March 10, 1862 (Monday): Pea Ridge-Another Union Victory In The West

Elkhorn Tavern at Pea Ridge Battlefield

No. 35. Reports of Major General Earl Van Dorn, C. S. Army, commanding Trans-Mississippi District.

HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT,
March 9, via Hog Eye, March 10, [1862].

    Fought the enemy, about 20,000 strong, 7th and 8th, at Elkhorn, Ark. Battle first day from 10 a.m. until after dark; loss heavy on both sides. Generals McCulloch and McIntosh and Colonel Hebert were killed; Generals Price and Slack were wounded-General Price, flesh wound in the arm; the others badly wounded, if not mortally; many officers killed and wounded; but as there is some doubts in regard to several, I cannot yet report their names. Slept on the battle-field first night, having driven the enemy from their position. The death of Generals McCulloch and McIntosh and Colonel Herbert early in the action threw the troops on the right under their commands in confusion. The enemy took a second and strong position. Being without provisions and the right wing somewhat disorganized, determined to give battle on the right on their front for the purpose only of getting off the field without the danger of a panic, which I did with success, but with some losses.
    I am now encamped with my whole army 14 miles west [of] Fayetteville, having gone entirely around the enemy. I am separated from my train, but think it safe on the Elm Springs road to Boston Mountains. The reason why I determined to give battle at once upon my arrival to assume command of the army I will give in report at an early day.



EARL VAN DORN,
General, Commanding.


General A. SIDNEY JOHNSTON,
Decatur.
[Copy to the Secretary of War.]

In an attempt to regain control of Arkansas and Missouri, Van Dorn moved against the forces under Curtis.  Arriving on March 6 after a forced march through freezing rain, Van Dorn's troops were hungry and exhausted.  Although outnumbered 16,000 to 10,000, Curtis fought his troops ably.  The Confederate right, disorganized by the deaths of generals McCulloch and McIntosh was unable to strike the telling blow Van Dorn had hoped for.  In three days of fighting the Confederates lost 2,000 men to 1,400 for the Union.  Van Dorn was forced to concede the battlefield to Curtis and the Battle of Pea Ridge was history.  Curtis' force was too used up to take Little Rock, his hoped for result.  Van Dorn had demonstrated no grasp of logistics or staff work, and as many as 2,000 of his men deserted after the battle.  Missouri remained in the Union, Arkansas remained threatened, and Curtis had achieved yet another victory for the Union in the West.