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VI. To the River
VI. To the River​

"[...] I received two letters from you, for all of which you must accept my thanks. It was amusing to me in reading those to see how little idea you had of the stirring times through which we were passing here at Little Rock. During the 1st instant there were rumours of Pap Price advancing and we begun to fear that Steele would make his stand in this very location and therefore exposing the citizens to the horrors of combat. We were mightily released however when the blue columns were leaving the city early on the 2nd instant in a southern direction. During this day and the following one, we occasionally heard the thunder of guns and we were able to witness several yankee couriers frantically dashing up the main street towards the telegraph office. Shortly before midnight of the 3rd July, we were deprived of our sleep by the sounds of marching men. There were heated debates in that characteristic northern accent and I got to the conclusion that the bluecoats were unsure of their next moves. From their appearance and their disordered behaviour I concluded them to be defeated. To take safety measures in case they were to take revenge on us for their reverse, I went to grab my old hunting rifle, but when I reappeared from the cellar, I heard them leave the city in western direction. This 4th of July 1864 was a day we will not soon forget. Pap Price entered the town in the morning at the head of a mighty column. As we saw them passing out North street, it was a most reassuring sight, and never were a lot of bronzed and dirty looking veterans, many of them barefooted, more heartily welcomed. The streets were lined with women, waving their handkerchiefs and cheering them on as they moved out in the direction of the river. There were Arkansas troops in the van, led by the gallant General Churchill, and as we were able to make out their regimental banners, the crowds went wild with cheers. I went to the town square in front of the mayor's mansion because the word was passed around, that General Price was to address the citizens. I was early and therefore able to see him from near and not only from a distant. He was dressed in a neat, spotless uniform and his hair was groomed. Although not being the youngest fellow anymore, he seemed to radiate with energy and his smile was being contagious. The general told us, that we were freed once more from the yankee menace and that he was optimistic, that the action of the day before would compell the foe to abandon any claim on that beautiful state of ours. He thanked the brave men and women for coming out to see him and for their hospitality, but that he had to decline any invitations made. Also he told us he was sorry for denying us the opportunity to celebrate with his fellow soldiers, because Little Rock would not be the finale but the mere beginning of a military campaign. When he was asked were he would go next, he simply patted his coat directly over his heart and, with a melancholic smile, answered that Missouri had always been in his mind and that a war was to be won. Then Pap Price remounted and trotted towards the river with his entourage, followed by thundering applause. It took nearly the whole afternoon for the troops to cross the river, and together with the last rays of daylight the grey columns faded in the distance. [...]"
-A citizen of Little Rock in his correspondence with his cousin in Pocahontas, Arkansas
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