Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-01-01
The Battle of Prairie Grove. Arkansas.

The Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas.
Situation Of the Battle Field-The Forces En-
gaged-Hindman Leads the Rebeks-Descrip-
ton Of the Battle Wisconsin Troops in the
Battle-4 Truce and iSkedaddle-Inct-
dents, dc.
Correspondence of the State Journal
PRAIRIE GROVE, Ark, Dec. 9, 1852.
The last two weeks have been full of
excitement for this part of the Army of
the Frontier. do not know as you are
aware of the fact that, after Gen. Scho-
fields army had driven the rebels out of
Missouri and over Pea Ridge, they all re-
turned except the 1st Division, under Gen.
Blunt, consisting principally of Kansas
and Wisconsin troops, He crowded bis
way down near the western border of
Arkansas, to the spurs of the Boston
Mountains.and to within about forty miles
| Of the Arkansas river. At Gave Hill, a
neat, New EngIandish looking village.
seventy miles southwest of Pea Ridge, a
brief engagement was had, in which we
were successful. This was, however, only
| with Gen. Marmaduke and few thousand
cavalry. This was November 2Sth. Ru.
mors OF large reinforcements of artillery
and infantry, under Hindman, grew into
certainties, and last Saturday their ap-
pearance on the Fayetteville and Van
Buren, road, in immense force, was made.
Ii you will understand that Fayetteville
IS on the great road running southwest
from St Louis, through Springfield, over
| Pea Ridge and Boston Mountains 10 Van
Buren, that Cave Hill lies little west Of
| this road, but on another road from Fa-
| yetteville over the mountains to Van
| Buren,, and sixteen miles from Favette-
vile; then understand that Gen. Heron.
who had come to reinforce Gen. Blunt.
was at Fayetteville, and Gen. B. az Cave
Hill, with Hindman crossing over the
mountains on the direct Fayetteville and
Van Buren, road, you will see the plan of
the battle. Hindman was avoiding Blunt
to fall on Heron and crush him, and then
take Blunt the same way.
| Sunday morning at O'Clock Heron
commenced his march towards Blunt, and
Hindnan started his march towards Fa-
| yetteville. The main bodies met at this
place about 10 O'Clock and went at it fu-
riouslg. In the mean time Gen. Blunt
had his division in battle line at Cane
Hill, expecting Hindman's attack there
But the opening roar of the battle FIVE
miles distant undeceived him, and off we
were for the scene, which We reached at
two o'clock P NJ, finding Heron almost
outtianked, his battery just lingering in
his hands, ready to fall, and his army on
the brink of defeat. The exact spot was q
vast tract o. low prairie where our troops
We're, to the west of which was wooded
mound, rising and running parallel with
our front. The enemy was on the front of
this hill and in the woods, occasionally
dashing forward, occasionally retiring as
they were harder pressed. Blunt arrived
with his army on the field-then terribly
Numbered on the gale" the reopened CON
tlict. Our entire force now engaged was
about 5000 men-the enemy's 10000
Until pitch dark the fight ragged with una
bated fury. Across the vast plain, rod by
rod, our cleaning lines fought their way,
pushing forward our artillery, and hurting
back the foe TIL they retreated to the
woods, planted their artillery on the bill
and awaited the attack. Into the grove
our brave boys charged, and then along the
slopiDg sides, up the gorges and upon the
crest of that wooded hill, hung for four
hours, in wavering and perilous uncertain.
ty, that fierce and deadly fight. The field
was strewed with dead and wounded-car-
mage heaped its slain in piIes-riderless
horses dashed madly along the ranks-the
mouths of forty pieces of artillery roared
forth con inuous thunder, and the musket.
ry, like pattering rain drops, but fierce and
fatal, ratified along the embatiled Ike. At
times our columns would reel and SILVER
like the harvest stalks in gale-tken they
would dash furiously on the undaunted
wall of the rebel front. At dark the fir
ing ceased simultap eousiy on both sides,
each party occupying its own ground. In
the night an armlstlCe was agreed on till
3 p. ~. the next day for the burial of the
dead, and the removal of the wounded.
At the hour named for the expiration of
the truce, our columns charged on the
line of the enemy, but no enemy was
there. Their dead men unburied, their
wounded in the care of two or three sur
geons, but they were miles away, crossing
the mountains. Our loss Blunt's] was about
100 killed and 500 wounded; the enemy's
not less than $500 in killed and wounded.
Thus ended one of the most bloody and
hotly contested battles OF the war
The Wisconsin troops engaged were
one battalion of the I'd cavalry un-
der Major Miller; five squadrons an(!
two mountain howitzers of the Sd
Wisconsin cavalry unuer Major Calkins
and the Goth infantry, under Major Starr,
Lieut.. Col. Bertram having command of
the brigade. The latter fought gloriously
and suffered terribly. They charged on
one rebel battery, took it by main force,
killing some fifty of the artillerists. and
every horse, but dearly they paid for the
glory they earned 40 killed and 1913
wounded is their record. They have now
1877 men for duty! The cavalry, though
taking an important part in the battle. suf.
fered but little-a few slightly wounded
and prisoners. All behaved well and did
credit to the State.
Gen. Blunt was erywhere-the target
for unnumbered shots, but escsped IN
harmed. He managed the battle adroitly.
yet tercely, and awaited with ill-suppress-
ed Impotence the hour for its re Opening.
Col. Bertram's horse was shot. and bis |
clothes pierced by bullets, but he was not
wounded.
We shall follow the enemy across the |
mountains in a day or two, and will prob |
ably meet them on the banks Of the Ar.
kansas River, where still more bloody
and decisive battle is anticipated.
During the armistice, the officers of the |
opposing commands exchanged mutual |
visits and civiIities. Gen. Marmaduke
visited our camp, and Gen. Blunt and
party OF officers and curiosity. seekers Wis |
tied Gen. Hindman's headquarters. The |
rebel chief was courtly and affable, is d. |