Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-03-20
The Battle in Arkansas.

morning, to be able to group the facts concern- ing the late battle in Arkansas. The stopm last week prostrated the telegraph line until Monday night, and the high waters stopped the mails So that we were without any reliable news until bin the past two days.
 fhe enemy, 32, 900 strong, of which nearly all were in the action, were hanked on one side by Gen. McCulloch and on the other by Gen. Me Intosh, each with two or three regiments of cavalry. These forces came up behind the enemy and so impetuous was the charge that the federals commenced retreating towards Price who was to attack them in front. The battle on the first day was said to be very bloody ana the destruction of the enemy was terrible. The federal army appears to have been well handled and though retreating, made dogged resistance. Their infantry would form, fire, and opening would disclose battery which covered their retreat until another stand was made.- Finding that he was being driven into the hands of Price and the brave Missourians, the federal commander ordered the regiment of sharp shooters to the front with instructions to kill the officers. During a lull in the battle, while the ederals were taking new position, Gen. Me Culloch went a short distance from his command to reconnoltre, or ascertain the position ot the enemy. 1t appears he was in an exposed posi- tion with his spy glass to his eye, when he was shot through the heart and fell dead. It is stated that Gen. McIutosh saw him fall, and sent an officer to cover the body so 1t would not be recognized. In half an hour after Mcintosh was killed, and the news of his death and that of McCulloch spread through the ranks. The ederals then made bold dash and succeeded in breaking through towards the Missouri line. Gen. Van Dorn advanced and camped that night on the battle field. In the morning, ind | ing McCuloch's and McIntosh's command dis prited at the loss of their commanders and 8 1 portion of his army without food, except such as was captured from the enemy, he ordered his 1 command to fall back to Boston Mountain.- This was done ina orderly manner, and the greater part of the troops had marched ten miles before they knew they were not following ID the enemy. While the body of the army vas thus falling back, Van Dorn with Q portion ,,f his force made an attack on the enemy.) ] It is very certain that had 1t not been for the tall of McCulloch and McIntosh at the critica
 moment, the victory would have been decisive vne IS 1t is, their dead and wounded exceed durs, at the lowest calculaton as three to one 1 We have two CT three hundred prisoners, among
 hem thirty officers. One feature of the fgh ia the extent of country over which 1t va fought so that on one part of the field a portion
 if our forces was surrounded and captured, anC
 n another part our forces surrounded a portion
 if the enemy.
 The first news that came led us to beiev,
 hat we had suffered defeat and magnifed ou
 ysses. We have gained victory, though no
 decisive one, but ata tremendous cost. Hard !,
 ,nythiug can compensate us for McCullocb
 lcIntosh, Slack and other heroes who fell ol
 nat dreadful day.
 Co.'s. Hebert and McRae are not dead as re ported The former was wounded and may D, prisoner. The latter is with his command.
 There are hundreds ot rumors concerning th' aattle, in whilh no reliance ea4 b- placed. IT. lumber of prisoners taken CT each side are sup posed to be about equal.
 It is reported that Seigel and Curtis were kil
 led. It may be true with regard to Seigel. bu we see in northern papers dispatches purporting sq come from Curtis, sent since the battle, il which he claims to have obtained a victory Ihey are such extravagant lies that we are lee to believe they were really sent from Curtis, who itappears, was not killed. He admits his loss to be very great, especially of officers.
 Our forces are on the north side of Bostor Mountain, the pickets extending to Fayetteville The enemy are reported retreating through Ms souri. This is doubted, and we hope 1t is not SO Tue battle must be fought over and the nex time the vandals will not be permitted to escape 1 -=5---<<ss---Ss--