, 1862-12-20


air was ns bal1ny and quiet as on June morn
ing. It Has remarked by many old soldiers
tlat if the continent had been searched it
would hnve been impossible to have selected
Prairie Grove. General Herron's forces en-
tered it from the northern extremity, and
those Of General Blunt from the southern.
The rebels were posted upon the hills and in
the woods for four miles along the eastern
side Of the field, while our batteries occupied
1hc elcN,tions Upon the western side, u little
nllrc tlian mile from the rebel lines. The
Intervening space was firm 6Ward, ploughed
fields, stubble land, standing corn, and mar
row strip Of bruzhwood, which skirted 4 little
brook running through the middle Of the
valley. This open country was held By onr
infantry, and there they went through their
maneuYers in full view Of General Heron.
who, for e good portion Of the time, occupied
q little hill near Murplly's battery, On the
western side Of the field. There could be
Etlife, not 4 movement Of which escaped the
quick attention Of our young commander.
The bri1lland but desperate charges nade BY
the Goth Wisconsin and 18th Iowa upon the
rebel battery were as plllHly to be seen as the
moves upon Il clless-board. The swarms upon
sWar1s ofrcbcls that came troopiny out of the
wood On ourlcft in numbers sufficient to appala
heart less strong than that Of our commander,
vert as openly sten with their cleaning MUS
kets and t1aunt1ns banners, us if it had been q
that has ever taken place On this side OF the
Mississippi. As Ill imposing, spectacle, it WAS
one Of the most terrific, and at the same time,
magnificent sights i1nluaginable.
This defeat has been most disastrous atfalr
to the rebels. The country around and about
Forts Smith ard Van Buren, has been CLEANED
Of every particle Of forage and provisions fora
distance Of fifty miles. so Northern Arkansas
and Southern Missouri are regarded BY them
Us d sort Of promised land, AoWing with sor-
II
Carefully fitted out with comfortable clothing,
abundant supplies Of food, and the best ofarins
and ammunition. The nuskets were COM
plete copy Of the Enfield gun. and stamped
&C. 8. A., Richmond, Virginia. though they
were undoubtedly made III England. A large
number Of them were capturad, and all show
ed the most perfect finish aud Workmanship.
The packages Of cartridges were staMped 81.
D. Lowe, Birmingham A portion Of some
few Of their regiments were composed of con
scripts, and when tnSse a1cn wcre exposed to
fire, they had Il regiment Of cavalry posted be-
liad them with oTGcrs to sEout tl,e;,l down if
they did not fight. Every arrangement and
cxertion was made to place the cli;lslccs Dfvlc-
beyond peTadycnture. Theyare now beaten
back beyond the Boston Mountains again,
dishcartc I'd and completely delAcraazed.
The who'll country lying north OF the Ar
kansas river is ut our mercy, and nothing re-
1n:ins for us to do but to step in and take
possession Gen. Heron has added new
laurels to his bright reputation, and, as may
be supposed, he is the idol Of his men: Our
| government has in him vigorous and sk1llful
| General and Il slccples6 soldier
~ VI tue 4hny, n,S,
! give in this limited space, for they al dis
| played most remarkable courage and gal
| lantry. Some other correspondent must do
fhr,n better iuSiicy than have tile ODportu-
| .ji,- of S,,;nr ~ ,,rcsrnt
! '1', " "''t'9 ~ = ~
| LOSSES IN HERRoS's s DIVISION.
| 1snecial Dispatch to the Missouri Democrat.1
| r,,r1o,, .r,- nan ~ 1883
| I-hhohs: .iA.' oee. ts' 1e'-.
The following is List Of field and line OH
| Gers OF Gen. Eerron's command, lost ut the
| rrccnt b1tt1e of Prairle Grove, on Dec. T, 81:
| a.--,-1,,.,. -1,,r,
| sa-o Us e.N7
| L!ent. Col. Samuel Mcta tariahd. 1*th iowa
| Major Elipha1et bfedell, 1tn NO. cavalry.
| FtE. u OFFICERS WOUNDED
| 75or+ f,o1 T1onrr R.-+r,n, on+b ,ris
Tta,nas ~ ~ "a H,;nt a;5ntsnt ssth 1na;aua
Ms;nr I'm = q Thn1nn;ann = ailt1, Iowa
! ;.:,t cn1 rhas RlacI Xii, IIjinois
I1e"s w. ~1''@ '''A.A' -t' o''A l-.' .'4'1oto'
fihtp otf1e."a tAAHN if.7"'hAs
AtaJol q. H. auopaiu' 's1 1"o' ea'ans'
LINE 0FF1CEHs KILLED.
canta7D John A{cDcrmot 10th Wis: Cantain Job1
| Wchrr DO
tat Lieut., Thomas Bentitf, 2oth Wis
atI Lieut., Lami1c NJ Smith 18th Iowa.
| a6 IirNt Thoinas johnson 18th Iowa
1:a,tain VIM. McKee, 7th Mo cavalry.
1st Lieut.. Vim. a johnson; Ith Mo. cavalry
Lieutenant H. ohSer. soEh iowa.