The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-03-28
The Battle of Pea Ridge.

The Battle Of Pea Ridge.
\ correspondent of the New York World
gives full and interesting account of the
late desperate battle at Pea Ridge, Arkansas,
/ in which our troops were surrounded by su-
periOr numbers, but after three days hard
fighting completely defeated and scattered
the rebel army. 1t is certain that the rebel
generals MeCulioch and Mcintosh were kill
ed, and the loss of the enemy in killed and
wounded was eJo0, and HOO taken prisoners.
( Among the prisoners are acting brigadier
( Colonel Hebert of Louisiana volunteers, Col
Mitchell of Arkansas, Major Townsend of
Arkansas; Ad djutant Gen Stone, Col VIM. ID.
Rice of Missouri, sometimes called Wild
Bill Rice" besides about % captains and
lieutenants. Tic prisoners mostly Missou-
rians and Arkansians. They are the rough
est of the rough, illclad and iil-armed. They
express desire 10 take the oath and return
home. Many of them say they We're forced
into the southern army, and were unwilling
TO fight against the old fiag. Gen Price,they
say. has recently shown symptoms of insani-
ty-
Probably there never was such a motley
asSemb.age of warriors collected together un-
der one head as met under the traitor Van
Dorm. They represent the scum of the whole
southwest, from the flibusters of New Orle-
ans 10 the rude savageS of the Indian nation.
Texan rangers, whose boast it has been that
they would rather fight than eat, and whose
life has been one long predatory warfare Of
plunder and cruelty. Uncouth and brutal
Arhansians, who have grown up amid muir
ders and homicides. Ignorant and infatuat-
ed Missourians, led on by designing and in
triguing politicians. These are the men who
formed the staple Of the southern army, and
IL is one vast congregation of reckless, VIC
lous, Ignorant and embruited devils.
SIGELS GALLANT DEfENSE.
Some Of the best fighting was done by
Gen Sigel's command on the dav before the
prineipa! battle. Gen Sigel, with two battal-
ions O; Missouri infantry and a squadron of
cavalry, formed The rear guard OF his diris-
|, ioE. and were DELAYED 10y the train, which
moved slowly along the rough roads. He
was determined not 10 desert a single wagon
to rhe enemy. although by SO doing he could
have easily reached the main body. The en-
envy made his appearance with about foar
thousand cavalry. al about ten in the MORN
ing. a few miies ont of Bentonville, and im-
nlediately commenced the attack by despe-
, rate charge. Sigel had with him near a
, thousand men. Two hundred infantry he
sent forward TO prevent being cut of, and
with the remainder be received the whole of
the vast army. Three times the enemy were
rerulsed and retired. The third time they
closed al round the little band.notwiihstand-
> irg that horses and riders We're falling thick
and fast before our steady fire. Gen Siyel
rode un.::Smayei along the whole line inspir-
lting his men. Some of The cavalry on he
flank had succeeded In getting across the
road So as 20 cut the train in two. and it was
here til-t the eneny SCI up 4 shout of tri-
um,,h. Ii 1as short lived. In a minute
more lie aayOnttS ot our men had done their
work. leaving the enemy hundreds of dead
and wounded. The enemy was driven of,
: broken and disma,ed. In about an hour
they returned asain.reinforced and confident.
The faithful Germans, ike league of breth-
len, never taltered 10. moment. Their gal
lant leader struck down dozen of the saw
: ages who ciamored for his life, and hewed
lis nay through line Of them TO rejoin his
command. The bavorets proved the invinci-
; hliiy OF our troops against horsemen. The
= foe retired again and Gen Sigel conducted
his Train successfully into camp.
,, TIE DECISIVE CONTEST.
There was hard fighting all day FRIDAY. in
which positions were lost and won on both
5; les but without any manifest gain to either,
i and the Cnion troops wele doubtful of the
e result of Saturdays work, blt determined TO
: tisnt to the last. Before six o'clock on Sat-
: nrday morning our troops attacked the enc
= my. Gen As5oth, with regiment of infan-
:. Try and battalion of cavalry, had been sent to
: the support Of Col Carr, while Gen Sisel
:. vas moving up 10 a fresh position on the
i ridge near Leestown. The enemy was un-
prepared foc SO sudden and vigorous an as
+ saul;, and fed after short and spiritless re-
t si>tance. Gen Price, it appears, commanded,
5 and was unable 10 make his troops stand the
ii FIRE of the valorous Sigel. They ran, leaving
t four pieces Of artillery behind them and fifth
c vas atter%ari taken in the pursuit. TIE en-
y envy Was therefore being turned BY the left
y 1iank. Gen Sisel pushing boldly after him.
: An hour or more was spent in contesting the
o POSSESSION Of spot on Mr. Coxs farm, when
2, the enemy fell back TO tie hollow. A pause
I. ensued, when tie right under Gen Davis
If moved along, and after a sharp fight Of halt
. an hour. in WHICH tne rebel General McIn-
:. tosh was killed, the eremy beat retreat to
y Cross Timber IL io.iow. The whole line Wal
ID then ordered forward. The rebels ATTEMPTED
d to mike stand on tae next hill, but our ar
r. -iller,- rlayea uDon then, with disaStrouS as
N feo;. The enerny on the road near the tay
q ern refused 10 be moved. Gen Asboth, with
a large column OF cavalry, was sent round tc
+ o@itank them, when another desperate con
If fllct ensued between Cur cavalry and the Tex
Il as and Louisiana troops. Tie Indians alsC
r took part in il, but beyond their shrieks and
Ieiis their influence was not felt. Gen As
IN bGth received a wound in the arm while a
he the head OF his men. The batteries Of tn.
le enemy fired chains, spikes, pieces of bar iron
- and slid shot. Ii was evident that his cs.n
ie ister and shell we're exhausted. And nov
N our batteries on The right were ordered to ths
- front. Taking position within five hundred
RS yards, they poured in an ineessant shower
r Of grape, canister and shell for twenty min
e utes. \ general haycnet charge was theI
tr ordered, and our whole line rushed down ths
id valley and assembled the opposite hill. A
ID Cheer vent up from our men as they deliver
It. ed voll.y after volley into the enemy's ranks
ne The rebels cheered also; and II was eviden
ve that they wire twice our number from th,
~ noise they made.