Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-03-14
The Great Victory in Arkansas.

-BTunSriok, Fort Ctlnch and FernaHdha
Taken.
The Great Victory in Arkansas.
ST. LOUIS, March 1.-The following is the
official report or Gen Curtis:
HEADQCARTERs ARMY OF THE SnUru WEST,
PeaaRidge, Arkansas, March O. ]
On Thurzalay, the 9th inst, the enemy com
menccd an attack on my right, assailing and
following the rear guard of a detachment un-
der Sige TO my main line on Sugar Greek
Hollow, but ceased firing when he met my re-
inforcemenis at about 4 o'clock T. NJ Du-
ring the Eight became convinced that he had
moved on SO as to attack my right Or rear,
therefore early on the 7th, ordered a change
of front to right on my right. which thus be-
coming my left, still rested on Sugar Creek
Hollow. This brought my line across Pea
Ridge. with my new right resting on the head
of Cross Timber Hollow. which is the head
of Big Sugar Greek. l also ordered an i'm
mediate advance of cavalry and light artillery,
under Col. Os:erhaus, with orders to attack
and break what l supposed would be the re-
inforccd line of the enemy.
This movement was in progress when the
enemy, at II o'clock a. m, commenced an at
tack on nv right The fight continued main
ly at these points during the day The enemy
having gained a point hotly contested by Col
Carr at Cross Timber Hollow, but was entire
" repulsed, with the fall of !heir commander.
McCulOch, in the center, by the force under
Col. Davis. The plan of attack on the Gen.
ter was gaantly carried forward by Col. Os-
terhaus, who was Immediately sustained and
superseded by Col. Davis. The entire division
was supported also by Sigcl's command, which
had remained till near the close of the day on
the left. Col. Carr's division held the right
under calling and continuous fire all day
In the evening, the firing having erased ON the
center, and there having been none on the left
[ reinforced the right by portion of the sec
ond division under AsbOth.
Before the day. closed was convinced that
the enemy had concentrated his main force on
the right, | therefore commenced. another
change Of front forward so as TO face the enc
my where he had deployed on my right faux
in strong position. The change had been on
ly partially effected, but was fully in progress
when at sunrise on the 6tb my right and CEN
ter renewed the firing, which was Immediately
all along the whole extent of the line.
My left under Sigel, moved close to the hills
occupied by the enemy, driving him from the
heights and advancing steadily toward the
head of the hollows. l Immediately ordered
the center and right wings forward. The right
wing turning the left of the enemy and cross
firing on his front. This final position en-
closed the enemy in an area of circle, and
charge of infantry extending throughout the
whole line completely routed the whole rebel
force, which retired in great confusion, but
rater safely through deep and impossible de-
file of cross timber.
Our loss is heavy. The encmy's can never
be ascertained, for the dead are scattered over
large field, and their wounded, too, may,
many OF them, be lost and perish The foe is
scattered in all directions, but think the main
force has returned to the Boston NIountoins
General Sigel follows towards Keitsville, while
my cavalry is pursuing him towards the
Mountains, securing the country, and bringing
in prisoners, and trying to find the rebel Ma
ior-General Van Doran, who had command of
the entire force.
1 have not, as yet, the statement Of the dead
diu WOunu 81 as W JuobilJ ASPoAt1 Oub L VIII
refer you to dispatch l will forward very
soon.
Officers and soldiers have displayed such un-
usual gallantry that hardly have to make
distinctions. l must, however name the COM
manders of divisions. Gen. Sigel galantly
carried the heights and drove back the left
wing OF the enemy. Asboth; who is wound
ell in the arm, in his gallant effort to reinforce
the right Col. and acting Brigadier General
Davis who commanded the center where Nc
Culloch fell on the 7th and pressed forward the
center on the Sth.
Col and acting Brig. General Carr is also
wounded in the arm, and was under the con-
tinuous FIRE of the enemy during the two hard
est days of the struggle.
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio aud Missouri,
may proudly share the honor of the victory