The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-07-12
KIIling Of Cen. Ben McCnllOch.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE; In The Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE of May 10 is an account from
Senator Barry, Lieutenant of the 10th Ark,
and Wiley BrittOn mo address given, relating
how and who killed the rebel Gen. Ben Me-
Culloch on the 9TH of March, 1862, at the battle
of Pea Ridge, or " Elk Horn" as the Johnnies
called it. AS was thar" as a member Of Co.
6, 35th H., will briefly tell the story as we
uns " saw it. The battery that is claimed by
this correspondent 10 have been captured by
" Confederate Indians and white troops under
Gen. Pike, was three guns Of Welhey's battery,
captured early in the fight, instead of battery
entire. Instead of the Federals being behind
the fence spoken Of by the Lieutenant, the
rebs were lying concealed behind q fence and
thick oak brush. Not exactly knowing their
position, Cos and G of the Both Ill. were
sent by Col. Greusel, of the Both, then COM
manding brigade, forward under command of
Capt. Miller of Co. B, across an old Cornfeld
TO find what had become Of the Johnnies, as
they were very quiet then. Our line advanced
to within a few rods Of the fence, when we
were ordered 10 lie down, as Capt. Miller had
discovered the brush swarming with live Texans
and Indians. Oar object vas accomplished.
We had found them, lots of 'em. Up to this
time not shot had been fired by either side
since our advance. By order Of the Captain
we fired vOlley into the fence about two rails
from the bottom. Not getting any reply, We
= y
man get to the south side Of that c0rnfeld as
fast as willing legs could carry them. The
moment the Johnuies and Redskins discovered
our movement 10 the rear they poured q volley
| into our retreating ranks, killing and wound
/ ing 13 OF my company (G) and several of Co.
| b. Now for the killing Of Gen. McCulloch.
/ Peter Pelican, Of Co. b, did it with his little
Mississippi rife. Pelican had got some dis
/ lance 10 the left Of his company, close to the
fence and on the flank Of the rebs. and did not
! fall back when the TWO panies did After the
/ two companies had got beyond reach of the
/ rebel guns, solitary horseman rode within a
I few rods Of where Pelican was concealed, taking
/ observations. The Yauk" fired and the rebel
] General fell from his horse dead. Vow for the
indisputable proof that it was Gen. McCulloch
aud 10 other. In falling Pete discovered by
4 the dress Of the hOrseman that he was 10 ordi-
nary man, but a Confederate officer, so huTriedly
spTinging over the fence he secured his gold
1 watch. I have seen the watch many times
On the inside Of the case was engraved Gen
/ Ben McCulloch" The Colonel afterWard
bought the watch from Pelican. Now comes
the sequel. Several years after the war an ad.
vertscment appeared in one of the Chicago
( papers by the widow OF McCulloch inquirinl
for the watch Ia answer TO the advertisement
Col y. Greusel, Of the Both H., sent the watci
10 the widow, getting her thanks and acknoWl
edgment Of its receipt
By the way, are all Of the old 36th I'll. dead
II not, is it not about time they were reporting
for duty through the columns of our paper
The NATIONAL TRIBUNE? Come, boys, tht
record the 36th made by over four years 0
service is worth relating.-M. @. YARNELL
Lieutenant, Co. g, 36th H., Pierre Oak.