The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-04-02
The Great Fight in Arkansas-The
Yankee Account of the Battle.

Through our Northern papers we get
the Yankee account Of the great battle in
Arkansas. The following is the Federal
official report Of the engagement, made
by General Curtis:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF rHF SoUrH WEST
PEA RIDGE, Arkansas, March 8, 1862.
GENERAL: On Thursday, the 9th inst,
the enemy commenced an attack on my
right wing; assailing and following the
rear guard Of detachment under Gener
a! Sieeel to my main lines, on Sugar
Creek Hollow, but ceased firing when he
met my renforcements about 4 p. IN.
During the night I became convinced
that he had moved on so as to attack my
right or rear; therefore, early on the 7.b,
I ordered a change o. front to the right,
which thus became my left, still resting
on Sugar Creek Hollow. This brought
my lines across Pea Ridge with my right
resting on Head Cross Timber Hollow,
which is the head Of Big Sugar Creek. l
also ordered an immediate advance Of the
cavalry and light artillery, under Colonel
Osterhaus, with orders 10 attack and
break what supposed would he the re-
inforced line Of the enemy. This move
ment was in progress when the enemy, at
eleven p. m, commenced an attack on
my right. The fight continued mainly at
these points during the day, the enemy
having gained the point held by the com
mand OF Colonel Carr, at Cross Timber
Hollow, but was entirely rspulsed, with
the fall Of the Commander, McCulloch, in
the centre, by the forces under Colonel
Davis. The plan Of attack on the centre
was gallantly carried forward by Colonel
Os,erhaus, who was Immediately sustain
ed and supported by Colonel Davis entire
division, supported also by General Seg
els command, which had renamed ill
near the close Of the day on the Left
Colonel Cars division held the right, un.
der calling, continuous Ere all day.
} In the evening, firing having entirely
ceased in the centre, and the right now
being on the left, l reinforced the right
by a portion Of the second division, under
Genera, Ashotb. Before the day closed
| was convined that the enemy had con.
centrated his main force on the right.
commenced another change Of front for
ward. so as to face the enemy where he
had depIoyed on my right flank in a
strong position. The change had only
been partially effected, bu. was in full
progress, when at sun rise, on the 9th, my
right and centre renewed the firing, which
was Immediately answered by the enemy
with renewed energy along tue whole ex
tent Of bis line. My left, under General
Siegel, moved close to the bills occupied
by the enemy, driving him from the
heights, and advancing steadily towards
, the head Of the hollows. Immediately
, ordered the centre and right wing for
ward, the right turning the left Of the on.
= emy, and cross firing on his centre. This
final position Of the enemy was in the arc
Q Of q circle. A charge of infantry, extsn
{ ding throughout the whole line, COM
. Pletsly routed the whole rebel force, which
] retired 10 great confusion, but rather safe.
y ", through the deep, impossible defile.
Of cross timber.
> Our loss is heavy. The enemy's car
never be ascertsined, for thsii dead ar.
. scattered over large field. Their woun
: 'dsd, too. may, many Of them, be !os
and persisted. The force is scattered IL
} all directions, bu. ! think his main fore
has returned 10 Boston Mountains.
! General Ssssl follows him toward
Ksithyills. while my cavalry is pursuin: