The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-03-13

the enemy commenced an attack on my
right, assailing and following the rear guard
Of tho detachment under Gen. Sigel to near
the main lines on Sugar Greek Hollow. He
ceased firing when he met my reinforce
Deuts about Pm. During the night
heard by scouts. that he had marched on so
as to attack my right in the resr, therefore
early on the 7th ordered change Of from.
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 myoncw night resting on the
head Of Cross Timber Hollow, which is the
bead Of Big Sugar Creek. Also ordered an
immediate advance Of cavalry aud light ar
tiilery under Col. Osterhouse, with orders to
attack and break what I supposed would be
reinforced line Of the enemy.
This movement was in progress when the
| enemy ut II a. m, commenced an attack on
my right The fight. continued mainly. at
these points during the,day. The enemy
having gaineda point hotly contested by
Col Carr at the Cross Timber. Hollow, but
was entirely repulsed with the fall of their
commander, Gen. McCul,och, in the charge
Ofouf forces under. Col Davis The plan Of
attack on the centre was gallantly carried
forward by Col. Ostcrhouse, who was sus-
tanned by Col Davis and the entire division;
also by Gen. Sigef's command which had re-.
manned till almost the close of the day on
the left. Col. Cars division held the right
under calling and continuous fire all day.
In the evening, the firing having entirely
ceased in the centre and there having been
none on the left, reinforced the ri yht by
portion Of the second division under Gen.
Ashboth. Before the day closed I was con.
WINGED that the enemy had concentrated his
main force on my right. therefore com.
menced another change of my front, formed
SO as to lace the enony, when he deployed
on my right flank in strong position The
change was only partly effected but was
fully in progress, when at sunrise on the
9Th my right and centre renewed firing 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,
advancing slowly towards tho head of the
hollow. 6,-.5 -sy~ Il
Immediately ordered the centre AID right
wings forward, the right turning the left of
the enemy, and cross fired on his CENTER
This position enclosed the enemy in an area
of circle. A charge Of infantry extending
throughout the whole line completely routed
the whole rebel force, which retired in great
confusion but rather safely. through the
deep and impossible deiiles of cross. timber.
Our loss is heavy; the enemy's loss can
never be ascertained, for the dead arc scat
tered over large field. and their WOUNDED
too, many of them be lost and perish. They
are scattered in all directions, but I think
his main wing has returned to Benton Noun.
tains.
Gen. -Sigcl follows towards Kirtsville, willie
my cavalry is pursuing him towards the
mountains, securing the country and bring
ing in prisoners.
Major General Van Dorm had command of
the entire force at this battle of Pea Ridge.
have not as yet the statements of the
dead and wounded so as to Justify dispatch
but will refer you toa dispatch that will
forward very soon. The officers and sol
diers in this command have displayed such
unusual gallantry, hardly dare make any
distinction. | must however maine all of my
commanders Of divisions. Gen. Sigels who
calamity carried the heights and drove back
the left wing of the enemy. Brig. Gen. As
both who was wounded IN the arm in his
gallant effort to reinforce the right. Colonel
and Acting Brigadier General Davis who
commanded the centre when Mccullough
fell on the z h, and pressed forward the
centre on the 9Th. Col and Acting Brig.
Gen. Il. Carr, who was also wounded in the
arm and was under the continuous fire Of
the enemy during the Two hardest days of
the struggle. Also COMMANDERS of brigades,
Coils. Dodge. Ostcrhouse and Vandeyer.
while that Of Schiller and Grupcl were dis.
/ n, haA for thotr IL r. L. -
others must refer to the reports Of comman.
ders ! must also tender my thanks to my
staff officers, Capts, j. S. McKeny. A. A.
Adpt, Capt. McStark, and Capt. John A..
Hale and Field, and Lieuts, J. NJ. Adams
and Stills, all acting aids, and Lieut.. Hooper
my only engineer officer.
An the Staff officers did gallant service in
carrying orders and aiding in their prompt
execution.
Iowa. Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Mis-.
souri, may proudly share the honor of the
victory which the gallat heroes won over the
combined forces of Van Dcrn, Price and
McCulloch at Pea Ridge, in the Ozark noun
tains Of Arkansas.
have the honor to DO, General. s
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) SAML R. CURTIS.
III Brigadier General.
special to the st. Louis Democrat from
Sugar Greek, says aftor contest Of three
days duration, we.haye beaten the enemy at
Sugar Creek Hollow. Their forces consisted
Van Dorn's, Price, McCnlloch and Frost's
commands, and were forced to retreat in
wild confusion, with the loss Of consid.
cradle number Of cannon, flour, muskets
ammunition, cassions, &c, &c.
Their forces are variously estimated Ut
from 20, 900 to 10000. McCulloch is ascer-
tanned to be mortally wounded, as well as
Mcintosh and Rector. The latter is son
OF the Governor of Arkansas. McRae and
. number Of other persons are prisoners in
our hands, and large number Of the rank
and file. G 80