Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-04-10
From the Memphis appeal 18th ult.

The Battle In ArkRn sas-Fu ther Details.
We had an interview yesterday with al officer direct
from army in the West, and from him obtained the
following interesting details OF The battle OF Sugar Greek,
or Elkhorn.
Gen. Price had remained at Springfield until the
enemy were 10 six miles of the town. when be put his
army in motion toward the Arkansas line. There vas
more or less skmlShDg between his earguard and the
eremys advance until he crossed into Arkansas and
Effected Junction with Van Dorm and McCulloch In
all these skirmishes informant says the Missouri
sharp shooters invariably got the best of their pusuers
Price object to draw them down into Arkansas
since Van Dorm had not j)ined him at Sprng6el4.
The Conttderates rested few days at Cove Creek
IN Washington county, Arkansas some thirty mics be-
low the line. At length General Van Dorm having
got ready he determined to 60 in search OF the euemy
and to make the attack himself. The troops were Or
dered TO cook five days provisions aud move upon the
enemy who had stopped at Sugar Greek. At Benton
vIie on their way up they encountered the Federal
rearguard, and had quite brisk skrmish in which we
lost one man and the enemy eight or ten. We also
took one piece of artillery from there. The Con-
federates marched all that day and night without food
or sleep, and came up with the enemy in the Sugar
Greek hills at hail past 10 O'Clock a. NJ, when he
action at once became general. The enemy was COM
petely surrounded, Gen Price attacking them on the
north and Gen. McCuoch on the west.
1t is now generally believed that we made a mistake
IN surrounding the enemy and cutting Of every avenue
OF escape. 1t is thought that if had attacked them
from one side only, it is understood Gen. Price pro-
posed should have driven them aud taken every
thing they had ere the sun went d )Wn As it was We
drove them for two miles from all their strong POSITIONS
and held their encampment during the night with the
greater part OF ther cOmmissary stores, which
half tamsled men fed.
Many of our troops who were supposed to be CAP
tured by the enemy, have come IN, and who'll loss
In killed, wounded and prisoners will exceed SIX
hundred, VIZ one hundred and twenty-five killed, twn
hundred aid seventy five wounded, ard two huudred
prisoners. The enemys loss fer greater-prob ably
five to our one. Federal ceOneI who taken on
tie evening Of the first day says their loss up to that
time Was terrific probably twelve hu ld,ed fifteen
hUldred-and the next morning they lost many more,
among whom were several oficers Such prs ners as
have escaped from them, say that there tXllia
tion among them 50 heavy had their losses been. The
COnederates took two hundred and twenty i've pris-
Oners.
With the exception Of a portion of the repiments
thrown into confusion by the unlm ly fall of NcCunch
and MclntOsh the retreat conducted in the utmost
good order-so good, nde d, that many did no know
but that they were making flank movement the
enemy until late in the afternoon Several OF batteries
In great danger having to be brought eff through
| he woods and over hills The enemy did not pursue
except few squads Of cavalry who followed up ,me
OF oar baggage trains. We brought of tour pieces
of cannon titan we went on the Id with, having lost
only pieces which disabled and spiked. 7era
OF the enemy's ba teres taken but they not
be brought off. They dismOlnted and the Wheels
taken Cf dry brush aud leaves were piled them and
hey were burnt by our troops
On the morning Of the 9Th, the enemy, having taken
strong position during tue night reUpentd tue fight.
The action soon became general, and confined until
about half past nice o'clock, by which time Cen an
Dorm had completed his arrangements to withdraw his
forces.
The reasons for our withdrawal were, first, that q
number OF the southern regiments, after the ali OF Nc
| CuIloch and McIntosb, became dem0ralz d and could
not be relied upon Secondly, some 200 Federal troops
(Germans while laeing from the Id came upOn our
| nd TIA sun
intended attack, put whip to their horses aud d
rapidly possible. This left several of our batteries
without a single round. These unfortunate urreDces
rendered it necessary for the COnederates TO and
that at time when victory had actually perched upon
their banners.
Our list OF killed and wounded is still imperfect
Col. RIves OF the Missouri Contederates an Captain
Churchill CLARK of the artillery whose loss has not
be etOlOre been mentioned, were killed. heir fall is
greatly deplorcd throughout the army. Many other
,ficera were killed OF wounded. Gen. Van Dorm paid
d high compliment to Prices army Many OF tbeI
charges would have done credit to Napoleons old guard
7 troops 10 McCuloch's DIVISION up to the time o
bis and McInosh's fall fought with the most delermin
ed gallantry, az covered themselves with z ory.
We left tn, f-d on the second day. for the reason
given above and yet the result Of the battle was q
, good as victory TO the Conederates They have 81
crippled the enemy, that they will be unable to attach
US until they get reinforcements. PRICE and VAl
Dorm, however, march where they please and with
moesl atiou AT last account they recruiting
aud getting ready for another forward movement, In
? direction but little suspected by the enemy.
With the exception of STAAwArIEs reRlment ou
Indian allies did not take much part In the 5bt. Th
regiment tovH battery having approached 1t behin
trees and behaved with Esuch courage and galantIy
Owing 10 the early fall OF CCULLoCH and MClNTost
some six or seven OF our lments brough
into action The enemys forces were at least doub
= ours.
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