The Standard
Clarksville, Texas
May 11, 1861
Our readers will see Col. Young’s letter and call for volunteers.
On Saturday morning, a company of 104 men raised in Paris, left under command of Capt. S. B. Maxey, for Fort Washita, Arbuckle, or somewhere.
On Monday morning Clarksville was alive with excitement, and men were completing their equipments and starting off, during the whole morning, for the rendezvous at Robbinsville. About 100 left that place in the evening. Our ladies had been busy during Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, in preparing husbands, brothers, and friends, for the service, and also in preparing a flag, and were about the main streets in little squads, to see them off.
Since then Dr. Look has come home from Washita. Col. Young with 500 men had taken the Fort, which was in charge of one man. Found one cannon, a lot of flint-lock muskets, and considerable powder. The troops 800 strong had left for Leavenworth.
If war continues we shall have forays from Kansas, and this northern frontier must be well prepared. We cannot afford to send any troops South. Any where on the Gulf coast, or in the railroad region, troops can be rapidly conveyed to any assailed point. But up here a foray could be made, immense damage done, and the parties away, before we could have a defensive force to repel them. We must maintain Washita, as a permanent post, and should have spies out northward, on all travelled routes, constantly, regularly relieved and reporting.
Geo. W. Wright from Lamar, was in town on Monday, on his way South-east to procure arms for his county. He was furnished $2000 from our County Treasury for a similar purpose.
We also have a local military organization to which a large number have put their names to organize and drill, ready for efficient service.