Arkansas True Democrat,
April 25, 1861
Clarksville, Ark., April 20, 1861.
Messrs. Editors: This has been a glorious day for Johnson county. By appointment the people from the country flocked into town in large numbers; the ladies were all out, the business houses were closed; in short, every body and his family were out to see the presentating of a large and handsome southern flag by Miss Sallie Robinson, who represented the ladies, to Dr. J. P Mitchell, the representative of the people of Johnson county. After the presentation of the flag of the Confederate States of America was hoisted to the masthead of a pole one hundred and two feet high, and was greeted with the enthusiastic cheers of the people—the salutes of the military and the firing of anvil artillery.—Patriotic speeches were delivered by our legislators, Ward, Robinson and Cravens, and by our delegates, Batson and Floyd, amidst the waving of handkerchiefs and hats, three hearty huzzas were given for the Southern Confederacy. Soon afterwards dispatches were received announcing that Virginia had seceded, and that Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Missouri had emphatically refused to furnish a single man, or any number of men, to fight under the black flag of abolitionism. I never have seen people so deeply excited—cheers loud and long rent the air, the artillery was again brought out and round after round was fired until the sky was almost darkened with the smoke.—One more star was added to the flag and it was again sent home, where it waves over people who are determined to “do or die.”