The morning call., 1894-09-28
THE BATTLE OF PEA RIDGE.
A New Story of How the Union
TrooDs Gained a Victory.

In all the histories OF the great rebellion, In
all the army records ID all the reports of gen.
erals, in all the newspaper articles l have read,
l have never yet seen a report OF the battle of
Pea Ridge, Arkansas, that was anywh r near
eorrect-one OF the hardest-fought battles OF
the war with no record. writes \ cores pOndent
Of the Ottumwa (Iowa) Sun. Being at that time
on duty in the qualtermaster's department, 1
was given all he opportunity possible TO be an
eyewitness 10 much that TRANSFERRED.
The first days fighting was done by General
SigePs troops over some ten miles of ground
lying between Bentonville and Pea Ridge,
which was merely 10 check the advance OF Van
Dorn's army. This was Thursday, March 6.
March there was a general engagement, our
lines reaching across Pea Ridge, General Cur
It's commanding. Our force was much 100
small 10 cover the rebel lines. This was hard
days fighting, with but little gained. The pros
peCt was gloomy. My own regiment the hird
Iowa Cavalry, was badly cut up. Many brave
blue COATS lay dead or dying. Friday night
was spent in comparative quiet, the whole
army lying on their arms. Saturday morning.
March s, the fight was renewed with increased
yiGOr, the rebel troops feeling sure OF victory.
The booming of cannon, The yell, the clatter
OF musketry, the running 10 and fro, the gen.
eral clash Of arms was terrible until nearly
noon. we were losing heavily and gaining no
ground. Several Iowa regiments were en-
gagged, the Fourth Infantry being in the hottest
of the fray. General Curtis was brave man,
yet he had high regard for human life, and he
felt discouraged. Near noon he called coun-
Gil of war; j was standing near by where were
gathered about General Curtis his leaders. GEN
erals Davis. Osterhaus, Asboth, Carr, Sgel and
others. Van DOrn's army greatly OutnumDered
ours, and General Curtis saw he was gaining
no ground. what shall we do?' said Curtis.
When the question of surrender was raised
General Sigel said. "NO, mop
'SheneraI Curtis" said Sigel, Il will vip de
tam rebels 10 two hours"
"How would you do II 2" said Curtis.
init strategy and artillery" said Sigel.
General Curtis replied: General Sigel. il
you can 90 that without TOO great a sacrifice OF
life will gladly accord to you all the honor
due.'
SigePs reply was, "Sheneral. would not lose
Won mon."
pray tell us your plan," said Curtis.
General Slgel then briefly detailed his plan and
II was adopted and carried into Effect. The
victory was won in TWO hours and with almost
no loss of life on our SIDE, but with terrible
loss TO the rebels
The plan was this: All the infantry were or.
dered back In rear OF artillery and under cover
OF bush and trees. The big guns were left ap.
parenty exposed. The rebels, of course, saw
this move and wondered. All he guns were
then loaded with blank cartridges and fir 4
few times. When the rebels saw we shot MOTH
ing but smoke hey concluded we were out OF
ammunition and all they had 10 do was TO march
over and take US all in. That Of course, is
what Sigel wanted them to think. When the
rebel generals saw we had apparently given up
the ghost they advanc rapidly, aud soon the
whole face of the valley betw en- Pea Ridge aud
Elk Horn Tavern was literally alive with rebel
soldiers. Sigel now ordered all the guns loaded
with grape and canister, and he even sighted
some OF The guns himself.
Fire was reserved until the rebels advance
lines were within 300 yards OF our lines. Then
our artillery opened fire, and Van Dorn's army
was moved down like grass before the scyine.
Our Infantry now ran forward and poured
volley after volley into Them The artillery
also limbered up and moved forward TO give
them more grape and canister, and I'm a few
minutes Van DorD's army was as completely
panic-stricken as an army ever was. The cav
airy closed in from the TANKS and the rebel
army was routed most etfeciually, retreating en-
masse with scarcely an attempt of order And
thus was the victory won. and with very little
loss 10 US, after we were 10 reality whipped. In
all the reports have seen General Sigel is
merely given honorable mention.