The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-03-19

Particulars of the Late Great
BATTLE IN ARKANSAS Between
General Curtis and General Price
Desperate Fighting : Retreat Of the
Enemy. M M
ST. LOUIS. March 1.-The following
is the official report of General Curtis:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF South WEST, |
PEA RIDGE, ARK March g.
e GENERAL -,On Thursday, the 9Th
inst, the enemy commenced an attack ou
my right. asssiling and following the rear
guard OF detachment nnder Sigei to my
main lines on Sugar Greek Hollow, but
ceased firing when he met nay reinforce
ments 81 about four P. NJ. Daring the
night became convinced he had moved
ON SO as to attack my right or rear.
Therefore, early on the 7th, l ordered q
change of front Ito right on my right.
which thus becoming my left still rested
on Sugar Creek Hollow. This brought
my line across Pea Ridge. with my new
right resting on the head of Cross Timber
Hollow, which Is the Head Of Big Sugar
Greek. a. -s,at
II also ordered an immediate advance
of cavalry and light artillery under Col.
Osterhaus, with orders to attack and
break what supposed would be the rein
forced line, of the enemy. This move
ment was in progress when the enemy at
eleven A. NJ commenced an attack on
my right. The fight continued at these
points mainly, during the day. The en2
envy having gained point hotly contest
ed by Col. Carr a. Cross Timber Hollow,
but was entirely repulsed, with the fall of
their commander, McCulloch,, in the een
ter, by the forces under Col, Davis. The
plan of, attack on the center was gallant
liz carried forward by COL Osterhaus,
who was immediately sustained and. isu>
Ipersedsd by Col. Davis entire division,
supported also by SigePs command, which
remained Till near the close of the day on
! the left. -. .sss.ro., sse2 4saA
i s.Colouel Carr's division held the right
uldsr a calling and continuous fire llday
h." Ia the evening. the firing having en-
tirely ceased on the center, and there hsv-
siig bsen none OF the left, / reiaforced the
right by q portion of the second division,
under Asboth. Before day closed, was
convinced that the enemy had .coucsntra
ted his main force on the right. / there.
| fora oon uonoad aoo,hnr oh.nro of e.ont
forward, so as 20 face tho enemy, where
he had odeployed on my right flank in
strong position. The change had bees
only partially effected, but wasssfully in
progress, when, at sunrise OBJ the 9th, nay
fright, aud center renewed the firing, which
was immediately answered, by the enemy
With renewed energy all along the whole
extent of the line. My left, under Sigel
moved close to the hills occupied by the
enemy, driving him from the nights and
advancing steadily toward the head of the
hollows. 1 Immediately ordered thescen
ter and right wings forward, the grigh
turning the left of the enemy aud cross
firing On his center. This 6nal posi-
tion inclosed the enemy in an sarealof .
circle, -. - s..sa ..4 6sg
| "a charge of infantry, extending
throughout the entire line. completely
routed the entire rebel force, which re
tired in great confusion, but rather safely
through deep and impossible dciier O.
cross timber. t.z.as - +.,f ,5if ,.an
".Our loss is heavy The enemy = car
never be fascertained, for the dead ore
scattered over large field, and their
wounded, too. many, many of them, be
lost and perish. sa7,sess sa-s.,sEf Va .s,,;s
THE foe is scattered in all direc tions
bat think his main force has returned
to Boston Mountains. p s;s o. nai,fr.,
'General Sigel follows toward Keits'
vile, while my cavalry is pursuing him
toward the, mountains, securing the eoun.
try, bringing in prisoners, and trying to
find the. rebel Major General, Van Dorm
who had command of the entire force
I'll have not asl yet the statements oi
the dead and wounded SO as to Justify q
report, but I will refer you to a dispatch
! / will forward very soon. Officers and
soldiers have displayed such unusual gal
lan,ry hardly dare to make distinctions
I must, however, name the commanders OF
divisions: Gen. Sigel gallantly carried
the nights and drove back the left wing ol
The enemy; Asbub, who is wounded in
the arm ia his gallant sfprs to- reinforce
| shs right, Colonel and acting Brigadier
General Dagis. who commanded the cen
ter, where McC alloch fell on the 7th, and
DRESSED forward the center 90 the 9Th;
Colonel and acting Brigadier General
Carr is also wounded in the arm, aud was
under the continuous fire of the enemy
dnripg the two hardest days of the strug-
fgle..i4 oai a..qszaaz e e7a
"Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Mis-,
souri, may proudly share the honor of the
victory, which their. gallant heroes won
over The combined forces of Van Dorm,
Price and MeCulloch at Psa Ridge. in
the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. aa7 =.
II have the honor to be, General, ~,