The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-28
BATTLE OF PEA RIDGE.
FULL and INTERESTING
PARTICULARS.
THREE DAYS HARD FIGHTING.
Three Battles and a Clio
riOsEs Victory.
DETAILS, INCIDEN SIC.

Correspondence OF tie Missouri Democrat.
PEA RIDGE, Ark, March II.
THREE DAYS OF HARD FIGHTING THREE
BATTLES AND GLORIOUS VICTORY.
After three days hard fighting against
10000 rebels, com ,nanded by their ablest
generals, we have won victory decisive OF
important results We have killed three
generals, stampeded the rebel army, and
produced moral effect in the first battle
On Arkansas soil that will be OF great ads
vantage to the national cause. The enemy
himself offered battle, choosing his own
ground, and we have whipped him out and
utterly demoralized his forces.
FIRST NEWS OF THE REBELS ADVANCING.
Ga Wednesday, tie 9th, General Curtis
received reliable intelligence that the rebels
were advancing, and intended to make an
attack the next morning. They were re-
ported to have seventy pieces of artillery,
and force numbering from $4,000 to 40,
900 men. Their pickets were at Elm
Springs, eight miles distant. Several of
our fOraging parties 10 that direction were
taken in.
sIGEL WITH HIS REAR GUARD CUTS HIS WAY
THROUGH THE ENEMY.
Early Thursday morning Sigel's division
was moving from Camp Cooper, beyond
Bentonvilie. for Sugar Greek His rear
guard, composed of the Twelfth Missouri
Infantry, Captain jerks battalion of caval.
~, attached to the Thrty,sixth Illinois,
two companies Benton Hussars, and six
pieces of flying artillery (Albert's battery,
left camp at A. M. The main column
marched through Bentonville without OBJ
serving any indications of the enemy Gen.
Sigel and staff, together with the rear
guard, arrived at Ben,onvile in an hour
and bali. While resting here, black
line was observed on the prairie towards
the south, which at first attracted DO par
tlcular attention. Sigel, with his g ass,
soon became convinced that the line was in
motion. Soon secesh flags were seen NOV.
ing on BeDtonviile, and the prairie became
black with the rebel masses of cavalry and
Inlantry. The rebel cavalry moved up rap.
idly, and deployiDg to the right and lett,
surrounded the town. Clouds of caval-
~ were still! observed advancing at rapid
speed,
Sgel moved forward the rear guard
across raVlne Oh the margin of the town,
and the opposite side OF the raVne was &C.
cuped by the rebels, who came rushing up
with yell Noticing that they bad form
ed on his rear, he detached four companies
OF cavalry to ho!i them in check Open
iDg his lnts right and lett, he sent his 4r
tiIiery to The trent to meet force drawn
up 10 line OF battle Il mile Cut OF town
Turning to Captain jerks, who had
come forward to support the bait ry, Sgel
SAID, Captain toe enemy are On our front,
Oh either side of Us, end all around US"
Then, raislGg nls baud TO level with his
shoulder, and lansiHS Il down With each
sentence, exclaimed, We must advance;
we must cut our way through - and con-
clnded emphatically," age shall cut our way
through" oigel then got off his horse,
and personally superinteuded the planting
OF the pieces in position. He opened FIRE
ON the enemy in front, every shot having a
telling elect on the enemy's ranks, which
taltered and ftl! back in the woods. A
rapid advance OF our column then took
place, the eneiny Sc ming to retreat on
either side, but instead they made detour
and formed again two miles further On at the
entrance OF deep gorge. On reaching this
position, it was found they were supported
by large body oil Infantry, whose advance
preceded our arrival by taking shorter
road. The infantry were placed in am.
buscade, covered by the crest of hill.
Oar troops pushed forward into the gorge
along which the road runs, when suddenly
CALLING fire OF masketrY was poured in
along our whole line. from the top of the
hill along Cur left flank. The Twelfth Mis-.
soari charged up the hill 10 face OF ,he IRE,
and drove the rebels up the bill.
During the charge: Sigel ordered two
pieces forward about g mile to a point where
he cQu.d see the hill where the re6els sup.
posed they were under cover. The guns
were masked by grove, and were not OBJ.
served by the rebels. As soon as this bat
terry was planted, two cannon shots were
Tired from the head of the column in he
valley, producing 10 effect but deceiviDg
the enemy. A rapid advance OF the whole
column was then made, and as we receded
from The enemy the latter covered the bill
in large numbers, advancing on our rear.
The masked battery in front then opened
on them tho ha lie pacoipr OWN o,r M l,,,,,