Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-03-22
Three Days Battle at Pea Ridge, Ar
kansas.

els commence the dttdcE.-Hbte Strategy
OF the IT. s. Forces The Enemy cont-
pietely routed 6y % Charge Of Infantry
--Hea0y Losses on both sites.
ST. LOUIS, March 1.-THE following
is the official report of Gen. Curtis, Of the
battle of Pea Ridge, in the mountains of
Arkansas;
Headguariers Of The Ayny Of tie Sonth-
aCeSt,
PEA RIDGE, Ark, March 8.
General-On Thursday, the 9th instant
the enemy commenced an attack on my
right, assailing and following rear guard
of the detachment under Gen. Siegcl, to
my main lines on Sugar Creek Hollow,
but ceased firing when he met my rein
foreements about four o'clock, z. M.
During the night / became convinced
that he had moved on so as to attack my
right or rear. Therefore, early on the 18th
l ordered change of front to the right
on my right, which thus becoming my left
still rested on Sugar Greek Hollow. This
brought my line across Pea Ridge, with
my new right resting on theAead of Cross
Timber Hollow, which isesfhe head of Big
Sugar oreek,s,s4als6 ordered an advance
of cavalry and light artillery, under Col.
Osterhaus, with orders to attack and break
what we supposed would be the reinforced
line of the enemy. This movement was
in progress when the enemy, at o'clock
A NJ, commenced an attack upon my
right.
Tho fight continued warmly at these
points during the day, the enemy having
gained the point held in command by Col.
Carr, at Cross Timber Hollow, but were
entirely repulsed with the fall OF the rebel
commander, Mccullough, in the center,
by the forces under Col. jeff. G. Davis, Of
Missouri.
The plan of attack on the center was
gallantly carried forward by Col. Oster-
haus, who was Immediately sustained and
superseded by Col Davis entire division,
supported also by Gen. Siegel's command,
which had remained till near the close Of
the day on the left.
Col. Carr's division held the right under
CALLING and continuous fire all day.
In the evening, the firing having entire
ly ceased in the center, and the right be-
ing now on the left, reinforced the right
by portion of the second division, under
Gen. Asboth. Before the day closed 1
was convinced that the enemy had concen-
trated his main force to the right; there
fore / commenced another change of front
forward, SO as to face the enemy where he
had deployed on my right flank in strong
position. The change had been partly ef-
fected, but was fully in progress, when, at
sunrise on the 6th, my right and center re.
new ed firing, which was Immediately an
swered by the enemy with renewed encr-
gy, along the extent Of his line.
Ny left, under Gen. Siegel, moved close
to the hills occupied by the enemy, driv-
ing him from the heights and advancing
steadily toward the head of the Hollows.
Immediately ordered the center and right
wing forward, the right wing turning the
left of the enemy and cross.fring in hi
center The final position placed the en-
envy in the arc of a circle. A charge Of
Infantry, extending throughout the whole
line, completely routed the entire rebe
force, which retired in complete confusion
but rather safely, through the deep, i'm
passable defles to Cross Timbers.
Our loss was heavy. That of the enc
my can never be ascertained, for the dead
are scattered over large field
Their wounded, too, may, many Of them
perish.
The foe is scattered in all directions
but think his main force has returned tc
the Boston Mountains. Gen. Siegel fol
lows the enemy toward hethjville, where
my cavalry is pursuing him toward thu
mountains, securing the country, bringing
in prisoners, and trying to find the rebe
Major General Van Dorm, who had COM
: mand of the entire force of the enemy a
this battle at Pea Ridge.
l have not, as yet, statements Of tn
dead and wounded, SO as to justify re-
, port; but will refer you to dispatcl
which | will forward very soon.
The officers and soldiers under m,
command, have displayed such unusua
gallantry, that [ hardly dare to make
distinction. l must, however, name tn
commanders of the divisions Genera
- Asboth, who was wounded in the arm i
this gallant effort TO reinforce the right
Colonel and Acting Brigadier Genera
! 4 4 II