June 3, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)
(From the Augusta Chronicle and Sentinel.)
We have had the pleasure of an interview with a gentleman recently from Camden, Ark., who has kindly furnished us with some facts in regard to the situation of affairs in that State, which cannot fail to be of great interest to our readers. Our informant is a gentleman of rare cultivation, strong good sense, and pleasing conversational powers, and his knowledge of affairs in that quarter is ample and reliable.
The social condition of the people of Arkansas is most encouraging. The war has proved to them a blessing, in the sense that it has brought out the resources of the country, taught the inhabitants self reliance, and developed their slumbering energies. In the enterprise and activity, born of the emergency, the State has become a perfect hive of industry. Factories, machine shops, forges, foundries, etc., abound, where articles for home use, and for the use of the army, are abundantly supplied. Salt wells have been found, and the manufacture of salt is carried on extensively and successfully. The tanning of hides, for the past eighteen months, has been beyond all parallel in the history of the State. By precaution and foresight, cotton and woolen cards are plenty, and many families are engaged in carding, spinning and weaving cloth, both for domestic purposes and for clothing the soldiers. Our informant mentioned some households where eight hundred yards had been wove the past year, who intended this year to increase the amount to one thousand yards. Under the quickening influence of the time, the whole State is alive with industrial enterprise.
The crops this year, we are happy to learn, are very bountiful, and the breadth of wheat sown, and now nearly ready for harvest, is at four-fold that of any previous year. All kinds of provision crops will yield generously.
There is no suffering among the poor of Arkansas. The Legislature appropriated a millions and a half for the benefit of the poor and the families of soldiers. And, in addition labor is everywhere wanted, and commands liberal compensation. Under such circumstances, it is impossible to resist the conviction that the people are even better off than before the war commenced.
We are glad to know also, that the most unlimited confidence is felt in the officers who have been placed in command of the army in that quarter. The soldiers–officers and men–are perfectly enthusiastic in their love for their leaders, and especially is this the case with Gen. Price–”Old Dad,” as he is called. One has only to mention his name to the men, and they instinctively set up the wildest huzzas for the old hero. Generals Kirby Smith, Price and Holmes are a tower of strength, and under their leadership the men will march anywhere and do any deed of daring. Our army in that quarter is all right we are quite sure.
The citizens of other portions of the Confederacy have entertained the idea that Arkansas was almost entirely given over to the tender mercies of the enemy. This is a mistaken notion. They have actually invaded but a small portion of the State–a fact accounted for by the excellent fighting qualities of the Arkansas boys, who are a perfect terror to their enemies.
The Indians are generally quite favorable to the South, and have given the people no trouble. The amicable feeling among them has [been] greatly encouraged by the frequent visits of the Poet General, Albert Pike, among them.
The gratifying condition of affairs at present in Arkansas, our informant thinks, is in a great degree due to the promptness, energy and perseverance of Gen. Hindman, who took the command there at a critical period, and saved the State by swelling an army at 12,000 men to one of 50,000 in sixty days. His services, until he was superseded, were invaluable, and should and will be appreciated by our Government.
One the whole, the statement which we listened to, and which we have here perhaps but imperfectly set down, is of the most hopeful character, and if any fears are felt for Arkansas, we think they may be dismissed. Her career, glorious as it has been in the past, we predict will be yet more glorious, and we feel a glow of pride that she is as honored and prominent member of the fair sisterhood of Southern States.