New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-24
THE aALLANTRY OF sraEL.


All honor to the gallant Sige now-thanks
to the Presidents generous appreciation Of his
vsor-a Msjor-General Of our forces.
In the recent well-fought battle Of Pea Ridge,
Sipel seems to have borne his part throughout in
the bravest ond most energetic style. In this re-
spect he shares the merit Of the victory with
others--with the heroic Col. Carr, with that
sturdy old soldier Col. Osterhaus, with Asboth,
with JEFF. c. Davis. and with Curtis, the General
Commanding-heroes all, who have deserved well
Of their country.
Sigel, however has some peculiar claims. On
Thursdoy, the first day Of the conflict, he was
alone; and the merit Of that days achievement
WAS exclusively his. 1t will be remembered that
our army had reached BentonyilIe, when it was
found that the REINFORCED CoDfederates we're rail-
lying in great force in front to oyerwhelm it, and
Gen. Curtis deemed it prudent TO fau back to
better position at Sugar Creek. This change oil
plan loft Sgel, who had hitherto commanded the
advance, in the rear. The whole army train
with him, was protected from the enemy only by
lis 5utU IDlCt VI out tiouhahb ih'hf """o H''
supports instead of coming up to his relief in the
event Of an assault upon him, were Withdrawing
from him to secure a position in which TO dcterd
themselves. Instead, therefore, Of relying upon
them for support in his rear be was now TO pro-
tect theirs, in addition TO the train.
In this most responsible position, he found the
enemy pressing forward 10 cut of the train, and
prevent his return with it 20 the new position OF
the main body. A4orce OF four thousand men,
one half cavalry, attempted this maneuyer. They
displayed the highest daring and efficiency in the
attempt and were defeated. They succeeded in
reaching him. but Sgel had been too active for
them, aud had sent off the train with guard OF
two hundred men. IIs remaining eight hundred
we're attacked with all the fiery energy OF the
rebels stimulated by the knowledge that they
were in greatly superior numbers, and by the idea
that be VAS in full retreat and would ial' an easy
prey. They attacked and were Tepulsed; they
surrounded him, and he cut his way through
them: they enveoped him and attacked him on
al sides at once, and he beat them of with the
most heroic yalor and the most judcious manage
ment. Through the long day be fought TIL re-
endorsements, sent back by Curtis, coming in
sight. the rebels withdrew for the night, and he
reached the main body with his whole force In tri-
umph, and was welcomed with shouts OF congratu
lation and applause from the whole army.
No operation is more difficult than retreat in the
face OF q Vglant enemy, especially if he is strong
in cavalry. Whether il would have been possible
for Curtis, when the retreat was ordered, to pro-
tect Sgel by sending 10 him--on whom the first
attack must necessarily fall-a force to secure his
safety, We cannot now say. Perhaps it might
have been done BY little more iorethought As
il was, sigel was alone throughout the day in con-
dict with many times his numbers. Had be by
any mistake allowed himself 10 BE- cut of with his
train. or bad he thought of surrender as he prrl-
= ntly might, disaster must have overwhelmed
10. Who's amy. deprived Of Their supplies in u
barren and hostile country, our troops would have
been destitute and disprited by the first days en-
counter. The enemy, too, would have been en-
iiohed by our stores and elated by their victory
Their subsequent attack, vigorous and almost sue
cessful ns il wns on Friday would have been yet
more energetic; and the aid of Sigels force being
lost, our defense must have been proportonaliy
weaker. That day, doubtful throughout, and dis
couragiDg at the close, would under those disad-
yantages have brought almost certain victory to
the Rebels. Even if the fight had been prolonged
to Saturday, the want Of that one thousand men,
and OF sigels judgment aud daring, would have
rendered the great charge which at last decided
the conflict scarcely possible. Without the de.
tachment aud the train which he saved, then, on
Thursday, the battle Of Friday must have been
very difficult one, and the victory of Saturday I'M
possible. His undaunted and persistent courage
against great odds and his judicious dispositions,
which saved his own immediate command saved
also the army, and enabled and encouraged it to
fight the battles of the two succeeding Jays.
Scarcely 10 any single officer is the army or the
country under higher obligation; and we rejoice
that the President aud he Senate have 50 prompt
ly recognized the fact. His name win be imnor-
tai in the country he Las so well served.
srn.sasaisn s-.s--.a~---ss=ss