Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-04-12
THE BATTLE OF SUGAR CREEK, MISSOURI
An AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT

y
y The correspondent of the Savannah Republican,
writes from Memphis on the 28th ult as follows:
An intelligent officer in General Prices army ar
rived here to-day, and from him have obtained the
following Interesting details Of the battle in Arkan-
sas fought just hreeweeks ago to-day. 1t is known
in the west as the battle of Sugar Creek, and as
such will probably be described in history. You
will be glad to learn that it was not defeat as
infer from late number of your journal, you seem
disposed to considerft But to the particulars:
Gen. Price had been cncamped for some time at
Springfield, in the expectation that Van Dorm and
McCulloch would be able to join him there, and ar
rest the march Of Gen. Curtis, who was known 10
be ndvanclng in that direction. Having waited in
vain for their appearance, and the Federals having
arrived within six miles Of Springfield, he struck
his tents and turned his face towards the Arkansas
line hoping to draw them after him. at least, until
he could come up with Van Dorm. As he expected
they would do, the Federals pressed forward, and
more or less skirnishing ensued every day between
their advance and our rear guard. Curtis stopped
the pursuit at Cross Hoows, near the Arkansas
line, and Price pushed on to Cove Greek, in Wash
ngton county, in that State, where he rested his
men for several days, and was Joined by Van Dorm,
McCuiloch and MclntoShA At length, every thing
being ready, and the men having prepared days
rationS the COnfederates turned back on the road
by which Price had come out Of Missouri and went
in pursuit of the enemy encamped at Sugar Greek.
Upon their reaching Bentonvllle, on their way up,
they encountered the enemy's rear guard, and had
slight SkirmSh, in which We lost one man and
they lost eight or ten. We also captured one piece
OF artillery. The COniederateS continued on their
march all that day AMI night witSou; either food or
sleep. At half past 10 o'clock, next morning, they
came up with the enemy, whom they found IN po-
SiJion in the Sugar Creek hills in great furce and
evidently awaiting our attack. In short time the
action became general, Price leading the attack on
the North, and McCuOch on the wcSt-thus com
r,lptplv Surrnun1inv Feflaral army
The opinion IN the army is, that our plan of at
tack unfortunate, inaSmuch il closed every
avenue Of escape to the enemy, and compelled him
to fight or surrender. coward will defend hm-
self as well the hravest man, if you hem him in
corner. II il now believed that if we had made the
attack from one point-the North-aS Gen Price
proposed 70 CO. We should have driven Curtis and
hi, army into the Arkansas river, and destroyed
and captured him aud his whole force
McCul,ocn and Mcintosh Tell early in the day,
after which some of their regiments became demon
allied. Our forces engaged did not exceed l2, 900
men, some regiments having never been brought
into action at all owing to the fall of their cnmnan
ders. The enemy had at least 81, ono fighting men,
vet the battle ragged on uninterruptedly until night
when il was FOUND that had driven them two
miles from their encampment which our men held
during the night with the greater part of their
commiSsary stores. Our men had marched all the
previous day aud night-were tired and hungry
and were glad to get into the enemys provision
stores.
Next morning, the sth, it was found that the en-
envy had taken much stronger position during the
night The battle renewed, however, and con-
tinued until about half past nine o'clock, under the
cover of which Cen Van Dorm withdrew his forces
Two reasons ale given for this movement: First a
number OF regiments in McCuiloch's division be-
calnc deuorallzPd after his fall and that of Mcn-
toSh and could not be relied to continue such an
unequal fight In the second place, several of our
ammunition wagons had been Stampeded 10y Two OF
three companies of Germans (FcderaliStS) who were
flying from the field Being ignorant Of the points
of the compass, they fled III the direction OF our am
nuniton train, and our transfers taking them 10
DC the enemy advancing pat whip To their horses,
and disappeared. At one time considerable body
of CoulaIeratcs were reduced to four rounds of am
munition; then to two, and finally To one /; while
several Of the batteries did not have ngle charge
Such are the unfortunate circumstances that led to
the retreat
A short time before his death, the gallant McIn.
toSh made brilliant cavalry charge, passing
tireiy through the enemy's lines and coming round
again to his former position, and bringing with him
three pieces OF Federal artillery. McCuilOch de-
sired him to make second charge and started with
him to ShoT hun where to strike, but while riding
through the woods, he was shot through the heart,
and fell dead. Mcintosh then sought to bring off
his leaders, body, and while trying TO get an Arkan-
Sas regiment to make the charge, ball entered his
heart, anu ne, 100 1Cll uSau. OOl. Rector plaCeu
himself at the head of his regiment Arkansas and
BY bold charge, succeeded IN recovering the body
of McCulloch That Of Mcintosh was not brou5h
OFF until next day.
Many OF our men who were supposed to be CAP
turcd have returned to camp. Our whole loss, in
killed, wounded and prisoners, will not, it is be-
iieved exceed 600 OF this number, about l25
were killed, 27j wounded and 2yJ taken prisoners.
The enemy'S loss from all lean gather, was very
much greater--probably five or six times much.
we took also about 225 prisoners, one Of which, 4
Colonel taken the first day, says their loss up 10
the time of his capture was frIghtiu reaching from
twelve to fifteen hundred. Their loss was also very
heavy during the second days. sht incl udpg many
officers. Some of our menW no escaped out of their
hands, state that thC enemy were not at all exult
ant over the result but acted and talked If they
had been whipped, and had no stomach for any
more such fighting.
The retreat OIL the part of Gen Prices forces was
conducted in good order-So much SO, indeed, that
many of his officers supposed he making fink
movement, and would soon renew the fight HE
grleved and broken hearted regiments Of Met uuch
and Mcintosh did not retire with altogether tho
same degree of order and regularity Ii Is said that
there is nothing they so much desire now as to be
led against the sayers OF their idOiZcd commanders.
Several of our batteries in danger OF being os
owing TO the difficulty of extricatng them from the
woods and hills. The enemy did not pursue, ex
cept to send out a few cavalry who annoyed the
baggage train somewhat,\ but were easily driven
back. We brought off four more pieces OF artillery
than we took into action. We lost two guns which
were disabled and spiked aud brought away six Of
the enemyS-thus making clear gain Of pieces
Several Of the enemy's batteries we're captured at
some time during the fight, but they could not be
brought away. The guns dsmonnted the
wheels removed and leaves and dry wood piled on
them, and the whole rendered entirely useless.
You have already the order Of General Van
DORM in which he speaks of the behavior of the
men under fire. Prices veterans acquitted them
selves with the greatest possible credit and McCu-
foch's followers, up to the unfortunate hour when
he and Mcintosh fell fought with the most deter
mined resolution. Col. Riyos, of the Missouri Con-
federates, and Capt. Churchill Clark, In addition to
many other officers are numbered with our gallant
dead. Among the wounded on the other side, was
Gen. Curtis himself, who received slight wound: