Arkansas Gazette
When last heard from Gen. Curtis was making and fighting his way towards the eastern part of the State. He was harassed and had his supplies cut off by guerillas, annoyed and had his road obstructed by partisans, and had his men shot from behind trees, from thickets, and from canebrakes, by sharp-shooters. If it had been possible for our generals to meet him, in force, they would have captured his whole army. He can now date his edicts, as military Governor of Arkansas, from across the Mississippi.
The few traitorous, degenerate, or credulously weak-minded men, who took the oath, will not regret the departure of the Federals; while all true and good men will rejoice at their being compelled to leave the State. No country ever was, or ever can be, worse devastated and laid waste than that which has been occupied, and marched over, by the Federal army.
Every thing which could be eaten by hungry horses or men has been devoured, and not content with foraging upon the country, almost every thing which could not be eaten was destroyed. Fences and other improvements on farms have been burned. Houses have been robbed, and such furniture and other things as could not be removed, destroyed. Everything which wanton wickedness or thievish minds could suggest has been brought to bear upon our people to grind them into dust by oppression, and to starve such as survived. Even disguised traitors and weak-backed Union men, who were in the country, and timid, but well meaning citizens, who were bullied and starved into taking the oath, have not been spared. All have suffered.
Besides the wanton destruction of property in the general devastation of the country, Gen. Curtis, by the time he gets beyond the borders of the State, will have stolen at least two thousand negroes. He has not been content to steal men, who would be useful in working roads, making fortifications, and other work necessary in the army, but he has stolen women and children, who are of no use, and are, besides, a burden and expense to him on his march.
Although we have lost many valuable lives and large quantities of property, by the invasion of Gen. Curtis army, and although much want and some suffering and starvation may ensue from his laying the country waste, yet, in the end, his invasion of Arkansas will be of great benefit to our cause.
Our people see what kind of government, and what manner of protection, the Federals would extend over them. It is said that, where the Federal army has been, all men capable of bearing arms, and who are not traitors that deserve hanging on the first tree, are ready to join our army and fight for the South "till the last armed foe expires"—that Curtis' army has been the best Southern recruiting officer that could have been sent into the country.”