[LITTLE ROCK]
ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT
1862
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 2, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
Manufactures in Arkansas.
There is a tobacco factory at Bentonville in Benton county which is said
to be a paying institution. The
tobacco crop is getting to be an important one in the northwest. There is a large cotton factory in Washington county.
The cotton factory at Van Buren is a large affair and in addition to
spindles, has cards for wool. Mr.
Tobey, of Norristown, Pope county, has, or will soon have, his cotton factory in
operation. There is, also, a cotton factory in Pike county.
In Newton county they have large saltpetre works and are turning out
large quantities. In Independence,
and perhaps other counties, there are fine saltpetre caves which are being
worked. The rich lead mines in
Newton county are rudely worked. The
Bellah mines in Sevier county are also yielding lead.
We are told there is copper in that region and sulphur and sulphuric acid
can be made there. Salt is made on White river and down near the Louisiana line.
The salt works on the Ouachita are in the hands of enterprising men.
There is an unlimited supply of brine and we are told that Messrs. Harley
& Co., have commenced boiling and making salt.
They have a foundry at Camden which turns out cannon and sent a battery
under command of Capt. Reed, to Oak Hills.
We have two foundries in Little Rock, one of which furnished grape shot
for the army. At Hopefield,
opposite Memphis, the machine shop of the Memphis and Little Rock railroad has
been turned into an armory and is altering and repairing guns etc.
Several extensive tanneries have been started at various points in the
State where at hides are tanned by the process lately discovered.
The Messrs. Dyer of this city have a soap and candle factory in
operation. At the arsenal there is
an armory under the control of the Confederacy, but the necessary machinery has
not yet arrived. The Arkansas
penitentiary has turned out gun carriages, caissons, wagons, boots, shoes,
clothing and many other things needed for the army.
A manufactory of coal oil is in progress on the Ouachita river.
These are all enterprises that occur to us while writing, but there are,
doubtless, others. We would be glad to have a full list of those manufactures
and enterprises in operation or under way.
We know that several are in contemplation but the continual low stage of
water in the Arkansas and other rivers has prevented the bringing machinery to
desired points. Will our
correspondents be kind enough to advise us of any new manufactures started or
existing in their counties.—While on this subject, we may remark that there is
good coal at several points on the upper Arkansas, in Perry, Johnson, Franklin
and Sebastian counties. In some
places it is immediately on the river bank and when the river rises we expect
the coal trade will become an important one, provided the river rises before the
cold weather ceases.
We have omitted to mention that the railroad from Little Rock to White
river is nearly completed and that two telegraph lines, one from Pine Bluff to
Napoleon and another from Little Rock to Fort Smith, are rapidly approaching
completion.
In addition to all this we have some fine large flour mills, that make
flour equal to any made elsewhere. There
is, also a factory in the southern part of the State where they make cotton
gins, wheat fans etc.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 2, 1862, p.
2, c. 1
The Close of the Year.—The old year—time—decay—rapid
changes—retrospect—solemn thoughts—departed friends—gallant dead—vain
regrets—cherished memories. War—prospects
last spring and now—contrasts—the old union—Ilium fuil—the
future—independence, our own stout hearts and strong arms—liberty or
death—freedom or annihilation—rich and powerful republic—career of
unexampled prosperity and priceless heritage of liberty bequeathed to our
descendants.
We had intended to follow the immemorial custom of editors and write an
article on the above theme, but the imp of the office called for copy and
announced that the paper would go to press before we could do more than write
down the skeleton of the article. As
mothers, in Christmas times, to call forth the taste and sewing abilities of
their daughters, give them an undressed doll, which they may dress to their
tastes, so we present our readers with our skeleton article, to fill up to
please themselves.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 2, 1862, p. 2, c. 4
More About Flags.
Mr. James A. Martin of this city has shown us a drawing of a flag
designed by him, which keeps prominent the characteristics of "the sun
flag" of the Richmond Dispatch and avoids the objectionable features of a
bar sinister and lines that may be made horizontal in a change of the position
of the flag by the wind. In Mr.
Martin's flag a sun is in the center; this is surrounded by a circle of blue
which reaches to the top and bottom of the flag.
Outside of this there are two curves or crescents, part of a regular
circle of white, and outside of the white, the flag is filled with red. This gives each end and corner a red, which is easily
distinguished, and the whole affair is simple and tasteful.
Our fellow citizen, P. L. Anthony also sends us a design, accompanied by
a note, which we publish below. It
is somewhat difficult to describe Mr. Anthony's flag.
At a point midway between the upper and lower left hand corners lines are
drawn nearly to the upper and lower right hand corners. This divides the flag in three unequal triangles.
The upper one is colored blue; the lower one is green, and the middle
triangle, with its point towards the flag staff remains white.
On the base of this white triangle that is on the end of the flag
farthest from the staff, is a narrow perpendicular stripe of red.
On the white triangle the sun and thirteen stars are represented.
Mr. Anthony's note will further explain the design:
Editors True Democrat—
Sir: I see in your issue of
yesterday two articles in regard to the flag of the Confederacy, and numerous
propositions to change it.
Herewith please find a rude and hastily drawn and colored flag, which I
have devised, almost without reflection, the ideas of which, however, are in
part suggested by those articles.
Above, a blue sky; beneath, the green earth; the centre designed to
represent a pure and virtuous people;--The sun, emblematic of the Confederacy;
the stars of the States; the red band, of a sea of blood from which they emerge.
I pretend to but little knowledge of heraldry, and had no regard to it in
grouping the emblems.
Your friend etc.
P. L. Anthony.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 2, 1862, p.
2, c. 5-6
Here is an item worthy of the notice of those who make soap:
It is said that cotton seed oil is equal if not superior to the ordinary
refuse grease for soap. The process
is so simple that any housewife may, with little trouble, make the experiment.
Put as much cotton seed into a large strong iron pot or wooden mortar, as
can be mashed with a pestel [sic], crush or mash them well, then boil in strong
lye, and proceed as in the usual way. As
grease may be scarce next year, it may be well to begin with experiments before
the grease is exhausted.—Home Journal.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 9, 1862, p.
2, c. 4
Our Correspondents.—We are in receipt of many letters from our friends
in the different camps, which we do not publish for several reasons.
The primary one is want of space. In
many instances, the matter in the letters has already been anticipated by others
and it would be useless to republish it. There
is a great complaint of want of clothing, and the soldiers say that the State
agreed to furnish them clothing, thus cutting them off from obtaining it from
the Confederacy, or commutation in lieu of it.
A soldier in writing to us from Island No. 10, on Christmas eve, says the
11th Arkansas regiment has been out nearly six months and has no guns
yet. The pay-master, he says, came
up but he had bills against the regiment for clothing and blankets exceeding the
amount of pay due, and it is so arranged that the soldiers cannot get
commutation for the clothing. He
pertinently asks what Arkansas wants with men when she sends a regiment off
without providing them arms. In the
course of a long letter from Mr. J. N. Kellough, of the artillery volunteers,
occurs the following:
"It is a gallant spectacle. The
long lines of flickering fires glaring in the night; the tramp of hosts; the
neighing of horses; the clash and gleam of burnished arms; the stalwart soldiers
improvising their simple and hardy fare beside the blaze and long, moving
shadows stretching back from the fires. At
the tap of the drum, all is still, save the call of the sentinel in the
distance, publishing the hours of the night, or, perchance, the ejaculation of
some weary soldier as he dreams of home and the loved ones there.
In dreams, they see the sweet face of a gentle wife; the soothing voice
of a mother is heard or the prattling of children falls upon the soul and the
bold heart of the sleeper becomes full of tenderness.
Yet, let the trumpet or the long roll call to arms and this sleeping host
will arise as one man, with strong arms and stout hearts to the realities of the
march to victory or death."
We have other letters, some of which have been so long in reaching us
that the matters of which they treat are stale; others that have been crowded
out so long that we are ashamed to publish them.
We are glad to receive letters from the army, and hope our correspondents
will not be offended at the non-appearance of their letters n print, but
continue to keep us posted as to camp affairs.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 9, 1862, p.
2, c. 5
The Baltimore News Sheet, an abolition paper, has the article we copy
below. It is another evidence of
the dire suffering of the free people of Missouri.
Read it and see what savages these Lincolnites are:
The Baltimore New Sheet has the following account of a pitiless raid made
by Lincoln's ruffians in Missouri:
One Hundred Houses of Rebels Burnt.—We have received an interesting
letter from our special correspondent with the army of the west.
A terrible and devastating guerrilla warfare has commenced in that
portion of Missouri adjoining Kansas. Col.
Jennison, stationed near Fort Independence, having received no reply to the
proclamation calling upon the secessionists to take the oath of allegiance, sent
detachments of troops in every direction, and the houses of one hundred rebels
were burnt. In one skirmish, a
rebel named Fitzpatrick was captured, tried and shot.
The reasons given for this by Col. Jennison were that Fitzpatrick had
killed a federal officer, whose arms were found upon him, and that he had shot a
Methodist preacher while standing guard over him.
The rebel died game, shouting for "Jeff Davis and the south,"
as he fell pierced with the bullets of the soldiers.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 9, 1862, p. 3, c. 3
Letter from the Army in Kentucky.
Headquarters 7th Ark. Reg't,
}
Near Bowling Green, Ky.,
}
Camp Hardee, Dec. 30 '61.
}
. . . I had the pleasure of meeting with Maj. J. B. Johnson
at the office of Major John Pope, who, by the by, has the appearance of a
regular old soldier from the gallant "tooth pick" State.
Maj. Johnson told me that he witnessed the charge made by Col. Terry and
his gallant Texas rangers at Green river on the federal army, a few days since,
which you have heard of before this. The
Major said it was one of the most daring and gallant charges ever made, that
even the proud and gallant Murat, in his palmiest days could not have effected
any more than did Col. Terry. Where
Col. Terry fell, there lay around him eleven of the base Hessians that fell by
the strong right arm of Col. Terry himself, before he received the fatal shot
and fell.—There are many thrilling incidents connected with the charge made by
the Texans upon that eventful day, but for a newspaper correspondent to attempt
to give all would be at this time out of place, for every hour we hear that the
enemy intends to advance with an overwhelming force, and that they intend to
drive the rebels from this place. Now
in the event that they attempt such a thing, Manassas will only be a scrimmage
in comparison to the fight that will be here, and "let them come, let them
come," we are ready, we are willing; yea, anxious to meet them, is the
watchword and cry of the gallant "Tooth Picks" and many, yea, many of
the Yankees will be "welcomed with bloody hands to hospitable graves"
by the brave and courteous sons of the South. . . .
As it now stands, the best soldiers in the South are neglected—half
clothed, half shod, but until here recently, not a murmur was heard; now the
winds of winter are howling around, the earth begins to wear her vestments of
white, and now the soldiers begin to suffer.
We will wait yet a little while, and then we will see. . . .
One of the Bloody Seventh.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 9, 1862, p.
3, c. 4
A short time since the N. Y. Times published the following:
A Remarkable Prophecy.—One of the most striking instances of the
fulfillment of prophecy, says the Boston Christian Advocate, was pointed out to
us lately by an eminent Baptist divine. It
occurs in 8th, 10th, and 21st verses of Haggai,
chapter iv.
"Behold there shall be rebellion in the South, a rebellion of strong
men and archers, of chariots and bright shields; and the blast of the trumpet
shall awaken the land, and the nations shall be astonished thereat.
"And lo, behold, because of the sin of the South, her mighty men
shall be as babes, her gates shall be destroyed utterly, saith the Lord, yea
utterly destroyed shall be her gates, and her rice fields shall be wasted and
her slaves set free.
"And behold, great ships from the North shall devour her pride, and
a storm from the West shall lay waste her habitations.
Yea, saith the Lord, and her dominion shall be broken."
The day following the Times acknowledged the corn as follows:
Prophecy.—We copied from the Boston Christian Advocate, a day or two
since, what was styled a "Remarkable Prophecy," from Haggai, chap. iv,
verses 8, 10, and 21, wonderfully applicable to the present war, and its
consequences to the South. We have
received a multitude of letters informing us that there are but two
chapters in Haggai, and that the Christian Advocate had been badly hoaxed.
It has this consolation, however, in common with ourselves—that it has
stimulated a good many persons to search the Scriptures—possibly for the first
time.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 9, 1862, p.
3, c. 5
We learn that B. C. Harley & Co., are making 50 bushels of salt a day
at their works on the Ouachita river. If
kettles can be procured they can increase this yield.
Mr. Harley will write to us we hope in time for our next issue, the price
of the salt at the works and whether the company intend to sell lit all there,
or send it to various points. They
could sell a thousand bushels here a day. As
soon as it is generally known that the salt can be obtained at that point,
wagons will be sent for it. We
shall recur to this subject again. In
the meantime Ward and Basham ought to go to work at their saline in Franklin
county.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 9, 1862, p.
3, c. 6
We have received a letter from a friend stating that he had tried acorns
as a substitute for coffee. He
complains of an unripe taste which will be got rid of by cutting the acorns and
letting them dry. In other respects
he thinks the substitute is admirable, and says that if coffee could be had for
ten cents a pound and acorns for fifteen cents, he would prefer to buy the
acorns. He adds that he has been an
habitual coffee drinker for fifteen years, and unless he drank two cups of
coffee in the morning, had a headache all day.
But one cup of good acorn coffee has the happy effect of freeing him from
headache and he thinks the acorn equal to that of Mocha.—Let our readers
gather a few acorns, cut them up, dry them, parch like coffee and try them.
White oak mast is preferred by some.
The different oaks yield acorns that make coffee different in its
astringent properties and flavors.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 9, 1862, p.
3, c. 6
Some of the Yankee correspondents occasionally indulge in sarcastic
descriptions of their own troops, which are highly seasoned with humor. The correspondent of the New York Mercury thus described a
body of troops which he denominates the "Mackerel Brigade:"
The review of seventy thousand troops near Munson's Hill, on Thursday,
was one of those stirring events my boy, which we have been upon the eve of for
the past year. A new cavalry
company, the Mackerel Brigade, excited great attention as it went past, and I
understand the President said that with the exception of the men and horses it
was one of the finest mobs he ever saw. The
horses are a new pattern fluted sides, polished knobs on the haunches, and a
hand rail all the way down the back. A
rebel caught sight of one of these fine animals the other day, and immediately
fainted. It was afterwards
ascertained that he owned a field of oats in the neighborhood.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 16, 1862, p. 2, c. 3
The Peace Society.
We have received several letters, and persons have called upon us to make
statements in relation to the alleged conspiracy, or peace society, formed in
the northern part of the State. We
confess that we are at a loss to know what is the true state of the case, but we
fear a great many innocent men and a number of ignorant ones, have been
shamefully treated. Sometime last
summer, Mr. Harvick, of Monroe county, caused the arrest and examination of some
members of a self-styled "pro bono publico," or peace society,
but the evidence proved nothing reasonable and the parties were dismissed.
Sometime afterwards arrests were made and persons sent here, from Van
Buren, Izard and other counties. The
most of them protested their innocence of any treasonable intent, their loyalty
to the Confederacy and when offered a release on condition of service in the
army, promptly volunteered. The
oath of the society, so far as disclosed, has no direct treason in it, but is
suspicious as affixing the death penalty to an informer.
On the one hand, it was charged that this society was instituted for the
purpose of giving aid and comfort to the enemy; that upon the approach of
Lincoln's troops the houses of the members were to be distinguished by a mark on
the door facing and were to be unmolested; that arms from the federals in
Missouri had been placed in their hands with which to fight against the South;
that besides the oath already known, there was another and treasonable one, in
which the members swore hostility to the Southern Confederacy and that the
leaders were abolitionists. It was
admitted that the majority of these men were ignorant and had no knowledge of
the ultimate objects of the society or designs of their leaders.
On the other hand, we have been solemnly assured that if such a society
existed there was nothing treasonable in it; that there was but one oath; that
innocent men were induced to join by being told it promised them protection and
that no collusion with abolitionists or Lincoln's army was thought of.
It is bitterly denied that any arms or ammunition were received from
Missouri, or that any were found. It
is asserted that persons without authority commenced making arrests without
warrants and upon suspicion, or when an enemy pointed out some person as a
member; that there was no security of person; that old men, some of them having
three sons in the Confederate army and who had furnished food and clothing to
our troops, were seized, ironed and sent to this city, and that others who had
responded to Col. Borland's call for troops, upon their return from Pocahontas
were seized and imprisoned.
In the case of Mr. Edmondson, those who killed him say it was done in
self defence and while he was resisting an arrest.
His friends say that Edmondson was a true southron; that in the reign of
terror he advised certain persons whom he knew to have enemies to escape until
the storm blew over, and for this he was accused of being a member of the
society; that they sought to arrest him and because he refused to submit, shot
him.
We do not know which of these stories is true, but if half that is told
us is reality, there is a dreadful state of affairs there.
The power of making arrests without warrant is a dangerous one to put in
the hands of any man or set of men and in this case it appears to have been
exercised by anybody or everybody. Arrests
are being made yet, or were made until very lately and the State has had to pay
large sums for arresting, guarding and bringing these men here.
While all this was going on, regular orders of regular Confederate
officers are pronounced against as conflicting with the civil authority and
running counter to the law. It has
been estimated that no more prisoners will be brought here as it is intended to
make short work of these suspected men hereafter.
So, if anybody has an enemy in north Arkansas, he has only to denounce
him as a member of the peace society to insure his death.
The Governor of this State has sworn to see the laws faithfully executed
and if treason exists in that quarter he should see that the accused and
arrested men have the advantage of a trial and defence.
The law, in this instance, has been lost sight of or trampled under foot.
If the Governor will not act in the premises, the Military Board can
appoint a commission to proceed to these counties, enquire into these matters,
cause the legal arrest of parties against whom evidence is found and restore
quiet and order among the people.
We do not intend to impugn the motives of any person or persons engaged
in making these arrests. They
may have been actuated by patriotic motives, but there is a limit to all things,
and it is high time their power of arresting citizens and killing those who
demur, should be superseded by the strong arm of the law.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 16, 1862, p.
2, c. 3
Some two or three weeks since, certain parties got up a fair, ostensibly
by the little girls of Little Rock, the proceeds of which were to be used for
nobody knew exactly what, and the last heard from the funds raised, were that
they were on deposit. A lady of
this city collected from the clerks in the state house, a small sum with which
to furnish a table at the fair, but the money was demanded from her before the
day arrived for the fair. She
refused to give it up, and wished to return it to the donors.
Upon their refusal to receive it, she made another disposition of the
money, as will be shown by the following letter:
Overton General Hospital,
}
Memphis, Jan. 2, 1862.
}
Mrs. R. Cogburn, Little Rock, Ark.—
Dear Madam: I have the honor
to acknowledge the receipt of twenty dollars, the voluntary contribution of
several gentlemen of your city.—It will be appropriated as you desire, to the
sick and wounded.
The hospital of Southern Mothers has been suspended, and the patients
transferred to this hospital. I had
charge of the Southern Mothers from its first patient to its close, 2,237, and
am now assigned to duty and in charge of the Overton General Hospital.
The Southern Mothers has been a blessing to Arkansas, and I trust that,
under my management, the Overton shall prove itself equally as efficient, and
able to provide for all who may be sheltered within its walls.
Yours truly,
G. W. Currey,
Ass't. Surgeon, P. A. C. S.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 16, 1862, p.
2, c. 4
Several weeks ago we stated that acorns were a good substitute for
coffee, and since gave the substance of letters from a friend who had tried it.
The Gazette republishes this and commenting upon it, says:
["]If the writer be not mistaken, and we hope he is not, the oak
mast will be of additional importance. We
have heard of persons having sheet iron stomachs, which we always doubted, but
it does seem to us that the continued use of acorn coffee would have the effect
of tanning the stomach, and making it as tough as leather. Let some one try the experiment and see what is in
it.["]
The tannic or tanning properties of the oak is strongly exhibited in the
bark, but it by no means follows that the acorns contain it in any considerable
quantity. The bark of the
chinquapin tree is fully as astringent and contains as much tannin, but the
chinquapin nut does not have the effect of tanning the stomach.
Let the Captain taste the bark of an apple tree or of a peach tree, and
see how widely they differ in taste and other properties from the apple or peach
which grew on them.
Some fifteen years ago we were acquainted with a wealthy man who drank
acorn coffee in preference to any other kind.
Several of the planters in the "up country" of Carolina used it
altogether. It was often a subject
of conversation, and a scientific man who married in the family of one of
Carolina's most distinguished sons, made an analysis of the acorn and coffee
berry. His capabilities for the
task will be admitted, when it is known that he was regarded in the schools of
Paris as one of the best analytical chemists there, and upon his return to this
country was engaged in several scientific enterprises of great importance.
We have not the formula now of his analysis, and it would be, perhaps,
too technical for the general reader. We
remember that the acorn and the coffee berry had certain constituents in common,
and upon these depended the effects produced by coffee, such as wakefulness,
gentle stimulation, and others. This
also gave a similarity in flavor. In
fact, the acorn from the white oak, afforded a softer beverage than the coffee
and those who used it greatly preferred it.
The black oak, red oak and other different varieties of the quercus have
acorns that make a stronger or more astringent coffee, but not so strong as the
common kinds of coffee often sold.
We find the following in a late number of the Memphis Avalanche, and
reproduce it to show that we are not alone in our estimate of acorn coffee.
["] A correspondent, writing to the Picayune, gives the following
interesting account of a substitute for coffee, which is so different from any
we have yet heard of, that we give it for the benefit of those who wish to
experiment in supplying what has been an article of necessity with us in the
South, and which is now placed beyond our reach for a time.
He says:
At a Medico-Botanical society of London, in 1837, the President
introduced to the notice of the members a new beverage which very much resembled
the real coffee. It was made from
acorns, peeled, chopped and roasted. The
acorn, which gives out this fragrant drink, is well known to be the fruit of the
oak of our forests, of which there are a great variety and abundance in almost
all of the States. Whether the
white, the black, or the red species of quercus acorn is used for this purpose,
is not stated. The experiment,
however, is simple and easy, and ought to be tried.
There are reasons why it should prove to be a better substitute than any
yet offered for the real berry. The
chincapin tree, I think, belongs to the same genus, though of much smaller
growth, produces a similar, but smaller acorn, and from its peculiar flavor, I
am much inclined to think the chincapin, properly prepared, will make a first
rate cup of coffee.["]
We suppose it is too late to try it this season but let any of our
readers make the experiment. We
have seen old coffee drinkers, who professed to be connoissieurs [sic] and
gourmands, tried with a cup of it without knowing it was made from acorns, who
smacked their lips over it and pronounced it excellent.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 16, 1862, p.
2, c. 6
Another Design for a Flag.—Mr. Hicks, of White county, has sent us the
drawing of a flag designed by him. It
is nearly square. From one of the
lower corners a half circle is drawn ending at the opposite lower corner.
All above this line is a blue ground on which thirteen stars are arranged
in the form of a pyramid. Adjoining
the blue is a belt or semicircular band of red.
This leaves a hemisphere of white in the lower part of the flag, on which
a sun is emblazoned. It is a novel
design and must be seen to be appreciated.
The effect is very pleasing. The
letter of Mr. Hicks will explain in full:
Searcy, Ark., Jan'y 6, 1862.
Editor True Democrat—
I enclose you my design for a Confederate flag, which I hope you will
notice as you may deem it merits.
In this flag the three colors "Red, White and Blue" are
retained as they surely should be, as each has a significance now. The stars on the blue ground represent the States and
arranged in pyramidal form an indication of strength and permanency.
They also rest on the arch. The
arch or bow is indication of strength and also denotes a perfect structure.
This refers also to the bow of promise after the deluge of abolition
fanaticism which destroyed the old union. May
our sunny South never again be visited by such a curse.
The sun denotes our rising glory, also our sunny South.
The white ground indicative of that purity which should characterize us
as a people.
This flag bears no resemblance to the old one.
It is easily distinguished amidst dust and smoke and at a distance.
I do not think the colors should be surrendered by us.
They may be arranged so as to bear no resemblance whatever to the flag of
any other nation.
Very respectfully,
Will. Hicks.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 16, 1862, p.
2, c. 4
The Gold Medals.—Sometime last summer, Gen. Wm. E. Ashley, of this
city, and President of the State Agricultural Society, offered a gold medal as a
premium to the lady who would weave the greatest number of yards of woolen cloth
up to a certain time. Regarding it
as an excellent idea, we also offered another gold medal to the lady who would
weave the next greatest number of yards. We
had received letters stating that certain young ladies in the western portion of
the State would strive for the medal, but some of them became dishearted because
they could not procure wool, or rolls. By
the following, which we find in the Gazette
of this city, it will be seen that Gen. Ashley has awarded his premium to Miss
Anderson, of Ouachita county. We
are willing to abide by our offer and notify the young ladies to send in their
claims either to this office or to Gen. Ashley, and we will have both medals
prepared at the same time. There
are victories won at the fireside, and patriotism exhibited by our women as
gallant and warm as on the battle field. It
will be a source of gratification and pride for these young women to show, in
after years, that in the war of the revolution they aided so nobly in the great
cause and that their efforts did not escape honorable recognition.
["] Premium Awarded.—Some time since Gen. Wm. E. Ashley, of this
place, offered a fine medal as a premium to the lady who should weave the
greatest number of yards of woolen cloth. The
subjoined letter shows that Miss Nancy R. Anderson, has made eight one yards of
jeans and twenty four yards of checked linsey, and that she carded and spun a
part of the filling after she commenced weaving.
The premium has been awarded to her, and soon as the medal can be
prepared it will be forwarded. We
rejoice to see the young ladies of the country contending for prizes offered to
those who excel in products of home industry; for, in times of peace, they are
honors second only to those won at the expense of toil and blood in the defense
of the country; and in times of war, they are equal to the proudest honors the
soldier can win on the battle field; because the cloth made by our women at home
is necessary to protect our soldiers from the severity of winter, and but for
that they would not be in a condition to do their duty in defending the country
from the ravages of the invaders.
The following is the letter:--
Ouachita County, Ark.
Gen. Ashley:--My daughter, Nancy R. Anderson, a girl of nineteen years,
commenced on the 17th of
September, to compete for the medal you offered for the greatest number of yards
of woolen cloth. She wove
eighty-one yards of jeans, and twenty-four yards of checked linsey. She carded and spun a part of the filling after she had
commenced the weaving. I have
doubts about her getting the medal, yet she desires me to write to you and
ascertain who wove the greatest number of yards and won the prize.
Respectfully yours,
E. B. Anderson.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 16, 1862, p. 2, c. 6
Little Rock
Chemical
Soap and Candle
Manufactory,
Corner of Orange
and Bird Streets, Rectortown.
The subscribers having established the above named factory
in Little Rock, and possessing every facility for manufacturing Soap and Candles
on an extensive scale, are prepared to supply the trade with those useful
articles—wholesale and retail.
Cash paid for Tallow and Soap-grease, if delivered at the factory, or at
Mr. Navara's store.
Orders left with Mr. Navara, on Main street, promptly attended to.
H. Linde,
A. Bresler.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 16, 1862, p.
3, c. 2
A great complaint is made of the scarcity of cotton cards. The usual price was sixty cents and now two dollars is
offered. They are easily made, if
the wire can be procured. The
enterprising man who can set up a manufactory of wire in the South would be a
public benefactor.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 16, 1862, p.
3, c. 2
The Alexandria, Texas, Democrat, congratulates itself upon the fact that
over one hundred wagons are on the way to that place from San Antonio laded with
wool, hides and coffee.
The best Creole oranges sell in New Orleans at one dollar a hundred, and
on the coast at four dollars a barrel.
They are putting up machinery in the Georgia penitentiary and will soon
commence the manufacture of muskets, rifles, etc.
The Washington, Arkansas, Telegraph, says that chickens sell in that town
at from 10 to 20 cents; corn, 40 to 50 cents; eggs 10 cents a doz.
That paper adds that dry goods are cheap, and that merchants there, as a
general thing, have not advanced on the prices of their goods.—Here, they have
doubled on the prices of almost everything, and in some instances, trebled and
quadrupled. In other parts of the
State, the advance in prices was slight and the merchants sold out and closed
their stores. A gentleman who has
traveled considerably over the South lately, avers that goods are higher in
Little Rock than at any other point in the Confederacy.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 16, 1862, p.
3, c. 3-4
Still More About Flags.—A correspondent of one of our exchanges thus
describes the battle flag of the Potomac:
It was found from experience that the national Confederate flag was very
hard to distinguish at a distance from the United States flag, hence the reason
why a battle flag has been adopted. The
new battle flag is about three and a half feet long by three wide.
It is made out of red silk, which is bordered around with yellow fringe.
Extending diagonal across from corner to corner are two bars of blue silk
about four inches wide, which form a cross like an X, and in this cross are
placed eleven white stars. The flag
is a very beautiful one, and I hope that it may be adopted as our national flag.
The Richmond Dispatch gives its readers another one:
A Virginia lady correspondent encloses us a design of a flag which
embodies our Georgia correspondent's idea of the sun, but discards other
features as being too much like the old one.
In this new design, which strikes us very favorably, the field is to be
rose color, with a sun rising along a line of blue hills.
The writer says: "Let
the body of the sun have as many points as there are States in the
Confederacy.—This will be peculiarly appropriate, because our States, like the
sun, give instead of receiving. If
a motto be desired, let a white scroll stretch across between the hills and the
sun. In grateful acknowledgment of
our bright skies and fair land, I thought of 'Deus Dat'—God giveth
strength'—seemed better. I have
made the remainder of the flag a bright green, with a scarlet band encircling
the field and around the border. The
bright sun, blue hills, and green fields, which so strikingly mark our Southern
land, would all be represented."—Richmond Dispatch.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 16, 1862, p. 3, c. 6
A Brave Girl.
The Columbus (Ga.) Times says the following extract from a letter of a
Savannah girl, (not all unknown to fame) is too good to be kept immersed in the
private portfolio for which it was intended:
"Do you believe that instead of feeling frightened I feel quite
brave, and I think if I only had the strength of my heart in my hand I would
make a little hero during this war. On
the day that the engagement at Port Royal was going on, and everything was one
wild scene of confusion for fear of an attack on Savannah, I seated myself in
the midst of all, and made a Confederate Flag for the express purpose of waving
it saucily in their faces when they landed.
If they come upon us by land they will have to pass our very door, and in
spite of everything but chains I intend to wave my banner.
I intend to be the first Savannah girl to dare them, and to show them
that the South has not only brave men, but brave women also.
How it makes my blood boil when I hear of a cowardly act done by any one
bearing the name of man. There
were some in Savannah, who, during the fight at Port Royal, became
alarmed, for fear their courage might be put to the test, and as they would much
rather run than fight, and could not do so well if they wore a hat and boots,
preferred the more modest attire of females, and took to bonnets and slippers.
Since then I have considered our uniform disgraced forever, if we
do not prove to the world that all who wear this modest disguise are not
cowards. To set the rest of the
gentler sex an example, I have volunteered to exchange my hat and slippers for
the boots and breeches of the next man who would rather run than fight, and
promise, too, that I never will disgrace it by cowardly conduct.
If the men prove cowards at a time like this, it is high time for the
women to show what they can do; and if they cannot depend on them for
protection, show them that they have bravery enough to meet them at their own
doors, if they can not follow them to the battle field.
I think that every woman should prove a true Spartan to the cause of
liberty, and when history shall bear record of the deeds of 1861, it will
reflect upon them no disgrace, but give them credit for following the example of
their mothers of '76.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 16, 1862, p.
3, c. 6
We forget what paper we clipped the following from, but as dyspepsia is
so common a disease among our people, it may be of interest and value to our
readers.
A respected correspondent sends us the following which he says is a
specific cure for dyspepsia and all derangements of the liver.
The materials can be found in any drug store. He says.
"It may be used with impunity for an indefinite time. 1 oz. of Liverwort, 1 do. Black Root, 1 do. Black Snakeroot,
1½ do. Senna. Mix these several
articles together, and put them in a large pitcher or any other convenient
vessel, pour over them five half pints (or a quart and a half pint) of boiling
water, cover the vessel closely and set it away.
After steeping 18 or 20 hours, stirring occasionally during that time,
strain it through a coarse cloth, and then add about a half pint of good brandy,
or some other good spirits. Bottle,
and in the summer or warm weather in the winter, keep it in a cool place to
prevent it from souring. Dose, a
table spoonful three times a day, and always immediately after eating.
Some constitutions may require a little more, and others a little less;
each one must adjust the dose to suit themselves.
There is no harm in the remedy, and if necessary, it should be persisted
in for weeks and months.
Philos.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 16, 1862, p.
3, c. 6-7
As an offset to the tremendous inventions of the Yankees we give the
following notice of a southern engine of destruction.
The Honderscript Outdone.—We see that a Mr. Robert Crenzbaur has
invented a machine which he styles "Sea King," and for which he claims
wonderful powers. He says that one
vessel properly constructed upon his plan, will clean out the blockading fleet
of any port. The invention is a
secret as yet, but it has been examined by a committee of three scientific
gentlemen, upon whose judgment the legislature has appropriated $500 for the
purpose of aiding Mr. Crenzbaur, in bringing his invention before the war
department.—Centerville Texas Times.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 23, 1862, p.
2, c. 1
The young ladies and gentlemen of this city are getting up another
concert and series of tableaux. The
former ones were complete success, creditable to the performers and of great
benefit to the soldiers. We need
not bespeak a full attendance, but advise our city readers to buy tickets early.
Tableaux and Concert.—We are requested to state that the Tableaux and
Concert is postponed until Monday evening next, 27th inst.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 23, 1862, p.
3, c. 2
Another Design.—A friend in Madison county has sent us yet another
design for a flag. It may be
briefly described as being the "Stars and bars," with a sun placed
inside the circle of stars, and the upper red bar on the flag removed, and a
white one put in its place. Here is
the letter:
Huntsville, Ark., Jan'y 10th, 1862.
Mr. Editor—
I notice various propositions to change the flag of our sunny South.
Permit me to suggest one with but slight alterations from the present.
Let the blue field remain, placing the Sun in the center thereof,
surrounding it (the Sun,) with the thirteen stars.
Let the red stripe on the lower side also remain, then make the remaining
two-thirds of pure white. Our is a
plain modest, unassuming government, not fond of display, deserving something
"neat but not gaudy," and substantial in form and fabric, that it may
be easily seen and recognized; therefore this plan will at once commend itself.
Yours truly,
Lee.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 23, 1862, p.
3, c. 3
Groundpea oil is manufactured on a large scale at Wilmington, N.C.
This is said to be a superior article for machinery.
Sunflour [sic] seeds yield oil in large quantities, excellent for
lubricating purposes. The latter
would be one of the most profitable crops that could be planted.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 23, 1862, p.
3, c. 3
The names of three hundred wealthy secessionists of St. Louis have been
selected to pay Halleck's assessment ostensibly for the benefit of refugee
tories. Sixty-four of the three
hundred have been required to pay $10,000, and the remaining two hundred and
thirty-four are reserved for further black mail.
As to the so-called refugees getting the money, that is another thing.
Large sums are paid by other to keep their names off the list, but if
they do not pay they are listed and taxed.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 23, 1862, p.
3, c. 3
Among the new manufactories at the South, we note that sulphate of
copper, blue vitriol of blue stone is now made.
Type foundries have been started [?] and now we need paper manufactories.
[illegible] bleaching powder is the article most needed, and while there
is, in Arkansas, enough manganese to supply the world, yet we have no means of
melting it as it requires crucibles or [illegible] made of patina.
Some substitute may yet be found.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 23, 1862, p. 3, c. 4
Christmas Day,
Camp
Grey, Foot Mulberry Mountain. }
"At the wee small hour ayont the twal," "when nights
candles had burned out and jocund day stood tiptoe on the mountain top,"
the foam covered goblet was kissed by each member of our gallant little band to
"the old folk at home" and "friends that's far awa."
Aye, to the highest brim was filled each heart and cup.
"Memory," like old mortality, has been busy making legible
those characters impressed on her tablets "lang syne"—aye, far back
when we sat by the old "ingle side" in the rosy hours of
boyhood and watched the sparks from the old yule log and the dainty
fingers of our sweet hearts as they wove the holly and cedar wreath to deck the
festive hall, pass before us like pictures in a panorama.
To us it is a merry Christmas. We
have enjoyed ourselves in regular camp style—we are content, for we feel many
a kind heart whispered, "I wish he were here."
Do you know him, our wagon master, (J. C. Grey) if you don't, consider
this an introduction, and take our word for it if you ever "go for a
soldier," and are lucky enough to have him along, you will not regret it.
The dinner of which we have just partaken must excuse our digression, for
friend Grey contributed a fat turkey, which corporal B*** cooked ala mode,
washed with a libation brewed by Lieut. B*******.
To digress again—what a bar keeper was spoiled in making him a soldier.
That dinner never to be forgotten, interlarded with rich jokes and "concealments"
bountifully dispensed by our junior lieutenant.
Ours was indeed a merry Christmas, for in the march through life's
campaign will the participants wander back in memory to the foot of Mulberry
Mountain and love to dwell there as one of the brightest spots in memory's
waste, even in the "glo[illegible]."
Woman too lent her cheering presence, and though strangers, they had a
smile for the way worn soldier. God
bless them. What have they not done
for our comfort—their fingers have never wearied in toiling, and we feel that
prayers well up morning and night to the Giver of all good in our behalf.
Thus far in our toilsome march Providence smiled on us; bearing two days,
we have had delightful weather, and leaving out a chill or two, the health of
the company has been excellent.—We feel proud of our company and when the
tiger strife comes the Adams Battery will do its part.
We cannot close this letter without mentioning the names of Dr. Pitkern
and col. Carroll, near whose residences we camped.
We are indebted to them for kindnesses that a soldier can appreciate.
We could mention many others, but we plead the editor's excuse, want of
time and space.
Respectfully,
One of the "Adams Battery."
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 30, 1862, p.
2, c. 1
The Concert and Tableaux at the theatre hall, on Monday night were well
chosen and represented. The
selection of subjects, management of accessories to the pictures, grouping of
characters and general arrangement evinced good judgment and exquisite taste.
The house was filled to its utmost capacity and all were pleased.
The ladies and gentlemen connected with them spared neither pains or
expense to make them beautiful and interesting, and deserve not only the thanks
of soldiers, for whose benefit they are given, but also of the citizens, who are
thus furnished with a chaste and pleasing entertainment.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 30, 1862, p.
2, c. 1
Our Gold Medal.—We have several letters on the subject of the
competition for the second gold medal to the lady who wove the greatest number
of yards of cloth within a given time. The
ladies in the northern part of the State could not get wool, and one of them,
after weaving thirty or forty yards, was compelled to quit on account of
material. So far as the claims have
been received, the lady mentioned in the note below, is entitled to the second
medal.—Unless a more substantial claim for a larger amount of work is
presented within a few days, it will be definitely awarded to her.
Gen. Ashley will visit Memphis in the course of a few weeks and procure
both medals, with suitable devices and inscriptions engraved thereof.
Freed Post Office, Jan. 21st, 1862.
Editor True Democrat—
Sir: Mrs. Catharine Yeager,
near Freed post office, has, since the first of September, woven sixty-eight
yards of woolen jeans, yard wide, and thirty-two yards of linsey, yard wide, and
forty-five yards of six hundred cotton cloth.
Most of the jeans was the best that I ever saw.
She spun some of the filling for the jeans. If she is entitled to a premium, she claims it.
Very respectfully,
James Thompson.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 30, 1862, p.
2, c. 1
A new novel by Se De Kay, the pen name of Mr. Kirk of the Confederate
army, is announced in the Memphis papers. H.
W. Hilliard will shortly publish, in Richmond, a novel to be entitled "De
Vere, a story for plebs and patricians."
A gentleman of this city has in contemplation a work, entitled, "The
Confession of a Patriot." His
known ability is a sufficient guarantee of the high character of the intended
work.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 30, 1862, p.
2, c. 1
Everybody who has been "down south," has noticed the long moss
pendent on the trees in that section. The
negroes and others have heretofore made carpets and saddle blankets of it, but
lately, some enterprising men have gone to manufacturing it, with wool or
cotton, into blankets for the soldiers. Six
hundred of these blankets were sent to an Alabama regiment, and found soft,
thick and warm.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 30, 1862, p. 2, c. 2
The Character of
the War on the
Western Frontier.
At no point on the war frontier have the federal troops committed so many
outrages, or waged so cruel, relentless a wary, as in Missouri and on the Indian
line. Property has been stolen or
wantonly destroyed, women outraged, towns burnt and men murdered in cold blood.
The Kansas jayhawkers boasted, some months ago, that they took no
prisoners. Well authenticated
instances are mentioned of murders of females in cold blood for the expression
of patriotic sentiments. In once
case, a cowardly wretch shot his own sister-in-law dead, because she sneered at
the want of courage in the federal troops. The most reckless and abandoned of all Lincoln's troops have
got together in Kansas and north-west Missouri, for the openly avowed objects of
murder and plunder. From the
commencement of the war until now, the conflict on the border has become more
and more ferocious, until it has almost become a war of extermination.
So utterly detestable was the conduct of Lane and his brigands, that even
the venal presses in St. Louis denounced it and characterized it as barbarous.
When it was pointed out, those presses bitterly denied that the federal
administration was responsible for these cruelties, or that it would indorse
them. But it has indorsed them,
and, what is more, it has provided for a renewal or continuation of them.
The President has appointed, and the Senate confirmed, Lane a
brigadier-general, with a command of such an anomalous character, that he is
virtually a major-general and independent of even McClellan, the
commander-in-chief.
The character of this appointment, the conditions upon which it was made
and accepted, and the avowed policy to be carried into effect, are matters of
the highest importance to the people of western Arkansas. Among the most rabid of the ultra abolitionists, Lane has
repeatedly declared that slavery and slaveholding was a crime.
He laughs at the idea of a slaveholder being a Union man, and steals
negroes wherever found, whether the property of patriots or tories.
He has armed negroes and they are in his command vieing with the
desperate wretches joined with them, in bloodthirstiness and villainy.
He has publicly announced his determination to kill not only every man
found with arms in his hands, but also every civilian who will not take the oath
of allegiance to Lincoln and swear hostility to the South.
In public speeches, on more than one occasion, he declared that he would
make no compromises with treason nor show mercy to traitors!
This declaration of war to the knife, of a war of extermination, of a
general massacre, was enunciated and defended long before his appointment and
confirmation as a general, and he boldly avowed that he would not accept the
commission, unless allowed to wage an exterminating war.
On these conditions, and with these express stipulations, he has been
sent to the west. McClellan, to his
credit be it said, has evinced, on several occasions, a disposition to soften
the horrors of war, by providing for fair treatment of prisoners, and by
preserving those courtesies and usages that distinguish civilized from barbarian
warfare. But he has been overruled
and Lane is to be independent of him and his orders.
The only concession Lane would make to McClellan, was that the latter
might appoint Lane's staff, and that this will be productive of any good, or
that it will make Lane less cruel, is hopeless when we reflect that Lane has the
power to remove the officers so appointed.
The palpable fact is before us, that Lane at the head of 25,000
desperadoes, is preparing to march through the Indian country and western
Arkansas, fully authorized to, and sternly declaring that he will, steal every
negro and other property he can lay his hands upon, burn every building and
murder every white man he can find. He
proclaims no quarter; he hoists the black flag and swears that his march shall
be one of devastation.
The Kansas Conservative, published at Leavenworth, says:
["] It is probable that Gen. Lane will resign his seat in the Senate
between the 15th and 25th of January.
Gen. Lane will be here within eight days.
He will have command of the following troops:
12,000 cavalry, 6,000 infantry, 4,000 Indians and 30 pieces of artillery.
This is a small estimate of Gen. Lane's command.
He will, in effect, be a major-general, and his staff will hold
corresponding rank. The staff will
be appointed by Gen. McClellan and transferred to Gen. Lane.
He (Gen. Lane) will be a candidate before the legislature for the U. S.
Senate.
Champion Vaughan will be on Gen. Lane's staff, with the rank of Colonel.
He is a South Carolinian, but for many years a noted anti-slavery man.
When Gen. Lane was confirmed a brigadier-general by the Senate the other
day, Vaughan sent a dispatch to Leavenworth in these words:
"Lane is confirmed! Glory
to God! Let the rebels hunt their
holes!" ["]
In addition to the force mentioned in the above extract, he will bring
with him five other regiments. A
Washington telegram of the 5th, says:
["] The recent report about the contemplated Texas expedition, to be
fitted out at Fort Leavenworth, under charge of Gens. Hunter, Lane and Denver,
is mainly correct. Lane will
command a column organized with a view to demonstrate the correctness of those
principles which he believes can alone bring the war to a successful
termination.—In this position, Lane, it is understood, is cordially indorsed
by the administration.["]
This ought to settle, at once and forever, the question of the policy of
Lincoln with regard to slavery. The
government that would commission a wretch like Lane, with full license to rob
and murder, should be forever disgraced in the eyes of mankind. The plan of the invasion has been determined and is to
consist of three columns. That
under Lane is to march through Arkansas and capture Fort smith.—One is to
proceed through the Indian country, and the other be directed as circumstances
may require. These columns are to
take very little baggage, but to depend upon subsistence by robbing the country
as they pass. No white prisoners
are to be taken, and all slaves who are willing to fight will be armed.
Such is the avowed designs of Lane, and such the objects for which he was
appointed.
In view of all these facts, we are safe in asserting that the war on the
western frontier will be the most bloody and terrible of any that has marked or
will characterize the war. It will
be a war to the knife and the knife to the hilt; fierce, uncompromising and
merciless. It has already begun to
assume that character, for such atrocities beget retaliation, and those who
inaugurated this dreadful state of things, will find that instead of striking
terror to the bosoms of patriots, it will nerve their arms and bring thousands
in the field to confront such a bloodthirsty foe.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 30, 1862, p.
2, c. 3
We learn, from the Gazette of this city, that the ladies who
superintended the little girl's fair, disposed of the proceeds by appropriating
two hundred dollars for the families of volunteers at home, and the remainder,
$378 75, to the Bowling Green hospital. A
wise and benevolent disposition of the money.
The vote was unanimous and will be commended by the recipients.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 30, 1862, p.
2, c. 3
The distress among the poor at the North is so great that their papers
give accounts of women, dressed in men's clothing, enlisting as privates in the
army. The poor creatures must
starve or enlist. A widow McDonald
has been detected in several regiments and discharged as many times.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 30, 1862, p.
2, c. 3
As an evidence of the ferocity of the federal officers in Missouri, and
the sanguinary character of the war waged by them, we note a wholesale massacre
at Palmyra, Mo. A bridge was burnt
and no clue could be obtained as to the persons who burnt it.
The federal commander picked out forty suspected secessionists, all of
them wealthy and worthy persons. Ten
of them paid out, and were declared innocent of complicity in the burning.
Thirty were tried by court martial, twenty-one of whom were found guilty
and shot.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 30, 1862, p. 2, c. 7
Shoes, Shoes.
Soldier's Shoes,
Negro Brogans,
Gents' High Quartered Shoes,
Ladies' Buskin Shoes,
At the penitentiary Store, on Main street.
Jan. 30, 1862.
A. J. Ward.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 30, 1862, p.
3, c. 5
In 1860, the importation of coffee in the then United States was the
enormous amount of two hundred millions of pounds, at a cost of fifteen millions
of dollars. The people of the South
use doubly as much coffee as the people of the North.
Nearly one-half of this vast sum was expended by the people of the
Confederacy. If a substitute could
be found, it would save us seven millions of dollars a year.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 30, 1862, p.
3, c. 5
The Memphis Argus says that immense quantities of cotton seeds are daily
arriving at Memphis, to be converted into oil.
The oil is used for lubricating purposes and the oil cake, after being
pressed, is used for fuel.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, February 6, 1862, p.
1, c. 7
Blue Stone.—We have on hand at this office a sample of Blue Stone
manufactured at the Polk county Copper Mines.
This is an article indispensable to telegraph operators, and for some
other purposes, and in general demand among farmers at seeding time. The supply had become nearly exhausted, but is now being
largely manufactured at Ducktown and no further difficulty will be experienced
in procuring it.—Athens Post, Jan 10.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, February 6, 1862, p.
2, c. 3
Summary: Discussion
on Arkansas coal deposits.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, February 6, 1862, p.
1, c. 3
The Gold Medals Again.—Mr. W. W. Mattison, of Sulphur Springs,
Arkansas, writes to us that Mrs. Sally Bang, a widow, has woven since the 1st
of September, 108 yards of jeans and 78 yards of plain cloth. She has also knitted 7 pairs of socks, and spun a portion of
the filling for the cloth. In
addition to this, she has made clothes for her only son, who is a soldier in the
confederate army.
Mr. R. H. Wardlaw, of Mt. Elba, Arkansas, writes to Gen. Ashley, that
Miss Artemece B. Wardlaw commenced, in September last, to compete for the medal,
and has since woven 78 yards of jeans and 88 yards of checked linsey, and spun a
part of the filling.
As stated in our last issue, Mrs. Catherine Yeager wove 68 yards of
jeans, 32 of linsey and 45 of cotton cloth.
When the premiums were offered, no time was fixed for the competitors to
present their claims, and when Gen. Ashley awarded the premium of the first
medal to Miss Andersons, hers was the best claim then presented. Those named, are, so far, the four highest presented, and if
there are others, they should be sent in immediately. Under the circumstances, the ladies above named will each
receive a premium of some kind, and the matter arranged to their satisfaction.
It has been intimated to us, that, if the war continues, another premium
will be offered, and the time within which the claims must be presented, will be
specified, so as to avoid mistake. In
this connection it may be proper to state that the cotton factories in this
State will be able to fill all orders for spun thread.
The Van Buren factory will send a lot down the river, as soon as
navigation opens, and Mr. Tobey will soon have his factory in operation in
Norristown. Cotton cloth will be in
demand and will bring full prices, and our good housewives must prepare to
supply the soldiers and civilians. The
above record of industry is a proud one for Arkansas, and a true gentleman will
sooner take off his hat to one of the patriotic women than to a parvenue with
soft hands who dresses in silk and despises honest toil.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, February 6, 1862, p.
1, c. 5
The following letter was accompanied by some samples of home made cloth,
remarkable for their fineness:
For the True Democrat.
Belfast, Saline Co., Ark., Jan. 20, 1862.
Mr. Editor—As your valuable paper is a welcome visitor in our family
circle, and while perusing its columns, in these stirring and heart-rending
times, in search of something new and interesting, I see a premium offered to
those young ladies who will send in the largest number of yards of home made
jeans cloth, and as I wish the young ladies success in their efforts to gain the
medals, I will send you a few samples of my own manufacturing for those young
ladies to excel. Now girls, try
yourselves.
As times are hard, I will send you some receipts for dying cloth, and if
you think they will be of any value to the public, you may make them known to
your numerous readers.
For Brown.—Take a large pot, fill it with walnut roots and the bark of
red oak, about equal parts, boil them until the strength is out, then take out
the bark; strain the ooze through a cloth into a clean vessel; wash the pot,
pour back the ooze, let it boil. The
cloth must be sewed up like a sack, right side in, rinsed in warm soap suds
before you put it in; put in your cloth now.
Raise every 15 or 20 minutes, air it well and put it back again, until it
is as deep as you desire. Rinse it
well in clean water, then soap suds again; then dip the cloth in starch, let it
get half dry, then roll it, right side in, on a smooth beam very tight, and be
very careful to let no rinkles [sic] go on the beam, or they never will come
out. Then keep turning and beating
with a mallet for one hour and a half; then commence rolling off and ironing on
the wrong side until perfectly dry, as you take it off the beam.—The warp
should be colored as you desire before putting in the loom.
For Black.—First boil a potfull of walnut root, take out the root then,
add extract of logwood enough to dye it black; add a small portion of acatate
[sic] of copper; carry the cloth through the same process as the first in
dressing. Post oak will do if you
cannot get the walnut root; for dying black, add copperas.
This is no humbug, and will not rot the cloth, for I have been trying it
for 18 years.
To Dye Drab Color.—Beech bark and peach tree root, boiled together,
will make a beautiful color.
To Make a Dark Brown.—Walnut roots and the inside of pine bark, and
copperas.
To Make a Light Clear Brown.—Walnut roots and laurel leaves.
To Make a Flesh Color.—The inside of pine bark and madder.
To Make a Dove Color.—The inside of pine bark and walnut leaves, add
copperas.
A Substitute for Green Tea.—Get holly leaves, take a new tin vessel
with a lid, fill the vessel two parts full of leaves, put on the lid, set it
before the fire; turn it round and shake it, every five or ten minutes, to stir
the leaves, until well cured; be sure and not open the vessel until you think it
is well dried. Then make and
sweeten to the taste, and you will think it come from China.
To Keep Lard Fresh.—Pack it in jars when cool.
Take a cloth and dip it in melted beeswax, and while hot tie it over the
jar; then another cloth over that. This
excludes the air and keeps it sweet.
For fear I become wearisome to you, I will desist, and send the rest the
next time.
Mary E. Barr.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, February 6, 1862, p.
4, c. 3
A soldier's food should be well cooked; (no tainted meat,) his meals at
regular hours; no violent exercise after eating; a hearty breakfast and at least
one meal of animal food a day, with plenty of vegetables, as carrots, onions,
rice, etc., ripe fruit, and, after exposure or fatigue, good hot soup,
cleanliness observed, and the feet kept dry if possible.
He should have coffee once or twice a day, but if not to be got, the
substitutes are—acorns, stripped and roasted, ground sassafras nuts, grated
crust of bread, rye or wheat, parched with butter, beech root, horse beans, etc.
The substitutes for tea are—the yopon, rosemary, strawberry leaves.
But the best home made tea is made of good well made meadow hay
(infusion). While on the subject
I'll say that starch can be made of frosted potatoes, and the tops make good
potash when burnt; and the myrtle, glycerine, etc., will furnish the other
components of soap.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, February 13, 1862, p.
2, c. 1
Meeting of the Ladies.—There will be a meeting of the Ladies Aid
Society, at the Theatre hall on Friday morning, at 11 o'clock, for the purpose
of making arrangements to attend the sick soldiers.
All are earnestly requested to attend.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, February 13, 1862, p. 2, c. 1
A Word to the Well To Do's.
. . . We hope that planters will so fix their cotton that
it may be fired whenever a federal force gets within striking distance, and
farmers will drive off all stock that may be in danger of falling into vandal
hands. But there is one way for
mean of wealth to guard their property and keep it from falling into the
clutches of the invaders. That is,
to put their muskets on their shoulders and go into the ranks. Or, if too old or infirm to do military duty, let them spend
a portion of their wealth in arming and equipping others.
We tell them, candidly, that unless they spend money freely—unless they
give liberally and promptly, their property will become valueless.
Every energy, all resources, every means must be strained to the utmost.
The holding back of a few may imperil the safety of all, and if we fail,
all will go in the general wreck.—Woe be to the man who refuses to make any
sacrifice, save of honor or principle, in this great struggle.
Men must be equipped and their families supported while the husband, son,
or brother is in the service. It is
not charity, but patriotism, to do this. It
is a duty, a matter of self-preservation, that must be done. Those who will not come forward and lay these offerings
freely on the altar of their country, must be taught that such a course will
lose them all. We have no fears of
our ultimate success, for
"Freedom's battle, once begun,
Bequeathed from bleeding sire to son,
Though baffled oft, is ever won;"
but if we do not make a sturdy resistance now, a long and
bloody war may ensue, and as the surging waves of blood advance and recede over
the land, they will engulf everything valuable. We may come out of the war impoverished; ruined so far as
property is concerned; and it may be possible that the war may survive us and
the next generation will have nothing but their own stout hearts and the liberty
they shall have bravely won. But if
we would leave them more; if we would preserve the wealth now in the country, we
must be willing to lend it to the cause—to offer it freely and without stint.
As for the petty extortioners and shavers—the men who hoard up specie
and endeavor to make cent. upon cent., their day of retribution will come. The men worth thousands who have given a pittance of twenty,
fifty, or a hundred dollars, should not stop there.
Let them put away all luxuries. Close
the pianos and go to spinning, sewing and knitting.
All classes must realize the tremendous fact that we are engaged in a war
that will stretch every nerve, muscle and tendon—that will require a united
and concentrated effort, and that will task the energies of all, old and young,
rich and poor.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, February 13, 1862, p.
3, c. 2
Mrs. E. Wright, Little Rock, Arkansas:
Madam—On behalf of the Weaver Artillery, it is a first and pleasant
duty, on my return home, to express to you, and the ladies and gentlemen, your
co-adjutors, our grateful acknowledgments for the honors conferred—to say
nothing of the substantial benefit bestowed—in being made the recipients of
the proceeds of your last tableaux and concert.
This timely present of two hundred dollars, received through the hands of
Col. H. C. Ashley, has enabled us to procure a handsome uniform, which it will
be a pride and pleasure to wear, in memory of the donors, and will be a daily
remembrance of their life-like representations, sweet voices and kind hearts.
Very truly and respectfully,
your ob't serv't,
W. E. Woodruff, jr.,
Captain W. A.
Little Rock, Ark., Jan'y 10, 1862.
[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, February 13, 1862, p.
3, c. 2