advised peace, while others were rampant for defending the city to the last extremity.  The following day the Governor issued a proclamation to the State militia to repair immediately to the Capital to repel the invaders. – Many of the militia were issuing special calls.

6,000 Texans were daily expected at Little Rock, but they were under orders for Corinth.  Guerrilla bands are being formed in some sections and large mobs may be mustered at county seats, but no serious obstacles to our advance are anticipated.

Albert Pike, at last accounts, was camped at Boggy Department, 100 miles southwest of Fort Smith.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 3

Indians for the Union

Commissioner Dole held an interview recently at Leavenworth with the chiefs of the Seminole, Creek, Iowa and Delaware tribes of Indians, in which they all agreed to fight for their Great Father if he wished their services. The conversation between Mr. Dole and the noble Opothleyholo [sic] was so characteristic of Indian eloquence, drawn as it is from similes, that we give a portion of it:

Mr. Dole – Government did not expect the Indians to enter this contest at all. – Now that the rebel portion of them have entered the field, the Great Father will march his troops into your country. Col. Coffin and the agent will go with you on Monday and will assist you in enlisting your loyal men. Your enlistment is not done for our advantage only; it will [inure] to your own benefit. The country appreciates your services. We honor you. You are in our hearts.

One party tells us that John Ross is for the Union, and one that he is not.

Opothleyoholo – Both are probably right. Ross made a sham treaty with Albert Pike to save trouble. Rose is like a man lying on his belly, watching the opportunity to turn over. When the Northern troops come within hearing he will turn over.

Dole – You did not, and our people remember you. But we hope you will manifest no revenge.

Opoth. – The rebel Indians are like a cross, bad slut. The best way to end the bred is to kill the slut.

Dole – The leaders and plotters of treason only should suffer.

Opoth. – That’s just what I think. Burn over a bad field of grass and it will spring up again. It must be torn up by the roots, even if some good blades suffer. The educated part of our tribes is the worst. I am glad General Lane is going down with us. He knows our wants. I hope the government money will be paid us.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 11, 1862, p. 2

Missouri News

HOUSTON, Texas Co., April 19,

Correspondence of the Missouri Democrat says: “We have been amused at the reports concerning the whereabouts of Price and Van Dorn. One day they are at Pittsburg, Tenn., and the next at Pittman’s Ferry, Black river, whilst we know that they are at neither place. Last Monday Price’s and Van Dorn’s commands were at DesArc 90 miles below Jacksonport, on the White river. So far from the rebels being at Pittman’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 DesArc 90 miles south of where the rebels seem to be concentrating in large forces.

Price is reported to have gone to Corinth.

Albert Pike, with 2500 Indians, and 600 Texan Rangers were left on the border to harass Curtiss, and engage the Kansas troops if possible, while upon our south, Coleman is in close proximity. Gen Edgar Ashbury is also trying to raise a regiment for guerilla warfare on our border.

Col. Schnable is at Yellville, Ark., with 1,500 men.

Gen. McBride has gone to headquarters to get an order to raise an independent command, to operate in North Arkansas and South Missouri.

Col. McFarland with his command has gone to DesArc.

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

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 24, 1862, p. 1

From Arkansas

Special to St. Louis Democrat.

FORSYTH, Mo., April 13th.

Judge Morrison and O. Johnson of Huntsville, Arkansas, arrived at Gen. Curtis’ headquarters last night, having been obliged to fly from their homes since the battle of Pea Ridge, by threats made against them by a band of Texan rangers stationed at Ozark. Judge Murphy was the only member of the Arkansas seceding convention whose vote was cast against the secession of the State at Huntsville in convention. – Men are depressed with gloom, not being aware of the recent victories. No mails having been received since Price’s flight from Springfield.

It was proclaimed by the rebels that Price had retaken Springfield, and surrounded Curtis, Pike and his Indians had whipped Hunter, and that the Federals were repulsed with great loss at Island No. 10 and were falling back along the whole line, and that Jeff. Davis was about to head 400,000 troops to invade Maryland and the Northern States. These assertions were generally believed. No one had the hardihood to dispute these falsehoods. The Judge gives much information of interest relating to Arkansas matters.

Gov. Rector is better and wolfish. He called an extra session of the Legislature, but it was three weeks before a quorum was present. In his message he recommended an act to be passed punishing with heavy fine any person who even expressed doubt of the success of the Confederate arms, and that a second offense be declared felony. – An act was passed imposing a tax of thirty dollars per bale on cotton, thus favoring the production of grain to the discouragement of cotton raising.

Col. Wright of the 6th Missouri cavalry returned to Cassville on the evening of the 9th, having made a successful expedition with four companies of his command through the southwest corner of the State. All jayhawking bands in that locality were dispersed. Several skirmishes took place, which resulted in the death of several prominent rebels. 125 prisoners were captured, all of whom except the leaders and some 25 untractable [sic] ones were released on taking the oath of allegiance.

A number of horses were captured, together with 122 head of cattle, 237 bushels of wheat and 4,500 pounds of bacon.

All rebel gangs not captured were driven by Col. Wright down to Stand Waity, a point on the line of the Indian Territory, 25 miles below Neoshio.

It is reported that a body of rebels, 600 strong, are encampted [sic] between Cowskin and Buffalo Creek, and Pike is now at the head of 1,500 Indians, fifteen miles below.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 19th, 1862, p. 1

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