Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-03-12
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
The Great Battle i'm Arkansas.

ne Great battIe IN Arkansas.
rHk COMBINED REBEL ARMY DErkArKD-DEArH
OF BEN M'cULLocH-oFFIcIAL REPORT OF GEN.
CURTIS.
ST. LOUIS, March 1.-THE following is the
ocial report OF Gen. Curtis Of the great battle In
Arkansas:
Headquarters Amy Of the Soxthrsst,)
Pea Ridgs, Ark, March OH. {
General :-On Thursday the 9th instant, the
enemy commenced an attack on nv right, assail-
Ing and following the rear guard Of the detach-
ment under Gen. Sigel to my main lines on 3 gar
Creek Hollow, but ceased firing when hs met
my reinfercements, about p. m.
During the night | became convinced that he
bad moved on so as 10 attack my right or rear
therefore. early on the 9TH, ordered change Of
front to the right. NV right, which thus became
my left, still rested on Sugar Greek Hollow. This
brought my line across Pea Ridge. with my new
hight resting on the head of Gross Timber Hollow
which is the head of Big Sugar Creek. 1 also
ordered an immediate advance of cavalry and
light artillery, under Col. Osterhaus, with orders
to attack and break what l supposed would be
the reinforced line Of the enemy. This move
ment was in progress, when the enemy, at eleven
O'Clock In the morning, commenced an attack on
my right.
The fight continued mainly at these points
during the day, the enemy at one time having
gained the point held by Col. Carr, at Cross
Timber Hollow. But he was entirely repulsed,
with the fall Of their commander, Ben McCulloch,
In the centre, by the ferces under Col. Davis.
The plan Of the attack on the enemy's center
was gailantly carried forward by Gel Osterhaus
who was Immediately sustained and superseded
by Col Davis entire division, supported also by
Gen. Sigel's command, which had remained till
near the close Of the day on the left.
Col. Carr's division held the right under a
CALLING and continuous fire all night.
In the evening, the firing having entirely ceased
In the center and the right, being now on the left
1 reinforced the right by portion Of the second
division under General Asboth Before the day
closed was convinced that the enemy had con-
centrated his main force on my right. I there
fOra 1rna naA fhorn 81
so as to face the enemy where he had deployed on
my right flank, in strong position.
This change had been partially effected, but
was fully In progress when, at sunrise on the
morning Of the Sth, my right and center renewed
the firing, which was Immediately answered by
the enemy, with renewed energy, aleng the whole
extent of his line.
My left, under Gen. SIegel, moved close to the
bills occupied by the enemy, driving him from
the heights and advancing steadily toward the
head OF the Hollows. 1 Immediately ordered the
centre and right wing forward, the right wing
turning the left Of the enemy and cross firing on
his centre This final position placed the enemy
in the arc Of circle, when a charge of infantry
extending throughout the whole line, completely
routed the whole rebel force, which retired in
great confusion, but rather safely through the
deep and impossible de1les of Gross Timber.
Our loss Is heavy. That OF the enemy can never
be ascertained, for his dead are scattered over a
large field. Their wounded, too, may many Of
them be lost and perish
The foe scattered in all directions, but think
his main force has returned to Boston Mountain
General Sigel follows towards KelthsvIlle, while
my cavalry is pursuing him towards the noun
tains, securing the country and bringing in pris-
oners, and trying to find the rebel Major General
Van Dorm, who had command Of the entire force
at this battle at Pea Ridge.
have not as yet received the statements of the
dead and wounded 90 as TO justify report, but
will refer you to dispatch will forward you
very soon
The officers and soldiers have all displayed such
unusual gallantry that hardly dare 70 make
distinctions l must, however, name command
ers OF divisions: Gen. Sigel gallantly carried the
right and drove back the left wing Of the enemy
Gen. Asboth, (who is wounded in the arm,) In
IDS gallant effort to reinforce the right; Colonel
and Acting Brigsdier General Davis, who COM
manded the centre, where McCulloch fell on the
9TH, and pressed forward the centre Of the enemy
on the sth; Colonel and Acting Brigadier General
Carr is also wounded In the arm, and was under
the continuous fire Of the enemy during the two
hardest days Of the struggle
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Missouri ma
proudly share the honor Of the victory which
their gallant heroes have won over the combined
forces OF Van Dorm, Price and McCulloch at Pea
Ridge, In the mountains of Al kansas.
X. CURTIS, Brigadier General.
Major General Halleck, St Louis.