[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT
1862 

 [LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 2, 1862, p. 2, c. 1

            The Close of the Year.—The old year—time—decay—rapid changes—retrospect—solemn thoughts—departed friends—gallant dead—vain regrets—cherished memories.  War—prospects last spring and now—contrasts—the old union—Ilium fuil—the future—independence, our own stout hearts and strong arms—liberty or death—freedom or annihilation—rich and powerful republic—career of unexampled prosperity and priceless heritage of liberty bequeathed to our descendants.

            We had intended to follow the immemorial custom of editors and write an article on the above theme, but the imp of the office called for copy and announced that the paper would go to press before we could do more than write down the skeleton of the article.  As mothers, in Christmas times, to call forth the taste and sewing abilities of their daughters, give them an undressed doll, which they may dress to their tastes, so we present our readers with our skeleton article, to fill up to please themselves. 

[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 2, 1862, p. 2, c. 4

More About Flags.

            Mr. James A. Martin of this city has shown us a drawing of a flag designed by him, which keeps prominent the characteristics of "the sun flag" of the Richmond Dispatch and avoids the objectionable features of a bar sinister and lines that may be made horizontal in a change of the position of the flag by the wind.  In Mr. Martin's flag a sun is in the center; this is surrounded by a circle of blue which reaches to the top and bottom of the flag.  Outside of this there are two curves or crescents, part of a regular circle of white, and outside of the white, the flag is filled with red.  This gives each end and corner a red, which is easily distinguished, and the whole affair is simple and tasteful.

            Our fellow citizen, P. L. Anthony also sends us a design, accompanied by a note, which we publish below.  It is somewhat difficult to describe Mr. Anthony's flag.  At a point midway between the upper and lower left hand corners lines are drawn nearly to the upper and lower right hand corners.  This divides the flag in three unequal triangles.  The upper one is colored blue; the lower one is green, and the middle triangle, with its point towards the flag staff remains white.  On the base of this white triangle that is on the end of the flag farthest from the staff, is a narrow perpendicular stripe of red.  On the white triangle the sun and thirteen stars are represented.  Mr. Anthony's note will further explain the design:

Editors True Democrat—

           Sir:  I see in your issue of yesterday two articles in regard to the flag of the Confederacy, and numerous propositions to change it.

            Herewith please find a rude and hastily drawn and colored flag, which I have devised, almost without reflection, the ideas of which, however, are in part suggested by those articles.

            Above, a blue sky; beneath, the green earth; the centre designed to represent a pure and virtuous people;--The sun, emblematic of the Confederacy; the stars of the States; the red band, of a sea of blood from which they emerge.

            I pretend to but little knowledge of heraldry, and had no regard to it in grouping the emblems.
Your friend etc.  P. L. Anthony. 

 [LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 9, 1862, p. 2, c. 4

            Our Correspondents.—We are in receipt of many letters from our friends in the different camps, which we do not publish for several reasons.  The primary one is want of space.  In many instances, the matter in the letters has already been anticipated by others and it would be useless to republish it.  There is a great complaint of want of clothing, and the soldiers say that the State agreed to furnish them clothing, thus cutting them off from obtaining it from the Confederacy, or commutation in lieu of it.  A soldier in writing to us from Island No. 10, on Christmas eve, says the 11^th Arkansas regiment has been out nearly six months and has no guns yet.  The pay-master, he says, came up but he had bills against the regiment for clothing and blankets exceeding the amount of pay due, and it is so arranged that the soldiers cannot get commutation for the clothing.  He pertinently asks what Arkansas wants with men when she sends a regiment off without providing them arms.  In the course of a long letter from Mr. J. N. Kellough, of the artillery volunteers, occurs the following:

            "It is a gallant spectacle.  The long lines of flickering fires glaring in the night; the tramp of hosts; the neighing of horses; the clash and gleam of burnished arms; the stalwart soldiers improvising their simple and hardy fare beside the blaze and long, moving shadows stretching back from the fires.  At the tap of the drum, all is still, save the call of the sentinel in the distance, publishing the hours of the night, or, perchance, the ejaculation of some weary soldier as he dreams of home and the loved ones there.  In dreams, they see the sweet face of a gentle wife; the soothing voice of a mother is heard or the prattling of children falls upon the soul and the bold heart of the sleeper becomes full of tenderness.  Yet, let the trumpet or the long roll call to arms and this sleeping host will arise as one man, with strong arms and stout hearts to the realities of the march to victory or death."

            We have other letters, some of which have been so long in reaching us that the matters of which they treat are stale; others that have been crowded out so long that we are ashamed to publish them.  We are glad to receive letters from the army, and hope our correspondents will not be offended at the non-appearance of their letters n print, but continue to keep us posted as to camp affairs. 

[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 9, 1862, p. 3, c. 6

            Some of the Yankee correspondents occasionally indulge in sarcastic descriptions of their own troops, which are highly seasoned with humor.  The correspondent of the New York Mercury thus described a body of troops which he denominates the "Mackerel Brigade:"

            The review of seventy thousand troops near Munson's Hill, on Thursday, was one of those stirring events my boy, which we have been upon the eve of for the past year.  A new cavalry company, the Mackerel Brigade, excited great attention as it went past, and I understand the President said that with the exception of the men and horses it was one of the finest mobs he ever saw.  The horses are a new pattern fluted sides, polished knobs on the haunches, and a hand rail all the way down the back.  A rebel caught sight of one of these fine animals the other day, and immediately fainted.  It was afterwards ascertained that he owned a field of oats in the neighborhood. 

 [LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, January 16, 1862, p. 2, c. 6

            Another Design for a Flag.—Mr. Hicks, of White county, has sent us the drawing of a flag designed by him.  It is nearly square.  From one of the lower corners a half circle is drawn ending at the opposite lower corner.  All above this line is a blue ground on which thirteen stars are arranged in the form of a pyramid.  Adjoining the blue is a belt or semicircular band of red.  This leaves a hemisphere of white in the lower part of the flag, on which a sun is emblazoned.  It is a novel design and must be seen to be appreciated.  The effect is very pleasing.  The letter of Mr. Hicks will explain in full:

                        Searcy, Ark., Jan'y 6, 1862.
Editor True Democrat—

            I enclose you my design for a Confederate flag, which I hope you will notice as you may deem it merits.

            In this flag the three colors "Red, White and Blue" are retained as they surely should be, as each has a significance now.  The stars on the blue ground represent the States and arranged in pyramidal form an indication of strength and permanency.  They also rest on the arch.  The arch or bow is indication of strength and also denotes a perfect structure.  This refers also to the bow of promise after the deluge of abolition fanaticism which destroyed the old union.  May our sunny South never again be visited by such a curse.  The sun denotes our rising glory, also our sunny South.  The white ground indicative of that purity which should characterize us as a people.

            This flag bears no resemblance to the old one.  It is easily distinguished amidst dust and smoke and at a distance.

            I do not think the colors should be surrendered by us.  They may be arranged so as to bear no resemblance whatever to the flag of any other nation.

                Very respectfully,    Will. Hicks.