The New York herald., 1862-03-19
The Rebels Followed About
Twelve Miles.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS OF TINE BATTLE
PxA RIDGE, BKx1ox COUNTY, ARKANSAS, I

PA RIDGE, Bruox corsT, ARxAysAs,l
March Q, 1862. !
The nrs battle in Arkansas snce the outbreak Of the
rebellion has terminated favoraby 10 the Union
After engagement Of fifteen hours extending through
The larger portion Of two consecutive days.
have been driven from the field. and the Stars and
Stripes hoisted in triumph the contested ground
Defeated and dsmorazed the Confederate troops
full retreat have been hotly pursued by portion
OF gallant army far beyond the confines Of the
PRELIMINARY MOVEMENTS OF THE WEEK.
EARLY tho past week small expeditions were
out directions for the purpose of capturing
rebel bands said TO be gathered in Southwestern Missouri
and Northern Arkansas One that proceeded Pnevie,
Mo-, arrived within half mile Of the object Of pur
suit, but failed TO bring engagement Tho expedi-
sion returned safe the camp Of the army crossing the
route Of the rebel forces but hour before the latter
reached the point Of the roads intersection. Another
expedition, under Major Conrad, consisting Of six hun
dred infantry with section Of artillery and bat
TALON Of cavalry preceded to Maysve near the line Of
the Indian nation, and failed due season AT
last accounts it marching nor,hward from Maysve
TO escape the rebel army and considered i'm
mediate danger Still another, under Colonel vandsver
and accompanied BY your correspondent sent 70
Hunts le Madison county with the object capturing
Aport Of an Arkansas regiment, said 10 bo en-
samped there. The rebel troops had left
two days before arrival and the only prizes OF i'm
portance several just returned the rebel
army. Two Of these had been away the previous
morning, and gave the exciting intelligence that the
whole rebel force under General Van Dorm about thirty
thousand, then marching TO attack the Union camp
messenger at sent to headquarters with this
informaton, but he had scarcely left before de-
spatch bearer arrived General Curtis making the
slne announcement, and ordering immediate return
forced march OF fortyone miles TO the camp
Of the main army with but three halts OF fifteen minutes
each during the entire distance The infantry consist
ing Of portions Of the Ninth Iowa Phelps Twenty.
nth Missouri was much fagued by the long journey
but awoks the morning Of the battle refreshed and
ready for the encounter No troops fought better
THE ENEMY ATTACK GENERAL sIGEL's REAR GUARD.
On the LIST instant General sigsl moved his
camp from Usage Springs to Q point near
Bentonvie, in order to better region for forae
ing purposes. About the time Colonel Davis moved
20 Sugar creek, while Colonel Carr remained NJ Cross
Hoows On receiving intelligence Of the advacce
General Curtis decided forces at Sugar
creek short distance south of Pea Ridge good point
Of defence and abundantly supplied with water On the
5th General sge received orders from General Curtis 10
Join him at Pea Ridge and the 9th marched from Ben
tonvic in obedience 10 those orders. His rear guard
consisted Of the Thirty sixth Illinois infantry and por
zion Of tho Second Missouri -Four rebel regiments Of in
sanry and cavalry this rear guard and en-
gagged vigorously, but General sgel who had remain
cd behind succeeded In cutting his way through with
oss OF twenty eight killed and wounded. portion Of
Company D. Of the Thir,y.sixth Illinois wro captured
during the encounter.
THE REBELS MOVING TO THE ATTACK.
The camp whence the rebels marched upon General
Curtiss, situated on and naar the pos,op
mountains, about fifty miles from Pea Ridge The r.be,
commander, General Van Dorm ordered The men 10 take
four days cooked rstions the mornn Of the sb and
forward 10 tho encounter. Az our camn n.a,
Sugar creek In its front strong natural position and
difncuh d access either flank General Van Dorm Do
edcd TO make his attack In thus cutting of our
base q supply and reinforcement The Union poe,,,on
the main road from Springfield 10 Fayetteville
md General Van Dorm n marching northward left that
eosd the latter and to the westward
passing through Bentonvile and entering the main road
again the state boundary, about eight miles north
Of Sugar creek. small force leff TO make a ein,
upon front sad considerable body Of Indians under
General Abest Pike, tsok posnion about two miles on
our right 10 divert from the main attack In the
rHE UNION STRENGTH.
The Union forces engaged in the battle vers as fol
1ws:-
coMMANDER-Iv -CHTEr
BRlGADiER GENERAL SAMUEL r. CURTIS.
FIRST DIVISION
Colonel OrERHAus commanding
Thirty. sixth Illinois infantry
Twelfth Missouri infantry
Seventeenth Missouri infantry
battalion Third Missouri infantry