Now, therefore, I, Henry M. Rector, as Governor of. the State of Arkansas, and ex officio president of the military board of said State, do hereby order and direct that 100 companies of infantry and four of artillery be organized with dispatch, from those persons in the State who by law are subject to military duty, and by the 5th of March next report themselves for duty to General Van Dorn at Pocahontas, Ark., except two regiments of infantry, which will report to General Pike for service on the Western frontier. Each company to consist of one captain, one first lieutenant, two second lieutenants, five sergeants, four corporals, two musicians, and not less than sixty-four nor more than 104 privates. Companies arming themselves will be received for twelve mouths; those unarmed for and during the war, or three years. Company elections may be held by any commissioned State officer, civil or military, and returns made to me for commissions. The men will be sworn into service by Confederate officers, after organization, wheresoever one may be found. Subsistence wdl be supplied by the Confederate Government so soon as company organization is completed, the captain selecting one of the lieutenants to purchase subsistence and forage, who will issue certificates of purchase, approved by the captain, to be paid by the proper officer of the Confederate Government at headquarters.
Two wagons and teams (four horse or six-mule) will be hired to transport the baggage, &c, for each company to Pocahontas, with the privilege of purchasing them at fair valuation. Regiments will be formed at Pocahontas, ten companies each, and elections held for general officers, who will" be commissioned by the State. Each soldier is entitled to $11 per month pay, one blanket, and $50 a year for clothing, and if he volunteers for the war, to $50 bounty, which I am assured will be paid promptly by the Confederate States. It is desirable that each man bring with him one or more blankets, if possible; when they cannot be thus procured they will be supplied to those received into service by the Confederate States. Companies as soon as organized will report to me, sending a muster roll showing the requisite number of men, that I may report them to the Confederate quartermaster, who will supply them with tents, camp equipage, &c.
At the request of the general in command, I have thus endeavored to be explicit, in detail, as well to those things which fall within the range of State authority as those which belong to the Confederate Governmen t, the better to facilitate the prompt and patriotic response which we hope to see made by the people of Arkansas to this demand upon their valor and patriotism.
From the best data in possession of the State authorities it is estimated that Arkansas has now 22,000 men in the Confederate Army, which is equal to 37 per cent, of her population fit or subject to military duty—the 8,500 called for making 30,500 out of 60,000, being one-half, or 50 per cent, of her entire military force.
It is undeniably true, that the number of men furnished by certain sections of the State is grossly inadequate to the amount of population and to the capacity and bounden duty of those sections to turn out soldi«-rs for the defense and honor of the Government, whilst from other counties and localities almost the entire male population have sprung with alacrity to the first call of their country. The toils and hardships, as well as the blessings of a united people, should be borne and dispensed alike to all.
la view of these facts, then, it is esteemed essentially proper that those counties not having heretofore furnished their percentage or pro portion of troops be now required, as near as may be, to furnish, with those they have already in service, one-half or 50 per cent, of their people subject to military duty. This is a criterion by which each county in the State may know how much under this call it is required to do to save its people the unpleasant reflection of having been drafted in service for the defense of their own homes.
The following military divisions have been permanently organized, to wit: The counties of Benton, Crawford, Yell, Carroll, Franklin, Scott, Madison, Johnson, Sebastian, Searcy, Pope, Newton, Van Buren. Marion, Conway, Washington, and Perry compose the First Division. Saline, Dallas, Hot Spring, Calhoun,Montgomery, Ouachita, Polk, Union, Sevier, Columbia, Pike, La Fayette, Hempstead, and Clark compose the Second Division. Pulaski, Jefferson, Prairie, Bradley, Monroe, Drew, Phillips, Desha, Arkansas, Chicot, and Ashley compose the Third Division. White, Jackson, Saint Francis, Independence, Crittenden, Izard, Mississippi, Fulton, Poinsett, Lawrence, Craighead, Randolph, and Greene compose the Fourth Division.
And it is ordered that the counties composing the First Division organize into companies and report, as above directed, 3,600 men by the 5th of March next; that the counties composing the Second Division organize and report, by the same period, 2,000 men; that the counties composing the Third Division organize and report, by the same time, 1,500 men, and that those comities composing the Fourth Division report, likewise, 1,500 men.
All or either of which divisions failing to report the number of men respectively assigned to them by the said 5th of March will be subject to a draft, by counties, until their due proportion according to population is furnished to fill the requisition made upon the State by the general in command.
The power to levy such draft is in the military board by the following clause in an ordinance passed by the State convention, entitled "An ordinance for the organization of an efficient military corps for active service," &c.:
Sec. 10. All persons to be hereafter enlisted or drafted shall be hereafter enlisted or drafted for a period to be hereafter designated by the military board.
Skc. 11. In case it shall be necessary to make a draft from the militia to obtain the required nnmber for service, under this ordinance, or any other ordinance which has been or may hereafter be adopted, the military board heretofore created shall have the power to prescribe the manner and mode in which said draft shall be made.
General Van Dorn, in his requisition, remarks:
I desire these troops for active service as soon as they can be organized and put in the field. With them I hope to guard the State of Arkansas, prevent invasion, and, with the co-operation of troops from Texas, Louisiana, and Missouri, I hope to drive the enemy from the down-trodden State of Missouri, our nearest neighbors, &c.
This renders it unnecessary for me to say to the people of Arkansas that the men now called for are for the protection of their own houses and firesides—that those who respond to this call have high assurance that active service will be given them upon the borders of their own State, and for the relief of our " nearest neighbors," the people of Missouri, who have suffered, and patiently borne their sufferings, because of their adherence to and vindication of the rights of Southern men and Southern institutions. Shall Arkansas help Missouri, or will we supinely await her final subjugation, and, in turn, take our place beside her in chains and degradation!
Citizens, friends, patriots of Arkansas, look at the condition of Missouri, and picture to yourselves the wretchedness of Arkansas if a bin tal army of the North should pass the Rubicon and possess our territory! What living man having the proud title of Arkansian is willing to stay at home and witness the advent of a savage foe, whose mission is to insult our venerated sires, desecrate our hearthstones, and violate the chastity of our wives aud daughters! Is this an overdrawn picture? Are not these scenes being enacted in Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, and Virginia! Will it not be so iu Arkansas by the ides of May unless Arkansas supports Missouri, driving back the Goths and Vandals from our border! Then I implore my fellow-citizens while there is time to act to do so. Let every man in the State capable of bearing arms regard this humble appeal as being addressed to him iu person, until 8,500 gallant.men shall enroll themselves to do battle under an intrepid leader unto victory or death. And, further, let me say that I appeal not only to those who are capable of bearing arms, but as well to those whose age and infirmities forbid them this privilege. Age and experience are entitled to and have influence. Those of our public men whose talents and learning secure to them potential sway amongst their people I suggest may avail themselves of this opportunity to do good and add a fresh wreath to the laurels already clustering upon their brows. Counsel and persuade the young men of your neighborhood, your county, to go, and never, never wait to be drafted. A drafted conscript soldier from Arkansas! Who will write his history? Who so lost as thus to mar the annals of his State?
All organized volunteer companies in the State are required to report under this call, except those in the Confederate service. Commissions will not issue for company officers until muster-rolls are returned showing the requisite number of men, as above enumerated, to be in the company.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed, at Little Rock, this 31st day of January, A. D. 1862.
HENRY M. RECTOR, Governor and ex officio President Military Board.
By the Governor: