Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-12-05
Correspondence.
Letter from the Ist Indiana Rcgi.
InCut.
=" GAMp BowEN," Ark, Near Ben. !
touyiIIe, Nov. 10th, ls62.


EpIron AMERICAN -
In these parts. remote from the great
interest. accounts Of even minor events,
that are taking place in that direction
There may be similar feeling in your
section with regard to military matters
here. And perhaps short account of
the forces, and the country hercabouts as
,ee see it may not be without interest.
The Army Of the Frontier" now OPP
Grating at, aud near this point, consists OF
two Divisions under the command oil
"Schol6ela," a Regular" officer, with the
rank OF Brigalier General Of Volunteers,
whose headquarters are now at Elk Horn
Tayerns, as it is called b the inhabitants
but more generally known as the " Pea
Ridge battle ground. The first pifi-
sion under the command Of BfigIdier
General Jas. q. Blunt, Is now cncamped
at this point, some twenty miles from
Pea Ridge" iu a south westerly direct
ion, and is composed Of three fall brig
AIDES; General Blunt holds in check, aud
engages, when ii is possible 10 do 50, the
detached parties Of guerillas, aud bush
whackcrs. made up OF whites, Indians,
and half-breeds, that frequent parts Of
Arkansas, south from here, and the Indian
Territory. General Scholfcld directs his
attention more particularly, to watching
the movements Of Rains, who is adyanc-
ing, or maneouvering southeast from pea
Ridge" with the intention it may be, Of
attacking Springfield. Both divisions OF
the army a-c ready, and anxious to coop,
crate in opposition to the largest force
that may offer battle. When the whole
force was separated after the enemy had
been driven from Newtonia, Mo. the posi-
tion of the enemy was entirely different
from what II now is. Then, the largest
force Of the rebels was posted at Fort
Wayne.-an old site, upon which barracks
have one day been erected, but long since
fallen to decay. At this place they had
made a halt for few days, before moving
farther north Gen. Blaat on receiving
information Of the fact, immediately or
derel an advance upon their position, and
By succession Of forced night-marches,
reached their piekets by daylight, on the
morning Of the - Of October. lie de.
cided to attack them Immediately, with
the small force in advance, composed OF
the ad Kansas, 9th Kansas. aud 1st ln.
diana. That is. those regiments were
nOminally there, but they we're reduced to
very small numbers by detachments on es-
eort duty taken from their ranks, 80 that
In all there could not have been more
than, SIX or seven hundred men in the ad-
vance. The rebels had at least three
thousand, with = battery Of four guns,
while but two mountain howitzers were
along with our men. Regardless of the
fearful odds, against him. after short and
sharp skirmish at long range rife shots.
the General gave tn. order for charge
rs infantry. The bugles sounded "the
charge" aud of started the boys. led by
the "a Kansas, at double quick. over
every obstacle, to ward the enemys bat
terry. At the same time the laiianian came
up on the lcit, and with their Mississippi
rifles, and uuerring aim, drove back in
confusion force OF rebel cavalry, at,
tempting flank movement from the ene-
my's rigat. When tho men Of the "a.
without a pause. under 3 well directed
and severe fire, from the cannon and the
infantry supporting them, moved rapidly
on, firing as they went. When our men
were within pistol shot, and still coming
on, tho gunners began to leave their posts
flying without being able to take with
them the battery,the horses manyOf them