Hertford County, NC - Col. Solon Borland to Maj. Gen. Leonidas Polk, 1861 ~~~~~~~~~~ HEADQUARTERS, +Pocahontas, Ark., November [1-], 1861. Major General LEONIDAS POLK, C. S. A., Commanding First Division, Western Department, Columbus, Ky.: GENERAL: Since my dispatch of the night of the 5th I have continued my steps of precaution and preparation for defense without intermission. Details in respect to them are at present unnecessary. --- --- --- Companies thus organized and prepared I have agreed to receive into the service for thirty days from the time they report to me, to be subject to my orders during that time. I adopted this course and this term for these reasons: 1st, Within that time, if at all, it seems obvious to me I shall have to engage the enemy here or hereabouts; 2nd, It is the only source from which I can calculated on re-enforcements of any kind within that time; 3rd, Without such re-enforcements the handful of troops I have here is wholly inadequate to resist such a force as we know the enemy have in striking distance and as there can be no doubt they will bring against me if they come at all; 4th, I have made neither preparation nor calculation for a retreat, that being out of the question, as it would open our State to invasion, the very through of which is not to be entertained for a moment, there not being one among my little band who does not feel that in holding this place he is holding the very door to his own domicile, within which are wife, children, and friends, and who would not deem himself criminal, as well as craven, of he could weigh his own life against the importance of maintaining it; 5th, within that time you will be able to order what other and better course should be pursued. --- --- --- MONDAY MORNING, November 11. I had written so far last night when reports reached me that induced me to pause until something more reliable should come from my scouts in time for this dispatch. At 1.30 o'clock this morning a dispatch from my outposts at Pitman's Ferry, 20 miles north, to this effect: The scout sent in word that they have reliable intelligence that there are 300 infantry and 150 cavalry at Rives' Station, on Black, River, 35 miles north of Pitman's Ferry. Also that there is a strong infantry force - 7,000 - at Greenville, 15 miles north of Rives' Station. This is confirmatory of the previous reports during the day, so far as it is reliable. Allowance must of course be made for natural exaggerations, &c., and I am doing all I can to ascertain the truth, and prepare as well as I can for whatever it may prove to be. Not hearing from General Thompson, I have dispatched an intelligent and trusty messenger on the best route to that officer to learn what I can. I am not without hope, of course, that what I done and the views I here add will meet your approval, viz, that what force I have here is wholly insufficient for any useful purpose of their attack of defense, but only a provocation, and, coupled with the supplies here, an inducement to the enemy to attack us. It seems obvious to my mind that if any force at all is to be kept here or on this line it ought to be at least three of not four times as large as it is. Either make it strong enough to sustain itself or abandon it altogether. Arkansas has some twenty- two regiments in the field and some nineteen of them are in other States, while next to none are left to defend her own frontier where most exposed. If these views are not approved I respectfully suggest that I be superseded in command over here at once. It would indeed, it seems to me, be better to do this anyway, by sending some one of the brigadier- generals to take charge. It is a brigadier's command, and should be his responsibility, which I am daily growing more and more distrustful of my competency to sustain. Besides, indications of failing health admonish me that the public interests here would be better provided for by other and abler hands. In haste, but from careful consideration of all I have said, I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant, SOLON BORLAND, Colonel, Commanding. Source: (search "Borland"), last viewed Feb 23, 2007. ************** ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Colonel Solon BORLAND (1811VA-1864TX) was granted a leave of absence requested of Gen A S Johnston and is noted absent with leave effective 15th Dec 1861. His service record shows he collected for travel of over 1,700 miles ---- Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, during his last months served. Its unclear, but doubtful, if he was able to return to duty before discharged as a Colonel, after not being reelected, 26 May 1862. ______________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by William S. Boggess - william-boggess@webtv.net ______________________________________________________________________