Litchfield enquirer., 1862-03-20
THE BATTLE OF PEA RIDGE.
4.s q GEN. acURTIs's OPTICAL REPORT. The following is the official report of General Curtis to General Halleck:
 HEADQUARTERS. Army of the Southwest,
 Pea Ridpe. Arkansas, March 9th. {

The following is the official report of General Curtis to General Halleck: HEADQUARTERS. Army of the Southwest, Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 9th. ] General On Thursday the 9th inst, the ene- my commenced an attack on my right wing, as- sailing and following the rear guard of detach- ment under Gen. Sigel, to my main lines, on Su- gar Creek Hollow, but ceased firing when he met my endorsements, about P. M During the night became convinced that he had moved on 80 as to attack my right or rear therefore early on the 7th, ordered change of front to the right, my right which thus became my left, still 1 resting on Sugar Creek Hollow. This brought my line across Pea Ridge, with my new right resting on Head Cross Timber Hollow, which is at the head of Big Sugar Creek. also ordered an immediate advance of the cavalry and light artillery under Col Osterhaus with orders to at. tack and break what supposed would be the re.
 nforcee line of the enemy. This movement was in progress when the enemy at II A. M., con- menced an attack on my right. The fight con. tinued mainly at this point during the day. The enemy having gained the point held by the com mand under Colonel Carr, at Cross Timber Hol- low, but was entirely repulsed, with the fall of the commander, Mccullough, in the center, by the forces under Col. Davis. The plan of at tack on the center was galantly carried forward by Col. Osterhaus, who was immediately sus- tained and supported by Col Davis's entire di. vision, supported also by Gen. Sigel's command which had remained near till the close of the day on the left. Col. Carrs division held the right under galling, continuous fire all day.
 In the evening, firing having entirely ceased in the center, and the right being now on the left, reinforced the right by a portion of the second division under Gen. Asboth. Before the day closed, was convinced that the enemy had concentrated his main force on the right. commenced another change of front forward, so as to face the enemy, where he had deployed on my right Hank in strong position. The change had only been partially effected but was in full progress, when at sunrise on the 8th my right and center renewed the firing, which was imme- dlately answered by the enemy, with renewed energy along the whole extent of his line. My left under Gen. Sigel, moved close to the hills occupied by the enemy, driving him from the heights, and advancing steadily towards the head of the hollow. immediately ordered the cen ter and right wing forward, the right turning the left of the enemy and cross firing on his center. The final position of the enemy was in the arc of a circle. A charge of infantry extending throughout the whole line, completely routed the whole rebel force which retired in great confu- sion, but rather safely through the deep impass- ble defles of Cross Timber
 Our loss is heavy. The enemy's can never be ascertained, for their dead are scattered over a large field Their wounded, too may, many of them be lost and perish. The force is scattered in all directions, but think his main force has returned to Boston Mountain. Gen. Sigel fol lows him towards kethsvlle, while my cavalry is pursuing him towards the mountains securing the country and bringing in prisoners, and try ing to find the rebel Major General Van Dorn, who had command of the entire force at this the battle of Pea Ridge. I have not as yet the statements of dead and wounded so as to justify report, but l will refer you to dispatch which l will forward very soon. Officers and soldiers have displayed such unusual gallantry that had hardly dare to make distinction. l must, how ever name the commanders of divisions Gen. Sigel who gallantly commanded the right and drove back the left wing of the enemy; Gen. Asboth, who is wounded in the arm, in his gal lant effort to reinforce the right; Col (and act ing brgadier general) Davis, who commanded the center where Mccullough fell on the 7th, and pressed forward the center on the 9th Col (and acting brigadier general Carr is also wound ed in the arm, and was under the continuous fire of the enemy during the two hardest days of the struggle. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Mis- souri, may proudly share the honor of the victory which their gallant heroes won over the com bined forces of Van Dorn, Price und McCul- tough, at Pea Ridge, in the mountains of Ar kansas have the honor to be, General, your obedent servant,
 SAMUEL R. CURTIS. Brigadier General.