Our troops that night rested on their "At one time a battery was opened arms in the face of the enemy. Seeing in front of Hayden's battery, on the exhim in motion, I could not brook delay, treme right, so near I could not tell and the center, under Colonel Davis, whether it was the enemy or an advance opened fire. The enemy replied with of Hayden's, but riding nearer, I soon terrible energy from new batteries and perceived its true character, and directlines which had been prepared for used the 1st Iowa and the Peoria battery, during the night. To avoid raking bat- Captain Davidson, to cross fire on it, teries, the right wing fell back in good which soon drove it back to the common order, but kept up a continuous fire from hiding-place, the deep ravines of Cross the new position immediately taken. The Timber Hollow. While the artillery First and Second Divisions soon got under was thus taking position and advancing way, and moved with great celerity to upon the enemy, the infantry moved their position on the left. This completed steadily forward. The left wing advancthe formation of the line of battle. It ing rapidly, soon began to ascend the was directly to the rear of the first, and mountain cliff, from which the artillery was quite continuous, much of it on open had driven most of the rebel force. The ground. We then had our foe before us, upward movement of the gallant 36th where we well knew the ground. The Illinois, with its dark-blue line of men broken defiles occupied by him would and its gleaming bayonets, steadily rose not admit of easy evolutions to repel from base to summit, when it dashed forsuch as could be made by us on the open ward into the forest, driving and scatterplain. Victory was inevitable. As soon ing the rebels from these commanding as the left wing extended so as to com- heights. The 12th Missouri, far in admand the mountain, and rest safely upon vance of others, rushed into the enemy's it, I ordered the right wing to move for- lines, bearing off a flag and two pieces ward, so as to take position where I of artillery. Everywhere our line moved placed it the night previous. I repaired forward, and the foe as gradually withmyself to the extreme right, and found drew. The roar of cannon and small an elevated position considerably in ad- arms was continuous, and no force could vance, which commanded the enemy's then withstand the converging line and center and left. Here I located the concentrated cross-fire of our gallant Dubuque Battery, and directed the right troops. Our guns continued some time wing to move its right forward, so as to after the rebel fire ceased, and the rebels support it, and give directions to the had gone down into the deep caverns advance of the entire right wing. Cap- through which they had begun their pretain Hayden soon opened a fire which cipitate flight. Finally, our firing ceased. proved most galling to the foe, and a The enemy suddenly vanished. Followmarker for our line to move move upon. ing down the main road which enters a Returning to the center, I directed the deep canon, I saw some straggling teams 1st Iowa Battery, under Captain David, and men running in great trepidation to take position in an open field, when through the gorges of the mountain. I he could also direct a fire on the central directed a battery to move forward which point of the enemy. Meantime, the threw a few shots at them, followed by a powerful battery of Captain Whelfley, pursuit of cavalry, comprised of the Benand many more were bearing on the cliff ton Hussars and my escort from Bowen's pouring heavy balls through the timber battalion, which was all the cavalry connear the center, splintering great trees, venient at the time. General Sigel also and scattering death and destruction followed in this pursuit toward Keitsville, with tempestuous fury. while I returned, trying to check a move

ment which led my forces north, where I official report says: "So far as I can aswas confident a frightened foe was not certain, our losses amount to about 600 likely to go. I soon found the rebel killed and wounded, and 200 prisoners, forces had divided and gone in every and one cannon, which, having become direction, but it was several hours be- disabled, I ordered to be thrown into a fore I learned that the main force, after ravine. The force with which I went entering the canon, had turned short to into action was less than 14,000 men; the right, following ravines which led that of the enemy is variously estimated into the Huntsville road in a due south at from 17,000 to 24,000." In his redirection. General Sigel followed some port of the second day's fight, he says: miles north toward Keitsville, firing on "About three P. M. I received by aidsthe retreating force that ran away. Col--de-camp the information that Generals onel Bussy, with cavalry and the little McCulloch and McIntosh, and Colonel howitzers, followed beyond Bentonville. Herbert, were killed, and that the divisI camped on the field and made provision was without any head." He acion for burying the dead and care of the counts for "withdrawing his army" as wounded. The loss in the several divisions was as follows: 1st division, General Sigel, four commissioned officers wounded, two missing, eleven privates killed, eighty-nine wounded, thirty-eight missing; 2d division, General Asboth, three commissioned officers killed, and three wounded, seventeen privates killed, sixty wounded, and thirty-six missing; of Colonel Davis' 3d division, four commissioned officers killed, and eighteen wounded, forty-two privates killed, two hundred and fifty-six wounded, and nine missing; of Colonel Carr's 4th division, six commissioned officers killed, twentynine wounded, and two missing, ninetyfive privates killed, four hundred and ninety-one wounded, and seventy-eight missing. The 3d Iowa cavalry had one officer wounded, and lost twenty-four men killed, eighteen wounded, and nine missing; Major Bowen's battery lost one officer wounded, one man killed, two wounded, and two missing. The aggregate loss of killed, wounded, and missing, of all ranks, was 1,351. This sad reckoning shows where the long-continued fire was borne, and where the public sympathy should be most directed. The loss of the enemy was much greater, but their scattered battalions can never furnish a correct report of their killed and wounded."

The rebel General Van Dorn in his

follows: "In the course of the night I ascertained that the ammunition was almost exhausted, and that the officer in charge of the ordnance supplies could not find his wagons, which, with the subsistence train, had been sent to Booneville. Most of the troops had been without any food since the morning of the 6th, and the artillery horses were beaten out. It was, therefore, with no little anxiety that I awaited the dawn of day. When it came, it revealed to me the enemy in a new and strong position, offering battle. I made my dispositions at once to accept the gage, and by seven o'clock the cannonading was as heavy as that of the previous day. On the side of the enemy the fire was much better sustained, for, being freed from the attack of my right wing, he could now concentrate his whole artillery. Finding that my right wing was much disorganized, and that the batteries were, one after another, retiring from the field, with every shot expended, I resolved to withdraw the army." Of the loss of officers, he adds: "General Price received a severe wound early in the action, but would neither retire from the field nor cease to expose himself to danger. No successes can repair the losses of the gallant dead, who fell on the well-fought field. McCulloch was the first to fall. I had found him, in the frequent conferences I had with him,

a sagacious, prudent counsellor, and a the cause of the Union, and been raised bolder soldier never died for his country. to eminence in the rebel service. He McIntosh had been very much distin- had fought in the Mexican war with his guished all through the operations which infantry regiment in the column of Genhave taken place in this region; and eral Scott, and been brevetted captain during my advance from Boston Moun- and major for his services at Cerro tain I placed him in command of the Gordo, Contreras, and Cherubusco. He cavalry brigade, and in charge of the was among the honorable list of officers pickets. He was alert, daring, and de- wounded before the city of Mexico. Subvoted to his duty. His kindness of dis- sequently, with the full rank of captain position, with his reckless bravery, had of the 2d United States cavalry, he had attached the troops strongly to him; so acquired an enviable reputation by his that after McCulloch fell, had he remain- command of several expeditions against ed to lead them, all would have been the Camanche Indians in Northern Texwell with my right wing; but, after lead- as. When he resigned his commission ing a brilliant charge of cavalry, and in the national service, at the end of Jancarrying the enemy's battery, he rushed uary, 1861, he held the rank of major in into the thickest of the fight again, at the 2d cavalry. the head of his old regiment, and was shot through the heart. The value of these two officers was but proven by the effect of their fall upon the troops. So long as brave deeds are admired by our people the names of McCulloch and McIntosh will be remembered and loved. General Slack, after gallantly maintaining a continued and unsuccessful attack, was shot through the body. But I hope his distinguished services will be restored to his country. A noble boy, Churchill Clarke, commanded a battery of artillery, and during the fierce artillery actions of the 7th and 8th, was conspicuous for the daring and skill which he exhibited. He fell at the very close of the action. Colenel Rives fell mortally wounded about the same time, and was a great loss to us. On the field where were many gallant gentlemen, I remember him as one of the most energetic and devoted of them all."

General Earl Van Dorn, the Confederate commander in the battle, a native of Mississippi, had acquired a distinguished reputation by his gallantry as an officer of the United States army. He was educated at West Point, having graduated in 1842, in the same class with Gustavus W. Smith and Mansfield Lovell, who, like himself, had abandoned

66

In an animated address to the officers and soldiers of the 1st and 2d divisions, on the 15th of March, General Sigel thus reviewed the part taken by his command in the several days' fighting, included under the general designation of the battle of Pea Ridge :-" After so many hardships and sufferings of this war in the West, a great and decisive victory has, for the first time, been attained, and the army of the enemy overwhelmed and perfectly routed. The rebellious flag of the Confederate States lies in the dust, and the same men who had organized armed rebellion at Camp Jackson, Maysville, and Fayetteville-who have fought against us at Booneville, Carthage, and Wilson's Creek, at Lexington, and Milford, have paid the penalty of their seditious work with their lives, or are seeking refuge behind the Boston Mountains and the shores of the Arkansas river. The last days were hard but triumphant. Surrounded and pressed upon all sides by an enterprising, desperate, and greedy enemy--by the Missouri and Arkansas mountaineer, the Texas Ranger, the finest regiment of Louisiana troops, and even the savage Indian-almost without food, sleep or camp-fires, you remained firm and unabashed, awaiting the moment when you could drive back your assail

ants or break through the iron circle by from dangerous assault when, at the prowhich the enemy thought to crush or per and decisive moment, it is necessary. capture us all, and plant the rebellious You may look with pride on the few flag on the rocky summit of Pea Ridge. days just passed, during which you have You have defeated all their schemes. so gloriously defended the flag of the When at McKissick's farm, west of Ben- Union. From two o'clock on the morntonville, you extricated yourselves from ing of the 6th, when you left McKissick's their grasp by a night's march, and se- farm, until four o'clock on the afternoon cured a train of two hundred wagons of the 9th, when you arrived from Keetsbefore the enemy became aware of the ville in the common encampment, you direction you had taken, instead of be- marched fifty miles, fought three battles, ing cut off, weakened and driven to the took not only a battery and a flag from necessity of giving battle under the most the enemy, but more than one hundred unfavorable circumstances, you joined and fifty prisoners-among them Acting your friends and comrades at Sugar Brigdier-General Herbert, the commanCreek, and thereby saved yourselves der of the Louisiana forces, and his Maand the whole army from being separat- jor; Colonel Mitchell, of the 14th Ared and beaten in detail. On the retreat kansas; Colonel Stone, Adjutant-Genfrom Bentonville to Sugar Creek-a dis-eral of Price's forces, and Lieutenanttance of ten miles-you cut your way through an enemy at least live times stronger than yourselves. The activity, self-possession, and courage of the little band of six hundred will ever be memorable in the history of this war, When, on the next day, the great battle began, under the command of General Asboth, you assisted the 4th division with all the cheerfulness and alacrity of good and faithful soldiers--that division on that day holding the most important position -while Colonel Osterhaus, coöperating with the 3d division, battered down the hosts of McCulloch on our left, and Major Paton guarded our rear.

"On the 8th you came at the right time to the right place. It was the first opportunity you had of showing your full strength and power. In less than three hours you formed in line of battle, advanced and coöperated with our friends on the right, and routed the enemy so completely that he fled like dust before a hurricane. And so it will always be when traitors, seduced by selfish leaders and persecuted by the pangs of an evil conscience, are fighting against soldiers who defend a good cause, are well drilled and disciplined, obey promptly the orders of their officers, and do not shrink

Colonel John H. Price, whose life was twice spared, and who has now for the second time violated his parole, and was arrested with arms in his hands. You have done your duty, and you can justly claim your share in the common glory of this victory. But let us not be partial, unjust, or haughty. Let us not forget that alone we were too weak to perform the great work before us. Let us acknowledge the great services done by all the brave soldiers of the 3d and 4th divisions, and always keep in mind that united we stand, divided we fall.' Let us hold out and push the work through

-not by mere words and great clamor, but by good marches, by hardships and fatigues, by strict discipline and effective battles. Columbus has fallen-Memphis will follow; and if you do in future as you have done in these past days of trial, the time will soon come when you will pitch your tents on the beautiful shores of the Arkansas river, and there meet our iron-clad propellers at Little Rock and Fort Smith. Therefore keep alert, my friends, and look forward with confidence."

A peculiar feature of the battle of Pea Ridge, was the employment by the rebels of a large force of Indians-be

EMPLOYMENT OF THE INDIANS.

295

in repressing the horrors of this unnatural war; and that you may cooperate with him to this end more effectually, he desires me to inform you that many of our men who surrendered themselves

tween two and three thousand, it is said regarded as civilized people. He will, -under command of Brigadier-General however, most cordially unite with you Albert Pike. This officer, who had shown so much alacrity and zeal in the rebel service, particularly in his successful efforts at withdrawing the Indian tribes from their allegiance to the United States, was a native of Boston, Massa- prisoners of war were reported to him chusetts, and had in other days acquired considerable reputation by his literary abilities. He had in early life been the principal of a New England academy, had studied the ancient classics with zest, and infused much of their spirit in his Hymns to the Gods," which had been first introduced to the public in Blackwood's Magazine. Journeying to the Southwest, he had identified himself with its interests, and become widely known as the editor of the Arkansas Advocate at Little Rock, and subsequently in the profession of the law. He served with distinction as a volunteer in the Mexican war, and, as a prominent Southern citizen, was led to take an active part in the rebellion.

The employment of the Indians, who, it is said, in their intoxicated fury, became as dangerous to their friends as to their foes, aggravated the almost inevitable barbarities of frontier warfare. Many of the federal dead, as we learn from an official remonstrance addressed by General Curtis to General Van Dorn, immediately after the battle, were found tomahawked, scalped, and their bodies shamefully mangled.". In making this communication General Curtis expressed the hope that this important struggle may not degenerate to a savage warfare." To this, General Van Dorn, through his assistant adjutant-general, replied, that "he had been pained to learn that the remains of some of your soldiers had been reported to you to have been scalped, tomahawked, and otherwise mutilated, and hoped that there had been misinformation in regard to the matter, the Indians who formed part of his forces having for many years been

66

เ

as having been murdered in cold blood by their captors, who were alleged to be Germans. The General commanding feels sure that you will do your part, as he will, in preventing such atrocities in future; and that the perpetrators of them will be brought to justice, whether German or Choctaw." General Curtis, in another communication through his assistant adjutant-general, a few days after, thus met the representations in reference to the Indians and Germans: "The fact," said he, "of many bodies having been found scalped and mutilated was patent, and the General commanding the army wishes for the sake of humanity, that the testimony was not incontestible. In reply to your information that men who surrendered themselves prisoners of war, are reported to the General as having been murdered in cold blood by their captors, who were alleged to be Germans,' I may say the Germans charge the same against your soldiers. I enclose a copy of a letter from General Sigel, addressed to me before the receipt of yours, in which the subject is referred to. As 'dead men tell no tales,' it is not easy to see how these charges may be proven, and the General hopes they are mere camp stories,' having little or no foundation. The Germans in the army have taken and turned over many prisoners, and the General has not before heard murder charged against them; on the contrary, they have seemed peculiarly anxious to exhibit the number of their captured as evidence of their valor. Any act of cruelty to prisoners, or those offering to deliver themselves as such, on the part of the soldiers of this army, coming to