New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-12
TIKI GREAT BATTLE OF ARKANSAS,

THR GREAT BATTLE OF ARKANSAS.
On the same day that President Lincoln sub
mitted to the national Congress at Washington
his glorious scheme Of Emancipation, battle
commenced in the extreme northwest portion
of the State of Arkansas, which has had, We
believe, no parallel as to its duration, and
probably few a. to its desperate character,
since the opening of the rebellion. We have
to look over o. long range of history to frd
struggle between such an army as that under
Generals Curtis and Sigel on the National side,
and McCulloch and Van Dorm on the other
extending, as it did, over three whole days;
every inch of ground contested with terrible
and unyieding energy; pluck, pride. honest
conscience and brave cause, against armed
treason, maddened TO an extremity Of fury by
the lowering, deepening shadow OF its ap'
preaching doom. That three days' death.
grapple among the ridges and hills which link
together Missouri and Arkansas at their west.
ern boundary must have been picture
of rare, almost of uncomfortable grandeur
Sigel to the right, AsbOth to the left, Oster-
haus and Acting Brig. Gen. Davis in the center;
the right WA now sustaining CALAMITY clone
the attack OF the combined Rebel forces; then,
turning the left of the enemy and crossing firing
on his center with the enemy pressed into the
arc of a circles anon steady, glorious charge
Of the National infantry, extending along the
entire line; and finally, late in the third day,
the break in the enemy's lines, tho rout and
retreat in broken and disordered sections
through the defes of the mountains, with the
brave Sige and cavalry force in pursuit
Such is the broad outline Of the picture as we
see it in tho rigidy subdued report Of Gen.
Curtis.
1t was on Thursday last, early in tho day,
that Gen. Curtis was attacked by the Rebels
His right, under Gen. Sigel, was the first point
for the enemy's FIRE. and the General seems to
have gradually withdrawn his men toward the
main lines, under the protection of rear
guard. Toward 4 in the afternoon on Thurs
day, the junction between the right wing and
main body of the National forces appears to
have been effected, and the enemy, finding him.
self unable further to pursue the fight, at once
ceased firing resolving, a. it appeared t.
deploy during the night, and get, if possible, to
the rear of the main force; on the morning,
therefore, of the 9TH, Gen. Curtis with adml-
rable skill, at once changed his 'front.' his right
(now changed into his left resting still on a
stream called Sugar Cree, with bis new right
(or former LETT, under Gen. Asboih, 81
tending toward the mountainous ridge east
ward which at this point appears to
run north and south Meanwhile, the
National cavalry under Col. Osterhaus. we're
ordered to make an advance with the view, #
possible, TO break the eneInys line; and while
this order was being executed the Rebel forces
made n dash at Gen. Asboth on the right.
From this hour, then (Which was II o'clock on
Friday forenoon), the eneny's attack was
mainly directed throughout the day to the right
wing; and several of our positions appear TO
have been temporarily occupied by him, until
Acting Brig Gen. Davis pressed forward to the
Rebel center, where McCulloch led the attack
At this point the notorious leader seems to
have falen--a sad discontinue alone TO bis fol-.
lowers, which was noby improved by the
energy of Col. Osterhaus and Col. Carr--so
that before nightfall the enemy was repulsed.
In this way closed the second day Of the
battle. Under cover of night, it was Gen.
Curtiss business to strengthen bis right, which
had been so sorely pressed by the combined
Rebel force. Ii was, therefore, reinforced before
morning; and, from the new position which it
was found the Rebels occupied, another change
of front forward was ordered. While this was
being made, the National forces on the right
and center opened fire ut sunrise on Saturday.
The fire was briskly returned along the entire
line; Gen. Sigel on the left wing. moving for
ward with unainching steadiness along the de-
file and up the hills, forcing the enemy from
one hight after another until the National center
and right were brought to the brave mans aid,
when the simultaneous fire of our infantry
forces broke the staggering line Of the enemy
and left him the ingorious resource Of rout
in disorder and confusion through the narrow
passes of the mountains.
In this decisive battle-among the most
memorable that has ever been given TO history
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Missouri
each won laurels of imperishable worth The
dash and fro of sudden attack, and speedy
victory, were eclipsed by the coolness and the
resoluteness by which the enemy was ultimately
forced into fight; and we find the cond-
tons Of merted success so well fulfilled in
every part of the prolonged struggle, that it is
pleasure to linger over the story as it comes
to US in the simple language Of the Command