The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-12-30

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! in their lines, than the vacancies were
filled by others. They advanced steadi
ly once more upon our left, and there we
knew would be the hottest tug of the
day. "'Tis darkest just before the
dawn" some one has said. Twas so in
our case. By bold movement the reb,
els were once more checked, and just
then the word came that the firing upon
our extreme right was that of Gen
Blunt, who had arrived with a strong
battery and about FIVE thousand men.
This intelligence added new courage to
our men, and sent vigor into every
movement that meant victory or death.
General Blunt ranged his twenty -four
pieces in line, and opened a calling fire
upon the left wing of the rebel army,
aud drew a portion of their attention to-
wards his forces. They advanced up
on him from the woods at a double
quick, in eight ranks, seemingly half a
mile long. They went down a gentle
smooth slope, with an easy prey appar-
emily in view. When they had got to a
certain point, within canister range, he
opened his entire fire upon them, fair
ly lifting them from the ground" as he
afterwards described it. This checked
their impetuosity, and put terror into
their hearts, but still they went on. An
other and another volley was given to
them until they broke and fled, and
when the remnant of this storming par
ty had left the field the ground was
strewn and piled with rebel slain. In
the meantime our boys had not been
idle. They pressed the enemy holly at
every point, and as the sun went down
they were falling back in every direc-
ton. Before it had become fully dark
the only sounds OF firing heard were
those of our own musketry and cannon.
The field was won aud the victory gain
ed.
At nine o'clock of the same evening
the enemy were in full retreat towards
Van Buren, and at daylight this morn
ing they were twelve miles away. A
more complete and glorious victory new
er was obtained As soon as the pail of
night had descended upon their motions,
perfect stampede took place. Every
thing this morning denotes hasty flight
and great fear lest we should pursue
them. Although their force was large
enough to crush us completely-in fact
annihilate us-and they were we'll equip
ped and handled our little army Of
comparatively inexperienced troops
effected brilliant repulso and won an
unquestionable victory. This morning
all the contested ground and every inch
of the battle field are in our hands, and
the only rebels in view are the piles of
dead and the ambulance parties carry
ing away the wounded.
Long before dayligh; this morning
Gen Marmaduke and two of his staff
came into c&r lines with flag of truce,
and remained over two hours, evidently
with view Of creating delay, as the
purport OF their mission was frivolous in
the extreme. He had no sooner report
ed back to his command, than another
message came requesting an interview
with Generals Blunt and Heron. This
consumed three hours more, and by that
time their army was at 4 safe distance
This is only specimen of the tricky
cunning Of Gen. Hindman.
The ruse was perfectly transparent.
YET the game had progressed too far to
be stopped without trausgressing the
etiquette of war before their intention
was fully OWNED.
The weather of the 18th was delight
ful. The sun shown clearly in a cloud
less sky, and the air was as balmy and
quiet as on June morning. 1t was re-
marked by many old soldiers that if the
continent had been searched il would
have been impossible to have selected a
more beautiful field Of battle than that
Of Prairie Grove. Gen. Herron's forces
entered it from the northern extremity,
and those Of Gen. Blunt from the south
ern. The rebels were posted upon the
hills and in tho woods for four miles
along the eastern side OF the field, while
our batteries occupied the elevations up
on the western side, little more than ,
mile from the rebel lines. The inter
vening space was firm swsrd, ploughed
fields, stubble land, standing corn. and /
narrow strip of brushwood which skirted
ltlle brook running through the mid
die of the valley. The open country
was held by our infantry, and lhoro they