The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-03-22

between the federal army under Gen. Cur
It's. and the rebels under Price, MIntosh,
Van Dorm, and MCulloch was really the
hardest battle of the war, eclipsing in ma
nv respects, the victory of TT. Donelson.
/ Gen. Curtis, as our readers are aware,
had driven Price beyond Fayetteville 40
mile south of the Mo. line, in Arkansas;
but finding further pursuit useless, and his
! trains, on account Of the bad condition of
the roads, % miles behind him, Gen. C.
returned to Sugar Creek, II miles south Of
the Missouri line, encamping there until
all his scattered trains and forces could be
again collected in a compact body Price,
in the meantime, had taken refuge in
! Boston Mountains.
Curtis now divided his army into three
corps, that under Gen. Davis remaining at
Sugar Creek, that under Gen Carr at Cross
Hollows, miles south, and Gen Sigel en-.
camping near Bentonviile, - miles west
/ The entire force now numbered about
/ 10000 effective men.
| On Wednesday, 5th, Gen. Curtis first
received authentic information that Price
had been joined by Mcintosh, Van Dorm,
and McCulloch, and was advancing upon
him with 10000 men and 20 pieces of ar.
tillery, his advance being but miles off
The first movement of Gen. Curtis was
to order Gen Carr and Gen. Siegel to join
the main body at Sugar Creek. The juno
ton was effected by Gen. Carr the same
night without accident; but Gen. Siegel,
! who was IL miles off, found it different bu-
siness He left Bentonville at o'clock in
the morning, and had gone but mile or
two, when he found the country in front
and on his right and left "black' with the
enemy. But being en- a retreat, he was in
his element. HIS march for several miles
was continuous hard fight against fearful
odds, until finally he concealed a battery
so as to rake a ridge across which he led
the enemy They fell into the trap com
pletely, were fearfully slaughtered and
scattered, so that Siegel was no further
molested, and rejoined the main body ear
IL N the evening.
Gen. Curtis had taken a strong position
on the bluffs on the north side Of Sugar
Creek, expecting the enemy to approach
from the south, bat during Thursday night
he found large force had taken position
at Elk Horn Tavern, four miles north and
in his rear, while another large force Of
the enemy was posted four miles to the
north west. This compelled Gen. Curtis
to face about, his front now looking north
west instead of south, and greatly weak
ening his position.
Friday morning Gen. Cars division was
sent forward TO meet the enemy at Elkhorn
Tavern, under Price and Van Dorm. while
portions of Davis and Siegels divisions
moved upon McCulloch and Mcintosh at
Lcetown, two miles west Of Price and
Van Dorm, and striving to effect junction
with them. The battle at both these
points RACED With great fury all day, with
out any decisive results. Our men fought
against fearful odl--at least to land
some Of the regiments were feartully cut
up. Col Dodge-4th Iowa-went into the
battle Clio strong. and had 30 men killed;
Col NandeYere, 9th lows, out Of coo could
count but l7j in the evening; and seve-
raj other corps in like proportion. The
only consolation our boys had was the GER
.aintv that McCulloch and Mcintosh were
killed. The former was shot by Peter
Pelican, private in Col Greusers regi-
ment, who took his watch.
The evening closed in gloom. The day
had been hard one, yet the enemy had
gained on us. There was no chance for
rest The night was occupied in making
new dispositions. Gen Davis took position
on the right; Gen. Carr in the centre, and
Siesel on the left. Our line, As the battle
reopened in the morning was a concave,
the wings advanced towards the enemy,
with seven batteries along ito length The
enemy had formed junction during the
night, and had formed his line on the brow
Of Pea Ridge n mile in front Of ours. The
battle opened with q terrible cannonade
that lasted two hours; under the protec-
ton Of which Siegel advanced with his CO.
lumn on the.left and Davis on right, char
ging the enemy with such fury on both
TANKS that he scarcely stopped to make
resistance, but broke in confusion and run,
Price taking one direction and Van Dorm
another The victory was complete The
retreating enemy was pursued as far as
KeetsvilIe by Gen. Siegel and the Benton
Hussars, who took large numbers prison
ers Our loss in the whole four days fight
was about $50 killed and 1000 wounded;
that of the enemy must have been double
these numbers. We took 1000 prisoners,
Is guns, and immense quantities of small
arms, ammunition, &c.