Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-07-24

WAX A visions and small
kI%NBSS reserve, in all about
sSIEH&NS twelve thousand
N1 Rks1y lYAaamen. They held a
N WV Ky Avery extensive po-
TSE " Hsition in the north
NN- ern part of Arkan-
~ w sas, in the Sugar
ss%snH.zz Greek Valley. The
NV Of General jeff G. Davis was
.a FAM, behind Little Sugar Creek,
WING 'p the road from Fayetteville,
u nv nv Elktown Tavern to Spring
H. H. The division of General Carr
~ obol,t twelve miles south at Cross
s laws and detachment of this
~. had been sent about twenty
miles east from that place to
H r; first aud second divisions form
the right wing under General
fau1 sigel were stationed ten miles
Invest of Pea Ridge at Benton
H. and moved from there about five
las further west to McKissick's
rm The whole line from Hunts
Ila to Mckissick's farm extended
INIT fifty miles. Against this line
= Confederates under Van Dorm,
ice and McCulloch began their ag-
assiye movement from near the Ar
nsas River to Fayetteville at the
SHINING of March. Their combined
fees counting a brigade of Indians
pler General Albert Pike, and two
riments of militia, numbered about
Zoo men, of whom, however, only
out 10000 took an active part in the
title which followed.
There were some indications of the
oyement, but nothing definite was
bown until the 5th Of March, when
eneral Curtis advised General Sigel
at the enemy was evidently advanc-
north. This was confirmed at
shtiall of the same day, when de-
ehment consisting of the Second
issouri Infantry, some artillery and
yalry under Colonel Schaefer, sta
pied about seven miles south of Nc
is,icks farm, was attacked, and the
Ct reported to General Sigel at the
IN. 1t is now known that it was the
ention of General Van Dorm, who
b chief in command of the Confede-
ties. to surprise the two divisions of
eperal Sigel in their isolated posi-
b. and then to advance via Benton
BE to Pea Ridge. This plan, how
e-. was frustrated by the timely and
mediate action of the vigilant COM
Ender of the two divisions. During
might orders were issued for them
lie prepared to move at 2 O'Clock in
morning, which were hurriedly
cpted, so that when Van Dorm
led the neighborhood of McKis-
farm the two divisions under
Ah and Osterhaus were already
miles away, and on their march
a Bentonville to Sugar Greek and
/ Fea Ridge battlefield.
Gcueral Sigel alone had remained at
Knoxville with about 600 men, in
rtrv and cavalry Give companies
tssavs and two companies Second
Aaois Cavalry, and six pieces of
tillery (Eberts' Battery. One of
e pieces broke down on the road af-
the first engagement, but it was
Fought along.
As this episode of the war has at
';nsd great significance by the subse-
Hent battle Of Pea Ridge, of which
be retreat from McKissick's farm and
entonville was the prelude, General
lge. was asked why it was that he re-
falHed so long ut Bentonville with
Itch small force, and how it was
osslble for him to save his detachment
ION total destruction.
Well" said he, "you see, there are
PMetimes things necessary to be done
war the reason of which those who
re not aware of the momentarv con-
t!on of affairs cannot easily under
land.
%os course it was not mere 'whim'
Inch kept me there to be gobbled up
massacred by our Indian friends,
ut very justi6able anxiety to know
what roads the enemy's troops were
ayancing, and whether it was whole
EMy Or a mere raiding party; besides
|Ais waited for Col. Schaefer's 1000
ees whom I expected from Usage or
e,Mnlth,s Mills, five miles south OF Nc
hlsSlck's farm, and who was ordered to
'9,;p at Bentonville, but arrived and
proved the main column by mistake
1snout notifying me. / was also very
AS!ous to receive information from a
eoatlng party ut Usage Springs. but
us party was surprised and scattered
10 roamed about whole day until
Asy reached our camp at Pea Ridge.
letting tired of waiting I sent
.olonel Hennett with his hussars out
feconnoiter and was not little as
Eoalshed to hear of a large force Of in
satry. cavalry and artillery emerging
~ OF the woods and deploying in line
rattle on the open prairie about one
me from Bentonville. 1t did not take
" long to gain personal view of the
ave OF gray jackets and to call the
ups at the farm under arms, nor had
The least doubt that we had the ad-
aace OF the enemy's army before US.
uey threw forward large masses OF
tsFaasry and mounted infantry to out
"a us and gain our rear and so cut
N OR retreat.
ms maneuver was repeated con-
t.auously for six hours, from 10 a. m.
- p. M, during which time we made
e miles. To ertricate ourselves
a a.on these repeated movements of the
Laem1!y would not have been possible