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who brought with it the wounded LieutenantColonel of the Fiftieth Illinois, borne on a litter. The bearers all had tied on their arms a piece of white rag, which by questioning the wearers, I learned that it designated a detail for hospital duty. I am glad to be able to say something good of an army of traitors; we will give the devil his due." No instance came to my know ledge in which our dead or wounded were treated in so diabolical a manner as they were reported to be at Manassas and Pea Ridge. They were invariably, wherever practicable, kindly cared for. A. Hickenlooper tells me that one of his corporals, who was wounded, received many attentions from them. An officer handed him a rubber blanket, saying that himself needed it bad enough, but the wounded man needed it worse. Others brought him food and water, and wrapped him up in woolen blankets. Such instances were common, and among the hundreds of dead and

signs of the barbarities which the rebels are com monly supposed to practise on the patriots.

I captured an overcoat and blanket on the field, and expected to pass Monday night more comfortably than that of Sunday. Throwing the cape of the cloak over my head, and rolling my self in the blanket, I was soon in a deep sleep; the only dream I had was that every soldier was shaking with the ague, in the midst of which I awoke to find the rain pouring in torrents, and myself lying in a pool of water. Fires were not allowed, and we shivered through the remainder of the night.

their fire consisted principally of balls and can-yond us. It was carried by a tall Alabamian, ister. It is singular that while supporting Tirrell, when we were under the heaviest fire, there was only one man injured-a member of company A. What few we lost besides, was by the skirmishing companies. I could not imagine why Nelson, who has always professed such a high regard for the regiment, should give it no more honorable position than that of supporting a battery. But I was satisfied before we were through, for though others may sneer at what the Guthries | have done, I know that Nelson, whose good opinion we value more highly than that of a whole brigade of men who have not patriotism enough to serve their country themselves, still has the same favorable opinion of us. The battle for a long time was desperate, the musketry was one prolonged roar, neither traitor nor patriot would give way; but now our men seemed to be in confusion; they commenced a retreat toward us. Gen. N. had us immediately wheeled to the right to face them, and our comrades who were retreat-wounded I have looked upon, not one showed ing, seeing a regiment just behind, ready to aid them when needed, received fresh courage, and returning, drove the rebels before them. Nelson evidently regarded this as a critical moment; he rode along the front of the regiment, and looking almost every member in the face, addressed them with his abrupt sentences. (He is no speech-maker.) When passing our company, he exclaimed: "Men of the Sixth Ohio, I'm proud of you. I may be mistaken, but I think I can depend on you. That's the reason why I don't send you out I want you here." Shortly afterward, we were ordered to take a rebel battery at the point of the bayonet; the General gave the order himself, and started us out at double-quick. The whole regiment went at it with a yell, but before going many yards we were halted by the General, for what reason I am unable to understand. About three o'clock the rebels began to give way, and soon retreated from the field. They were not pursued by our infantry, though report said that several cavalry regiments were after them. After hostilities had ceased, our brigade marched out beyond the furthermost camps, again in our possession, but presenting a scene of desolation. The tents had not been wantonly destroyed by the rebels, for after their success of Sunday, they were sure of retaining possession of them, and wanted them for their own use. But the chivalry had made sad havoc with the contents, especially of the sutler shops. We were not permitted to occupy the camps of regiments which had been "cut to pieces," (as every battalion which had been scattered in the first day's panic was pleased to express its condition,) but were formed in line of battle, and having stacked arms, were permitted to rest near our guns. Soon all were busy preparing supper from provisions of the commissaries, which luckily had not all been seized on by the enemy. I am not a friend to fat pork, but it tasted sweet to me that evening. While preparing our meal, a flag of truce, consisting of a yellow handkerchief tied to a sapling pole, emerged from the woods be

Tuesday, April 8.-We all were up early and ready formed to meet the enemy, should they again attack us; but after standing for a couple of hours to no purpose, arms were stacked and we set to work to make ourselves as comfortable as circumstances would permit.

Great praise is due to all the general and staffofficers of the Fourth division. Nelson was constantly riding up and down, a conspicuous mark for sharpshooters, and his aids were flying about in all directions in the thickest of the fight. Buell also attended to his business like a true general, riding about all parts of the field. “Old Jake Ammen," our acting Brigadier, took mat ters as quietly as if he was drilling his brigade, and once having found a pile of corn, sat down coolly to husk it for his horse, not even deigning to escape the showers of balls by seeking the shelter of a tree. The sight of the dead and wounded was not at all pleasant to look upon; the slaughter was terrible. The Fourth division, according to the official reports, has seven hundred and thirty killed, wounded, and missing, or something about nine per cent of the number engaged. Our own loss is very small. I can only count four out of the regiment killed.

Monday morning, when we started out to meet the enemy, we began to find the dead and wounded at a very short distance from our starting point. We were halted just before two of the Union wounded who had lain out in the rain all

The scarcity of forage and other supplies made it necessary for me to spread out my troops over considerable country, always trying to keep them within supporting distance, convenient to rally on the positions selected for battle. On the fourth of March this force was located as follows:

night. One was not mortally injured, and some ing force to guard my train. My force in Arkan. of our boys took him back to the hospital. The sas was, therefore, not more than ten thousand other was lying on his face, and had just life five hundred, cavalry and infantry, with forty-nine enough in him to appeal to us for aid, by slightly pieces of artillery, including the mountain howitmoving one of his feet; but he was so far gone zers, one piece having been sent out into Missouri, that he was left to his fate; he died in a short and thus prevented from joining us in the battle. time. I saw one rebel who had been shot while in the act of taking aim. One eye was still open, while the other was closed, and his hands were extended in the position of holding a gun, which lay beside him. Another died while in the act of placing his hand in his haversack for food. One rebel lay stretched, with his feet at the trunk of a tree which was speckled well with bullets. He had undoubtedly used the tree as a fortification, and in an unlucky moment had been shot in the head while trying to pick off our own men. Some were disemboweled by cannon-balls, The Third division, under Col. Jefferson C. others with half their heads off in the midst of Davis, acting Brigadier-General, had moved and brains and blood. During the engagement rider-taken position at Sugar Creek, under orders to less horses were flying in all directions. Wounded were borne off the field by hundreds, some with arms and legs off, writhing in agony. The log-houses, barns, and stables which had been deserted by the owners on the first day's fight, were used as hospitals, and so designated by red flags. But they were soon so crowded that others brought in were placed in the open air, using the building as a shelter from bullets.

Doc. 115.

THE BATTLE OF PEA RIDGE. OFFICIAL REPORT OF MAJOR-GENERAL CURTIS.

CAPTAIN: The brief telegraphic report which I gave the ninth inst., is not sufficient to present even the general outline of the battle of Pea Ridge, and with the reports of my Commanders of divisions, I now submit a more general detail. My pursuit of Gen. Price brought me to Fayetteville, Arkansas. The entire winter campaign, from the twentieth of January to this time, including the march from Rolla to the Boston Mountains, two hundred and forty miles, was attended with continual exhibitions of toil, privations, conflict and gallantry, some of which I have telegraphed to headquarters, and may hereafter deserve more full development.

After reaching Arkansas, the forces of Gen. Price were rapidly reenforced by regiments which had been stationed in Arkansas and the Indian Territory. I therefore expected these combined forces would return upon us to give us battle, and in conformity with the orders of the General, of the twenty-second of February, I selected Sugar Creek as the strongest of several strong places taken from the enemy, to make a stand against any and all odds.

I reported my force to you on the twelfth February, after Col. Davis's division had joined me, with twelve thousand and ninety-five men and fifty pieces of artillery, including four mountain howitzers. My long line of communications required garrisons at Marshfield, Springfield, Cassville, and Keitsville, besides a constant movVOL. IV.-Doc. 27

The First and Second divisions, under Generals Sigel and Asboth, were four miles south-west of Bentonville, at Cooper's farm, under general orders to move round to Sugar Creek, about fourteen miles east.

make some preparatory arrangements and examinations for a stand against the enemy.

The Fourth division was at Cross Hollows, under command of Col. E. A. Carr, acting Briga dier-General. My own headquarters were also at this place, within about twelve miles from Sugar Creek, on the main telegraph road from Springfield to Fayetteville.

Large detachments had been sent out from those several camps for forage and informationone from Cross Hollows to Huntsville, under command of Colonel Vandever, and three from Cooper's farm to Maysville and Pineville. One of those, under Major Conrad, with a piece of ar tillery and two hundred and fifty men, did not reach us until after the battle. All the others came in safe and joined in the engagement.

The enemy had taken position in the Boston Mountains, a high range that divides the waters of the White River and Arkansas. Gen. Price had rallied the forces that had fought at Carthage, Wilson's Creek, and Lexington, augmented by his exertions to recruit in Missouri during the winter. On his arrival from Springfield in Arkansas, he reported to Governor Rector that between four and five thousand of these had joined the confederate service previous to leaving Springfield. The circulation of all manner of extravagant falsehoods on his way induced the whole country to leave their homes, and for fear we would kill them, thousands joined his ranks. General McCulloch brought at least eleven regiments to the field, and General Pike five. Besides these regularly organized confederate troops which General Price met in Arkansas, there were many companies and regiments of Arkansas volunteers, most of the country people being required to take up arms. From this data, and the general opinion of the country, I estimated the force of the enemy to have been at least thirty thousand or forty thousand. This was the force in and near Boston Mountains, rallying to drive us from Arkansas and Missouri.

The two armies thus constituted and located, were within hearing of each other's cannon, about thirty miles apart. I submit an accompanying

main road from Fayetteville, by Cross Hollows to Keitsville, intercepts the valley nearly at right angles. The road from Fayetteville by Bentonville to Keitsville, is quite a detour; but it also comes up the Sugar Creek valley; a branch, however, takes off and runs nearly parallel to the main or telegraph road some three miles from it. The Sugar Creek valley, therefore, intercepts all these roads.

map, showing some of the topographic features wide. The hills are high on both sides, and the of the country on the roads which we have traversed. Our troops were weary and somewhat exhausted in their long, forced marches and frequent conflicts. Our cavalry had especially suffered in the breaking down and loss of horses. But our troops were generally well armed, drilled, and anxious to encounter the enemy at any reasonable hazard. They were all intelligent, ardent, flushed with our repeated successes in many encounters on our way, and all conscious of the righteousness of their country's cause.

The arrival of Major-Gen. Van Dorn, on the second of March, in the camp of the enemy, was the occasion of great rejoicing, and the firing of forty guns. The rebel force was harangued by their chiefs with boastful and passionate appeals, assuring them of their superior numbers and the certainty of an easy victory. Despatches were published, falsely announcing a great battle at Columbus, Ky., in which we had lost three gunboats, and twenty thousand men; and thus the rebel hordes were assembled the occasion was now open to drive the invaders from the soil of Arkansas, and give a final and successful blow for a Southern Confederacy.

The fifth of March was cold and blustering. The snow fell so as to cover the ground. No immediate attack was apprehended, and I was engaged writing. About two o'clock P.M., scouts and fugitive citizens came, informing me of the rapid approach of the enemy to give battle. His cavalry would be at Elm Springs, some twelve miles distant, that night, and his artillery had already passed Fayetteville. Satisfied of the truth of this report, I immediately sent couriers to Gen. Sigel and Col. Vandever, and ordered them to move immediately to Sugar Creek, where I also ordered Col. Carr to move with his division. I also sent you a despatch, which may have been lost with other mail matter, which I have since learned was captured by the enemy. I told you I would give them the best reception possible. All my messengers were successful in delivering their orders. Col. Carr's division moved about six P.M. Col. Vandever had intelligence of the movement of the enemy before my messenger reached him, and made immediate change in his march, so that with great exertion, he arrived on the sixth. Gen. Sigel deferred his march from Cooper's farm till two o'clock in the morning of the sixth, and at Bentonville tarried himself, with a regiment and battery, till he was attacked about nine A. M.

I arrived at Sugar Creek at two o'clock A.M. on the sixth, and immediately detailed parties for early morning work in felling timber to obstruct certain roads to prevent the enemy having too many approaches; and to erect field-works to increase the strength of my forces. Col. Davis and Col. Carr, early in the day, took their positions on the high projecting hills commanding the valley of the creek, leaving the right of the line to be occupied by the First and Second divisions, which were anxiously expected. The valley of the creck is low, and from a quarter to a half-mile

The Third and Fourth divisions had before noon of the sixth deployed their lines, cut down a great number of trees which thoroughly blockaded the roads on the left. Later in the day I directed some of the same work to be done on the right. This work was in charge of Col. Dodge, who felled trees on the road which run parallel to the main road to which I have before referred. This proved of great advantage, as it retarded the enemy some two hours in their flank movement. Breastworks of considerable length were erected by the troops on the headlands of Sugar Creek as if by magic, and a battery near the road-crossing was completely shielded by an extensive earthwork erected under the direction of Col. Davis by a pioneer company commanded by Capt. Sny. der. About two o'clock P.M., Gen. Asboth and Col. Osterhaus reported the arrival of the First and Second divisions. This good news was fol lowed immediately by another report that Gen. Sigel, who had remained behind with a detach ment, had been attacked near Bentonville, and was quite surrounded by the enemy's advance forces. I immediately directed some of the troops to return to his relief. In the mean time he had advanced with his gallant little band, fighting its way within three or four miles of our main forces. The two divisions, turned back in double-quick, and a large cavalry force also started, all being anx ious to join in a rescue of their comrades in peril.

Part of the First division under Col. Osterhaus, soon met the retreating detachment, and immediately opened with artillery and infantry, which checked the further advance and terminated the action for the day. In the retreat and final repulse, which occupied several hours, our loss was some twenty-five killed and wounded.

The enemy must have suffered more, as our artillery had telling effect along the road, and the rebel graves in considerable numbers bear witness of the enemy's loss.

The firing having ceased, I sent back the other troops that had joined the movement, and desig nated the positions on the right, which were promptly occupied by the First and Second divisions.

Our men rested on their arms, confident of hard work on the coming day. The accompany ing map of the battle-ground will fully illustrate the positions then and subsequently assumed.

On my front was the deep, broad valley of Sugar Creek, forming the probable approaches of the enemy. Our troops, extending for miles, and generally occupying the summits of headlands on Sugar Creek. In my rear was a broken plateau, called "Pea Ridge," and still further in my rear

the deep valley of Big Sugar Creek, or "Cross Timbers." My own headquarters and those of Gens. Sigel, Asboth, and other commanders of divisions, were near Pratt's house." The lines A, B, and C show the different fronts assumed during the progress of the battle.

formed under the enemy's fire; the troops generally moving in good order and gallant bearing.

The approach by Bentonville brought the enemy to my extreme right, and during the night of the fifth and sixth he began a movement round my flank by the road above mentioned, which crosses "Pea Ridge" some three miles north-west of the main telegraph road. I ascertained in the morning this flank movement of the enemy, which I perceived was to attack my right flank and rear. I therefore called my commanders of divisions together at General Asboth's tent, and directed a change of front to the rear, so as to face the road, upon which the enemy was still moving. At the same time I directed the organization of a detach-tosh, and other officers of the enemy, who fell ment of cavalry and light artillery, supported by infantry, to open the battle by an attack from my new centre on the probable centre of the enemy before he could fully form. I selected Col. Osterhaus to lead this central column-an officer who displayed great skill, energy, and gallantry each day of the battle.

The change of front thus directed reversed the order of the troops, placing the First and Second divisions on the left, their left still resting on Sugar Creek, Osterhaus and the Third division in the centre, and the Fourth division became the extreme right. While I was explaining the proposed movement to commanders, and Col. Osterhaus was beginning to rally and move forward his attacking column, a messenger brought me intelligence that my picket commanded by Major Weston, of the Twenty-fourth Missouri, had been attacked by infantry. This was at Elkhorn Tavern, where the new right was to rest. Col. Carr being present, he was ordered to move into position and support the Major as soon as possible.

Thus formed, the line was not continuous, but extended entirely across Pea Ridge, the divisions in numerical order, from left to right, Col. Osterhaus remaining in command of a detachment, and operating with Col. Davis in resisting McCulloch and McIntosh, who commanded the enemy's forces in the centre. I did not err in sending Col. Davis to this point, although Col. Carr, on the right, needed reënforcements. The battle raged in the centre with terrible fury. Col. Davis held the position against fearful numbers, and our brave troops nobly stood or charged in steady lines. The fate of the battle depended on success against the flank movement of the enemy, and here, near Lee Town, was the place to break it down. The fall of Gens. McCulloch, McInearly in the day, aided us in our final success at this most critical point; and the steady courage of officers and men in our lines chilled and broke down the hordes of Indian cavalry and infantry that were arrayed against us. While the battle thus raged in the centre, the right wing was sorely pressed, and the dead and wounded were scattered over the field. Col. Carr sent for reenforcements, and I sent him a few cavalry and my body-guard with the little mountain howitzers, under Major Bowen. These did good service at a most critical period. I urged Col. Carr to stand firm, that more forces could be expected soon. Subsequently Col. Carr sent me word that he could not hold his position much longer. I could then only reply by sending him the order to "persevere. He did "persevere," and the sad havoc in the Ninth and Fourth Iowa, and Phelps's Missouri and Major Weston's Twenty-fourth Missouri, and all the troops in that division, will show how earnest and continuous was their perseverance. Seeing no signs of approaching forces by the telegraph road, I sent him three pieces of This was the commencement of the second artillery and a battalion of infantry of Col. Benday's fight. It was about half-past ten o'clock, ton's command, (part of the Third division,) and the officers separated to direct their several which had been located at Sugar Creek to guard commands. The fire increased rapidly on the the approaches. Each small accession to the right, and very soon opened in the centre. After Fourth division seemed to compensate an overvisiting the right, where I perceived the enemy powering force. As to the left, I was repeatedly was making a vigorous attack, and finding Col. informed that it stood safe and firm, although Carr, under a brisk fire of shot and shell, coolly threatened by the foe. About two P.M., my aid, locating and directing the deployment, I return- Capt. Adams, who had communicated with that ed to my central position near Pratt's house, and wing, informed me he had just seen Gens. Sigel sent orders to Col. Davis to move near to Col. and Asboth on Sugar Creek, and there was still Carr, to support him. In the mean time Col. no attack in that quarter and no appearance of Osterhaus had attacked the enemy and divided an enemy. About this time the enemy's forces his forces; but he was soon pressed with greatly melted away in the brushy centre, and the fire superior numbers, that drove back our cavalry, gradually ceased. Believing the left and centre and took our flying battery which had advanced were no longer menaced, and the enemy was with it. The Colonel, however, was well sup-concentrating on the right, I again sent word to ported by his infantry, and soon checked a move- Col. Carr that he would soon be reënforced. I ment that threatened to intercept the deployment had now resolved to bring up the left and centre of other forces. I considered the affair so imminent, I changed my order to Col. Davis, and directed him to move to the support of the centre, which was his proper place according to my order for the change of front. My new line was thus

to meet the gathering hordes at Elkhorn Tavern. To inform myself of the condition of the extreme left, I went in person to that point. On my way I ordered forward the remainder of Col. Benton's command, three pieces and a battalion, which

had remained guarding the crossing of the main telegraph road.

on some reverses on the right, but the left had been unassailed, and the centre had driven the foe from the field.

My only anxiety for the fate of the next day, was the new front which it was necessary to form by my weary troops. I directed Colonel Davis to withdraw all the remainder of his reserve from the centre, and move forward so as to occupy the ground on Carr's immediate left. Although his troops had been fighting hard most of the day, and displayed great energy and courage, at twelve o'clock at night they commenced their movement to the new position on the battlefield, and they, too, soon rested on their arms.

many of them slept within a few yards of the foe, with their dead and wounded comrades I found Gens. Sigel and Asboth with the troops scattered around them. Darkness, silence and on the hill near the extreme left, where all was fatigue soon secured for the weary, broken slumquiet, and the men, not having been under fire,bers and gloomy repose. The day had closed fresh and anxious to participate in the fight. It was now safe to make a new change of front, so as to face Sugar Creek. I therefore ordered this force forward. Gen. Asboth moved by the direct road to Elkhorn Tavern, and Gen. Sigel went by Leetown to reënforce Davis, if need be, but to press on and reënforce Carr, if not needed in the centre. Both generals moved promptly. I accompanied Gen. Asboth, collecting and moving forward some straggling commands that I found by the way. It must have been near five o'clock when I brought the force to the aid of Col. Carr. He had received three or four shots ---one a severe wound in the arm. Many of his field-officers had fallen, and the dead and wounded had greatly reduced his force. He had been slowly forced back near half a mile, and had been about seven hours under constant fire. His troops were still fiercely contesting every inch of ground. As I came up, the Fourth Iowa was falling back for cartridges, in line, dressing on their colors, in perfect order. Supposing with my reënforcements I could easily recover our lost ground, I ordered the regiment to face about. Col. Dodge came up, explaining the want of cartridges, but informed of my purpose, I ordered a bayonet charge, and they moved again with steady nerves to their former position, where the gallant Ninth was ready to support them. These two regiments won imperishable honors.

Nothing further had been heard from General Sigel's command after the message at dark, that he was on or near the left. His detour carried him around a brushy portion of the battle-field, that could not be explored in the night. About two o'clock he reported at my headquarters with his troops, who he said were going to their former camps for provisions. The distance to his camp, some two miles further, was so great I apprehended tardiness in the morning, and urged the General to rest the troops where they then were, at my headquarters, and send for provisions, as the other troops were doing. This was readily concurred in, and these troops bivouacked also for the night. The arrangement thus completed to bring all four of my divisions to face a position which had been held in check all the previous day by one, I rested, certain of the final success on the coming day.

Gen. Asboth had planted his artillery in the road, and opened a tremendous fire on the enemy at short range. The Second Missouri infantry also deployed and earnestly engaged the The sun rose above the horizon before our enemy. About this time the shades of night troops were all in position, and yet the enemy began to gather around us, but the fire on both had not renewed the attack. I was hardly ready sides seemed to grow fierce and more deadly. to open fire on him, as the First and Second diOne of my body-guard fell dead; my Orderly visions had not yet moved into position. Our received a shot, and Gen. Asboth was severely troops that night rested on their arms in the face wounded in the arm. A messenger came from of the enemy. Seeing him in motion, I could not Gen. Sigel, saying he was close on the left, and brook delay, and the centre, under Col. Davis, would soon open fire. The battery of General opened fire. The enemy replied with terrible Asboth run out of ammunition and fell back. energy from new batteries and lines which had This caused another battery that I had located been prepared for us during the night. To avoid on the other side of the road to follow; this raking batteries, the right wing fell back in good latter fearing a want of support. The infantry, order, but kept up a continuous fire from the however, stood firm, or fell back in good order, new position immediately taken. The First and and the batteries were soon restored, but the Second division soon got under way, and moved caissons got quite out of reach. The artillery with great celerity to their position on the left, firing was renewed, however, and kept up till This completed the formation of the line of battle. dark-the enemy firing the last shot, for I could It was directly to the rear of the first, and was not find another cartridge to give them a final quite continuous, much of it on open ground. round; even the little howitzers responded, "No We then had our foe before us where we well cartridges." The enemy ceased firing, and I knew the ground. The broken defiles occupied hurried men after the caissons and more am- by him, would not admit of easy evolutions to munition; meantime I arranged the infantry in repel such as could be made by us on the open the edge of the timber, with fields in front, where plain. Victory was inevitable. As soon as the they lay on their arms and held the position for left wing extended so as to command the mounthe night. I directed a detail from each com-tain, and rest safely upon it, I ordered the right pany to bring water and provisions; and thus, wing to move forward so as to take position without a murmur, these weary soldiers lay, and where I placed it the night previous. I repaired,