The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-11-14

opening OF the Datuo OI ca nIQ&e.-
Company D, of the Sd Iowa, was sent to
Huntsville. forty miles distant, to call in
Vandever. who effected his crossing Of
White river just in time to save himself
from being cut off by heavy force of the
enemy which was sent for that purpose.
Miller went back and joined Price,
when he was arrested as a spy. There
being no evidence against him, he was
placed in the ranks and compelled to
fight against US. On the third days
fight, as the rebel lines gave way, he came
running towards cur victorious army. He
was arrested as prisoner of war and
made to run on "double quick" at the
point of the bayonet. When passing
Elkhorn tavern he was discovered and
released by Col. Bussey, very much to
the surprise of his German guards.
Some time after. while his company
was stationed at Lebanon, he obtained a
furlough and visited his family near Lex
ington. While there his house was en-
tered by guerrillas and he murdered. Is
it too much to say that to William Miller
the country is indebted for the glorious
victory at Pea Ridge, when. but for his
information Curtis army would have been
| surprised and overwhelmed in detail and
either killed or captured? l think not.
Miller received $50 for his services on
that occasion. The Government should
see that his family wife and three chill
dren--are cared for.
I Il H.
the battle of Pea Ridge. 1t has and will
be done by others better versed in that
style of writing than your correspondent
Suffice it for the purposes of this MARIA
tive to say that it began on the 9th with
Sigel's fight at Bentonsville. On the
9TH occurred that portion Of the battle 10
which the Sd Iowa was engaged, and of
which they feel proud. On that day Col
Bussey was assigned the command of the
cavalry forces of Osterhaus' division, con-
sisting of the Sd Iowa, Benton Huzzars,
Fremont Huzz,rs, and the lst Missouri
cavalry, and three guns of Elbert's bat
terry, and moved toward Leetown to at
tack the advancing columns of the enemy
He proceeded cautiously to an open field,
beyond Leetown, where the wagon train
of the enemy could be seen moving in
The direction of Bentonville Passing
across the field and through the wood
opposite, be reached a small prairie where
the enemy's cavalry were in sight abou,
hall mile distant, moving north. The
three guns were advanced and opened
lire on the cavalry, no other enemy being
visible. Gen. Oslerhaus being present,
ordered two companies sent down the road
to charge the enemy. ifpracticsble. This
order was communicated to Lieut.. COL
Trlmble, commanding the 80 Iowa, who
Immediately advanced at gallop down
the road and through the wood and found
himself In front OF several lines of in
fantry, heretofore unseen, at short mus
ket range. which proved to be the divi-
sions of McCulloch, Pike and Mcintosh,
of Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas troops,
evidently concentrating to attack Gen.
Curtis FROM the direction of Leetown.
The Sd Iowa wheeled into line and re-
ceived deadly fire from the uemy-wbo
wore partially eo-~vaivd by me woods
and brush--loslng number Of men and
horses. Col. Trimble was wounded in
the face. The fire was returned by our
boys with their revolvers, when a large
force of rebel cavalry charged through
our line into an open field in our rear
The Sd Iowa in turn, charged this force,
and running hand to hand fight was
kept up till the enemy were driven from
tie field to the shelter of the woods
The enemy lost in that field S9 men xiii.
ed. Our loss was "a killed, II wounded
and y missing, out Of 235 men and Of
hcers who were engaged.
Shortly after this the Sd was ordered
to conduct battery and support Gen.
Carr, who was still engaging the enemy
at Elkhorn Tavern. Col. Bussey report
ting to Gen. Carr, was assigned position
to the right and rear of his batteries. as
support, which position was maintained
till night closed the action of the Eth.
On the 9th the regiment took posi-.
ton on the right flank, where it was ex-
pected the enemy would attack, and
where it remained until their retreat
Then, pursuing the flying foe in the di.
rectlon OF kietsville. We captured Major
Rucker of the lst Missouri (reb Ell and
SO prisoners, arms, horses, de-, till night
stopped all further progress.
On the 9th an expedition, consisting of |
the Sd Iowa, Bowen's cavalry, and the LIST
Missouri cavalry, with four pieces of ar
tlllery, all under command of Col. Bus
sey, was sent on the Bentonvile road
After six miles we came on the camp OF
large force of the enemy of the night
before. Following on, we overlook them
near Bentonville-after firing upon us
they fed. pursued by our advance
who succeeded in killing one man
Reaching town force was seen on the |
opposite side, but few shell caused them
to beat hasty retreat. Here we learn |
ed that heavy force had left the town
but few hours before our arrival, taking
the Elm Spring road. AS our horses |
bad been for three days without any feed. |
It was impossible to pursue further, and |
We returned to camp, having captured on |
this trip hfty prisoners with horses and |
arms. This march on the heels Of a vast. |
ly superior force was not unattended with
risk.