The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-03-27

A.''' VIZ ~'S' SaSes ana OHer serious
distractions to transportation of all
kinds. Pea Ridge, on which the battle
was fought, varies in width from two to
five miles and extends some fourteen or
fifteen miles, and so uneven are its sur.
faces that no one can see for more than
few hundred yards at a time, in con.
sequence of the intervening trees.
A small settlement, including some
half adozen houses, to which the name
of Leetown has been given, is ON the
Ridge, and also three or four farm.
houses, all of which were deserted be-
fore the engagement began. The
banks of Sugar Greek are not steep,
and, as the stream is small, it is easy
to cross, even with artillery. 4ail
The battle began on the lower side
of. the creek, and was soon after trans
ferred to the upper; and on the second
and third days was shifted to the east,
with occasional shiftings to the west,
including scope of at least eight or
ten miles. ....e.,,a..o ff;v, sye,i ,ad
.f.., THE FEDERAL ARMY. .;.,;,.,.
Our effective force could not have
been more than twelve thousand on the
day of the first engagement and was
composed of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa,
Ohio and Missouri troops. The army
was divided into three divisions, under
command of General Samue. r. Curtis,
a brave and patriotic officer. = - si-pa
nisff THE REBEL ARMY. ga4 leiii T
The rebel army was composed of
nine or ten, perhaps twelve thousand
Missouri State troops, under Maj. Gen.
Sterling Price; some six or eight regi
ments of Arkansas, under Gen. Ben.
McCulloch; five or six regiments, of
Texans, under General Earl Van Dorm
some three thousand Cherokee, Chock-
taw, Creek, and Seminole Indians,
under Colonel Albert Pike, all under
command of Major General Mcintosh.
In addition to those mentioned, there
were two or three regiments of Louis
lana troops, and companies of Missis-
sippi and Alabama soldiers, under their
respective Captains. Majors aud Col.
onels, whose names are unknown alike
to your correspondent and to fame.
The entire rebel force could not have
been less than thirty thousand; many
persons estimate it still higher. 'h9 r
THE FIRST DAYS FIGHTING. aiio
The rebels before they began the
memorable battle in Benton county,
Arkansas, on Thursday morning, March
6, 1862, were entirely confident of sue.
cess, and their chief concern only how
to destroy or capture our whole force.
Gen. Curtis anticipated an attack
from the South, and accordingly he had
the trains placed on the North, under
the protection of General Sigel, with a
body of eight hundred men-the prin-
cipai Federal encampn,ents and main
lines being to the eastward, near the
head and on both sides of Sugar Greek.
Meantime, the rebel forces were NOV
ing in full strength from Bentonville,
where they had proceeded from Cross
Hollows, and with rapid marches were
endeavoring to cross the creek. and by
placing themselves on the north, to cut
off our retreat.
An advance of about two thousand
cavalry reached the desired position,
and made fierce onslaught on Sigel,
hoping to take possession of our large
and valuable train.
Sigel proved himself the right man
in the right place. He gallantiy met
the enemy, and while he repelled their
charge, prevented them from, seizing
rnn,, onr TNbo h.ox,a ocI =.
complished officer seemed Ubiquitous
He rode rapidly here and there. giving
orders and observing hespoint lof at
tack and the situation of the enemy, al
the same time cheering and encourage
ing his troops.
| Often he was in the thickest Of the
fight, and yet he was always cool, cal
culating and skillful; exposing himself
as common soldier, and yetpresery-
ing the calm judgment, and fixed ,pur-
pose of Commander-in-C Chief. !.
Sigel's desire was to keep the com.
munication open between himself and
the main camp, and the enemy's design
to cut of this avenue for reinforcements
They closed round him with tumnlfu
Gus shouts, and believed they had ac.
complished their purpose, when Sigel
rushed in upon them with hisnbraye
followers and compelled them to give
way. Sigel could not relinqnish the
trains and so he fought on, and exhorted
his men to renew hope and courage by
his example, .99aaHaai lui,dHoh n5Ys I
For two hours the strife went on with
great ardor. on both sides; but il
seemed as if the Federalists would soon
be compelled to yield. There seemed
no hope for them. They must become
exhausted, aud doubtless. they must
have done so, had their destiny been in
less powerful and expert hands than
Sigel's. 9s ~
The waves of opposition rolled
around Sigel's courageous band once
more, and again the traitorous shout
went up to the sky, and swept like. a
note of victory along the rising hill.
Many a stout loyalheart doubtless sank
when that cry was heard but Sigel
had no. thoughts of failure. - He was
fighting for his adopted country and
the salvation of his little. band, and
ordering three companies of his inen
to charge bayonets, the rebel cavalry
was dispersed and, the way open once