Letter, Alex Harding to his sister(?), Mary
Object number1998.055.25
DateOctober 20, 1864
Mediumpaper and ink
DimensionsOverall: 8 3/8 x 12 3/4 in. (21.3 x 32.4 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum collection
Terms
Alex Harding was from the Dexter Harding family in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Bradley Co. Ark.
Oct. 20/ '64
Mary et al,
This being the only opportunity I will probably have for some time to write you, I will do so and I think I can tell you some things that you do not know and have not dreamed of in your philosophy. The State of Arkansas as South of [the] Arkansas River is in a state of destitution that it has not seen before since it was settled by white man. All over the southern half of the state even in Desha County it is the common inquiry and topic of conversation to the exclusion of every other. In town the people have enough for bread generally and if the most will fatten hogs (which is doubtful) they will have meat enough but the southern front of Arkansas will necessarily be the theatre of war for some time to come and between the Feds and Confeds the people must suffer. If our troops leave Ark of course the Feds will forage on and destroy what the people have and if our troops stay they will eat up what the people have. This is the secret of our troops falling back towards Red River and you may rest assured they will not return again in force. Our troops are acting very badly, a large portion are constantly stragling [sic] about over the country and if they do no worse than eat out the country, they throw away their rations and then tell some awful tale of distress to get to stay at citizens' homes and perhaps steal his horse when they leave. This is not exagerated [sic]. As I came from Washington I met Churchill & Polignacs Divisions and they were scattered over a space of forty miles. Whenever the order to march is given the troops begin to scatter, particularly if a fight is expected. I do not speak this of all for there is yet a good fight in the troops of the Trans Miss Dept. but the necessity of regaining soldiers to supply themselves is destructive to discipline.
It is hard to tell what will happen if things go on as they are will whip the Yankeys [sic] yet. The farther they get from this base of operations the more troops will be required to keep open communications and the more vulnerable they will became to our attacks. No nation can stand the terrible strain that is now on the U.S. long even if they remain united.
If McClellan should be elected he will propose a National Convention and restore to the South all their rights under the constitution and guarantee them by additional clauses, and if he does this I am sorry to say that I believe the South will accept the terms and return to the Union, so after all I believe it will be best for us that Lincoln should be elected. The Northwest may rebel against Lincoln but I have but little hope of resistance to tyrany [sic] by that degraded people and we can whip all of them and while our hand is in I am in favor to continuing the war until our independence is secured.
Well girls, having written generally of the war I will now say a few words personally. I had rather a pleasant time at Washington and like legislating better than soldiering though I have not found camp life any more disagreeable than I expected. After the Legislature adjourned I went to Desha and am now on my way to the Army. The people of Desha have fared very badly. They have been treated as enemies by both parties and I think they people east of the Saline River will be treated the same from this time.
I do not think that there is anyone at Pine Bluff that can run the mill and clear expenses and if not, it will be better not to run it. If you cannot do better, lease out the mill for a year taking rent in meal and flour and confining the lease to a certain portion of the land for wood.
Mother had better kill her largest hogs immediately and put them down in brine and set the barrells [sic] in the mill house. It will keep now and will be as good as if saved in any other way. The brine will afterward do to pickle beef.
I think two of the girls had better rig up a two horse wagon and come down here immediately to get potatoes and other necessary things. You cannot buy for money but you can get things there that will trade. You had better strain a point to do this now as you cannot get potatoes here or anywhere else. In three or four weeks from this time, you can get a white boy to drive a wagon. After getting these supplies you can all live on very little money. Fanny had better remain where she is. She can do nothing in the country and would only add to the numerous suffering families throughout the country. You may all prepare yourselves for such times as have not been seen since the beginning of the world. As for any change at Pine Bluff you need not expect it. The Yankeys [sic] will evacuate when the war closes and not before. I have not seen Dexter since I left for Washington. For the first few days I thought he looked thinner but afterwards reconsidered and thought he was in unusual good health.
I have written enough. Give my love to all. I send you some chinquipins by Lu.
Your brother
Alex Harding
Status
Not on view
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