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which seems couched in a strain not different from the public utterances of other distinguished officers.
It read as follows:
To the Soldiers and Citizens of the District: I have come here to drive out the invaders or perish in the attempt.
To achieve success, it is essential that the soldier and the citizen each shall do his duty.
In the army, a discipline must prevail unexcelled among the troops of any government; every officer executing the orders given him, with promptness, fidelity and courage; every soldier obeying the orders he receives, without question and without murmur, whatever the hardships involved.
In one word, there must be efficiency among officers of every rank, and obedience among soldiers under all circumstances.
Among citizens, a determination must be evinced to contribute to the army's support, even to the last dollar which they possess; to adhere to the Confederate cause under every difficulty; to sustain the Confederate currency; to crush out the spirit of extortion and speculation, and to sacrifice for freedom's sake all property valuable to the enemy which may possibly fall into his hands.
My purpose is to assume every responsibility necessary in the premises, relying upon the Great Arbiter of Nations, and the earnest and active support of every patriot.
There was no want of precision in that language.
It had been well conned.
If the thought seemed unduly exalted, that also was matured and accurate, and foreshadowed the course he immediately pursued to the letter.
A year later, at
Richmond,
General Hindman, after the congressional inquiry had concluded, made a report to the
adjutant-general, which furnishes an able explanation of the course of his administration.
After reciting the orders assigning him to duty, and describing the condition of
Arkansas as already mentioned, he said:
In the situation in which I was placed, it was necessary to do many important acts with promptness.
Any hesitation or serious error would result in the capture of Little Rock, and the loss of the remainder of Arkansas to the Confederacy.
That would involve the loss of the
