Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-03-19
St. Louis, March II.
The following is Gen. Curtis's official re.
port of the battle in Arkansas:

The following is Gen. Curtis's official re-
port of the battle in Arkansas:
Pea Ridge, Ark. March 9th.
TO Mi. Gen. Halleck GENERAL -
On Thursday, the 9th inst, the enemy COM
menced an attack on my right, assailing
and following the rear guard Of the de-
tachment under Gen. Sigel to my main
lines on Sugar Greek Hollow, but he ceased
firing when he met my reinforcements
about 4 p. M. During the night, ! became
convinced that he had moved on so as to
attack my right or rear; therefore, early
on the seventh / ordered change Of front
to the right, and my right, which thus be-
came my left still rested on Sugar Creek
Hollow. This brought my line across Pea
Ridge, with my new right resting on the
head Of Cross Timber Hollow, which is
the head Of Big Sugar Creek.
also ordered an immediate advance of
cavalry aud light artillery under Col. Os-
terhaus, with orders to attack and break
what ! supposed would be a reinforced
line Of the enemy. This movement was in
progress when the enemy at II M, COM
menced an attack on my right. The fight
continued mainly at these points during
the day, the enemy having gained point
holly contested by Col. Carr, at the Cross
Timber Hollow, but was entirely repulsed
with the fall of the commander, Gen. Nc
CulIoch, in the center, by our forces under
Col. Davis.
The plan of attack on the center was
CALAMITY carried forward by Col Osterhaus
who was sustained by Col. Davis's entire
division, supported also by Gen. Sigefs
command, which had remained till near the
close ofthe 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
" ceased in the center, and there having
been none on the left, / reinforced the right
by portion Of the second division under
Gen. Asboth.
Before the day closed, | was convinced
the enemy had concentrated his main force
on my right. ] therefore commenced
another change Of my front forward, so as
to face the enemy where he had deployed
ON my right flank in strong position. The
change had been only partially effected but
was fully in progress, when at sunrise on
the 9Th my right and center renewed enel7
gy along the whole extent Of the line. My
left, under Gen. Sigel, moved close to the
hills occupied by the enemy, driving him
from the heights and advancing steadily
toward the head of the Hollogs. | i'm
mediately ordered the center and right
wings forward, the right turning the left Of
the enemy and cross-fring on his center.
This final position enclosed the enemy in
an arc of a circle. A charge Of infantry
extending throughout the whole line, com
pletely routed the whole rebel force, which
retired in great confusion, but rather safely
through the deep and impossible defles Of
cross timber.
Our loss is heavy. The enemy's loss
can never be aseertained, for the dead are
scattered over large field, aud their woun-
ed, too, may many of them be lost and
perish. The foe is scattered in all direc-
ions, out thlnK ms MAN force has re-
turned to Boston Mountains.
Gen. Sigel follows towards Keitsville,
while my cavalry is pursuing him toward
the mountains, securing the country, bring
ing in prisoners and trying to find the
rebel Major General Van Dorm, who had
command of the entire force at the battle o.
Pea Ridge.
Iowa, Illinois Indiana, Ohio and Mis-.
sour, may proudly share the honor of the
victory which their gallant heroes won oyel
the combined forces Of Van Dorm, Price
and McCulloch at Pea Ridge, it the Ozark
mountains Of Arkansas. | have the honor
to be, General,
Your obedient servant,
SAMUEL r. CURTIS,
Brig. Gen.