New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1862-03-24
Official Report of the Battle i'll Arkansas
by the Federal General,
sr. Lotus, March 1.-The following is the Off
cial dispatch Of Gen. Curtis:

/ HEApquAETEus ARMY OF THE rouTn}
WEST PEA RIDGE ARR, March 8. 5
Generation Thursday, the 9Th iEst., the enemy
commenced an attack on my right. assaiing and
following the rear guard OF q detachment uGder
Sigel, to my main lines on Sugar Creek Hollow,
but ceased firing when he met my reinforcemcnts
at about4 O'Clock. P. NJ. During the night be.
came convinced he had moved on so as to attack
nv right Or rear. Therefore, early on the 7th,
ordered change of front on my right, which, thus
becoming my left, still rested on Sugar Greek Hol.
low. This brought my line across Pea Ridge, while
my new right rested on the head of Cross Timber
Hollow, which is the head of Big Sugar Creek.
ordered an, immaculate advance OF cavalry and
artillery, under Col. Osterhaus, with orders to at
tack and break what supposed would be the re-
inforced line of the enemy. This movement was
in progress whe, the enemy, at Ii in the morning
commenced an attack my right. The fight con.
tinued mainly at these points during the day, the
eneny having gameda point hotly contested by
Col. Carr at Cross Timber Hollow, but entirely re-
pulsed with the fall of their commander, McCul.
l9ch, in the centre by the forces under Col. Davis
The pl'n of attack on the centre was gallanlly
carried forward by Col Osterhaus, who was imme
dtately sustained and superseded by Col. Davis
entire division, supported also by Sigels com
mand, which had remained, till near the close OF
the day on the left. Col. Carr's division held the
right under CALLING and continuous fire all day.
In the evening, the fire having entirely ceased on
the centre, and there having been none the left
I reinforced the rig ht by q portion OF the second
division, under Asboth. Before the day closed,
was convinced that the enemy had concentrated
his main force on the right. l., therefore, com.
menced another change of front forward, so as to
face the enemy where he had deployed on my
right flank in strong position.
The change had been only partially effected, but
was fully in progress, when sunrise Oh the st my
right and centre renewed the firing which was
Immediately answered by the enemy with renewed
energy all along the whole extent of the line. My
left, under Sige moved lose to the hills occupied
by the enemy, driving him from the heights, and
advancing steadily towards the head OF the hollow
Immediately ordered the centre and right wings
forward, the right turning the lett OF the enemy
and cross-firing on his centre. This final position
enclosed the enemy in an arc of circle. a charge
of infantry extending throughout the whole line
completely routed 'he whole Rebel force, which
retired in great coafuson, but rather safely,
through deep and almost impassable detile o
green timber.
Our loss is heavy. The enemy's can never be
ascertained, for the dead are scattered over large
field, and their wounded, too, may, many of them
be lost and perish. The foe is scattered IN all
directions, but we think his main force has re.
turned to Boston Mountain. Siegel follows tow ards