The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-03-27
The Battle Of Pea Ridge.

through tue enemy. We have no account
of generals, in ancient or modern times,
who show more skill and bravery than this
brave German. The correspondent OF the
Missouri Democrat writes
"Early Thursday morning SigePs divls-
ion was moving from Camp Cooper, BE-
yond Bentonvi!Ie, for Sugar Creek. His
rear guard composed Of the twelfth Mis-
souri, Infantry Captain jerks battalion OF
cavalry, attached to the 36th Illinois, two
companies Benton Hussars, and six pieces
of flying asti.lery (Alberts battery,) left
camp at six A. H. The main column march
ed through Bea:onvillc without observing
any indications of the enemy.
Sigel moved forward the rear guard across
ravinc on the margin of the town, and the
opposite side of the ravine was occupied by
the rebels, who came rushing up with
yell. Noticing that they had formed on
his rear, lie detached four companies of cav
airy to hold them in check. Opening his
lines right and left he sent his artillery to
the front, to meet force drawn up in line
of t,ttle mile out Of town.
Turning to Captain jerks, who had come
forward to support the battery, Sigel said,
Captain, '' the enemy are on our front, on
either side of US, and al arou2dus." Then
raising his hand to level with his should
er, and lunging it down with each sentence, !
he exclaimed, Wemust advcnce-we must
cut our way through" and concluding
e:nphatically, eve shall cut our way
through" Sigel then got off his horse and
personally superinteneed the planting of
the pieces ir position. He opened fire on
the enemy in front, every shot having tell
ing effect on the enemy's ranks, which fall
tered and fell back in the woods. A rapid
advance of our columns then took place, the
enemy seeming to retreat on either side,
but instead, they made detour and formed
again two miles further on at the entrance
of deep gorge. On reaching this posi-
ton. 1t was found they were supported by
large body of infantry, whose advance
preceded our arrival by taking shorter
road. The infantry were placed in am
buscade, covered by the crest Of hill Our
troops pushed forward into the gorge, along
which the road runs, when suddenly gal
ling fire of musketry was poured in along
orr left flank. The 18th Missouri charged
up the hill in face Of the fire, and drove the
enemy over the hill.
Gen Curtis saw that our forces were in
a critical condition, and he was compelled
to change his front, at right angles to his
former position. At times he was COM
pletely out -fanked, but he succeeded in
holding his own till night when he was
compelled to fall back mile nearer his
camp. The ammunition of the First Iowa
battery a. one time gave out, and Ger
man battery took its place.
Near Leetown, a terrible battle was
fought. General Osterhaus, of Sigcps divis-
ion. opened the battle, and with the Third
Iowa Cavalry. the First Missouri Cavalry,
the Benton Hussars, and Col. Albert's bat
terry, deadly fire was kept up on the en-
emy till our battery was captured by them.
Gen. Davis came up with the Third Divis-
ion, but McCulloch's forces opened most
terrific fire upon them and they were CON-
PEELED, BY FIVE or six times their number,
to fall back, the enemy following close on
their rear, taking two pieces Of Davidson.
battery. This was soon retaken by the
First Brigade, which turned the enemy's
flank, the Second Brigade at the same time !,
charging the enemy's front
Generals McCulloch and Mcintosh both
fell in the charge, and their forces broke and
run.
Col. j. a Hendricks, of the Twenty Sec
,nd Indiana fell, shot through the heart.
Night coming on, the enemy made good
heir retreat.
We had engaged the enemy for seven
oDg hours, and our tired and victorious
roops bivouacked on the field for the night.
THE GRAND BATTLE OF THE EIGHTH
The cannonade opened twenty.6 min !;
ties past seven. on Col. Carr's Division, and !,
he portion of the latter engaged fell back. !;
rem. Davis advanced on the main road and 6
ook position on the right wing, while CO... :,
;arr moved to the centre, and desultory
ire was kept up for short time. About
light o'clock Gen. Sigel's division marched
nto the open field and took position on the :,
eft wing. His batteries we're planted along g
he elevations in this portion of the field, :,
nth alternate regiments of infantry. :, p
The enemy replied promptly with bis d
atteries, with little effect, except disabling y
ne of Sigers guns. The murderous cross
re of our batteries crushed through the
mber with terrible effect. The canncnade n
as terrible for two hours and half, dur =
g which time the infantry advanced - =
owly, under cover of our FIRE from the u
Atteries. As soon as the enemy broke, y
,e infantry advanced With . yell in double
uick, and fred volley upon volley Of we'll 8
med muskctry. The Twelfth Missouri Il