The Retreat And Pursuit Of Price

INTERESTING DETAILS.

(Special Correspondence of the Missouri Democrat.)

“CROSS HOLLOWS,” ARK.

Feb. 25th, 1862

I left Springfield at 1 o’clock, p.m., Friday last and reached here Sunday at 5 p.m. having traveled 90 miles in that time.  Everywhere on our route was seen the devastation caused by the march of armies.  From the battle field of Wilson’s Creek to Cassville, I should judge that one half of the dwellings and barns were burned by Price and McCullough when Fremont was supposed to be in pursuit.  The remaining half of the tenements were deserted by Union men last season, who have since been fugitives in Rolla, St. Louis, and throughout Illinois.  These Dwellings were frequently occupied by straggling soldiers, who were very hospitable in offering the traveler the best bed in the house, to-wit: the floor.  This side of Cassville, among the Sugar Creek defiles, we saw where McCullough, in his flight last fall, had a detail of 500 men to fell trees for a distance of several miles across the road to prevent pursuit.  This barricade was eventually removed by the rebels themselves for their own convenience.  The few country people met with on the way gave full particulars of the picket fighting between Curtis’ advance and the rebel rear, as over

“The rugged road the rascals ran.”

Many gallant exploits occurred, and I found our troops, officers and men, exulting over the achievements of the famous retreat and pursuit.  I have obtained from our officers the following brief account of the events up to the Sugar Creek affair:

THE RETREAT AND PURSUIT.

In leaving Springfield, General Price undoubtedly supposed he could make good his retreat without molestation, thinking, most likely, that General Curtis would be so much pleased with the recapture of the town, and that he would remain several days and glorify.  In fact, many of our own officers and men expected as a matter of course the army would halt some time.  But Price had “reckoned without his host,” and our officers did not yet understand their leader.  The same night of our arrival came orders to march at daybreak the following morning, the divisions of Generals Sigel and Asboth taking the Mt. Vernon road, while those of Generals Jeff. C. Davis and Carr took the direct route to Cassville.  Pushing rapidly forward, twelve o’clock of that day found the latter divisions passing the famous battlefield of “Wilson’s Creek, where the enemy had bivouacked the night previous, leaving only that morning.  Here their camp fires were still burning, much of the meat that had been killed for the troops lying about uncooked with every evidence of having left “in something of a hurry.”

The enthusiasm of our troops as they passed this famous place, cannot be described.  All around us were the graves of our own friends, who had sacrificed themselves for the cause; in advance the same identical enemy that murdered Lyon.  All felt that it would have been a pleasure to fight the rebels on the same spot. – Marching on, six o’clock brought us to Dug Springs, where we were preparing to bivouac when a messenger announced that our cavalry had overtaken the enemy, and urging the infantry forward.  Hunger, fatigue and all was forgotten.  Onward we pushed, never halting until twelve o’clock that night.  The division of Gen. Davis was in the advance with the cavalry of Col. Ellis and Major McConnell.  The enemy it seems, had halted on Cane Creek, and here were captured quite a number of prisoners. – First was the rebel. Col. Freeman, who so well known as the marauderer [sic] at Salem, below Rolla.  Our pickets were close upon the enemy’s camp, and Freeman’s horse, escaping from him, ran up the road followed by the colonel.  In a very few moments he was on his way to headquarters. – Soon after came a dapper little Major, walking right up to our pickets and asking if they could show him Gen. Price’s headquarters.  “Certainly” was the reply, and in a trice he was before Gen. Curtis.  Afterwards our men captured an engineer and several other commissioned officers.

Had not the night been so terribly dark, it is more than likely Gen. Curtis would have attacked the enemy, but he determined not to be drawn into an ambuscade.  The troops lay on their arms awaiting the break of day.  At an early hour, February 15th, the column moved forward but during the night Price had again fled, leaving a large proportion of his camp equipage, and a number of wagons.  During that day the chase was very exciting, there being constant skirmishing between our advance and his rear guard. – The road was strewn with broken wagons, dead and dying mules and horses, and every conceivable kind of goods.  At four o’clock in the afternoon, the booming of cannon notified us that Price had made a stand.  The Dubuque battery was pushed forward, and for an hour we had a fine artillery fight.  By the time our infantry got up, the enemy had precipitately fled.  On the 16th inst. we pushed on, finding many evidences of the hasty flight in that day’s march.  During the afternoon our cavalry again overtook the rebels at Cross Timbers, and here was made a gallant charge by Col. Harry Pease and forty men.  Coming on the enemy’s picket they drove it in, dashing at once into the very midst of his camp.  One of our men, a lieutenant of Cavalry, was wounded and five or six horses killed.  The enemy’s loss was much greater. – This charge was really one of the most brilliant things that occurred on the route.  On the 17th inst. we had several skirmishes and at last discovered the enemy in position on the south side of Sugar Creek.  Taking it altogether, the flight of Price, and our pursuit, will form one of the most interesting passages in the history of the war.  Missouri has been freed from the rebels, and the war transferred to Dixie.

THE CAVALRY CHARGE AT SURGAR CREEK.

At Sugar Creek we visited the gallant sufferers wounded near that point in the affair of the 17th, when the cavalry charge was made, which in some respects was as brilliant as any made during the war.  The accounts of the skirmish received at Springfield were in some particulars erroneous.  The valley through which Sugar Creek pursues its meandering course is nearly half a mile in width at Trott’s Store.  From the brow of the opposite ridges the distance is somewhat more, and the road winds.  Skirmishing between the pickets of the two armies occurred during the morning when Price moved out of sight beyond the brown of the southwestern hills.  His army, as was since ascertained, then formed in two lines on both sides of the road, and two Louisiana regiments under command of Col. Louis Herbert, which had arrived from Cross Hollows to reinforce Price, marched with their batteries, determined to give us a warm reception.  Two of the enemy’s cannon were planted on the brow of the hill overlooking sugar creek, and their pieces were also ranged along the road, about two hundred yards apart, for half a mile or more.  These pieces had prolongs attached, indicating that a running fight was intended in case of pursuit.

In the meantime our cavalry formed on the opposite side of the valley and marched across the creek to a point near Trott’s store and halted.  The enemy then opened fire from their batteries.  One shot fell short, and a shell exploded over the heads of our men stationed on the opposite hill doing no damage.  Capt. Haydin, of the 9th Iowa battery, answered the enemy’s fire from the opposite bluff, throwing three shells from a howitzer with such good effect that the enemy were forced to fall back with their battery.  Gen. Curtis then ordered the cavalry to move up the hill and charge on the retreating foe.  The order was gallantly obeyed by Col. Ellis, in command of the First Missouri Cavalry, followed by Major Wright, leading his battalion and Major McConnell, with the third battalion of the Third Illinois Cavalry.  The whole force of our cavalry making the attack numbered some 800.  Gaining the brow of the hill it was ascertained that they had fallen back over a mile to an open field, where their battery was again stationed, and the enemy in force formed in line.

Our cavalry, regardless of danger, plunged forward to the charge on the enemy’s position, mostly screened by the intervening woods. – Nothing could have withstood the impetuosity of such a charge, and not our advance, led by Col. Ellis, when debouching from the woods into the open field, been met by a murderous fire poured in upon their ranks from behind the trees.  Our loss was severe in killed and wounded at this point.  Inevitable destruction, without a chance to resist so galling a fire, caused our brave me to recoil, when Col. Ellis, with great coolness and presence of mind ordered his men to right and left and scour the woods.  The order was obeyed with telling effect on the enemy, many of whom were cut down behind their places of concealment and the rest fled. – Meantime, Major McConnell, with his battalion left the road, and deploying to the left advanced on the enemy’s line, while majors Wright and Boliver performed the same manoeuvre on the right.

Two regiments of infantry arrived to support the cavalry, and formed in line.  Col. Phelps’s regiment deployed on the left of the road, and Lieut. Col. Herron, with the Ninth Iowa deployed on the right.  Capt. Hayden, of the Dubuque battery, answered the enemy’s batteries, which had opened upon our advancing columns, with a brisk fire.  The cannonading was kept up for a few minutes, when the enemy precipitately fled, taking away most of his killed.  Other regiments were coming into the field to take part in the ball.  Among the latter was the Fourth Iowa; the men anxious for the fray had pulled off their coats and threw them aside.  There is little doubt that if the rebels had been followed up closely, the rout would have been complete and no time would have been given to them to burn their barracks at Cross Hollows.  As I have given a list so far as ascertained of our killed and wounded, it is unnecessary to repeat it.

The Col. Herbert who commanded the rebel brigade was the gentleman of California notoriety, who slew the waiter at Willard’s Hotel, a few years since.  The other Confederate Colonels under him in the fight were McRae and McNair.  Several Instances of daring are mentioned, which I have not time to relate.  Among the badly wounded is J. A. Edwards, of Company H, Eighth Indiana.  He belonged to the infantry, but getting possession of a horse was the foremost in the fight, running the gauntlet of the leaden hail which poured in upon him from the timber, without quailing.  He got ahead of the cavalry, and was cut off by the enemy.  He is wounded in the elbow, and his thigh badly shattered.

The hospital steward of the 3rd Illinois Cavalry (Baker) had is horse shot down.  He fell with the horse, dismounted and leaped upon another horse in the melee, and rushed forward on the enemy with renewed vigor.  Like Edwards, he had no business in the fight, but nothing could keep him from pushing to the front and have a “hand” in.

A man belonging to the Dubuque battery had his horse’s head taken off by a cannon ball. – He was leaning forward at the moment, and the ball passed just above him, doing no injury.

In passing where the battle raged the hottest, we noticed the carcasses of some twenty dead horses strewn along the road.

A SCENE OF DESOLATION.

The inhabitants along the route from Cassville to this point were told by Price’s army that the Northern troops were marching down and were burning all the Houses, ravishing the women and killing the children.  These ignorant people, it seems, believed the silly tale, and the result is that a general stampede took place.  Men procured teams, gathered up what little valuables could be carried along, and taking their families abroad, deserted their homes. – Only three men were found in Cassville when our army arrived.

Lieut.-Col. Holland, of the 24th Missouri, left in command of the post, sent word to these people that they should not be molested, nor even required to take the oath.  Several of the terror-stricken inhabitants returned and satisfied themselves that we were not the kind of barbarians as represented to be by our remorseless enemies.

At Keetsville nearly all the inhabitants fled. – From that point to Cross Hollows about two thirds of the inhabitants on the road have deserted their dwellings.  In several houses the tables were spread for breakfast, and in the hurry of flight were thus left.  The wash tub was seen filled with water on the back of the chair, indicating that the hegira occurred, as it actually did, on “washing day.”  I took a survey of a very respectable looking frame dwelling thus deserted.  The doors were ajar, the clock on the mantle-piece had ceased ticking, feather beds were piled in the center of the floor, all sorts of furniture were scattered about and not a sound was heard but the mewing of a cat.  An air of lonesome, heart-sick desolation prevailed.  One large dwelling was recently burned down, and the ruins were still smoking.  Surely the leaders in this cursed civil war will have much to answer for.

STAMPEDE FROM CROSS HOLLOWS.

The stampede of these deluded people was exceeded by the hurry of the rebel army, to get away.

Camp Benjamin, located in a beautiful place three miles west of Cross Hollows, in the principal valley, had 108 commodious huts erected with chimneys in the center.  The rebels burned all but five, and in the hurry of their flight left thirty game cocks; some of those brandished silver spurs.  Their best fighting material was thus evidently left behind.  A book containing the general orders, and a quantity of brass knuckles were also left behind by the chivalry. It is a wonder to our troops why the two grist mills at this point were not fired.

AN OLD HECTOR MAKES HIS APPEARANCE.

Ben. McCulloch arrived from Ft. Smith the day before the fight, at Sugar Creek, but did not participate in any part of the action, except the retreat.  He insisted on making a stand at Cross Hollows, but Price objected.  His habit of running is so inveterate as to become in all respects a “second nature.”

OUR LOCATION.

Our line extends ten miles.  The right, under Sigel, resting on the Osage Springs, and the left under Col. Carr, extending to Camp Benjamin, Col. Carr’s headquarters ate at Cross Hollows.  The region east, eighteen miles, to War Eagle Creek, is broken, intersected by but few paths, rendering it impracticable for an enemy to turn our left, so that our position at present, with one half the force, would be considered perfectly secure.

THE UNION FEELING.

Benton county was nearly unanimously opposed to the calling of the Convention, which carried, by a juggle, the State over to the Confederates, and it has been stated that a suppressed Union feeling generally prevails.  From the fact that the Union sentiment has received no encouragement from the Government for so long a period, it came very nearly being squelched out but constant rebel pressure.  But as this pressure is being lifted like a dark fog from a meadow, the friends of the glorious old Union once more are seen flourishing in the sunbeams. – Confidence in our cause is being restored, and people are coming in daily to report themselves.  Four citizens from Fayetteville visited our camp yesterday, and reported to head quarters.  I have no doubt that the refugees who lately fled on our approach will return to their homes, to gain back under the protection of the Stars and Stripes, and the reign of law and order.

A COURT MARTIAL.

In order to restore confidence in our honor and justice, everything savoring of pillage and the wanton destruction of property by an unlicensed soldiery should be severely punished by the strong arm of military power.

In this connection, I may mention that great satisfaction is generally expressed in the promptness in which General Curtis has convened a court martial for the trial of the misguided persons who wickedly set fire to Bentonville.  Unless this was done, the act of some few reckless individuals would cause a stigma to rest on our army, difficult to eradicate from the minds of the very sensitive people of this State.

A RECONNOITERING EXPEDITION.

General Asboth was sent last Saturday on a reconnoitering expedition to Fayetteville with the cavalry.  The grist mills and half a dozen other buildings were destroyed by Price when passing through.  The inhabitants expressed a wish that our troops would occupy the place. – From a Fayetteville paper of the 15th there is no indication of the advance of the Union army.  Gen. Asboth has hoisted the stars and stripes, and calls for reinforcements.

ANOTHER RECONNOITERING PARTY.

Col. Dodge made a visit with a small squad of cavalry to the War Eagle Creek, eighteen miles east.  Several fine mills were found.  The owner of Von Winkle’s mill, an Eastern man, was killed by the secesh, and his wife had been detained a prisoner.  The shaft of this mill was broken by the rebels, but Blackburn’s and Winsel’s mills were in running order.  Five thousand bushels of corn were found in the latter.

EXTENSION HERE OF TELEGRAPH LINE.

The telegraph poles between Springfield and Fayetteville are standing.  When the line is finished to the former place, it will be evident that it ought to be continued to this point, thereby putting us in this out of the way point at present, in direct communication with St. Louis.

A TRANSFER.

I am informed that Col. Boyd and the Twenty-Fourth Missouri will return to Rolla to garrison that post, and that General Wyman will come forward with the gallant Thirteenth Illinois regiment.

A SIGN.

Several Regiments have sent back for their tents and camp equipage.  This an indication that we have taken hold of the rebel plow and do not design to turn our back to the great work before us.

A REIGN OF TERROR.

Two intelligent women arrived at Colonel Carr’s headquarters last evening.  They left home south of Fayetteville, five days since, and represent that their husbands were Union men who fled to avoid being pressed into rebel service.  The threat was made that the wives of such who favor the union cause would be hung, and many of these poor women were trying to make their escape from the threatened doom.  The day before these women left home there were five Union men handed at Hewett’s Mill.

The women were piloted through to our lines by an intelligent contraband, the trusty slave of their father.  This negro says that the retreat of Price was preceded by dispatches sent ahead calling every citizen to arms.  A perfect reign of terror prevails.  Committees were appointed to hang every man refusing to join the rebel army.  People were removing their provisions to the woods and burying them and fleeing in large numbers to the mountains.  By a recent act no negro must be found beyond his master’s premises under pain of thirty-nine lashes administered on his bare back.  A few weeks since, five negroes caught fishing together in a stream twelve miles from Fayetteville, were hung, and their bird pecked carcasses can be seen swinging in the air to this day as a warning to others.

The negroes are told that the Northern abolitionists are trying to get them in their power for the purpose of transporting them to Cuba.  This negro says that the war has made the Southern men “mighty temperate,” none but the vilest of corn whisky can be procured. – The “quality” are suffering headache from being deprived of their accustomed beverage, coffee.  Sassafras tea, used as a substitute sweetened with sorghum, was not generally relished.  Coffee in Fayetteville held at 50 cents a pound, and none could be had even at that price.  Sheeting and shirting was worth one dollar a yard.  The Negro made a statement to General Curtis, and gave the latter a plan showing the roads through the Boston Mountains.  Full confidence is placed in his statement.  The two women and negro were sent forward to Springfield.

FAYEL.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 3