The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-28

still in the gorge, which caused such de.
struction to the rebels that they scattered
in all directions and ceased to modest us
any further.
THE ENEMY FLANK OUR POSITION.
Intelligence was received on Thursday
night that they were marching on our flank
by the Bentonville road. Tuesday morning
large force was ascertained to have taken
a position directly on our rear, at Elk Horn
Tavern, between three and four miles from
Sugar Greek Valley. The enemy were al
so ascertained to be pouring in at this
point, along road behind Leetown, in
countless numbers.
GENERAL CURTIS CHANGES FRONT.
Genaral Curtis, impressed with the criti
cal condition of affairs, changed his front at
right angles to our former position. Col.
Carr was Immediately sent forward with his
division to Elkhorn, to effect dislodgement
OF the enemy under Price and Van Dorm,
at the same time that the forces under
McCulIoch and Mcintosh, pressing forward
to join the former, were observed by Gene,
rails Davis and Sigel in the vicioity of Lee
town, a small hamlet, some two miles west
of Elk Horn Tavern. The two battles,
which ragged nearly all next day near these
two points, were severely contested and ter
ribly destructive on both sides.
THE BATTLE NEAR ELK HORN TAVERN.
Facing towards the north from this point
the eye rests upon high range of bluffs,
half mile distant, covered with brush and
timber. The intervening ground is low
and broken and also densely wooded. The
Fayetteville road winds through here and
on both sides of the latter our troops were
deployed to meet concealed enemy who
had his batteries in position, and whose
nambers we're unknown. Colonel Vande-
ver's brigade formed and plunged bravely
forward into the bush on the left of the
road. The enemy were encountered and
driven from their places OF concealment.
Their batteries, which sent shell and ball
crashing through the brush, were silenced
or forced to take a new position. The Iowa
Battery, which was brought to play on the
rebels, caused them to fly over the brow of
the bill, which at one time was covered
with Louisiana white coats.
The first skirmishing that ensued a mum
Der OF our men were killed and wounded.
The contest getting unequal, from the i'm"
mense force the enemy displayei, Col. Carr
sent orders from time to time to drop back
At two O'Clock the enemy endeavored to
flank US, when new line was formed, and
the front was changed along the north side
OF an open field, facing the enemy. Three
regiments of rebel infantry and regiment
OF rebel cavalry had outfanked our posi-
ton. They advanced and poured in a ter
ritlc fire, while the grapeshot from their
batteries swept through our ranks, crash
alter crash. At this time the ammunition
gave out of our battery, and the latter was
taken from the field. A section of Gers
man battery was brought into the field to
take the place of the First Iowa battery.
The lighting ragged until our regiments
were badly cut up, when al order was re-
ceived to move to an open field a mile
nearer to our camp. The enemy pursued,
and the cannonade did not cease 10 tha It di-
rectlon fill dark. La abandoning our posts
ton held ia the morning, fears were enter
tanned that the enemy would, in the exuIta-
tion OF supposed victory, surprise our camp
during the night. Our men fought gallant
y all day, without h.nching, as is evident
by the loss sustained.
The enemy had fifteen th :Usand to our
three thousand FIVE hundred, disparity of
force almost uueQuaed. Some Quarter
masters stores at Elk Horn tavern tell into
their bands, all Of which were used By them
except tie deslccated vegetables and pota
toes, they having no idea for what purpose
they were used Our loss in killed and
wounded was severe. Lies. Col. Chandler
was captured with twenty men. Col. Carr
was wounded in the wrist, and a grape shot
grazed his neck.
Col. Dodge went into the fight with CLIO
men, and at night had 70 killed and 90
wounded. Col. Vandever could count only
l75 men. Half bis commits Toned officers
were killed or wounded. Col. Phelps had
four horses shot under him, and half his
officers were killed and wounded.
Lieutenant Colonel Heron, of the Ninth
Iowa, was captured, with several of bis men.
His horse was shot under him, and, bis ankle
being fractured by the fall, he fell into the
enemy's hands, when our line fell back, and
they started in the direction of the camp,
the command being much scattered Lieut..
Colonel Trimb!e was shot in the face by
MIME bail, the latter entering the cheek
and coming out under the ear bat he was
able 20 leave the field on his horse CoIonel
Bussey rallied the other detachments of
cavalry, and got them in position, when the
cavalry returned. OF two hundred and
h'ty men composing the Third Iowa which
went into the charge, iorty>hve were killed
and wounded. The enemy having taken
three pieces and pressed us closely, we fell
back into large open field quarter of a
mile west of Leeville, where the second brig
ade OF General Gsterbaus' division, under
Colonel Greusel,of the Thirty, sixth Illinois,
bad taken position early in the day. The
cavalry stampede caused confusion, but
order was soon restored by Colonel Greusel
who commenced tbrnuinu shot and oholl