The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-01-08
Letter from the First iowa Cav.
salnU

BATTLE FIELD, PRAIRIE GROVE. ARK
December 18th, 1862.
J. E. GILLESPIE, Esq:
Dear Brother-We have had
one of the hardest battles that has been
fought this side of the Mississippi river, and
one that will rank among the foremost bat
ties of the war. 1t .ook place on the 7th
inst Although you have very likely had a
description Of it in the daily papers, perhaps
can tell you something about it that will
interest You.
We were quietly eneamped near Wilson
Creek, No., and on the Sd received orders to
march. We started about noon. end after
two and half days marching pitched our
tents three miles south of Pea Ridge Next
morning about 1000 cavalry, including two
battalions of the LIST Iowa, with pieces of
artillery, were ordered forward to Kane Hill,
distance of 80 miles, to reinforce General
Blunt. who was expecting to be attacked by
larg force of rebels under Rindman. who
was reported crossing the Arkansas river at
Van Buren,. We halted at the headquarters
Of Gen. Blunt about Top M. and found HIM
still occupying the ground from which he
had driven the rsb,l Marmaduke. with 5000
men, a few DAYS previous The pickets were
skirmishing during the night, but they did
not succeed in driving them in. At day.
light we formed in line Of battle, where we
remained about an hour, when intelligence
was received that Heron and Potter's divis.
ions were engaging the enemy about miles
in our lear. Blunt's division then moved to
Rays Mills. about 5 miles west Of where the
engagement was in progress, and advanced
on the left wing Of the enemy, attacking
him about 3p. III. We found tho battle rag
ing terribly our infantry, numbering about
8 900. contending against from $1,000 to
20. 900, .th great disadvantage in posi-
ton Tine rebels were posted on large hill
covered with thick ii nber and underbrush
our forces occupied a large plain below, about
one fourth Of mile in width and in full
view Of the enemy. Our men hal repeat,
eddy charged across this plain and driven the
reb.ls some distance back, only to be over.
powered and in turn driven back to their
original position Our lines began to fall
back, bat when Robb's Indiana Battery, Of
Blunt's division, opened on the left wing oil
the enemy, our boys took new courage and
the battle began with renewed vigor, and
soon the fire of nusketry opened along the
entire lne Such fighting as then took p!ace
is almost indescrbable. The roar of can.
non and roll Of mnsketry was incessant.-
the battle ragged with undated fury unit
darkness endel the conflict. when our forces
fell back on the plain and laid on their arm.
until morning, intending to renew the bat
tie; but morning found the field in our pos
session, the rebels having retreated during
the night, not wishing TO contest the ground
longer. At daylight the rebels sent in flas
of truce asking permission to bury thei'
dead which, of course. was granted. Ar
4 1TUttStlCc Wa IL w uih ~ r. ui's o"A
Rebel and Uni IN alike--yere seen carefully
searching for friead or relative who were
among tbs missing. The day was mostly
occupied in carrying of the wounded--th'
number Of which was by no means small
Our loss in killed will not exceed 200. Tit
wounded will amount to from 400 to 500. =
The loss of the rebel. in killed is variously
estimated from 500 to 1900. IL is Official
to tel. their exact loss. as they cirried oil q
great many during the night. Their hospi
tails proved horrible spectacle and are said
to cover several acres. The dangerous
| " wounded are kept in the houses, while
those more slightly wounded lie around in
the yards and undsr. trees, with only about
one blanket apiece. A graf many are dy-
ne r ,r, exposure and want Of care. Trey