Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-19

Of boots apiece at the suffers expense. Time
wears apace, and We find ourselves again on
Sugar Greek. Ii is the 9th Of March. Gen.
Curtis has fallen back from bis camp at Cross
Holiows- Sigei has been ordered to retreat
from Bentonyille. Price, Van Dorm, and the
far famed hero of Wilson's Greek, Ben Nc
Culloch, at the head of $4,000 men, are COM
ing down on us with the irresistible impetuos-
ity OF an avalanche. General DAVIS is ordered
to hold the broken headiand on the right )ank
of the stream. The 18th are assigned their
positions. and commence throwing up breast-
works of logs and earth. The distant thun-
der of Sisel's artillery points to bloody work
on the road to Bentonville. In the evening
Sigel came in. Ambulances, wagons, and
unserviceable caissons, strewn pell nell along
the road, showed that shot and shell had not
rained from his batteries alone. He was de-
feated, and forced to retreat; but one more
such victory would have ruined the Confed-
crate army of the Northwest. That night we
lay on our arms. Few slept, for we knew
that an Overwhelming army flushed with vic
tory, and confident of success, was quietly
gaining our rear, taking positions, and plant
ing batteries on the only road by which we
could retreat; so confident of success, that
they had brought teamsters to drive away our
captured train. (The service of the latter,
however. were not required on the present
occasion.)
The Federal army slept on quietly until day.
light, for Curtis knew that his diminutive
army needed all the rest which circumstances
might afford. A muffled reveille, hasty
breakfast. and the men slept quietly into
ranks. There is grand solemnity in Line
- hatt L.
ery moment TO hear the cannons laundering
the soldiers death-knell About A. NJ,
General Osterhaus advanced. His cavalry
dashed into an open field, on which the enc
mics right rested, and where the 4th Louis
lana were deployed as skirmishers, and here
commenced the desperate game. Gen. Carr
held our right. SigePs division was the re-
serve. General Davis now abandoned his
position, and advanced to the support Of Os
terhaus. About P Nj. the engagement be-
came general. McCulloch hurled on his vet
eran troops with the energy of despair; but
they were met with firmness and forced to re-
tire under CALLING fire of canister, shot and
shell, as eften as they attempted to force our
position. Colonel Dodson, of the 9Th Ar
kansas, charged one of our batteries, and car
ried ii with the bayonet. 1t was planted on
brigade was the left of our ..line" The bat
terry was manned at once, and murderous
enfilading fire was opened on US, which swept
the entire line from left to right. At the
same time Mcintosh advanced with his In
dians. Mcintosh was an old REGULAR good
soldier and man of the most reckless cour-
age. But come with me and take look at
the field.
Hark how the earth trembles when mans deadly
strife
Is madly and wantonly playing with life
The lightnings bright flash as it leaps to the sky
The thunder's dull crash echoes piercing on
high.
Now slowly arises the sulphurous cloud
Through Natures deep concave floats glory's
dark shrOud
The ruthless avengers remorseless war veil,
Re-echoes the crash of the warriors death-knell.
Indiana returns with 'cheer" that "warr cry."
McIntoshs rangers must now do or die
The veteran meets his brave foe with mile.
On come his wild host-they have met-they
recOil-
Buta moment. his voice hurls them on in the fight,
Where sabre and bayonet glittering bright.
And the brave meet their fate with a smile or a
cheer,
For glory is dearer than memory's tear!
About this time Col Hendricks. of the 22d
Indiana, fell, and his regiment retired in dis
NAV from the field. Pattison left wheeled y
the Eighteenth, which was all that was left OF
his brigade. We came up to the fence at
"double quick" with fixed bayonetS, and arms
at a ''trail." In moment, one single sheet
OF flame lit up the dark fringe of bushes, and
before the deafening crash had died, we were
over the fence, and, with wild cheer, adj
vancing on the battery. But Dodson could
not persuade his men to stand the music OF
''cold steel" They got up and left in fast
time, leaving their gallant Colonel. mOrtally
wounded, on the field. The battery was ours
again. A prisoner reported McCulloch and
Mcintosh killed in the last assault, when the
22d was forced from her position. The fire
of the enemy, which had been increasing
now died away: occasionally random shot
marked the position of their batteries. Pat
tSon's Brigade was now reformed, and fel
back. into the woods, in rear of the well fought
field The distant roll of musketry, and the
scream of flying she'll. gave proof that the
battle still ragged fiercely on the right. The
faint glimmer of the watch fires. and the
groan of the dying, made this a scene never
to be forgotten.
MIDNIGHT AT PEA RIDGE.
The suns parting ray, gilds the mountains darI
crest
And night folds the world in her mantle of rest
Now dimlv the watch fire glimmers afar-
Where blazed in full glory the bright flame o
The sun, when it rose, shone on bristling guns.
But now they are silent. The red field Is won
And strewn through the forest the diving still lie
Like heroes they fell. and like freemen they die
Tonight We may rest, but tomorrow the sun
Will make to the music of mortar and gun.
And the trumpet's shrill blast, at the dawning o
morn.
Will summon each host to the field of Elk
Horn.
Then rest. soldier, rest now thy battles are DER
Dream of home aud thy friends, they will
greet thee more.
For your country you died. and Columbias tea
VIII water the tomb Of the brave volunteer
Beside Won the Chief Of YOUR enemy died:
He advanced in the power of his glory and
pride.
The host that so often to victory he led
Like heroes have died, or like towards have
fed
He gazed on our banner that waived Der the
field
And fain was the traitor in spirit 70 Weld.
He r,urrnu-aH do,ual tia I,fo s,r.a,., f,,,n IL