Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-03-20
The Great Battle Of Pea Ridge.

Of sermons, 50 eenta each. 5se nouV1I-'69
The Great Battle of Pea Ridge.
Vivid Description OF the three dnys
p Elshtlns-Thet etGallHMtry OF SIgel:
CArmy cOrrespondsnee Of the Cincinnati Tin,es.
the FIRST DAYS FIGHTING. 4a-I
As | have said, tue rebels, before they
began the now memorable battle in Benton
county, Arkansas, on Thursday morning.
March 6th' 1862 were entirely confident Of
success, aud their chief concern only how
to destroy or,captare ourwhole force.
Zen. Curtis anticipated an attack from
t6e SOUTH and accordingly had the,trains
placed ot the north, under the protection
OF Cen Sigel, with u body OF eight hun
dred men-the principal Federal. encamp-
ments and main lines being, 10. the east
ward, near the head and on Sugar Greek.
Meantlme, the rebel forces were moving in
full strength from BeutonVille, whence ihey
had proceeded from Cross Hollows, and
with rapid marches were endeayoring to
cross thelcreek, aud by placing themselves
on the north, to cut off our retreat.
An adTance Off about two thousand cav
airy reached the desired position, aud made
fierce onslaught on Sigel, hoping to take
possession of our large and valuable train
Sigel proved himself the right man in
the right place. .gatlantly met the en-
emy, and while he rePelled their charge,
prevented them from seizing upon our
wagons. The brave aud ACCOMPLISHED
officer seemed ubiquitous. He rode rapid
" here and there, giving orders and OBJ
serving the point of attack and the situa-
tion OF the enemy, at the sumo time cheer.
ing and encouraging his troops.
Ohenl he was in thelthickest of the fight,
and yet he was always cool, calculating
and skilltul exposing himself as com.
mon soldier, and yet preserving the calm.
judgment and fixed purpose of a Command.
er-in-ChIef. . h- IzdI
Sigel's desire was to keep the communi.
cation open. between himself aud the main.
camp, and the enemy's design 10 cut, off
this avenue for .re-enforcements. They.
closed round him with tumuItuous shouts,
and believed they had accomplished their
purpose, when Sigel rushed in upon. them
with his brave followers aud Compelled.
them TO give way. Sigel could not relin-
quish the trains and so he fought on. and
exhorted his men to renewed hope and
courage by his example. 'a
For Two hours the strife went on with
great ardor on both sides but it seemed as
If the Federalists would soon be compelled
TO yield. There seemed to be no hope for
them. They must become exhausted, and
doubtless they must have done so, had
their destiny been in less powerful and ex-
pert hands than SigeTs.
The waves of opposition rolled around
StgeIs courageous band once more, and
again the trAitorous shouts went up to the
sky, and swept'like a'noIe of victory along
the rising hill. Many stout loyal heart
doubtless sank when that cry was heard !;
but Sigel had no thoughts of failure. He
was fighting for his adopted country aud
the salvation of his little band, and order.
ing three Companies Of BIS men to charge
bayonets, the rebel cavalry was dispersed,
and the way was open once more.
Still no re-enforcementss came, aud our
gallant soldiers appeared Ecogiending as a
folorn hope r' sHd -
About the trains the din Of strife rose
louder than before, and the rattle of mus
kerry and the booming of cannon awoke
the surrounding echoes. sian
The enemy were losing ground. They
rallied and fell with srsdonhled force on
our heroic band. two hundred Of whom had
already proved their patriotism with their
blood. s. e...ils. q, 5s.s5-..li235
The combat was hand to hand. Horse
\ men weresdismounted,e and. struggled with
the infantry, while the officers were some-
| t;nSea sean5 dpfenlinc, tI,an,soi,osI sr.,i,,.
ths odyonc;nS bovoH.,sI s,f IT, ,,.tsSH,ns
s6IaieTs > SISsS yiSSyS ~ . '10 U nU I
a superhuman effort on the part Of the
enemy, and a third time the Federaiists
Firmsr and frmsr vs-. The -.hal, ola.
ing round the 1--WE nv sSiE bn5dTsJ nj, brSyss SS
who were eyidently eoinq 10 the vail III 80 :
4 The sun Of Hope seemed sinking, though
The Quiet sEy.li5Id
Sigeil saw the smile of Heaven, otiy, and
vonid notl fIes1nr7 : SJ5,s. Slpas a sSLSi an 4
| bis form synanisS, as tbc sbonts ri itbs
! enemy rose above the din Of The struu1ie.