The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-04-12
BATTLE OF PEA RIDGE.

we nave received some Information OF inter
eat respecting the battle of Pea Ridge, derived
from gentlemen of this State who have recently
returned from visit on business to Louisiana.
On their way they passed through the Confeder.
ate Camp, at Van Buren, Arkansas, and remain
ed there for several days. They were we'll ac-
quainted with many officers and privates, and
conversed freely in reference to the prominent
events of the late battle at Pea Ridge, and their
information is considered entirely reliable.
Generals McCuloch, Mcintosh and McRae
and Col. Rives, Of this State, are certainly dead
General Slack was not dead, and hopes of his
recovery are entertained. In General Prices
division the number of dead was between 1875
and l50-the wounded between four and five
hundred-and number missing. In the other
divisions no report was known to have been
made, and probably never will be. That of Gen.
McCulloch- had dispersed, leaving no one to re-
port, whilst those of Mcintosh and Pike seem
to have been overlooked or lost sight of. The
Army Argus, after while, will probably con.
tain the rames and other particulars in General
Prices division, which will be promptly publish
ed on its receipt
They confirm the desperation of the battle
its long continuance and extremely doubtful re-.
sult-the superior numbers of the Confederate
army, and its final defeat and retreat to Van
Buren. Being friends of Gen. Price, they speak
| at the result but the fact Of admitted defeat and
retreat is not concealed. All the stories of q
second battle, SO industriously circulated, are
contrad!cted. None such occurred
Much conversation was going on in the army
| in reference to the plan of attack and events
during the battle. Many Of the friends of Gen.
Price allege bis non.concurrence. and attribute
the defeat failure to carry out his views
Great pains had been taken to ascertain the ex-
! act size of Gen. Curtis column, the number
being put down at 1890 men, That OF the
Confederates being about $4,000. Gen. Van
Dorm considered it an easy matter to practically
| surround and capture the entire army. The
battle, as is known, was fought on that theory,
| and lost.
Gen. Price, it would seem, lacked confidence
10 the columns Of AcCulloch and Mcintosh, and
for that or some other reason, desired his Diyi.
sion to bring on and sustain the fight he sta.
ted, it is alleged, that they would ssand-stand
aud shoot until he ordered them to retreat,
,uhich he ,coadd never do.
The divisions Of McCuloch and Mcintosh he
desired in his rear as a reserve, his line to be
opened, at proper time, for. them to charge tlro
and upon the Federal troops with huzzah and
| ayell A charge of that kind, we'll directed, by
fresh troops, upon bard fought and weary men,
| he insisted, would break their lines and demor-
! false, this theory is presented in comnendation
Of Gen. Price, and to the prejudice of Gen. Van
Dorm as military commander.
General Rains, it is said, became furious on
learning Of an order to retreat. He questioned
Gen. Van Dorm, and upon receiving an affirma-
tive reply, told him fatty if he was whipped be
was the only man in the entire army in that state
of mind. Van Dorm required of him to retract
which being declined, his sword was demanded
and surrendered. But some Of the men have q
different version Of the affair, and say the real
difficulty is deeper than mere words; that Rains
had captuyeda barrel of Van Dorn's best whisky,
and the difference about the retreat was q pre.
text to enable him to furnish . much more sub
stantial oHense. The facts, We hope, will come
out before court martial
General Price received painful wound in the
arm, and was slightly cut by ball passing along
the point Of the abdomen. His army numbered
only some eight Of ten thousand, but he was ex.
pecsing large reinforcements, and expressed the
determination Of marching 70 and occupying the
Missouri river. But for General Curtis and bis
brave and increasing army, he might have some
hope Of accomplishing this purpose. As It is,
his next move will be South-his fate, annihila.
ton Of himself and army No. Republican.
i