Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-03-19
VOL. S.--NO. 90.


tue whoie line, completely routed the whole
reoel force, which retired in great confusion,
out rather safely, through the deep, impassa-
Die denles OF cross timber. Our loss Is heavy.
The enemy's can never be ascertained. for
their dead are scattered over a large feld.
Their wounded, too, may many OF them be lost
and perish. The force is scattered In all di-
rections, but think bis main force has re-
turned to Boston Mountains.
Gen. Sigle follows him toward heittSyille,
While my cavalry is pursuing him towards the
mountains, securing the country, bringing in
pri soners, and trying to find the rebel Major
General Van Dorm, who had command of the
entire force az this, the battle of Pea Ridge.
have not as yet statements Of the dead
and wounded so as to justify report, but
refer you to dispatch which 1 will forward
very soon.
Officers and soldiers have displayed such
unusual gallantry that hardly dare TO make
distinctions.
l must, however, name the commanders of
divisions; Gen. Sigel galantly commanded
the right, and drove back the left wing of the
enemy. Gen. Asboth, was wounded in the
arm IN his gallant effort to reinforce the right.
Col. and Acting Brig. Gen. Davis, who COM
manded the centre where McCulloch fell on
the 9Th, and pressed forward the centre on the
9Th. Col. and Acting Brig. Gen. Carr, is also
wounded in the arm, and was under the con
tinuous fire of the enemy during the two hard
est days of the struggle.
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, and Missouri
may proudly share the honor of victory, which
the gallant heroes won over the combined
force of Van Dorm, Price and McCulIOch at
Pea Ridge in the mountains of Arkansas.
have the honor TO be. General, YOUR obe-
dieDt servant, SAML. r. CURrIs, Brig Gen.
y messenger who arrived at Springfield,
Mo-, on Monday, March 10, reports that the
battle lasted from Thursday morning till Satur-
day evening, and that our loss was about $50
killed and wounded. The rebel loss was about
LOCO killed and wounded, and 200 taken
prisoners, among them Col. McRea of an Ar
kansas regiment. The attack was made from
the north and west, our army being completely
surrounded. Generals Van Dorm, Price, Nc
Culloch, and Mcintosh were present, with
about 20, 900 men. Generals McCulloch and
Mcintosh are reported TO be mOrtally wound
ed. The attack from the rear was made by
Gen. McCulloch, and was met by Gen. Sigel,
who routed him completely. His corps scat
tered in wild confusion. We have also cap
tured large amount of stores, cannon, teams
and ammunition.
The Evacuation Of Manassas
CEsTREvILLE, March l2.-Manassas has been
evacuated by the rebels, and our forces have
taken peaceful possession. Upon closer ex-
animation IL was discovered that the rebels
before evacuating their much boosted strong
hold had set fire 10 such of their commissaTv
II.
The place presented scene of the utmost
desolation-a mass of blackened ruins The
rebels also blew up the bridges along the line
of the Orange and Alexandria railroad for
some miles below Manassas. Such Of the
locomotives which were ont of repair were also
destroyed, it is supposed, BY blowing up, and
the vicinity of the depot is OJered with frag-
ments of machinery belonging to the DESTROY
ed locomotives. 1t is said that the rebels left
Centreville on Sunday morning. Large num-
bers CT c0ntrabands have reached our lines
(Which now extend beyond Manassas Junction)
and are still coming in by droyes. On our
way from Centrevile, yesterday morning we
passed at least one hundred who we're making
their way 10 Washington. Some of the refu-
gees have come distance of twenty miles
west of Manassas. They all agree in saying
that the rebels left the latter place in great
precipitation, and that the destruction of
their commissaIy stores was commenced at an
early hour on Sunday. The contrabands state
that portion of the force which left Mannas-
sas passed northwardly. This is considered
improbable, but if they did it was for the pur-
pose of reinforcing Jackson at Winchester.
They also state that all bridges along the
route by which they came had been blown m
by the rebels in their retreat, and tha. the
greater portion Of the track is also turned Up.
The earthworks at Centrevilie had been great
ly misrepresented. They were not of the
formidable character supposed. The enemy,
before evacuatng, had somewhat injured
them by breaking the embrasures and case
mates. The same is probably the case at Ma
nassas, the Notifications of which, however,
have not yet been fully examined. Our troops,
on arriving at Fairfax Court House, found not
more than a dozen families remaining there.
The soldiers rushed into the Conrt House and
brought away some of the records, but this
being discovered, the officers directed thei-
return. When our troops learned that Manas-
sas had been evacuated their spirits suddenly
became depressed, they had anticipated 3
spirited conflict with the enemy. About
mile and half before reaching Centreville
number of graves were discovered, principally
of the Alabama troops. The graves were
marked with head and foot boards, on which
the names of the deceased were inscribed. A
guard was placed near them as if TO shield
them from mutilation. although it was not to
be supposed such an act could be commit
ted. Most of the contrabands above alluded
to were cheerful and happy in their liberty,
and remarkably communicative to the extent
Of their limited knowledge.
Frenchman was recently seen bargaining
for dozen sheep, ssWhat are you about 7''
said friend. 81 have heard say" replied
monsieur, ssthst if you want TO make money,
you must buy sheep and sell deer. shall buy
de sheep and sell de venison !"
"Gentlemen and Ladies'" said the Snowman.
"here you have the magnificent painting OF
iel in he T,ion,s Den. Daniel essii,