Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-03-20

4 Sigel-Tribute to the ,Valor of th,
Ohio. Indiana, Illinois and Missour
Troops.
| Sr. LOUIS. March 1.-THE follow
ing is the official report of Gen. Curtis
"HEADeUARTRRs ARMY OF
SOUTHWEST, PEA RrDeE,
ARKANSAS, March 8, '62
GENERAL: On Thursday, 9Th inst.
the enemy commenced an attack on nv
right. assailing and following the real
guard Of detachment under SigeI tc
my main lines on Sugar Greek Hollow,
but ceased firing when he met my re.
endorsements at about P. NJ. Dur.
ing the night ! became convinced he
had moved on so as to attack nv righ,
or rear. Therefore, early on the 9TH
ordered a change Of front to the right
on my right which. thus becoming my
left, still rested on Sugar Greek Hol-
low. This brought my lines across Pea
Ridge, with my new right resting on
the head of Cross Timber Hollow,
which is the head Of Big Sugar Greek.
] also ordered an immediate advance
Of cavalry and light artillery under Col.
Osterhaus. with orders to attack and
break what supposed would be the
re-euforced line Of the enemy.
"This movement was in progress
when the enemy, at IL A. NJ. COM
menced an attack on my right. The
fight continued mainly at these points
during the day. the enemy having
gained point, hotly contested by Col.
Carr, at Cross Timber Hollow, but was
entirely repused, with the fall Of their
commander, McCulloch, in the center,
by the forces under Col. Davis The
plan of attack in the center was gall
lantly carried forward by Col. Oster-
haus. who was Immediately sustained
and superseded BY Col. Davis entire
division. supported also by Sigel's COM
mand. which had remained till near the
close of the day. on the field.
"Col. Carr's division held the right,
under a CALLING and continuous fire, all
day. In the evening, the firing having
entirely ceased on the center, and there
having been none on the left, | re-en-
forced the right by portion of the Sec
ond division under Asboth.
"Before the day closed l was con-
vinced that the enemy had concentrated
his main force on the right. Therefore
commenced 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 at sunrise on the 9th
my right and center renewed the firing,
which was Immediately answered by
the enemy with renewed energy all
along the whole extent of the line
Ny left under Sigel moved close to the
hills occupied by the enemy, driving
him from the heights and advancing
steadily toward the head of the hollows.
Immediately ordered the center and
right wings forward, the right turning
the left OF the enemy and cross firing
on his center. This final position in
closed the enemy in the area of a circle.
"a charge Of infantry extending
throughout the whole line completely
routed the whole rebel force, which re-
tired in great confusion but rather safe
ly. through deep and impossible de-
file of cross timber. Our loss is heavy.
The enemy's can never be ascerlained,
for the dead are scattered over large
field, and many Of their wounded, too,
may be lost and perish.
1.-THE foe is scattered in all directions,
but / think his main force has returned
to Boston Mountains.
"Sigel follows toward Keiisville,
while my cavalry is pursuing him to-
ward the mountains, securing the coun-
try, bringing in prisoners. and trying
to find the rebel Major General Van
Dorm, who had command Of the entire
force.
81 have not as yet the statements OF
the dead and wounded, so as to Justify
a report, but will refer you to dis
patch will forward very soon. Off,
GERS and soldiers have displayed such
unusual gallantry I hardly dare TO make
distinctions. I must. however, name
the commanders of divisions. General
Sigrl gallsntly carried the nights, and
drove back the left wing Of the enemy;
AsboIh. who was wounded in the arm
in his gallant effort to re-enforce the
right. and Col. and Acting Brig. Gen.
Davis, who commanded the center
where McCulloch fell on the 7th, and
pressed forward the center en- the 9th.
Colonel and Acting Brig Gen Carr is
also wounded in the arm. and was un-
der the continuous FIRE Of the enemy
during the two hardest days Of the
struggle.
"Illinois, Indiana. Iowa. Ohio and
Missouri. may proudly share the honor
of the victory which their gallant he
roes won over the combined forces Of
Van Dorm, Price and McCulloch at Pea
Ridge, in the Ozart mountains Of Ar
kansas.
u have the honor to be, General,
"Your obedient servant,
SAMUEL r. Curtis,
"Brigadier General"