Colonel Grenville M. Dodge to Samuel J. Kirkwood, Governor of Iowa, March 10, 1862

PEA RIDGE BATTLE GROUND, March 10th, 1862.

Gov. S. J. Kirkwood: We have fought a hard battle here, lasting two days; the first day's fight was terrible; it was mostly with the Fourth division, composed of Fourth and Ninth Iowa infantry, First and Second Iowa batteries, Thirty-fifth Illinois and Twenty-fifth Missouri. The loss in the division was 600 killed and wounded, mostly among the Iowa troops; they saved the day and made the victory the next morning easy; this division was opposed to Generals Price, Rains and McIntosh, with 15,000 infantry and 18 pieces of artillery. The Fourth division had only some 4,000 engaged, while our other forces were fighting McCullough, and the re-enforcements sent to us went to the First division, but we held the ground, whipped the enemy and Iowa got the glory of the fight. The Fourth Iowa lost 160 out of 548 engaged; Ninth Iowa lost 220 out of 700 engaged; First Iowa battery lost 16 out of 110 engaged, and Third Iowa battery lost 18 out of 140 engaged; they also lost 3 of their pieces. The second day we attacked early in the morning with our entire army, driving everything before us, and the enemy fled in all directions in great confusion, leaving several pieces of artillery, great quantities of small arms and at least 500 prisoners. Gen. Van Dorn attacked with 40,000 infantry and 70 pieces of artillery; we had 12,000, and 50 pieces of artillery. The fighting was terrible, especially among our troops. The Fourth Iowa fought all day steadily, and did not give an inch, although they had at one time concentrated upon them 12 pieces of artillery and six regiments of infantry; our ammunition gave out at night; when we fixed bayonets and charged across the field the enemy did not dare again meet us. It was a trying time for the Fourth; no ammunition and still under a galling fire. Every one gives great credit to the Iowa troops. No man from Iowa flinched. I saw some troops run; one or two parts of regiments came to our support, but fell back at the first fire. In my brigade there was not a field officer except one but was wounded. Lt.-Col. Herron, of Ninth Iowa, in Vandever's brigade, was wounded and taken prisoner. Our Iowa batteries did noble service; mine had two officers wounded in the morning. The Third Iowa cavalry suffered terribly in a charge; had 47 killed. They were put into it by a Dutchman, and out of all military usage. Lt.-Col. Trumbull was severely wounded in the charge. They had very few wounded; a large part of my wounded was from canister and grape; those of the Ninth Iowa from bullets. I was better protected from bullets, though under a hotter fire than any of them. I posted my men behind an open field and made the enemy cross it to reach us. They poured their grape and canister from 12 to 18 guns into us all the time, but could not get them to bear as well as on the Ninth Iowa. I never saw men fight as the Iowa troops did. I have sent a list of the killed and wounded to Adjt. Gen. Baker to have it published. A large number of my wounded will die; several have already, and it is impossible to get any accommodation; many lay on the field all night.

G. M. DODGE,

Colonel Fourth Iowa Infantry.

SOURCES: Samuel H. M. Byers, Iowa In War Times, p. 121

Battle in Arkansas!

Price, McCulloch, Van Dorn and Frost Defeated.

McCULLOCH MORTALLY WOUNDED!!

ST. LOUIS, March 11. – The following is Gen. Curtis’ official report of the battle in Arkansas:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE SOUTHWEST,

PEA RIDGE, ARK., March 9, 1862.

To Major General Halleck:

General:  On Thursday, the 6^th inst., the enemy commenced an attack on my right, assailing and following the rear guard of the detachment under Gen. Sigel to near the main lines on Sugar Creek Hollow.  He ceased firing when he met my reinforcements about 4 P. M.  During the night I heard by scouts that he had marched on so as to attack my right in the rear, therefore early on the 7^th I ordered a change of front to the right and my right, which thus became my left, still rested on Sugar Creek Hollow. – This brought my line across Pea Ridge, with my new right resting on the head of Cross Timber Hollow, which is the head of Big Sugar Creek.  Also ordered an immediate advance of Cavalry and light artillery under Col. Osterhouse, with orders to attack and break what I supposed would be a reinforced line of the enemy.

This movement was in progress when the enemy at 11 a. m., commenced an attack on my right.  The fight continued mainly at these points during the day.  The enemy having gained a point hotly contested by Col. Carr at Cross Timber Hollow, but was entirely repulsed with the fall of their commander, Gen. McCulloch, in the charge of our forces under Col. Davis.  The plan of attack on the centre was gallantly carried forward by Col. Ostrahouse [sic] who was sustained by Col. Davis and the entire division; also by Gen. Sigel’s command which had remained till almost the close of the day on the left.  Col. Carr’s division held the right under a galling and continuous fire all day.

In the evening, the firing having entirely ceased in the centre and there having been none on the left, I reinforced the right by a portion of the second division under Gen. Asboth.  Before the day closed I was convinced that the enemy had concentrated his main force on my right.  I therefore commenced another change of my front, formed so as to face the enemy, when he deployed on my right flank in strong position.  The change had been only partly effected but was fully in progress, when at sunrise on the 7^th my right and centre renewed firing along the whole extent of the line, my left, under Gen. Sigel, moved close to the hills occupied by the enemy, driving him from the heights, advancing slowly towards the head of the hollow.

I immediately ordered the center and right wings forward, the right turning the left of the enemy, and cross fired on his center.  This position enclosed the enemy in an area of a circle.  A charge of infantry extending throughout the whole line completely routed the whole rebel force which retired in great confusion but rather safely, through the deep and impassable defiles of Cross Timber.

Our loss is heavy; the enemy’s loss can never be ascertained, for the dead are scattered over a large field, and their wounded too, may many of them be lost and perish.  They are scattered in all directions; but I think his main wing has returned to Benton Mountains.

Gen. Sigel follows towards Kirtsville, while my cavalry is pursuing him towards the mountains, scouring the country and bringing in prisoners.

Major General Van Dorn had command of the entire force at this battle of Pea Ridge.

I have not as yet the statements of the dead and wounded so as to justify a dispatch, but I will refer you to a dispatch that I will forward very soon.  The officers and soldiers in this command have displayed such unusual gallantry, I hardly dare to make any distinction.  I must however name all of my commanders of divisions.  Gen. Sigel who gallantly carried the heights and drove back the left wing of the enemy.  Brig. Gen. Asboth who was wounded in the arm in his gallant effort to reinforce the right.  Colonel and Acting Brigadier General Davis who commanded the centre when McCullough fell on the 7^th, and pressed forward the centre on the 8^th.  Col. And Acting Brig. Gen. E. Carr, who was also wounded in the arm and was under the continuous fire of the enemy during the two hardest days of the struggle.  Also commanders of brigades, Cols. Dodge, Osterhause and Vandever; while that of Schiffer and Grupel were distinguished for their gallantry  For that of others I must refer to the reports of commanders.  I must also tender my thanks to my staff officers, Capts. J. S. McKenny, A. A. Adj’t., Capt. McStark, and Capt. John A. Hale and Field, and Lieuts. J. M. Adams and Stills, all acting aids, and Lieut. Hooper, my only engineer officer.

All the staff officers did gallant service in carrying orders and aiding in their prompt execution.

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Missouri may proudly share the honor of the Victory which their gallant heroes won over the combined forces of Van Dorn, price and McCullough at Pea Ridge, in the Ozark mountains of Arkansas.

I have the honor to be, General,

Your obedient servant,

(Signed)

SAM’L R. CURTIS,

Brigadier General.

A special to the St. Louis Democrat from Sugar Creek, says after a contest of three days duration, we have beaten the enemy at Sugar Creek Hollow.  Their forces consisted of Van Dorn’s, Price’s, McCullough and Frost’s commands, and were forced to retreat in wild confusion, with the loss of a considerable number of cannon, flour, muskets, ammunition, caissons, &c., &c.

Their forces are variously estimated at from 20,000 to 30,000.  McCulloch is ascertained to be mortally wounded, as well as McIntosh and Rector.  The latter is a son of the Governor of Arkansas.  McRae and a number of other persons are prisoners in our hands, and a large number of the rank and file.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

Reliable Details of the Fight

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

CAIRO, April 10.

We are just beginning to get some reliable details from the great battle at Pittsburg.  From several gentlemen who were on the field afterwards on in the fight, the following are gathered and sent.  Our informant left the battle field on Wednesday morning at 5 o’clock:

The rebels Attacked Prentiss’s brigade 4 o’clock on Sunday morning, while they were at breakfast.  It consisted of the 61^st Illinois, 16^th Wisconsin, 24^th Indiana and 71^st Ohio.  The rebels were said to be 120,000 strong.  Prentiss had no artillery.  His brigade was cut to pieces, and forced to retire, with Prentiss and many other prisoners.  At 12 m. the entire line was fiercely engaged, but in full retreat.

At 4 p. m. the enemy had taken Swartz’s battery – 6 guns, Dresden’s, of 4 guns, Waterhouse’s battery, 2 rifled Ohio 56-guns, and another Ohio battery.  Thousands of our soldiers had taken refuge under the bank of the river, and utterly refused to fight – in fact they could not, for officers and men were in inextricable confusion, and the army seemed utterly demoralized.

Gen. Mitchell’s [sic] division, about this time arrived on the opposite shore with 15,000 men, who were ferried across during the night.

The gunboats Lexington and Tyler opened a tremendous fire of shell upon the enemy, and kept it up every half hour during the night, saving the army from utter ruin. – They set the woods on fire, and many of the rebels were burned.  At 7 the firing generally ceased.  At midnight the rebels attempted to plant a battery within three hundred yards of our siege guns, but they were driven back by the gunboats and siege guns, supported by three regiments of Mitchell’s division.

Our informants persist in estimating our loss on Sunday at 3,000 killed and 5,000 wounded as a low figure.  It was undoubtedly tremendous.  During the night the rebels were reinforced by Price and Van Dorn from Arkansas, with a very large force.

Gen. Lew Wallace came up from Crump’s Landing with the 18^th and 23d Ind., 44^th Ill., 8^th Mo and Willard’s battery, and in the morning fiercely attacked the left wing of the enemy.  They went into the fight on the double quick with tremendous shouts, and did terrible execution.  By 10 o’clock they had driven the rebels back two miles.  The battery performed prodigies of valor.

About 10 o’clock the rebels were reinforced, and for a few minutes our gallant boys were forced to yield.

The other divisions of Buell’s army now appeared and at once became fully engaged, and for two hours all the destructive elements of earth seamed striving for the mastery on that fatal field.  Southern chivalry proved no match for the unflinching courage of the army of freedom, and the rebels fled in all directions with some 12,000 troops.  Gen. Buell followed the fugitives taking thousands of prisoners and smiting without mercy those who would not surrender.  He was reported to have taken Corinth with all the immense stores of arms and ammunition.  Carson, the scout had his head torn off on Monday by a round shot.

The rebel troops were mostly from Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi, with many from Georgia and Alabama.  They fought like tigers.  Our informant could ride through the battle field where our forces were posted, but the dead were so thick in the enemy’s line that they could not do it.  They assure us that the rebels surprised our camps on Sunday night, took care of our sick and wounded, but destroyed nothing, expecting confidently to have our entire army the next day.  They thought the battle already won on Sunday.

Gen. McClernand cut his way through the enemy that had surrounded him.  Most of his troops behaved with great gallantry; but the 53^rd Ohio was ordered to the rear in disgrace for refusing to fight.

Capt. Harvy of Bloomington, Illinois is among the killed.

Our informants were assured by those who know the man, that John C. Breckenridge was taken Prisoner.  They saw him pass to the General’s quarters.

It is impossible to get lists of the killed and wounded.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 12, 1862, p. 2

From Arkansas

ROLLA, Mo., March 29.

Reliable persons just from the army in the Southwest, say the rebels, some thirty-five thousand, under Van Dorn and Price, have retreated entirely across the Boston Mountains, and are at Van Buren and Fort Smith, receiving supplies from Memphis and Little Rock via Arkansas river, which is high.

The Texan Troops are much disheartened at the death of McCulloch, and the Arkansas Troops feel the loss of McIntosh very much.  The rebels are badly off for shoes and clothing.

Pike’s Indians have mostly returned to the Indian nation.  They were not formidable in battle, being panic-stricken at the effect of our artillery.

Price received his Major General’s commission in the Confederate service on the 16^th.  One regiment of Texans reached Van Buren on the 15^th to reinforce Van Dorn, and more were expected from Louisiana.  The whole rebel reinforcements will not exceed five thousand in the next six weeks.

Lieut. Co. Herron, of the 9^th Iowa who was taken prisoner, was in the hands of the rebels for two weeks.  They were badly frightened and retreated very rapidly, and for the three first days of their flight had nothing to eat.  Their cannon and baggage train might have been easily captured.  Gen. Curtis’ army fell back to Keitsville, to secure forage, Arkansas, North of Fayetteville being entirely out.

Our forces are now camped at the head of Cross Timber Hollow, where the water and forage are plenty.  Our pickets extend into Arkansas and the rebel pickets come north to the top of Boston Mountains. – Fayetteville is unoccupied.  Very little union sentiment has been developed in Arkansas.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 31, 1862, p. 1

The Pea Ridge Battle

ROLLA, March 16.

The remains of Col. Hendricks, of the 29^th Indiana, killed at the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, arrived here yesterday, accompanied by his brother and two or three other gentlemen, who left the battle-ground on the Monday following the battle.  They represent the contest as a terrible one.  The rebels fought desperately, using stones in their cannon when their shot gave out.  Their force is stated at 35,000, including 22,000 Indians under Albert Pike.  As near as could be ascertained, our loss is 600 killed, and 800 to 1,000 wounded.

The rebel surgeons, who came to dress the wounds of their fallen, acknowledge a loss of 1,100 killed and from 2,500 to 3,000 wounded.

We took 1,600 prisoners, and 13 pieces of artillery, ten of which were captured by Gen. Sigel’s command, and three by Col. Patterson’s brigade.

Two of our cannon, belonging to Davidson’s battery, were taken by the rebels, but were recaptured by our troops.  The rebels were completely whipped, on division under price going in one direction, and the other, under Van Dorn, taking another.

Maj. Hebart, of one of the Louisiana regiments, who was taken prisoner, says that Gen. Frost, of Camp Jackson notoriety, was killed.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 2

From St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, March 16.

A special to the Democrat, dated on board the transport Alps, Hickman, Ky., 18^th, contains the following from Southern papers:

The Memphis Appeal says that two rebel transports ran Gen. Pope’s battery at Point Pleasant on Wednesday last.

A letter from New Madrid of the 11^th, pronounces the fort at that point impregnable; that it would be made the American Thermopylae.  This, however, did not prevent the rebels from evacuating the place as soon as Pope contracted his lines around it.

The Florence Gazette says that the Federals have landed a large force at Savannah, on the Tennessee river.

The Appeal also contains a dispatch dated Clarksville, Ark., 12^th, which says that Van Dorn and Price’s armies, with their baggage train, are save in Boston Mountains.

ST. LOUIS, March 14.

A dispatch from Savannah, Tenn., to the Democrat, says the expedition up the Tennessee river have nearly all arrived here, and the fleet is now on the point of proceeding further up the river.

The expedition is commanded by Gen. C. F. Smith, with Gens. Sherman, McClernand, Hurlbut and Wallace as division commanders.  The force is large and fully able to conquer any army the rebels can bring against it.

Gen. Grant remains in command at Fort Henry.

The enemy’s force in this section is variously estimated at from 30,000 to 100,000 men.

Gen. Wallace’s division went to Purdy, McMary county, yesterday, burned the bridge and took up the tracks leading from Humboldt to Corinth, Miss., cutting off a train heavily laden with troops, which arrived just as the bridge was burning.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 2

The Iowa Boys

Just as everybody predicted, at the recent great battle in Arkansas, when Gen. Curtis, of Iowa, met the horde of rebels under the combined generalship of Price, McCulloch, Van Dorn and McIntosh and defeated them, the Iowa boys led in the contest and were the chief suffers.  In the commencement of hostilities, the 1^st regiment organized in our State, carved out a name for Iowa on the plains of Springfield, and ever since it has been the ambition of her sons to keep that name untarnished before the world.  They have done it; the bloody fields of Belmont, Mill Spring, Fort Donelson and Sugar Creek attest their bravery, while Missouri can “rise up and call them blessed” for the noble manner in which they have defended her when basely betrayed by her own citizens.  If the Iowa troops continue to maintain the high stand for bravery and patriotic devotion to their country which have thus far characterized them, when the rebellion shall have ceased and peace once more spreads her banner over us and all the industrial pursuits of the country are resumed, Iowa will be an honored name in the nation, and next to that proudest title ever uttered by mortal man, “I am a citizen of the United States,” will rank the appellation, “I am a citizen of Iowa.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 2

Special to St. Louis Republican

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. March 10.

A Messenger who arrived this morning at 3 0’clo9ck, reports that the battle lasted from Thursday morning till Saturday evening, that our loss was about 450 killed and wounded, and that the rebels lost about 1,000 killed and wounded and the same number taken prisoners, among them Col. McRea of an Arkansas regiment.

The attack was made from the north and west, our army being completely surrounded, and Van Dorn, Price, McCulloch and McIntosh were present, with about 25,000 men.  McCulloch and McIntosh are reported wounded.

The attack from the rear was made by McCulloch, and met by Sigel, who wounded him completely – his corps scattered in wild confusion.

We have also captured a large amount of stores, teams, cannon, small arms and ammunition.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 13, 1862, p. 2

Official Report of the Battle of Pea Ridge

ST. LOUIS, March 11.

The following is Gen. Curtis’s official report of the battle in Arkansas:

(By telegraph from Springfield, Mo., 10^th, to Maj. Gen. Halleck.)

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE SOUTH

WEST PEA RIDGE, Ark., March 9.

GENERAL:  On Thursday the 6^th inst. the enemy commenced an attack on my right, assailing and following the rear guard of the detachment, under Gen. Sigel, to my main lines on Sugar Creek hollow, but he ceased firing when he met my reinforcements about 4 p.m.  During the night I became convinced that he had moved on so as to attack my right or rear; therefore, early on the 7^th I ordered a change of front to the right, and my right which thus became my left still rested on Sugar Creek hollow.  This brought my line across Pea Ridge, with my new right resting on the head of Cross timber hollow, which is the head of Big Sugar Creek.

I also ordered an immediate advance of cavalry and light artillery, under Col. Osterhaus, with orders to attack and break what I supposed would be a reinforced line of the enemy.  This movement was in progress when the enemy at 11 a. m. commenced an attack on my right.  The fight continued mainly at these points during the day, the enemy having gained a point hotly contested by Col. Carr at the cross timber hollow, but was entirely repulsed with the fall of their commander, Gen. McCulloch, in the center by our forces under Col. Davis.

The plan of the attack on the center was gallantly carried forward by Col. Osterhaus, who was sustained by Col. Davis’ entire division, supported by Gen. Sigel’s command, which had remained till near the close of the day on the left.  Col. Carr’s division held the right under a galling and continuous fire all day.  In the evening the firing having entirely ceased in the center, and there having been none on the left I reinforced the right, by a portion of the second division under Gen. Asboth.  Before the day closed I was convinced the enemy had concentrated their main force on my right.  I therefore commenced another change of my front forward, so as to face the enemy where he had deployed on my right flank in strong position.  The change had been only partially effected, but was fully in progress, when at sunrise on the 8^th, my right center renewed the firing with renewed energy along the whole extent of the line.  My left, under Gen. Sigel, moved close to the hills occupied by the enemy, driving him from the heights and advancing steadily towards the head of the hollow.  I immediately ordered the center and right wings forward – the right turning the left of the enemy and cross firing on his center.  This final position enclosed the enemy in an area of a circle.  A charge of infantry extending throughout the whole line completely routed the whole rebel force, which retired in great confusion, but rather safely, through the deep and impassible defiles of cross timber.  Our loss is heavy.  The enemy’s loss can never be ascertained, for the dead are scattered over a large field, and their wounded too may many of them be lost and perish.  The foe is scattered in all directions, but I think his main force has returned to Boston Mountians.

Gen. Sigel follows toward Keitsville, while my cavalry is pursuing him toward the mountains, scouring the country, bringing in prisoners and trying to find the rebel Maj. Gen. Van Dorn who had command of the entire force at the battle of Pea Ridge.

I have not as yet the statements of the dead and wounded, so as to justify a dispatch, but I will refer you to a dispatch I will forward very soon.  The officers and soldiers in this command displayed such universal gallantry, I hardly dare to make a distinction.  I must however name all of my commanders of divisions.  Gen. Sigel, who gallantly carried the heights and drove back the left wing of the enemy, Brig. Gen. Asboth, who was wounded in the arm in his gallant effort to reinforce the right, Col. and acting Brig. Gen. Davis, who commanded the center on the 7^th and pressed forward the center on the 8^th, Col. and acting Brig. Gen. E. A. Carr, who is wounded in the arm and was under the continuous fire of the enemy during the two hardest days of the struggle, and also commanders of Brigades, Cols. Doyle, Osterhaus and Vandever, while that of Schoffer and Greusel were distinguished for their gallantry.  For that of others I must refer to reports of commanders.  I must also tender my thanks to my staff officers, Capt. J. S. McKinney, A. A. A. G., Capa., W. H. Stark and Capt. John Ablefeldt, and Lieuts. J. M. Adarus and Stitto, all acting aids, and Lieut. N. Heeper, my only engineer officer.

All the staff officers did gallant service in carrying orders and aiding in their prompt execution.  Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Missouri may proudly share the honor of the victory which their gallant heroes won over the combined forces of Van Dorn, Price and McCulloch at Pea Ridge, in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas.

I have the honor to be, General, Your obedient servant,

SAML. R. CURTIS, Brig. Gen.

A special to the St. Louis Democrat, from Sugar Creek says: After a contest of three days’ duration we have beaten the enemy at Sugar Creek Hollow.  Their force consisted of Van Dorn’s, Price’s, McCulloch’s and Frost’s commands, who were forced to retreat in wild confusion, with the loss of a considerable number of cannon, flour, muskets, ammunition, &c.  Their force is variously estimated from 20,000 to 30,000.

McCulloch is ascertained to be mortally wounded, as well as McIntosh and Reiter.  The latter is a son of the Governor of Arkansas.

McRae and a number of other prominent men are prisoners in our hands, besides a large number of rank and file.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 12, 1862, p. 1

Terrible Battle

ST. LOUIS, March 10.

The following is an official dispatch:

To Major-General McClellan, Washington:

The army of the South-west, Under Gen. Curtis, after three day’s hard fighting, has gained a most glorious victory over the combined forces of Van Dorn, McCulloch, Price and McIntosh.  Our loss in killed and wounded is estimated at 1,000; that of the enemy still larger.  Guns, prisoners, &c., captured in large quantities.  Our cavalry are in pursuit of the flying enemy.

Signed,

H. W. HALLECK,

Maj. Gen’l.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 1

From Missouri

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., March 1.

Special to Mo. Republican.

On Wednesday night, Capt. Montgomery of Wright’s battalion, with his company was surprised at Keitsville by 850 rebels, supposed to belong to McBride’s division, but who represented themselves as Texan rangers.  They fired into a house occupied by our men, killing two and wounding one.  One of the rebels was killed and the balance fled, taking with them about 70 horses.  Two wagons loaded with sutler’s stores were burned the same night, at a farm two miles beyond Keitsville.

Cols. Ellis and Wright, with adequate cavalry force, were sent to Keitsville.

Price had burned several public buildings at Fayetteville, including the arsenal, lead factory, several flouring mills and 100,000 pounds of flour.  Many inhabitants along the road have fled, deceived by the lies of Price, that all would be butchered.

Strong Union feeling is exhibited by those remaining.  An old soldier of 1812 brought out a Union flag long kept concealed.

The fear that the combined forces of Price, Van Dorn, McCulloch, McIntosh and Pike will again overrun the country, keeps thousands from avowing their sentiments.  Price, after a hot chase, is cooling off in Boston Mountains, and Ben. McCulloch is on this side.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 6, 1862, p. 1

Cairo Budget

CAIRO, May 21. – The steamer Newton arrived from the Tennessee river this morning.  She brings no news of importance.

A large squad of expelled correspondents came down as passengers.  The others will follow immediately.

Memphis papers of the 17th, announce the arrival of the Federal fleet at Vicksburg.  It was moving up the river, and had been successful.  Ft. Adams is about 100 miles below Vicksburgh, and the presumption was that a fight had taken place there.

The news of the evacuation of Ft. Pillow, and the retreat of the Rebels to Randolph, is received here with every demonstration of delight.  The impression prevails that the defences of Randolph were constructed last summer and are very extensive and formidable, the armament having been replaced so hastily, the place will not long withstand the Federal assault.  Probably the move was only made as a step towards the final evacuation of the river.

OFF FT. PILLOW via CAIRO, May 21. – Specials say that it was made apparent yesterday that it was clearly evident that the enemy had evacuated Fort Pillow and fallen back on Fort Randolph, a strong fortification on the 3d Chickasaw bluff, 12 miles below their former position. 

Officers of the flotilla who went down the river yesterday, with a flag of truce, returned with the startling intelligence that neither troops nor gunboats were visible, and that Ft. Pillow and the river below, as far as the eye could reach, were deserted.  The flag of truce was sent down for the purpose of completing an exchange of prisoners, which was begun some time ago at Corinth.

Preparations were immediately entered into for a reconnaissance by the gunboats to the vicinity of the Fort.  Towards evening, however, a rebel craft made its appearance around Craighead point, with a flag of truce.  The steamer Kennett, having on board the rebels soldiers to be released, then went to meet her.  No explanation was offered, and although our own flag of truce was not answered in the morning, the prisoners were given up and the steamer returned.

Taking all the circumstances into consideration, there is not the least doubt but that the Rebels have evacuated Fort Pillow.

In their new position, they can maintain a more thorough defense, and be less exposed to the deadly fire of our mortars.  Ft. Randolph as the Rebels call it, or more properly Ft. Wright, consists of a succession of long earth works and batteries on the 2d Chickasaw bluff, 65 miles above Memphis, and just opposite the southern extremity of Island No. 34.  The fortifications were constructed early last autumn, but the guns were subsequently removed to Ft. Pillow.

It is expected that to-day, a reconnnoissance of our gunboats will be made, with a view of ascertaining the new position of the rebels.

CAIRO, May 22. – Two refugees from Corinth arrived to-day.  They state that there about 130,000 rebel troops at Corinth, - that Beauregard was there ten days ago.  They report a scarcity of provisions and forage.  There are no fortifications at Granada or Grand Junction.  [Recruits] raised by conscript act are reinforcing Beauregard.

Large numbers of Union citizens are making their way North, mostly on foot, suffering great privations.

The report of the evacuation of Fort Pillow has been confirmed, but the opinion is general among naval officials that the rebels retired to Ft. Randolph.  Their gunboat[s] have retired down the river.

No arrivals from Pittsburg Landing.

The Desoto, from the flotilla, arrived this morning, but brings no additional news of importance.  A flag of truce came up from the rebel fleet yesterday morning, and returned and came up again in the afternoon, but the object of the mission was not ascertained.

The opinion still prevails that Fort Pillow has been evacuated, although nothing definite has been divulged to determine facts.

Twenty two refugees from Corinth arrived this morning – one of them left the Rebel camp last Wednesday.  He reports that Gen. Beauregard was still in command, and had about 130,000 men, of whom 30,000 are held in reserve, under command of Breckinridge.

The rebels are suffering greatly from sickness.  An average of 600 being sent from camp over the Memphis and Charleston road daily, of whom, many die on the passage.

Houses in towns along the Railroad are used as hospitals.

The army is greatly demoralized; the terms of enlistment of many regiments expiring daily, but the men are forced to remain under the conscript act.  Beauregard is continually among his troops, making speeches and using ever effort to encourage his troops.  The troops are subsisting on half rations slat beef of miserable quality is issued once a week.

Price, Van Dorn, Brag, Polk and Cheatham command division in front of rifle pits around Corinth, around all approaches to the Mobil and Ohio Railroad, and are 13 miles long.

The rebels are making extraordinary efforts to procure guns of which they acknowledge they have but poor supply.

Beauregard’s headquarters are in the rear near Corinth.

All cavalry that have been scouring the country north of Corinth, have been dismounted, except 700 stationed at Trenton on the Mobil and Ohio railroad, which is a depot for forage, of which there is a great scarcity.

It is reported that 60 Federal prisoners, taken at Dresden by Clay King’s gang, were released on parole by Beauregard, after being confined at Jackson, Mississippi.

Major Lovell’s army is reported to have arrived at Corinth.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 3

Whereabouts of Price

Special to St. Louis Democrat.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Feb. 16.

According to the latest advices, the Federal army was in vigorous pursuit of the rebels.  Price’s army was on Crane Creek, twenty nine miles from here, on Friday evening and our forces five miles in the rear, preparing to make an early start in pursuit next morning.  Price had placed his train in advance.  About 100 wagons containing supplies for him were brought into this place, from Forsyth, only a few days before retreat.  Rebel sympathizers here claim that Price will be reinforced by twelve or fifteen regiments from Bentville [sic], Ark., under Gen. Van Doron [sic], but Gen. Sigel, who was advancing on the rebel column by a different route than that pursued by Gen. Curtis, may strike a blow on their flank and upset Prices calculations.

Four rebel officers and thirteen privates fell into our hands on Friday, and are now here.  The officers are the notorious Col. Freeman, Maj. Bery, aid-de-camp to Gen. McBride, Capt. Dickinson, chief engineer, Capt. Donnell, quartermaster.

A pony express, with relay posts, has been established between Rolla and this point, by Capt. Baldwin.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 18, 1862, p. 1

Cairo Budget

CAIRO, April 28. – our army at Pittsburg is still gradually advancing, but everything is quiet. Reconnoissance on Friday discovered a camp of the enemy at Pea Ridge, some 72 miles beyond our line of pickets, but they did not advance to attack them.

There is no news from Fort Pillow. The mortars fire occasionally, our gunboats being some distance above.

Refugees from Memphis report a strong Union feeling existing there, and a majority of the people anxiously waiting the arrival of our forces to take possession. It was not believed that the city would be burned, but all cotton sugar and molasses would be destroyed.

Van Dorn, Price, and Jeff Thompson were at Memphis with about 6,000 miserably clad troops. They seemed there to awe people into submission to the conscription act, which was being enforced. Hundreds of inhabitants were leaving daily to avoid impressment.

Most of the twelve months men whose term of service is about to expire, refuse to re-enlist under any circumstances and are deserting in large numbers.

All passes to citizens to go up the Tennessee river are refused.

The river is rising slowly.

CAIRO, April 28. – Six refugees from Memphis arrived here this morning. They left on Sunday, the 20th, in a skiff, and reached our fleet, opposite Fort Pillow, on Friday. Five of them are natives of Connecticut, the other from Freeport, Illinois. They crossed the Mississippi 6 miles below Randolph, making the rest of the way to Ozark, on the Arkansas shore, being often compelled to carry their skiff over bluffs and through fields. They represent that a strong Union feeling exists in Memphis. Several Union clubs met nightly and were constantly increasing in members.

General Prentiss and Federal prisoners taken at Pittsburg were in Memphis two hours, and were taken to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They received marked attention from Union citizens while in the city, who are becoming bolder daily. Gen. Prentiss made a speech from the platform of the cars, assuring the people that they would all cheer for the Stars and Stripes in two or three weeks. Our prisoners united in singing the “Star Spangled Banner,” and were loudly applauded by the people.

The refugees left Memphis to avoid being impressed, as the conscript act recently passed by the rebel Congress was being enforced. All male inhabitants between the age of 18 and 35 are compelled to take up arms. Large numbers were daily leaving the city and making their way towards our fleet.

Van Dorn, Price and Jeff. Thompson were at Memphis with about 6,000 troops, poorly equipped, most of their clothing in rags. Gov. Harris is at Corinth.

Twenty-nine deserters, from Fort Pillow, arrived yesterday.

Some 6,000 hogsheads of sugar and between 10,000 and 15,000 barrels of molasses were piled on the bluff, ready to be thrown into the river on the approach of the Federal fleet, which was daily expected, as it was generally conceded by the rebels that our fleet would compel them to evacuate Fort Pillow. Gen. Villipgue [sic] was still in command.

It was reported that Gen. Curtis’s scouts had reached the mouth of White River, and that his advance was within one day’s march.

All ideas of burning Memphis had been given up. The gunboat Mallory had been in the course of construction for some time and was rapidly approaching completion. She is plated with railroad iron. Rebel gunboats were continually plying between Memphis and Fort Pillow.

The Fortifications near Memphis have been abandoned, there being no guns mounted on any of them. All rebel stores and machinery had been removed to Columbus, Mississippi.

Negroes had recently advanced considerably in value. At an auction sale, two weeks ago, several were sold at prices ranging from $500 from to $1100. Coffee retailed at 80 cents, rice 7 [¼] cents, bacon 25 cents, chickens $1 each, eggs 40 cents per dozen.

Boats from below report nothing new. Mortars fire occasionally, but with what effect is not [known].

Gen. Halleck is moving forward slowly.

Reconnoissances in force, commanded by Gen. Garfield, went out on Friday and discovered the enemy’s advance about three miles beyond our out posts, encamped on Pea Ridge. Pickets are continually firing on each other.

Our heavy siege guns are being moved to the front as fast as the condition of the roads will permit.

The river continues to rise. Rain has set in, accompanied by strong wind, which may send water over the levee.

Rebel Cavalry have appeared in considerable force upon the river, about 20 miles below Savannah, near Clifton. One of the gunboats had been sent down the river to watch movements.

All boats leaving this point for above have brass pieces on board each side, besides armed guards upon hurricane deck, to return fire from guerrillas on shore.

CAIRO, April 29. – The river has risen an inch since morning.

Intelligence from Pittsburgh indicates an immediate forward movement of our whole army.

Gen. Pope, on Sunday, advanced his division over four miles into the interior from Pittsburg.

A battle was daily expected.

Generals Halleck and Grant have moved head quarters to front and are personally superintending the details of preparations.

Steamer Desoto arrived from gunboat flotilla, but brings no further news.

Deserters from the rebel army confirms the reports of the taking of New Orleans, but gave no particulars.

The Desoto brought 54 bales of cotton and a lot of hides from Osceola, Arkansas.

Gov. Yates has charted the steamer Champion, and is fitting her up as a hospital boat for wounded soldiers. She leaves for St. Louis on Wednesday night, with a fully corps of surgeons and nurses, and will proceed thence up the Tennessee river to await the coming battle.

Later arrivals report the gradual advance of our army from Pittsburgh.

Rumors of the evacuation of Corinth were reiterated by deserters who had arrived at Gen Halleck’s headquarters.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 4

From Cairo

CAIRO, April 24.

Previous to the commencement of the war the daily receipt of letters at Cairo post office did not exceed 2,000. Now the number received averages about 75,000 per day. This enormous increase in business constitutes this office the third in the Union though the Department has not yet recognized its position by a relative increase of the clerical force of the office. In order to dispose of this vast amount of business the post master has requested that all post masters sending letters for soldiers put them in a separate package, endorsed “Soldier’s letters, Cairo D. P. O.” which will ensure a more speedy distribution and delivery. Unless this request is complied with letters are liable to a detention of one day.


Special to the Chicago Tribune.

The rise in the Tennessee river has reached us. Last night the Ohio increased in volume one inch, and it is still rising. Dispatches received from the Cumberland represent that the river is rapidly rising. From Pittsburg we learn that the Ohio rose 14 feet on Tuesday, and from different points along the river the flood is equally potent. The immense country to the rear of us between Cairo and Mound City is inundated so that the large volume of water in the upper river effects us slightly.

There are said to be 8,000 rebel troops in the rear of Chickasaw Bluffs and at Randolph.

Gen. Bragg has transferred the command of Fort Pillow to Gen. Price.

From Pittsburg I have the intelligence of a skirmish with the enemy, in which Gen. Granger, with 500 cavalry, a portion of the recent reinforcements sent up the Tennessee participated. About two miles from our pickets they came in contact with the rebel pickets, and drove them in and encountered a strong force of rebel Cavalry, which they engaged. After fighting briskly for an hour both sides retired with inconsiderable loss. This happed on Wednesday.

There has been no attempt to move the main body of the army. The embargo laid upon our movements by the rain and mud still continues. When the advance will take place is a matter of conjecture.

Gen. Grant and his conduct during the terrible days of peril, is still the subject of criticism, and I am told that charges are being daily prepared against him for incompetency and recklessness. Gen. Halleck pays no attention to the charges, but leaves the investigation of the whole affair to Congress.

A gentleman from Northern Tennessee, whose Unionism is unquestioned, says that the whole community below him is full of wounded soldiers and fugitives from the battle of Pittsburg.

The returned rebels say that after the arrival of Buell’s troops on Sunday, and the attack on Monday, Beauregard made a spirited appeal to his men, acknowledging the arrival of the Federal reinforcements, but said the armies of Price and Van Dorn were on the way and would arrive before nightfall. Subsequently he brought from the rear a portion of his own force, representing them as the expected arrivals. After the final route the enemy became very much demoralized, and ran the fifteen miles intervening between the battle-field and Corinth in three hours. The panic and flight of our soldiers at Bull Run was nothing compared with it. On arriving at Corinth they found the town deserted, and left immediately for Tennessee without [illegible: let] or hindrance.

There is a bitter feeling between the Mississippi and Tennessee remaining regiments, in consequence of the former dubbing the Tennesseeans cowards, and not recognizing their social equality. He says the latter will not fight in the coming battle

The Federals have nearly surrounded them, and they consider their case nearly settled as soon as the capture of Fort Pillow and Memphis shall be accomplished.

The Mississippi flood is seriously endangering the products and property below, and Gen. Strong, with an energy highly commendable and which might be properly imitated in other quarters has sent several steamers to secure it.

A try-weekly packet is now running between Cairo and Tiptonville, carrying the mails and passengers. This experiment, in reviving commercial intercourse with the rebel States, is likely to prove successful.

The entire track of the Cairo and Fulton RR., between Birds Point and Charleston is washed away and destroyed. Superintendent Arthur, of the I. C. RR., and President Osborne, passed over the track in a hand cart from Cacha river, this morning. They say the track is covered with water to a depth of two feet. There is no immediate prospect of the resumption of railroad communication with the rest of the world.

The steamer Bee, from Fort Pillow at 4 o’clock yesterday, reports no change in the condition of affairs. The mortars fired regularly every half hour. The gunboats are quite. The rebel batteries do not reply.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 26, 1862, p. 2

Missouri News

HOUSTON, Texas Co., April 19,

Correspondence of the Missouri Democrat says: “We have been amused at the reports concerning the whereabouts of Price and Van Dorn. One day they are at Pittsburg, Tenn., and the next at Pittman’s Ferry, Black river, whilst we know that they are at neither place. Last Monday Price’s and Van Dorn’s commands were at DesArc 90 miles below Jacksonport, on the White river. So far from the rebels being at Pittman’s Ferry they have actually evacuated Pocahontas. The town is now deserted, the merchants having removed their goods. Jacksonport is also nearly deserted, the troops having been removed to DesArc 90 miles south of where the rebels seem to be concentrating in large forces.

Price is reported to have gone to Corinth.

Albert Pike, with 2500 Indians, and 600 Texan Rangers were left on the border to harass Curtiss, and engage the Kansas troops if possible, while upon our south, Coleman is in close proximity. Gen Edgar Ashbury is also trying to raise a regiment for guerilla warfare on our border.

Col. Schnable is at Yellville, Ark., with 1,500 men.

Gen. McBride has gone to headquarters to get an order to raise an independent command, to operate in North Arkansas and South Missouri.

Col. McFarland with his command has gone to DesArc.

Lieut. Col. Wood, commanding General of this post, has been absent nearly six weeks. He returned last evening, and already we are under marching orders. So look out for something in this district soon.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 24, 1862, p. 1

Important from Beauregard

NEW YORK, April 21.

The Herald has the following letter:

“The latest information from the South is of the utmost importance. Beauregard’s army has been terribly demoralized, and according to his own information he has now only 35,000 men. The following telegram has been intercepted by Gen. Mitchell, and is a full confession of the hopelessness of the rebel cause in the West:


“CORINTH, April 9.

“To Gen. SAMUEL COOPER, Richmond:

“All present probabilities are that whenever the enemy moves on this position, he will do so by an overwhelming force of not less than 85,000 men. We can now muster only about 35,000 effectives. Van Dorn may possibly join us in a few days with about 35,000 more. Can we be reinforced from Pemberton’s army? If defeated here we lose the Mississippi Valley, and probably our cause. Whereas, we could even afford to lose, for a while, Charleston and Savannah, for the purpose of defeating Buell’s army, which would not only leave us the valley of the Mississippi, but our independence.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1862, p. 1

From Arkansas and Southern Missouri

BENTON, TEXAS, CO. MISSOURI, April 19. – The Missouri Democrat’s correspondent says: We have been amused at the reports of the whereabouts of Price and Van Dorn. One day they are at Pittsburg, Tenn., and the next at Pitman’s Ferry, on the Black river, whilst we know they are at neither place. Last Monday Price and Van Dorn’s commands were at Desark, Ninety miles below Jacksonport, on White river. So far from the rebels being at Pitman’s Ferry they have actually evacuated Pocahontas. The town is now deserted, the merchants having removed their goods. Jacksonport is also nearly deserted – the troops having been removed to Desark, ninety miles south, where the rebels seem to be concentrating in large force. Price is reported to have gone to Corinth; Albert Pike with 2,500 Indians and 600 Texan Rangers were left on the border to harass Curtis and engage the Kansas troops, if possible, while upon our south Coleman is in close proximity. One Edgar Ashbury is also trying to raise a regiment for guerilla warfare on the border. Col. Schenable is at Yellville, Arkansas, with 1,500 men. General McBride has gone to headquarters to get an order to raise an independent command to operate in Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri. Col. McFarland with his command has gone to Desark.

Lieut. Col. Wood, commandant of this post has been absent nearly a week. He returned last evening, and already we are under marching orders. So look out for something in this district soon.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 3

The Latest News

We have deferred to the latest moment making up our summary of news. The reader will find but few additional particulars from the battlefield of Shiloh.

It appears that Gens. Johnston, Beauregard, Polk and Bragg had effected a union of their forces at Corinth, Mississippi, a few days before the battle. Corinth is about 90 miles East of Memphis, Tenn., at that point on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad where the Mobile & Ohio Railroad crosses it.

Gen. Grant, commanding the left wing of the Federals, supposed to be 60,000 strong, had pushed his column up the Tennessee River, and landed at Pittsburg, Tenn., a small town on the river, about twenty miles from Corinth. Of this movement our generals were fully aware. The were also advised that Gen. Buell had pushed on his column of 70,000 from Nashville, South, but with the evident design of forming a junction with Grant, at Pittsburg.

Gen. Johnston therefore determined to attack Gen. Grant before Buell could re-inforce [sic] him, destroy his army and return to Corinth.

The Number of our forces is not known; some say 90,000, but we judge that is a large estimate. Our forces moved against Grant on the 6th instant, whose advance column was within 18 miles of Corinth, at Shiloh Church. At an early hour the troops were engaged, and the battle was fiercely contested on both sides during the entire day.

Where all did so well, it would be invidious to particularize, but Gens. Johnston, Polk, Pillow, Breckinridge and Gladden are specially spoken as signalizing themselves. About 2 ½ o’clock, General Johnston fell, a ball having cut the large artery of his leg; he continued in the saddle until he fainted with loss of blood, and expired very soon after. – Gen. Breckinridge is said to have had two horses killed under him, and his clothes were badly torn. Special mention is made of the great valor of the Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana troops, but we have no doubt all fought well. Dispatches state that only 35,000 of Grant’s forces were engaged. – How many of ours is not mentioned. The loss on both sides is said to be heavy, but nothing is mentioned except that our loss is about 3,000, and that we took between 4 and 6,000 prisoners, among whom was Gen. Prentice [sic] and a number of other officers. Eleven car loads of Federal prisoners arrived at Chattanooga on the 9th.

The enemy was completely routed on the 6th, and driven to their boats, leaving in immense amount of ammunition, stores, and guns in our possession, and 100 cannon captured.

On Sunday night Gen. Buell arrived with heavy re-inforcements and attacked Gen. Beauregard vigorously on Monday morning. The battle raged on until 1 o’clock, when both parties seemed to haul off. Gen. Beauregard fell back to Corinth according to General Johnston’s plan, not having been able to save all of his ammunition, supplies and cannon taken from the enemy the day before.

A dispatch from Corinth on the 9th, to the Richmond Dispatch, says, we still hold the battlefield, and it is not though that the enemy will advance. It says that Morgan’s Cavalry on the 8th attacked the enemy in camp and killed a large number of them, and burned the tents of our forces which they had left.

It says that Gens. Gladden, Bushrod Johnson and Hindman were wounded, and at 2 o’clock the firing ceased mutually on both sides on Monday, and both armies fell back.

It is also stated that Gen. Van Dorn had joined Beauregard at Corinth with re-inforcements. Near that point the great battle is yet to be fought.

A gentleman of this City has received a letter from a friend in the west, who states that Ft. Smith had been evacuated by our forces on account of the destitution of forage and provisions in that region, and that Gen. Price had retired to the Arkansas river to obtain supplies. This therefore discourages the rumor of another fight with Curtis.

We learn from dispatches received by the Charlotte Bulletin on the 10th, that Com. Hollins had communicated to the War Department at Richmond that three of the enemy’s gunboats had passed Island No. 10. Of course they will encounter breakers below.

It is states also, that five Yankee batteries commenced the bombardment of Fort Pulaski below Savannah at 6 o’clock A.M., on that day. No fears were felt for the Fort.

We have nothing from the neighborhood of Newbern, except the skirmish given in another article.

A rumor prevailed in Norfolk, which however was believed to be unfounded, that about 300 of our militia had been captured by the Yankees between Elizabeth City and South Mills.

It is also reported that the Burnside fleet was concentrating at Edenton for a supposed advance upon Suffolk. It needs confirmation.

No news about Norfolk or from the Merrimac.

The reported fights on the Peninsula are believed to have been only skirmishes. The enemy was said to be entrenching four miles below Yorktown.

– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 1

Latest from the Pittsburg Battle-Field

Special to the Chicago Journal.

CAIRO, April 14.

It is reported, on good authority, that Beauregard called a council of war of all the best rebel Generals, before the battle of Pittsburg. There were present, Pillow, Floyd, Breckinridge, Hardee, Bragg, Cheatham, Sid. Johnston, Bushrod Johnston [sic], the rebel Provisional Governor of Kentucky, and a few other gentlemen. The following policy was fixed on: If they beat us, they would follow up and drive us North as far as possible; if beaten, they would withdraw their forces from the border States, and make a desperate stand in the Gulf States.

A Federal Wounded soldier, left in our camp and captured by the rebels, and afterwards retaken, reports that he heard Beauregard make a speech to his men on Sunday night assuring them they would capture all our army on Monday. He told them not to destroy anything – tents, provisions or anything that would be wanted. He encouraged them handsomely, as next day’s work showed. This is confirmed by several wounded rebels, taken prisoners.

Van Dorn did not reach Corinth till the fight was over. It is now believed by men, latest returning from Pittsburg, that the rebel force in action was 65,000. This is the testimony of rebel prisoners also.

Our force was not over 45,000.

Col. John Davis, of Freeport, is not dead. He is at Paducah, and says he will recover.

Gen. Humboldt lost twelve hundred and eighty three men, out of seven thousand, on Monday.

The 9th Ill. Regiment could count but 200 effective men on Monday morning. The 11th Ill., 45; the 12th Iowa, 17 men. Lt. Col. Tupper of Decatur, and Lieut. Col. Ross were killed.

Dangerously wounded, Lieut. Col. Phillips, Col. Bane, of 50th Ill., and Major Eaton. He went up by the train this morning.

Col. Fry’s regiment did not stand fire very well.

Dr. Corning, of St. Louis, found one of Matteson’s 64-pound guns deserted. He sighted and fired sixty-five shots with it, doing terrible execution. He had no military experience.

The Gunboats had gone up the river to burn the bridge at Corinth.

Gen. Grant is reported not to have been on the field till 10 o’clock Sunday morning. It is also reported that Buell’s men heard firing forty-nine miles off, and made a forced march of thirty miles on Saturday, reaching Pittsburg Sunday, after marching nineteen miles, in time to succor our troops. Nashville was one hundred miles distant.

It is believed Halleck’s plan was for Grant to land on the opposite side of the Tennessee and stay mostly on transports till Buell came up; then all cross on pontoon bridges and march rapidly on Corinth.

The aid of the gunboats, Matteson’s and Silversparre’s batteries, and the arrival of Buell’s men, saved the day, and turned the tide of victory in our favor.

The rebel loss is not known, but believed to be much larger than ours.

Auditor Dubois and Gen. Cook came down this morning. They report the sick and wounded provided for as well as possible, on the transports and in the barracks at Pittsburg.

Nothing new from above. No battle is expected for several days. Heavy rains make the roads impassible for artillery and army wagons.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 16, 1862, p. 2