Chapter 15: The Confederates Suffer an Important Loss in Arkansas

After the stalemate at Wilson’s Creek in August 1861, the Union Army continues a successful drive to push the rebels almost entirely out of Missouri. It then sets its sights south, against Arkansas, under General Samuel Curtis, a former Republican congressman,

As Curtis’ Blue army of 10,500 men move across the Arkansas border they are met by some 16,500 Greys under Major General Earl Van Dorn. He plans to envelope the Union by splitting his men into two Divisions under Sterling Price and Benjamin McCulloch. On March 7, 1862 the Battle of Pea Ridge begins badly for Curtis at Leetown, southwest of the main field, where his troops are overwhelmed by McCulloch, despite his death and that of General James McIntosh.

By mid-day the action, fought in freezing weather, shifts north around the Elkhorn Tavern, with Curtis, Franz Siegel and MOH winner, Colonel Eugene Carr, scrambling to assume a defensive stance. This succeeds after Van Dorn suddenly grows cautious.

On March 8, the tide turns, led by German-born Sigel’s decisive win in an artillery duel with the rebels. Around 11:00am, Van Dorn learns that his reserve artillery wagons have departed and he decides to retreat. What began with good odds for victory, ends with a disappointing defeat.