The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-20
The Battle at Pea Ridge.

| i'onA 'h0 oPeCfll correspondence Vi tne ~ 1
World we cut the following graphic description
Of tho first days lighting at Pea Ridge, Arkan.
sas. 1t will be remembered that the fight LASTED
three days, and was commenced by an attack
upon Gen. Sigel:
There can be no doubt that the retiring move
ment OF our troops, on both roads, was constru-
ed by the rebel officers into an intention to re-
treat, and IN order to take advantage Of our
disposition they resolutely pushed on to attack
In plain fact it should be said that there was
some of cur officers who could not but look
upon our shattered little army and the swelling
columns of the enemy with come misgivnss
that we were about to renew an uneuuel strug-
gle, not unlike Springfield. The enelnv's force
as is nearly always the case, WIS vastly magni-
fed, and 1t was conceded on all hands that we
should accept battle at the first offer.
The cutting off Of detachment from the
main body presented favorable opportunity
for them to inaugurate the victory they confident
ly expected to gain. To their grief they dis
CO, cred they had the very worst man to deal
with they could have selected. Gen. Sigel,
with two battalions Of Missouri infantry and
a squadron of cavalry, formed the rear guard
of his division, and were delayed by the train,
which moved slowly along the rough roads. He
was determined not to desert a single wagon to
the enemy, although by so doing he could have
easily reached the main body. The enemy made
his appearance with about four thou sand caval-
ry, at about ten in the morning, a lew miles
out OF Bentonville and Immediately commenced
the attack by desperate charge. Sigel had
with him near Il thousand men. Two hundred
infantry he sent forward to prevent being cut
wit ho ind bo Al.
whole of the vast army. Sgels example at
Carthage had taught him how to bear himself
under such desperate circumstances, and he or
dered his men to staLd firm, and take good aim.
The teams were out upon good pace, and the
enemy came bounding along in several lines
The horsemen en- the TANKS, and infantry in the
rear, awaited their approach until within about
two hundred yards, when they delivered a terri
bic volley OF mimic balls into their ranks which
had the effect of throwing them into temporary
confusion. In u few minutes the leaders, Nv
"'nt OF much shouting and gestculation, sue
ceeded In getting them into something like orde:
This time they came up to close quarters. The
same volley succeeded by a second and third, |
greeted them. The enemy came en- in crowds,
hooting and cheering, as if IL glee at what they
accounted an easy capture The cncmy's cav
airy closed al. round the little band notwith- |
standing that horses and rider were falling thick |
and fast before our steady fire. Gen. Slgcl rode
undlsmayed along the whole line inspiring HIS
men. Some OF the cavalry on the fink had |
IN getting across the road SO as to cut
the tram IN two, ana 1t was here that the enc
nay set up shout of triumph.
II was short lived. In u minute more the |
bayoncts OF our men had done their work leay-
Ing the enemy hundreds OF dead and wounded
The enemy was driven off, broken, and disnav
Cd. It Is lameotabie that at this point one Of
our teams containing three Of the wounded men
who had been placed in it was left behind The
mules had been shot, and nothing could be done
in the emergency to regain it.
Called ana naddened at the rcpulse, the enemy
could be seen reforming to renew tho attack.
The column was yet seven miles from the en-
;ampment. A dispatch had been sent forward
10 Gen. Curtis, explaining the position and ask
ing for assistance. 1t was hardly possible that
the messenger could have been captured. The
enemy was advancing along the road and along
the ridges inclosing the stream. At about 2
clock the second attack was made and desper-
itely carried forward. The rebel horsemen
'purred their hors.l rlgha on to the irresistible
,ayOnets, delivering their load of bucksho, from
The miscellaneous CUTS, and then brandshing
heir huge knives which every one of them car
red in place OF sabers.
They surrounded the rear guard II second time
md for few minutes friend could hardly be
from foe The dense smoke en-
'eloped the whole OF the combatants so that for
some time it was doubtful whether any of our
title band survived. The rebels made the air
.ins with lusty cheers and oaths. The faithful
Germans, like league of brethren, never f.i
cred Tor u moment. Eieir gallant leader s;ruc.
Town q dozen Of the savages who clamored tor
lis lie, and hewed his way through IL liz, Il
hem to rejoin his command. The bayonc,s
proved the invincibiiity of our troops ayainsa
The Toe retired second ti.ig. and
Oh ~ hour they could not be induced to return
y The most frantic efforts OF their leaders. By
his time the advance, which had been constant.
y skirmishing with lhorebel cavalry, ANNOUNCED
hat reniorcelnentS were IN sight, and the little
sheer went up, which was re-echocd by the
roops from the camp. A third and last attempt
vas made to capture the train. 1t also failed,
lnd the enemy Withdrew about half past three
Gen. Sigel reached camp at half past four TO
oceive the congratulations OF the entire camp.
lis loss in the entire march, it was estimated,
you'd reach sixty killed and TWO hundred wuun-
ted. Many OF the wounded fell into the Lands
II the enemy, it being impossible to bring them
III. We lost three wagons. Numerous stories
II heroism on the part of both men and officers
we're related by eye witnesses of the fight, and
Utmost every survivor had u scar or u mark of Il
'ullet through his clothing. Some of them had
he narrowest escapes. One man had the bridge
II his nose carried oh, another was sho: through
b.. ear "A third with a ball Iolvpa in his hroo,,