New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-20
THE GREAT BATTLE AT PEA
RIDGE,

DC wei lnht Ine hIDplcsb icPVil' VI 'h@' "o"'"
ratle three days battle among the barren
ridges of Northern Arkansas, should BIO placed
in every National soldiers hands, from Florida
10 Maryland. For this, among other sufficient
reasons, we have included IN the history OF
that glorious fight which appears IN other
columns. the statements Of other eye.witnesses
beside our Special Correspondent, so that
what 80 well deserves 10 be told, shall neither
suffer from sbridgment, nor be found defective
from partial or limited observation. The story
of the struggle from first to last seems more
fitting 10 10 recited in heroic verse, than re-
peated in the sober and prosaic style OF every
day incidents. The deeds of the National
leaders, however, speak fer the brave men in
terms which no chrouicler con initiate; aud
/ let the story be told ss simply as it may, the
record stands out in such light az will perpetu-
ate their memory to the latest period Of the
nations history.
In summing up the ample details Of the cor
rc.pondence before NJ, We find that the general
scope of the narrative, down 70 the actual
conflict. which opened on the 9th inst, repre-
sents 4 persistent retreat from Springfield on
the part of the Rebels intended to cover their
weakness, until they received their expected re-
endorsements at some point IN the Boston
rrnge of mountains, near the Northwestern
boundary of Arkansas; and along with this,
An equally persistent pursuit by the National
forces under Curtis and Sgel, extending, AZ
10 time. from the opening of February-the
day when Col. Cars Cavalry started from
coripgGed-untl the memorable 9th, when
Col. Ellis fret. and Gen. Sigel afterward, met
the enemy and gave battle against such odds
"a Tho history Of war seldom records. The
points in the prelstory record which deserve
special illustration are these; Gen. Curtis, 70
make the quick march he did, had to be lightly
burdened with wagons, or with forage or
provisiong. He hal 70 travel through r
country stripped and laid bare BY sue
ward with untring energy through an
inho.ptabs wilderness, % prevent the Reb-
els from concentrating their forces among
tho impregnnbls dedles whore the junction
with McCulloch aud Van Dorm was arranged.
Gen. Curtis had Likewise to advance with a
force so a.armingly small in numbers. that the
work be attempted must have appeared hope
lees to every one, but the brave Leaders them
selves, aud their trusty soldiers. Against tho
~. 600 Rebel. composing the united forces of
Price. Van Dorm and McCuloch, all that the
National General could muster for the long
aud dreary pursuit, and the desperate conflict
N which it terminated was gallant band OF
T. coo men; and ON the steady, unfolding,
eath-deiying courage OF this unequal force de-
pended the success OF the National arms, and
the defense OF the National honor.
/, appears 10 have been on the Sunday
immediately preceding the engagement of the
9Th that Gen. Curtis first became aware that
the Rebel. had met their ful re-enforcsments
and meant to give battle; and when thin dis
coyery WAS made. Col. Carr, with the cavalry
advance had pursued the enemy at least
thirty miles south of the Missouri boundary IS
far rs the town OF Fayetteville. From this
point, then, Col. Carr quietly fell back, fresh,
upon Cross Hollow--a zap in the range OF
nils which bears tho name OF Pea Ridge.
From Cross Hollow, Col. Carr was further
ordsred back TO tho camp which the Com
handing General had pitched at Sugar Creek,
still ten miles nearer the Missouri boundary.
Gen. Sigel, meanwhile, had advanced on the
riaht in a ,outh-westery direction from the
Sugar Creek camp, TO place called Benton
vile; and whether from the absence Of CON-
munication with headquarters, or some other
unexplained cause, i. would appear he ~as 50
long in moving his forces backward, that Il wns
"Wednesday the 9TH before his band Of bare
thousand men had reached the north-westery
point ON Sugar Greek, on thelr return, still
seven miles from the main body. Their $50
lated position was, therefore, well improved
by The Rebels, and on Thursday morning COM
menced that desperate conflict between Sigel.
force and powerful detachment, nearly
l,OVO strong more than half of which wal
well mounted horse, from tho army vi Gen
Price. \ cavalry charge, made with all tn,
confidence Of overwhelming numbers, WAS frs
attempted; but tho solid square formed by I'll,
''''""'' mummy 'o"'"koouhiy urhca III, an,
tho steady and deadly aim of the Minis from
the compact square Of the National troops dis
concerted and repealed tho nttack--but only 70
the moment. Again and again the Rebel cav
airy charge Wal renewed, while the brave size
I MAS struggling to draw his trusty follower
gradually back 10 the National centor--untl II
LAST he was Outaouked and Lemmed in on ever
aide by q belt OF FIRE. The last resource O
brave stldi,rs, then, was all that was left then
III tlsy we're 10 escape the fate Of capture