Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-03-12

81 LOUIs, March IL.
The following iS the Official report Of Cen.

81 LOUn, March IL.
The following iS the Official report Of Cen.
Curtis;
HAD QUARTERs, ARHY Souri, WEsr,
PEA RIDaE, Ark, March 9th.
GEHERAL:-On Thursday the 9th, inst the
enemy commenced an attack o. my right as-
sailing and following the rear guard Of
detachment under Sigel to my rear lines
on Sugar Greek Hollow, but ceased firing
when he met my reinfOrcements at about
P. N. During the night became convinced
be had moved 30 as 70 attack my right or
rear, therefore, early on the 7lh / ordered a
change oi front to right on my right, which
thus brought my LETT 70 still resi- on Sugar
Greek Hollow. This brought nay line across
Pea Ridge with nv new right resting
on the head Of Gross i'm sr EOllow, which
is the head Of Big Sugar Creek. I also
ordered an immediate advanced Of the cavalry
and artillery under Col. 0sterhaus, with
orders to attack and break what supposed
would be the reinforced line Of the enemy,
This movement was in progress when the
enemy, at ii o'clock A d commenced an
attack on my right The fight continued
mainly at these points during the day, the
enemy having gained point hOtly contested
by Carr st Cross Timber Hollow, but entirely
repulsed, with the fall Of their Commander,
McOulloch, in the centre, by the iorcss under
Col Davis. The plan Of attack on the centre
was gallsntly carried forward BY Col. Oster-
haus, who was Immediately sustained and
supported BY Col. Davis entire division, sup
ported also by Sigels command, which had !
remained till near the close of the day on the |
left. Col Cars division held the right under !
q CALLING and continuous IRE all day 10 |
the evening, the firing having entirely ceased /
on the centre, and there having been none on
the left I reinforced the right BY portion
Of the second division under Asboih.-
Before the day closed / was convinced that
the enemy had concentrated their force on
the right l therefore commenced another
change Of front forward, 80 as to face the
enemy, where they had deployed on my right
flank in strong position. The change had
bsen only partially effected, but was fully in
progress when, at sunrise on the sth, my
right and centre commenced the firing, which
was Immediately answered by the enemy
with renewed energy all along the whole ex-
tent of the lines.
Ny left under sigel moved close to the
hills occupied by the enemy, driving him
from the heights and advancing steadily to-
ward the head of the aOlloWs. / immedi-
stely ordered the centre and right wings
forward, the right turning the left Of the en-
emy and eross-6ring on bis centre. This
faal position enclosed the enemy in an area
of circle. A charge Of infantry extend
ing throughout the whole line completely
routed the whole rebel force which retreated
IN great confusion, but rather safely through
adeep and impossible dehle Of Gross Tim
bar.
Our loss is heavy. The enemy's can never
be ascertained, for the dead sre scattered
over q large field and their wounded too
Very many Of them will be lost and perish.
The foe is scattered in all directions, but
think his main force has returned to the Bos-
ton Mountains. Sigel follows towards Ksits-
wards the Mountains, securing the country,
bringing in prisoners and trying to find the
rebel Major General, Van Dorm, who had
command of the entire force.
/ have not as yet the statement Of the
dead and wounded 30 IS to justify report,
but will refer you to dispatch 1 will for
ward very soon. Officers and soldiers have
displayed such unusual gallantry that I
hardly dare to make distinctions. l must
however, name the commanders Of divisions
Gen. Sigel CALAMITY carried the heights and
drove back the left wing Of the enemy
Asboth, VINO was wounded in the arm In his
gallant effort to reinforce the right. Colonel
and Acting Brigadier General Davis, who
commanded the centre where MeOulloch fell
on the Ttb, and pressed forward the centre on
the 9Th. Colonel and Acting Brgadier Cen
eral Carr, Is also wounded in the arm, and
was under the continuous Ere Of the enemy
during the two hardest days of the struggle.
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Missouri
may proudly share the honor Of the victory
which their gallant heroes won, over the
combined forces of Van Dorm, Price and Nc
GullOeh, at Pea Ridge, on the Ozark noun
tains of Arkansas.
have the honor to be, General,
Your obedinnt servant
rrcJ a