Hertford County, NC - Col. Solon Borland to Maj. Gen. Leonidas Polk, 1861 ~~~~~~~~~~ HEADQUARTERS POCAHONTAS, ARK., November 5, 1861-9 o'clock p.m. GENERAL: I have just received information which I indorse as reliable, for it comes from my own scouts, &c., that the enemy in very large force [7,000] are coming rapidly down upon us. That number was within 30 miles of De la Plaine [58 miles north of this] this morning. As you are aware, I have a very small force here, not exceeding, even if reaching, 700 effective men of all arms, and every one of them, men and officers, raw and inexperienced. I have a few old cannon [6 and 4 pounders] that General Hardee pronounced worthless and threw aside as such before he left. Besides, I have no artillery company. Captain Roberts, with about 60 men, who have some knowledge of such service, though not regularly trained, left here yesterday evening, by order of General Hardee, to join him in Kentucky. I have ordered them back to take charge of these guns and do the best we can with them. I hope they will get back by to-morrow night. I have sent a dispatch to General Thompson, wherever he may be in Missouri, to co-operate with me by marching upon the flank and rear of the enemy, and I have requested him to send my dispatch on to you at Columbus, as containing what I wish you to know. I write this to you via Memphis, so as to have two chances to reach you speedily. I have dispatched to every militia and volunteer officer throughout the counties and appeal to the people to rally to my support at once and from all quarters. It is only a question of time. If all to whom I have appealed come in due time we can beat the enemy, but if I am left alone with my little handful we can only die at our post, as we will do, but we cannot successfully resist such a disparity of force, at least ten to one, and with artillery. Don't think I exaggerate or write under undue excitement. I and the little force I have here [which I repeatedly warned both General Hardee and General Johnston was wholly inadequate for either attack or defense], are resolved to die here alone, if no one comes to help us. To this I pledge myself, for I will never, while alive, retreat. My mind has long since been made up to that; but I do feel the deepest concern that, if we are permitted to fall here, the invasion of our State will be complete before any other help can come, and our homes and families will be overwhelmed with ruin. Those who for want of timely aid shall permit us thus to be sacrificed will reap a full harvest of self-reproach at least, if not of disgrace. I have ordered up all the boats in the river to take off supplies, sick, &c., but doubt whether they can get here in sufficient number or in time. You know best what to do. I have the honor to be, most respectfully, SOLON BORLAND, Colonel, Commanding. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Solon BORLAND (1811VA-1864TX), as a Colonel when General Wm J HARDEE left, was placed in command of Upper Arkansas, of the Western Department of Confederate States of America November 5, 1861 till Jan 15, 1862. He was on leave starting 15 Dec 1861 due to prolonged illness. Source: , search "Borland", last viewed Feb 23, 2007 ______________________________________________________________________ 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 ______________________________________________________________________