Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-03-22
HKADoUARTERs ARMY or rHE soUTH.wEsT, !
Pa RIpaE. Ark NaIch o 1862. /

Haleck:
HKADQUAErERs ARMY OF THE soUTH.wE.r,
Pa RIDGE Ark, AaIcs 9, 1862.
General :-0n Thursday, the 6ih inst, the enemy COM
menced attack my right wing, csssling and follow
ing the rear guard Of detachment under General sige
to my main lines or Sugar Greek Hollow, bu. ceased
firing when he met my renforeemert', about P. n.
Dnring the night | became convinced that he had
moved as 10 attack my right or rear Therefore,
early on the 7h ordered change Of front to the right
-vy right which then became my left still resting on
Sugar Creek Hollow.
Iais brought nv line across Pea Ridge, with nv new
right resting on Head Gross Timber Hollow, which is
the head Of Big Sugar Creek. also ordered al imme
diate advance OF the cavalry and light artillery, under
Colonel Osterhaus with orders attack and bresk what
SUI posed would be the reinforced line OF the enemy
THIS movement in progJtss when the eremy at II
4. n, commenced an attack on nv right. The fght
continued mainly at these points during the day. the
emv having gained the point hc,d by the command CT
Cyiolel Carr at Gross Timber Hollow, bat was entirely
FepusGd with the fall oil tho Commander, AcCuOch, in
tie centre, By the forces under Colonel DGTis. The
pan Of attack on the centre gallaEtly carried
forward by Colonel Ostefhaua, Who Immediately
sustained and supported by Colonel Davis entire 9vis
o. supported also by General Srcls ccISnlpd, which
hid remained ill the close ofthe day on the LETT
O louCl Carrs division held the right, under gall
ilF, seontinuous fire, all day. In the evening me
ilg baviDg entirely ceased in the cOnre, aud the right
bs;rg now the let, reinforced the right by por'
o. of the Second Division, under Gen. Ashboh. Be-
fre the dly closed convinced that the enemy had
rated lis main force on the right, commenced
another change OF 'front.' forward TO face the enemy
where had dcploysd on nv right flank in strong po
81 ion. The charge rad OILY been partially eft cted,
hut was 10 full progress when, AT sunrise on the s'5,
my right and ocutre renewed he hisg, which was in
meda,ely answered by the enemy With renewed energy
alorg the whole extent Of bis line. Ny left, under
Sige moved close 10 the hills occupied by the enemy,
driving him from the heights, and advancing steadily
towsri the head of the HoIovs. Immediately order
el the centre and right wing forward the right turning
the left Of the enemy, and crcos firing on hs centre
III final position Of the enemy was in the arc OF
circle.
A charge Of infantry extending througAou the whole
line completely routed the rebel force, which retired in
great confusion bur rather acy through the deep, i'm
pa-s4be deiles Of Gross Timber, Oar loss is heavy.
Tie eucmys cin mover be ascertsaed Tor their dead
altered over a large field. Tucir wounded TO, may
mlGy of them be lost aad perish The force scattered
m all drec bat think his main force has returned
10 Boston Mountains.
Gen. S,gel follows hin toward Ksivillc, while my
cRysy il pursuing him toward the moultain- securing
the oounry brDgug IN prisoners aud trying 10 fad the
rebd VI jor General Van Dorm, who had command Of
the euiirc force a. this ttc battle Of Pea Ridge.
haTc not as yet statements OF TIE dead aud 6oundet
so az to justify repor:, but will refer you a d-
pach which vii! fOrSsrd very sool.
Officers aud soldiers have displayed such unusual gel
ltltry that hardly dare 20 make distinction. must
however, name The commanders OF divisions Gen
gel galau.l commanded the night and drove back tie
eit wing of the enemy Geo. Asboth, who ii wounded
in the a1m in bis gallant effort 10 rciEforce the rigtt
Colonel and Acting BrigadiorGeneral Davis who com.
marded the c9ntrc where hcCuooh fell on the 7lh and
pressed forward the centre on the sch; Colonel and
Act NJ BiEAdiCr sners Car is also wounded in the
arm and vas under the continuous Are OF the enemy
do ing the Two hardest days OF the struggle.
Illinois, Indiana Iowa, 0nio aud Missouri proudly
share the hoaor Of victory, which their gallant heroes
Ecn over the combined forces OF Van horn, Price aud
CCd!loch Pea Ridge n the mountains Of ArkaLsas
have the honor 10 6c, General
Your obedisnt servant,
SAMUEL r. CURTTs,
BTigadier.General.