Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1862-03-26
The Battle at Pea Ridge. Ark.


The Battle at Pea Ridge. Ark
The Missouri Democrat gives an intef :
csting but lengthy account Of the hard
fought battle at Pea Ridge, Arkansas.
fought on the 9th, 7th and 8th Of the pres
ent month, between the federal troops,
about 10000 strong under Gen. CURTIs,
and $1,000 rebels under PRICE and Nc
CuLLocH We give the account of the
last days fight:
THE GRAND BATTLE OF THE EIGHTH
The enemy during the night advanced
and took position one mile nearer our
. camp, occupying the extensive bluf to the
left of Elk horn Tavern, where they had
batteries planted which commanded the
open fields and bottom lands on this side
The open woods, a mile this side Of the
town, were also occupied by the enemy
in formidable numbers. They had bat
teries pointed in all available positions
commanding the approaches from this
side. Gen. Curtis designed to open the
ball At dIybreak, and gave tho necessary
orders for a change of front. the left wing
having 10 be moved obliquelv forward
The cannonade opened twenty minutes
past seven, on Col Carr division and the
portion Of the latter engaged fell back
Gen. Davis advanced on the main road
and took position on the right wing while
Col Carr moved to the center, and des-
ultary fire was kept up for a short time.
About eight clock Gen. Sigcls division
marched into the open field and took posi-
ton on the left wing. His batteries were
planted along the elevations in this por-
ton of the field with alternate regiments
Of infantry
The line as now formed was a concave,
with the wing advanced toward the enc
my, while seven batteries were planted
along its whole length, No more beautiful
/ spectacle conld be conceived than the
" magnliicentiy stern array presented
+ by our line Of battle The utmost conf
den-e was at once restored, and our men
felt treasured that victory was within
their reach The bluffs occupied by the
enemy on their right were covered with
the Sercsh as thick as thcv could stard.
while the Intervening WOODS in front Of
our center was alive with them
Our batteries were soon opened all
along the line and perfect wall Of fire
blaZet out in rolling volumes The enemy
replied promptly with his batteries with
little effect except disabling one of ~igeI's
guns The murderous cross fire of our
batteries crashed through the timber with
terrible effect The cannonad. was ter
rlblc for two hours and a half during
which time the infantry advanced slowly
under cover Of our fire from the batteries
rs soon as the enemy broke the infantry
advanced with yeIl in double quick
sending volley upon voliey Of well-aimcd
musketrv
The Twelfth Missouri rushed forward
anu charged on 4 battery in the heavy
timber capturing three runs and 4 fac
belonging to the Dallas Artillery. The
lwenfT-second Indian also captured n
gun and two caissons At this time Gen.
~Igcl pushed the enemvs riaht flank
while cen. Davis and Col Carr drove
forward his left flank The flight became
general, and the rayine near tie Elkhorn
Tavern was throngcd with the hvin- enc
my The bluffs on the left forming a
natural tortlhcation, where they had sev-
eral regiments and 4 battery posted. were
storncd by Colonel GreuselS BRIGADE -
The prccipIce here IS about seventy feet
high
The 18th, 18th and 18th Missouri and
5lst Illinois, scaled the hill and drove the
enemy ont, the brigade iosiu. only cicht
men killed aud twenty-five wounded. -
The top Of the Ilulf was completely coy
cred with their dead and wounded. from
cur spherical case shot and She Is. The
arms and ACCOMPLISHMENTS We're scattered
IN all directions \ prisoner taken here
stated that Van Dorm had not been seen
tor Two hours, and they thought it time to
leave. The victory was complete The
retreaung enemy were pursued for two
miles by Company ID, Of Bowman's Bat
terry, and the pursuit was kept no hv the
Benton ilussars and Gen Sirel to kpets-
Vile Prisoners including officers. were
taken in large numbers.
Our loss IN the battle was comparatively
small, bus the enemy was terribly Sc
we're. We killed Gen Slack. and vounr
Clark, son of Merriwcther Clark of -
LOUIS who bad his head taken of bv a
cannon ball lie commanded battery
Sallautlv, and had Just given the order 70
retreat wnen 4 ball struck him on his
horse Lieut. Col NcCunoch. son of Tho
General was also found among the dead
Win WIN ms commission in his pocket near
klkhorn Tavern
Uen Curtis has won a victory that
SAould place his name IN TIL, front rank
81 heroes battling for the national c.,n<n
from ms position in the field he observed
every mo'ement. and gave his orders with
alnlr@9ie GOODNESS and decision His
Aias. captains Mckinney. Stark. Autrb-
tel-. Still. ana Lieu:enants Adams and
hoepner, were seen flying over she field
conveying orders a@d bringing intelli-
gcnce
Good judges place our loss in killed
wounded and MISSING no. over 1910
while the enemy.s loss will not fall rlr
short Of 2-50t The reports as soon as
obtained VIII be sent forward.
We have eIp ured 1892 prisoners. and
recovered All our guns. Several Of The
enemy guns and caissons have been lust
found abandoned in the woods. and anv
quantity OF ammunition have been captu-
red
On the rebel side the Indians were in
command g, o. Pike, Standwartz and Ross
heE proved of H;tle account, except to
piunler nj rifle the dead and scalp the
wounded, Of when fact Col Bussev. Of
me hIr4 Illinois cavalry. has annie eyi
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