The Daily Gate City

FROM ARKANSAS.
A New Department--The Policy of the Commanding General--The New State Constitution--The Masses Radical--Veteran Re-Enlistments--First Iowa Cavalry a Veteran Regiment--Roster of Company A. of Veteran Volunteers, &c., &c.

Seventh Army Corps, Department of Arkansas,)
Camp near Little Rock. Feb. 14, '64. )

Messrs. Howell & Delaplain:

Dear Sirs-Knowing that you are always interested in the welfare of our country, and especially in the army during this struggle for the perpetuity of our institutions, I send you a line from this quiet department to say that we have not forgotten you and that the fires burn brightly upon the altars of freedom. As you are no doubt aware we are now a department known as the "Department of Arkansas." This change was greatly needed and is hailed with satisfaction by the whole army, as that now we are not compelled to wait for papers and instructions in minor details of the army from headquarters at St. Louis, Mo., which occupied months in transit before we could hear from them. Our affairs are now "regulated in our own way, subject" &c., and positive instructions from Washington City. As to the policy pursued here I have little to say, and will leave events as they transpire to interpret what kind of policy is pursued. One fact is patent to all and will not be disputed by any here, viz: The commanding General is very popular with all the rebel sympathizers and Southern gentlemen hereabouts and by them is praised to the skies as a "second Washington," and "quite a gentleman." Never was Schofield more popular with rebels in Missouri than Gen. Steele is to-day with the same class here. While this is a fact which all well know here, I will also say that many good Union men have confidence in his integrity to the Union cause and the Government.- Time alone will determine all things; but may God, in his infinite goodness, forbid that we should have Schofield re-enacted here or Missouri reproduced in Arkansas. The masses of the people are loyal and as radical as loyal. But one vote was cast in the Constitutional Convention in favor of gradual emancipation. The people are nearly unanimous upon the question, and slavery is doomed in this State by the action of the people themselves. The new Constitution, which will receive the sanction of the people next March, is a Free State Constitution, and prescribes that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall hereafter exist in the State otherwise than for the punishment of crimes whereof the party shall be convicted, &c., which at once disposes of this whole vexed question of slavery in the State.

The army here has been undergoing reorganization somewhat, under the orders creating a veteran corps from the old regiments in the field. The orders have been responded to in the army most handsomely. The 3d Minnesota, 87th Ohio, and many other infantry regiments have re-enlisted, while the 10th Illinois, 1st Missouri, 7th Missouri, Merrill's Horse, 3d Iowa and 1st Iowa are among the cavalry regiments of our division who have re-enlisted as veteran regiments, and are determined to "see the thing out." and have vowed that the Government shall survive this rebellion.

I could not have believed it, but the order came and the ordeal passed and the old First Iowa Cavalry was not found wanting. She came out as gold from the furnace. It was but a few weeks to look forward to an honorable discharge from the service and a happy re-union of home and friends in civil life. The country's call came to them and they answered "aye, we will advance the standard of our free Government to the gulf-to the ocean, and woe be to the enemies of our flag."

It was then I most fervently prayed esto perpetua to the institutions of freedom in this broad land. The gallant Third Iowa cavalry are now with you to re-organize as a veteran regiment and you can say to all that the Iowa First are coming too, over 600 strong. Nor was old company A (which was first commanded by the late Col. Torrence) slow to take her position among the first companies which re-enlisted for the war. I send you herewith a complete roster of the re-enlisted men of Co. A, which you see embraces 48 men who have been examined and accepted as veterans. There were seven men rejected by the surgeon, making in all 55 men out of 70 of the company. I am proud that I can write you so good an account of the company which bid you all adieu on the corner of Fourth and Main streets, Keokuk, the morning of the 28th of July, 1861. Our recollections are vivid of that hour and that solemn parting. The words of our Captain at that time are still remembered. "when this flag is dishonored or trailed in the dust my children will be fatherless and my wife a widow."

We hope to see you all again before we join in that last crusade for liberty, which will wipe out the last vestige of oppression from this land.

It is promised us that we shall return in the month of March, which will soon be here.

No local news of interest. All quiet. The comers and goers between the two armies of Price and Steele are numerous, and in the main friendly relations exist.

I remain yours,

P. S. I have just learned that General Davidson is relieved from the command of the Cavalry Division to report to the Cavalry Bureau at Washington. General Carr succeeds to the command. This perhaps is well--Gen. Davidson is a soldier and a radical, and things could not work smooth for Conservatism with him here.

H.

Trnt Jawn (aY by (api, B, M, Heyneld•,
Alrxamlsr P, Boyce, Kyhal:
Lsr (otgty Irt
Ju.tu I. Zu-orit
Hrary L. M Tt:il, Br utob-jmrt, Van Bur-n Cu, Iuwa
Jsmr I Turnrt, hatkiut, Lrx (v town
Jugyh C" Jaanila
Thinus J, V lirprm,
TLomms K-vDoirt, ("juaw ka, If-tadrreon, Illipois
J.hn Wright, M-ntrim, lce Co, lova
Joln Sinith Waren
(trrre KrhAin Kritak.
Adair Hartev, lailtvl, Manrk Co, Iim-ts
, Jy.,t Brtjaaid, Kt, Kux, Lrt: Co, Iora
Hatr W B. W.
Huna W M, (,
Cubley Davii, Qudncy, L.nis Oo., Keatocky,
Carey, W in. 1i, Nrn Balumore, Macnoab Cu, Micbigao.
Yiriane Willimmnsce iL, Drcatur (Yry, Iowa
tinte (hwrn P, Montrome, Lre (h, Iowa.
Huiglatd Hrnry L, Xammutvlke, Lae (o, Lrra
I rmick Juhn, Xtrow",
Jawe Tininme A, Bmxtut, tufotk Ca, Ksr
Lnn Wyn Kr:kob, Lar Cm, Eowa.
Lyon (hixrtre H, Sh'atouejnrt, Van Barvn Co, Ww
Saine Mirbu-l, Clntop, Iuwa
YrKre tirorxe W, Wartrh, Lr County, Jowa
Mrtnichron Jawuts, Ke:kuk, Le C, lrwe
Miller throrge R
M.me (haria Eu
Arlmn Trlx r.
V'Bienney Audrew
Diiar Zi K
Celaerm Aitiauuier, Davenprt, Scott Co, Iuwa
F'urr famuel, Kc'kuk, Lv (Ce, Lowt
Pore Wey
Rend Einore, Mrsatrono
Rritold Denlrl, Dayton, Mantgomery Ca Ohio.
Sain Apzim P, Weet Point, Lre Go, Iowa
Scn Orlamiia I
She ytl William, Kookuk, Lec Cn, Jona
Rolt James, Mointrer, L'e ('o, Iowa
Short H:gn'C, Keoknk, Lr Co, Iuwa
ttpith Jamur
Welmhymer i. W.
, Wilsoui Harrison J, Montroge, Lre Ca, Towa
Wiln Antrew J, Kenknk, Lee Co, Iowa
Wil-on Alraham, (lurrtrin, P'acn Co>, Inwa
Wsart Wmi, Krukuk, Lee Co., lowa
Witght Audrew J, Fummitville, Lre Co, Jowa
: The above is a correct list of accepted recruits of veteran volunteers of Co. A,
Ist Iowa Cavalry. K. M. Reynolds.