Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-03-13
Battle Of Pea Uidge....Gen. Curtis,
Official.

St Louis, March IL.
The following is the official report of Gen.
Curtis to Gen. Hall OK 3:
Head q Iarters Army Of the South .West.)
Pea Ridge, Ark, March 8. !
General On Thursday, the 9th instant,
he enemy commenced an attack on my right |
wing, assailIng and following the rear guard |
of detachment under Gen. Siegnl to my
main lines on Sugar Creek Hollow, but ceas-
ed fling when he met my reinforcements,
aUauI =. nj
During the night became uuu,iu.ra ,ra,
he had moved on so as to attack my right or
rear, therefore early on the 9Th ordered
change of front to the right, My right,
which thus become my left, sill resting on
Sugar Greek Hollow. This brought my line
across Pea Ridge, with my new right resting
on Head across Timber Hollow, which is the
head of Big Sugar Creek.
| also ordered an immediate advance Of
the cavalry and light artillery under Colonel
O-te,haus, with orders 10 attack and break
what | supposed would be the reinforced line
of the enemy. This movement was in pro-
press when the enemy at | A NJ. ommenced
An attack on my right. The fght continued
m inly at these points during the day, the
enemy having gained the point held 10y the
command of Col. Carr. at Cross Timber Hol-
low. but was entirely repulsed with the fall
of the ommander-McCulloch the cen
tire by the forces under Col. Davis. The
plan of attack on the centre was CALAMITY
carried forward by Col. OsteIh ms, who was
Immediately sustained and supported by Col.
Davis entire division - supported also bv
Gen. Siegers command, which had remained
ill near the close OF the day on the LETT. Col.
Davis's division held the right under gall
ing, continuous fire all day. In the evening,
firing having entirely ceased in the centre,
| AMI the right being now on the left, | REIN
forced the right by a portion of the second
| division under Gen. Asbotb. Before the
/ Ga% closed, was convinced that the enemy
| had concentrated bis main force on the
tight. &C lnmenced another change G .:ont
forward, so As 10 face the enemy. where he
had drploy'd ~n my right flank in strong
position The change had only been par
TALLY effected, but " as in full progress, when
at sunrise OF the Sth my right and centre
renewed the firing, which was in mediately
answered by the enemy with renewed energy
a'ona the whole extent of his line. My LETT
under Gen. Siegel moved close to the bill oc-
cupi, by the enemy, driving blm f.om the
heights and advancing steadily towards the
Ilolows. imm, diately y ordered the centre
and right wing forward, the right turning the
left Cf the enemy, and cross firing on his
centre. This final position of the enemy was
il the arc of circ e. A charge of infantry
exte nd ng throughout the whole line, COM
pletely routed the whole rebel force, which
retired in great confusion, but rather safely
through the deep impossible de6les Of Cross
Timber.
Our loss is heavy. The enemy's can nev.
er be ascertained, f their dead are scattered
: over large field. Their wounded, too, may
many of them be lost and perish. The force
is scattered in all directions, but think hi
main force has returned to Boston Mountains
} Gen. Sieeel follows him towards Keithsville
while my cavalry is pursuing him toward
the mountains, securing the country, bring
ing in prisoners, and trying to find the reoe
/, Major General Van Dorm, who had com
: mand of the entire force at this the battle o
Pea Ridge l have not as yet statements
the dead and wounded, so as to justify re
port, but will refer you TO dispatch whicl
3 ! will forward very soon.
a Officers and soldiers have displayed sucl
7 unusual Rallantry that l hardly dare to max
a Distinction.
9 must however name the commanders Q
3 divisions Gen. S-igel galanrly commsnde'
e the right and drove back the left wing OF IN
{ enem, Gen. Ashboth who was woulded II
the arm IN his gallant effort to reinforce IN