The Confederate Attempt to Counteract Reunion Propaganda in Arkansas: 1863-1865Author(s): Robert F. SmithSource: The Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Vol. 16, No. 1 (Spring, 1957), pp. 54-62Published by: Arkansas Historical AssociationStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40018431 .

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THE CONFEDERATE ATTEMPT TO COUNTERACT REUNION PROPAGANDA IN ARKANSAS: 1863-1865

By Robert F. Smith Madison, Wisconsin

As soon as the Union Army gained a foothold in Ar- kasas, Union propagandists b,egan their campaign to win the allegiance of the people. This campaign to influence public opinion, however, amounted to very little prior to the Spring of 1863. The first "Union Clubs" were organ- ized at this time and these groups of native Arkansans undertook activities to help further Unionist sentiment.1 The first Unionist newspapers in Arkansas were published in 1863 also. The Union Army published the National Union at Little Rock and the Stars and Stripes and the Reveille at Jacksonport2 Other Unionist newspapers sprang up across the state and added their voices to the growing propaganda campaign.

The Unionist molders of public opinion in Arkansas utilized several different appeals, but probably the most effective was that appeal offering the people "peace and se- curity." The people of the state felt the full pressure of the war during 1863, and as a result public morale dropped to new low. After the fall of Little Rock and Fort Smith the rumor that Arkansas was going to be abandoned seemed justified.3 The soldiers and civilians saw their homes being taken by the enemy and witnessed the disintegration of the social order. Many people in the state lived in a twilight zone between the two areas effectively controlled by the Union and Confederate Armies. In this area there was no real governmental control and these citizens were subject to raids by both sides as well as by lawless "jayhawkers" who prowled the state like hungry wolves. In addition, high prices, scarcity of many essential items, and a depreciat- ing currency caused many people to doubt the wisdom of further resistance.

1D. Y. Thomas, Arkansas in War and Reconstruction (Little Rock: Central Printing Co., 1926), p. 392. Frank Moore, The Rebellion Record, Vol. VII (New York: Van Nostrand, 1862-1868), p. D-67.

2Mabel West, "Jacksonport, Arkansas; Its Rise and Decline," Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Winter, 1950.

3Thomas, op. at., pp. 209 & 223.

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THE CONFEDERATE ATTEMPT j-*

This attitude of despondency is reflected in the num- ber of desertions which occurred in 1863; many soldiers left the army in response to urgings from their families.4 General Kirby Smith, shortly after the fall of Little Rock, wrote that the people appeared "despondent and listless" and seemed to prefer "submission to resistance."5 He thought that this attitude would contribute greatly to the success of the Union.6 Some Confederates not only stopped fighting, but became Unionists and joined the Northern Army. From the beginning of the war a segment of the populace had remained loyal to the Union, and this num- ber increased as the war progressed. Colonel W. F. Cloud reported in September 1863, that he had assembled six companies of loyalists in one day and stated, "The people come to me by hundreds, and beg of me to stand by them. . ."7 Many similar letters from other Union officers indicate this growing feeling of discontent in Arkansas.

Union propaganda capitalized on and encouraged this feeling among the people, and the Union commanders adopted, in part, a policy designed to back up their propa- ganda. General Steele pursued an extremely conciliatory policy and granted the people a great deal of freedom in reconstructing the state government. Colonel C. Franklin, of the Confederate Army, recognized the effect of this policy and mentioned it in a letter to Jefferson Davis. Franklin pointed out how the raids of Shelby were in effect turning the people against the Confederacy and added: "On the other hand, General Steele ... is win- ning golden opinions by his forebearance, justice, and ur- banity."8 This is vividly indicated by the fact that the citizens of Little Rock even named a school after General Steele because of their high regard for him.9

The breakdown in morale has been well expressed by Washington Telegraph, April 1, 1863. E. Merton Coulter, The Confederate

States of America 1861-1865, Vol. VII, History of the South (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1950), pp. 465-466.

5Thomas, op. cit., p. 227. °Ibid. 7U. S. War Department, The War of the Rebellion. Compilation of the

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. XXIX (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1880-1901), Part I, p. 603. Here- after cited as Official Records.

8Thomas, op. c%t., pp. 229-230. nbid, p. 221.

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rg ARKANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

the historian Charles W. Ramsdell in these words: . . . everywhere there was deadly weariness of the

war, weariness of bloodshed and hardship, of in- security, of the evident hopelessness of the apparently endless struggle. The morale of the people was dis- integrating rapidly as the whole social order moved toward collapse.10

This was particularly true in Arkansas from mid- 1863 on, and the Union offer of "peace and security'5 was very appealing to many people.

The Union Army commanders understood the de- sires of the people as well as the attitude which the Con- federate propagandists had been trying to build up. They proclaimed their intentions of restoring order and tried to tear down the stereotyped conception of the Union Army which had been cultivated by the Confederates. General Curtis included a letter, which he said he had received from a resident of Northw.est Arkansas, in a proclama- tion to the citizens of that area. The letter told how the people had believed that the Federals would destroy their homes and concluded with the statement, "We are happy to find you and your men are not composed of that class of persons commonly called jayhawkers, who do not regard the rights of citizens and property . . ,'nl General Curtis also stated in this proclamation, which he said was in- tended to destroy falsehoods concerning his army, that the people did not have to defend their homes since he would protect those who did not resist him.12 In addition, he declared that his mission was to restore peace and that if the people laid down their arms they would save the state from havoc.13 To further prove this he said, "I en- join on the troops kindness, protection, and support for women and children."14 Arkansas citizens were urged to take the loyalty oath and General Blunt proclaimed in 1863, that, ". . . the only safeguard to citizens will be trie American flag."15 In conjunction with the loyalty

10Charles W. Ramsdell, Behind the Lines in the Southern Confederacy (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1944), p. 113.

^Official Records, Series I, Vol. VIII, p. 577. **Ibid, pp. 577-578. ™Ibid. **/«<*. 1BMoore, op. cit., Vol. VII, p. D-50.

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THE CONFEDERATE ATTEMPT *y

oath the people were invited to set up a loyal state govern- ment to assist the army in keeping peace and order. Al- though Lincoln's first attempt to apply his concept of Re- construction in the state failed,16 the campaign was re- sumed again in the Fall of 1863. ^n September, General Blunt informed the residents of Fort Smith that he would aid them in setting up a civil administration,17 and Lin- coln's proclamation of amnesty for all who took the loyalty oath was publicized throughout the state in December, 1863. 18 The Presidential plan provided that when a num- ber of loyal voters equal to ten percent of the number who voted for President in i860 established a loyal govern- ment, it would be recognized; and the Arkansas Unionist clubs set out to reconstruct the state government under these terms.

General Steele cooperated with the Unionists and is- sued a proclamation in February, 1864, urging all the people to support the new government in these words :

If you will now institute a government of your own, he [the commanding general] feels great confi- dence in assuring you that quiet and security will soon be restored to your entire borders.19

The General emphasized that the new constitution would safeguard peace and property. Isaac Murphy, who was elected governor in March, 1864, issued proclamation be- fore and after the election stressing "peace and security/' He declared that the new government would restore "law and order,''20 and after the election he appealed to all citi- zens in un-reconstructed parts of the state to support the loyal government21 Here was a tempting invitation for Arkansans to gain peace and security under a lenient pro- gram of reconstruction by simply deserting the old gov- ernment which had not been able to provide these social goals. The Arkansas Confederacy fully recognized this threat to its survival, and its attempts to overcome this popular appeal resulted in a program of counter-propaganda.

16Thomas, op. cit., p. 391. 17Moore, op. cit., Vol. VII, p. D-50. ™Fort Smith New Era, December 19,1863. ^Official Records, Series I, Vol. XXXIV, Part 2, p. 484. 20Fort Smith New Era, March 5, 1864. ^Ibid, April 23, 1864.

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eg ARKANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

The Confederate counter-propaganda campaign, which began in 1863, could be labled the program of "no re- union" and "no reconstruction." Its first blows were struck at the ideas being advanced by the Northern Democrats, Clement Vallandigham and Daniel Voorhees. These men advocated a policy of reunion by compromise and concilia- tion, and both accused the Lincoln administration of need- lessly prolonging the war in order to free the Negroes.22 At first the Arkansas press printed Vallandigham' s speeches and the editors made agreeable comments concerning them ; but in the Spring of 1863, this attitude was changed as a part of the new campaign. The propagandists seemed to grasp the idea that to agree with any part of the enemy's propaganda is to undermine your own position. Thus, to discourage the belief that reunion on a compromise basis was possible, Arkansas propagandists stressed more and more the idea that the Union was forever split. John R. Eakin told the people that they should not be deceived by the ideas of Vallandigham and Voorhees because they were, "quicksand intended to destroy the South."23 He attacked the idea of achieving peace through reunion and declared that the North would never recognize "Southern rights" no matter what Vallandigham said.

If the North seeks peace for any such purpose [reunion] we much prefer not. "Lay on McDuff and damned be he who first cries hold! enough!" Our hands are in, and our blood is up. . . The "Stars and Bars" must not sink out of the sight of nations, hence- forth, and forever.24

These words summed up the condemnation of the policies advocated by the "copperheads," and the slogan "no peace without independence" became one battle cry of the new campaign.25

22James G. Randall, The Civil War and Reconstruction (New York: D. C. Heath & Co., 1937), p. 395.

^Washington Telegraph, April 15, 1863. The Washington Telegraph, edited by John R. Eakin, was the only Confederate newspaper in Arkansas which con- tinued publication during the entire war and into the postwar era. Washington, Arkansas became the Confederate capitol in the state after the fall of Little Rock in 1863. One state historian has described the Telegraph as, ". . . the official organ of the Arkansas Confederacy during the years 1864-5." Josiah Shinn, "Early Arkansas Newspapers," Vol. I Publications of the Arkansas Historical Association, ed. by John Hugh Reynolds (Fayetteville: Arkansas Historical Ass., 1906), p. 398.

^Washington Telegraph, May 6, 1863. **Ibid., May 6 and 13, 1863.

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THE CONFEDERATE ATTEMPT -g

With the formation of concrete reconstruction pro- posals by the Union government in 1863, the Confederate propagandists began attacking every aspect of the Unionist movement. E. W. Gantt, who had taken the loyalty oath, was compared to Benedict Arnold with one exception, "Arnold had more courage."26 He was referred to as "E. W. Gantt (formerly styled Honorable)/' and his motives for turning Unionist were made to appear petty and ridiculous.27 "Union Clubs" and their meetings were given similar treatment; one being described thusly: ". . . six or eight renegade citizens, and the Federal soldiers make the large and enthusiastic audience. . . . Can't they find a few decent ones [citizens] for a change?"28 this attempt to picture the Unionist movement as a crude side-show was also applied to the reconstructed government. The Consti- tutional Convention of 1864 was said to be composed of men who "fawn like dogs .... most of whom are of the baser sort, drunkards, swindlers and ignoramuses. . ."29 When the National Union urged the public to vote for the new government, the Washington Telegraph countered with an editorial to the effect that the election would be con- trolled by Federal troops who would supervise the voting and that the election judges would be forced to rule in favor of the Unionists.30

The Confederate counter-propagandists did not stop with merely criticizing and ridiculing the attempts of the Unionists to concretize their appeal to "peace and security." In addition they built up their own derogatory interpreta- tion of reconstruction. In effect, the people were told that reunion, on any terms, meant subjugation for the South. John R. Eakin carried on a bitter campaign to try to im- press this upon the people. In May 1863, he wrote :

There is but one alternative to our success. It is SUBJUGATION. ... The enemy intends for us no life nor existence hereafter except as refugees and

™Ibid, October 28, 1863. 27Ibid, His chief reason for turning Unionist was said to be that Jefferson

Davis did not answer a letter which he wrote. **Ibid, December 2, 1863. *»Ibid, February 3, 1864. 30Ibid, October 7, 1863. Life in the reconstructed counties was often de-

scribed. One article told how bands of "insolent negroes" hooted at the whites. Ibid, August 17, 1864.

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go ARKANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

paupers. . . . Banks at Alexandria has announced the war cry. . . . Rebels have no rights}1

Subjugation was said to consist of slavery for all whites, inter-marriage between whites and blacks, and the con- scription of all Southern males into an army for the purpose of invading Latin America.32 Eakin was fully aware of the people's desire for peace and tried to con- vince them that such a goal was only desirable if the Con- federacy remained sovereign. "Shall we return [to the Union] as the dog to his vomit?", he asked.83 His answer was to point out the horrors of such a course. In March 1864, he printed an article by Henry Vignaud which had been taken from the Memoriale-Diplomatiquc. This French writer stated :

. . . not content with forcing them back into the Union, the determination seems now to be to eradi- cate them. They have no longer a choice but between the Southern Confederacy and conquest-liberty and slavery-life and death.84

Here, Eakin declared, was a "neutral observer" saying exactly what he had been trying to ^ct across. "Aye ! those are the alternatives! Would that we could burn these sen- tences into the heart of every Southern man, woman, and child!"85

The editorials of the Washington Telegraph were backed up by other propaganda sources. Preachers spoke about the "leprosy" of submission.80 The Confederate Con- gress proclaimed reconstruction would mean that :

The guillotine . . . would be revived for the ex- ecution of the "rebel leaders" .... A hostile police would keep "order" in every town and city ... we would be made the slaves of our slaves. . .87

J. D. B. De Bow, Jefferson Davis, and General Ma- gruder warned the people against reunion in similar terms.38

slIbid, May 27, 1863. 93Ibid, May 20 and 27, October 14, 1863. Tuly 27 and October 12. 1864. 3iiIbid, July 22, 1863. SiIbid, March 16, 1864. *&Ibid. 36 Arkansas Patriot (Little Rock), May 9, 1863, as quoted in Coulter, op.

cit., p. 96. *t Washington Telegraph, March 23, 1864. Official Records, Series IV, Vol.

Ill, pp. 133-134. 3SJ. B. De Bow, "The War-Independence Watchman, What of the Night?"

De Bow's Review, July and August, 1864, pp. 47 f. Washington Telegraph, Sep- tember 30, 1863, a proclamation by Jefferson Davis. Ibid, December 7, 1864, a proclamation by General Magruder.

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THE CONFEDERATE ATTEMPT gj

Public meetings were held in South Arkansas for the same purpose. One such meeting was held at Washington in March 1864. John R. Eakin presided and the "enthusiastic audience" heard addresses by two prominent citizens. The immediate result was a set of resolutions which condemned reconstruction and warned against Lincoln's amnesty pro- posal39 Even poets contributed to the campaign. An ex- ample of this was "Reconstruction" by A. R. Watson, which asked :

Unite! how will you gather up the broken frag- ments of our laws?40

These same arguments were used to counter Lincoln's amnesty appeal. His program was construed to prove that he was interested only in subjugating Arkansas, not in restoring peace and order.41 John R. Eakin attempted to counter the conciliatory policies of General Steele with a similar approach. That Steele's policy was to treat the people well in order to encourage surrender was readily ad- mitted. Yet his policy was declared to be "the most danger- ous" of all to Arkansas, since, it was reported, that after the state had been lulled into submission a Ben Butler would take over and crush the populace.42 The counter-propa- ganda campaign recognized the war-weary feeling of the people, but attempted to paint the Union promises of "peace and security" as veils which masked their real program of conquest.

Ulysses stopped his ears with wax when he passed the island of the Syrens. . . . We are now about to pass the island of an offered armistice and the song of the syrens is peace, fraternity, re-union, rest .... Let us stop our ears or we may be lost.43

Although the Confederate propagandists hoped that their counter appeals would be the wax which deafened Ar- kansans to the Union "syren song," many probably suc- cumbed to its restful invitation.

Although the leading citizens of the Arkansas Con- S9Ibid, March 16, 1864. Ex-governor Reynolds of Missouri addressed a similar

meeting in the fall of 1863. Ibid, September 9, 1863. toibid., October 14, 1863. ^Ibid, December 23, 1863, and January 13, 1864. 42Ibid, March 2, 1864. ^Ibid, October 12, 1864.

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g2 ARKANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

federacy recognized the effects of the Union appeal and tried to counteract its influence on public opinion, these propagandists were on the defensive from the Spring of 1863 to the end of the war. They could only offer the people "blood, sweat, and tears" in marked contrast to the offer of "peace and security'' ; an offer backed up by victory on the battlefield. The campaign to counteract the idea of reunion was given the "coup de grace" by one of its most promi- nent backers in his last wartime editorial.

We advise each and every man, therefore, not in spirit of craven recantation, but as men who can manfully . . . accept the inevitable decrees of fate, to re- sume at once their allegiance to the government of the United States.44

"Ibid, May 24, 1865.

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