Arkansas True Democrat, Little Rock CS
Helena, Ark., Nov. 23.
To the Editor of the Chicago Times:
Although no writer, I thought it nothing more than right to inform the public of the proceedings of some of the officers of our army at Helena, and of our trip or expedition from Helena to the White river. I am a soldier in the union army at Helena, and have now been in the army for some year and a half. But never have I seen so much pilfering and stealing done as was done on this trip; and, remember, the old troops did not do it either, but the $100 men, or conscripts as we old troops call them.
Gens. Hovey, of Indiana, I believe, and Washburne, of Wis., brother of the abolition Congressman from Illinois, commanded the expedition. We started on the 15th of this month, and returned on the 21st, having accomplished nothing, and lost three men. One of the men was intoxicated when he was lost. Yes, we did something, for uncle Same is some $160,000 out of pocket by the expedition.
Now, what tempted me to try my hand at writing this letter was simply this: I did not enlist to come South to rob and steal, as the troops have done on this expedition,--no, no. There were some 8,000 troops went down and all for nothing. I am convinced in my own mind that it was meant for another cotton scrape, like old Curtis' and Illinois Hovey's. Surely, Lincoln will give Hovey and Washburne Major Generals' commissions. It would not be right if he did not.
Now I am going to state a few facts. While down the river, officers, from the commanding General down to a second Lieutenant, were beastly intoxicated most of the time, with the exception of a few. Colonel Wyman was one of that few. He was the man for every and any thing. He did all that was done. If he had had power he would have done something. Well, the boys were allowed to do as they had a mind to. Guitars were stolen, pianos smashed up; shawls, dresses, albums, letters, pictures, bedding, silver ware, and all such things, were stolen and broken up; and this was done to the property of those who had never been in the rebel service. Now, I want the government, if it can be called a government, to know that I never enlisted to steal. Such work will soon make many desert to the other side. It is generally believed that two ladies were raped down there; that is the story now, any way.
Now, Mr. Editor, I am no grammarian, nor composer either, but you will confer a great favor by publishing this. I felt so indignant I had to write. This is from a good war democrat.
Onion.

Fiendish Outrage.—A deed committed by abolition soldiers has come to the knowledge of the writer, which is shocking beyond description, and the bare mention of which will produce a thrill of horror to every southern breast. The information comes in such a shape as to leave no doubt in regard to the truth of the story.
A few years ago a young lady from Columbia, Tenn., was married to a young lawyer of Helena, Ark. She was educated, talented, witty and accomplished in a high degree. We speak from personal knowledge in making this affirmation. They were comfortably settled in Helena, and were blessed with one or more children. Her husband is in the Southern army. Five abolition soldiers, including an officer, forcibly seized this young lady, carried her to a barn, and each of them committed an outrage on her person. In two or three weeks she died, a victim to their brutality, and the grief and mortification produced by their treatment of her.
Her husband is said to be a lieutenant colonel of some regiment. The writer knows him and could give his name, but forbears to do so.
Soldiers and men of the South, think of this unparalleled deed of crime and infamy, and let it nerve you to fight for the protection of your wives and children, and to drive back and destroy the invaders of your country and despoilers of your home.—Knoxville Register, 22d.