I have no hesitation in saying that, had the forces under Lieut.-Col. Lazare been able to cooperate with me by reaching the road to Yellville, by which the enemy retreated, at the time I reached Pittman's Ferry, on the morning of the twenty-seventh, we would have routed the entire rebel force and captured the baggage-train and artillery. This force I estimate, from reliable information, at one thousand cavalry, five hundred infantry and four pieces of artillery, under command of Colonels Burbage, Green, and Mitchell. It retreated toward Yellville, at which point I understood the enemy is concentrating a large force, and where they have a powder-mill in operation. My thanks are especially due to the following officers, detailed on special duty. To Capt. Newbury, Twenty-fifth Missouri, for his efficiency in crossing the command over Black River. To Lieut. Waterbury, Twenty-third Iowa, Acting Adjutant; to Lieut. Brown, Twenty-third Iowa, Acting Quartermaster and Lieut. Buzzard, Twenty-fifth Missouri cavalry, commanding advancedguard of infantry. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Col. S. H. BOYD. Doc. 24. from Elkhorn, of his progress. The Second and Third brigades of the First division, with my headquarters, were at Cane Hill; the First brigade at Rhea's Mills, eight miles north, where a large supply-train, just arrived from Fort Scott, was halted. My pickets were advanced six miles beyond Cane Hill, on the road leading to Van Buren, and a strong outpost of the Kansas Second established where that road intersects the Cove Creek road, running from Fayetteville to Van Buren, and which road passes about six miles east of Cane Hill. On the morning of the fifth instant, this outpost was attacked by a large force of rebel cavalry, but they were repulsed and driven back some six miles through the mountains. Expecting that the same demonstration would be repeated on the next morning, I directed Col. Cloud, commanding the Third brigade, to strengthen this post by the addition of one hundred cavalry and two howitzers, to be at the outpost at daybreak. In consequence of this order not being promptly carried out, and the support not arriving at the time directed, the pickets, on being attacked about daylight by a superior force, were compelled to retire some three miles, when support having reached them, they held the ground during the day, with continued skirmishing, in which several of my men were wounded and a number of the enemy killed. The enemy now got possession of Cove Creek and Fayetteville road, and I learned about eight THE BATTLE OF PRAIRIE GROVE, ARK. o'clock P.M. that a force of about ten thousand OFFICIAL REPORT OF GENERAL BLUNT. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE FRONTIER, RHEA'S MILLS, ARK., Dec. 20, 1862. J Major-General S. R. Curtis, Commanding Department of the Missouri: GENERAL: I have the honor to report that, on the second instant, and four days subsequent to the battle of Cane Hill, or Boston Mountain, of November twenty-eighth, I obtained reliable information that the entire force of infantry and artillery of Gen. Hindman's army had crossed the Arkansas River, and joined Gen. Marmaduke at Lee's Creek, fifteen miles north of Van Buren, to which point the latter had retreated after the battle of the twenty-eighth ultimo. I further learned that the united forces under Gen. Hind man's command numbered between twenty-five and thirty thousand men, and that he designed advancing upon me in case I did not attack him south of the mountains. Determined to hold my position at Cane Hill, unless driven from it by a superior force, I immediately telegraphed to the Second and Third divisions to come to my support by forced marches. I may here mention that I had had no knowledge of the whereabouts of these two divisions, except from rumor, and had not been apprised of their movements or locality for a period of over two weeks. My telegraphic despatches reached Gen. Herron, commanding the Second and Third divisions, on the third, who promptly responded to my order, keeping me advised, by telegraph had advanced beyond the junction of Cove Creek road with the Crane Hill and Van Buren road, and were massed upon the mountain in front of my outpost, while the remainder of the rebel army were below the junction of the roads just named, about three miles in rear of their ad vance. The Third brigade, under Colonel Cloud, was ordered to bivouac for the night on their arms, upon the ground south of the town, that I had selected to make a stand upon, in case I was attacked in front. It was now evident that a general engagement must take place next day, and my apprehensions were, that with their superior numbers, they would make a feint in front, while with their main force they would make a flank movement on my left, by the Cove Creek road, to intercept Gen. Herron, before he could reach me from Fayetteville, which point he was expected to reach by daylight on the morning of the seventh. At about ten P.M. the Sixth, Col. Wickersham, with about one thousand six hundred cavalry, of the Second Wisconsin, First Iowa, Tenth Illinois, and Eighth Missouri regiments, who, at my request, had been sent forward by General Herron, arrived at Cane Hill. I had, as I have before remarked, considerable apprehensions that a flank movement would be attempted on my left during the night. I therefore determined to send a cav alry force across on a road called the hog-eye road, running from the north part of Cane Hill east to the telegraph road, and crossing the Cove Creek and Fayetteville road about four miles north of the junction of the latter with that running from Cane Hill to Van Buren, already referred to, and from which my outpost had been driven in the morning. On learning that Hindman's forces had passed north, I ordered Col. Judson, with his regiment (cavalry) and two twelve-pound mountain howitzers, to proceed rapidly on the same road by which I had sent Col. Richardson the previous night, and to attack and harass them in the rear, which order he executed with promptness and gallantry, attacking them in the rear with his howitzers, and following them two or three miles, until they made a stand in such force as to compel him to withdraw his command. At daylight on Sunday morning I had the transportation of the Second and Third brigade of the First division hitched up, ready to move to Rhea's Mills, should circumstances render it necessary; and the Second brigade was ordered to the front, south of town, where the Third brigade had bivouacked during the night, the First bri- Moving with my staff in advance of the First gade and Col. Wickersham's brigade of cavalry division, on reaching a point some three miles being stationed about a mile and a half in the north of Cane Hill, where a road to the left leads rear, on the north side of the town, where the to Rhea's Mills, I learned that Col. Wickersham, hog-eye road intersects that between Cane Hill who was in the advance with the cavalry, and and Fayetteville, and where it was possible the had been instructed to proceed directly on the enemy might attempt to come in upon my rear. Fayetteville road, and furnished with a guide, About five o'clock, with my staff, I proceeded instead of doing so, had taken the left-hand road to the front. On arriving there I learned the to the mills. Not deeming it prudent, under all enemy were still in considerable force upon the the circumstances, to separate my command, I mountain; and so soon as it became sufficiently was compelled to follow the same road in order light they threw several shots from their artil- to get my forces concentrated. On coming up lery at my advance outpost, which was replied to with Col. Wickersham, I ordered him to proceed by two of my twelve-pound mountain howitzers, in the direction of Fayetteville with all of his without any damage to either party. I directed cavalry, and endeavor to open communication Col. Cloud to withdraw his troops on the out- with Gen. Herron. I also set forward Major Calposts, with a view of drawing them out and as-kins, with the Third Wisconsin cavalry, for the certaining their force and design. Upon my ad- same purpose. vance falling back, the rebels came forward a short distance and formed in line of battle, their right resting on the mountain, their left extending down the valley, and presenting a front of half a mile. It now became evident that their demonstration in front was only a feint, and that their main force had gone by the Cove Creek road, for the purpose of intercepting communication between Gen. Herron and myself; and, notwithstanding that I had received no intelligence from Col. Richardson-upon whom I had relied to watch this movement-I determined to act accordingly. I immediately ordered the transportation to Rhea's Mills, by a road leading directly north over the mountain, guarded by the Third Indiana regiment, Col. Phillips, keeping the bottom road on the right, leading to the same point, and also the Fayetteville road, open for the movement of troops. I ordered Col. Wickersham, with his cavalry, to move rapidly in the direction of Fayetteville, and form a junction with Gen. Herron. He was followed by Gen. Salomon's brigade, and the Second and Third brigades were withdrawn from the front, and directed to move rapidly on the Fayetteville road. As soon as I determined on this disposition of the forces under me, I sent two messenger parties with despatches to Gen. Herron, apprising him of my movements, and, what I believed to be those of the enemy, and urged him to press forward as rapidly as possible, that we might form a junction of our forces before Hindman could get between us, and also directing him to send his trains to Rhea's Mills. Neither of these despatches reached him, the messenger being cut off by Marmaduke's advance. But a few minutes elapsed after Colonel Wickersham had started with his command, when I heard the discharge of artillery in a north-east direction, and immediately moved rapidly with the Second and Third brigades in the direction of the firing, leaving the First brigade (Gen. Salomon's) to guard the trains at Rhea's Mills. It was now between twelve and one o'clock. The distance to where the firing was heard was about five miles, by an obscure road leading through a valley with strips of brush and prairie alternating across it. The firing between General Herron's command and the rebel forces was confined to the artillery, which, as I approached the field, became more rapid. At forty-five minutes past one o'clock I came upon the field, in advance of the First division, when a hasty reconnoissance discovered the enemy in superior force, strongly posted upon elevated ground behind timber, with the Fayetteville road, on which he had advanced, running through it north-east and south-west. On the north, and in front of the enemy's lines, was an open valley, divided into large fields, a portion of them cultivated in corn. At the east end of this valley Gen. Herron, with the Second and Third divisions, was engaged with the enemy, having met their advance early in the day and driven them back to that position. For the details of the engagement between the rebels and the Second and Third divisions, under Gen. Herron, up to the time when I came upon the field, I refer you to the report of that gallant officer. The road on which my column was advancing entered the valley at its western extremity and in front of the left wing of the enemy. They had no intimation of my approach on that road until a large force of their infantry, which, for the pur pose of flanking General Herron's division, and overwhelming it by superior number, had been massed upon their left, was suddenly confronted by the troops of the First division, when the engagement soon became general along their entire line. At about two o'clock, the fire from the artillery of the First division was commenced by Rabb's battery, which opened a cross-fire upon two rebel -batteries and a heavy body of infantry, that was fronting and engaged with Gen. Herron's division. A few moments later, and Tenny's battery of Parrott guns came into position on the right, and Hopkins's battery on the left of Captain Rabb's. The fire of all three of these batteries was first directed to the enemy's right, where two batteries of the rebels and a heavy body of their infantry were engaged with the Second and Third divisions. Shell and case-shot from these eighteen pieces were hurled upon the enemy's right with terrible effect. fro, each alternately advancing and retiring. Some rebel sharp-shooters firing from the windows of a house, situated in the edge of the woods and a little to my left, were evidently directing their compliments specially to myself and staff. I directed Captain Rabb to open upon it with shell, and in a few moments the house was in flames. While the infantry was vigorously contesting every inch of ground, I directed Lieut. Stover, with two twelve-pound mountain howitzers to advance into the woods, which he promptly did, taking position on a little knoll on the right of the Eleventh Kansas, and directing his guns across a small field where a heavy force of rebels were massed. He poured into them his canister and shell, until his ammunition was exhausted and his horses shot down, being compelled to bring away his guns by hand. I then directed Lieut. Tenny to advance his battery to the edge of the woods, on the left of the Kansas Eleventh, taking position about two hundred yards in front of the rebel ranks. From his six ten-pound Parrott guns he opened on them with terrible effect, driving them back with great slaughter. I The rebel artillery and infantry being driven from this position under cover of the woods, the three batteries above named ceased firing, when the infantry of the Second and Third divisions advanced upon the enemy's right, and the fire of musketry was opened on both sides with great Learning that a heavy force was massing on vigor. The Twentieth Wisconsin and Nineteenth my right, with a view of turning my flank, LimIowa gallantly charged the rebel batteries and mediately withdrew Tenny's battery, and prodrove the enemy from their guns, but were un-ceeded with it to an open field on the right, at able to hold them in consequence of being overwhelmed by a superior force. The Twenty-sixth Indiana and Thirty-seventh Illinois subsequently charged the same batteries with the same result. Observing that the enemy had now thrown a large force upon my centre and right, I directed the infantry of the First division to enter the woods and engage them, which order was executed with promptness, Colonel Weer leading the Tenth and Thirteenth Kansas regiments of his brigade upon the right, a portion of the Kansas Second, (dismounted,) under command of Capt. S. J. Crawford; the right wing of the Kansas Eleventh, under Col. Ewing, and the First Indian, under Col. Wattles, upon the left, the Twentieth Iowa regiment advancing upon the left of the Indians; the left wing of the Kansas Eleventh, under Lieut.-Col. Moonlight, supporting Rabb's and Hopkins's batteries. The First Iowa, Tenth Illinois, Eighth Missouri, and the first battalion of the Second Wisconsin cavalry, under Colonel Wickersham, and the Third Wisconsin cavalry, under Major Calkins, were directed to proceed on my extreme right, to watch any flank movement of the enemy that might be attempted in that direction, and also to guard the road leading to Rhea's Mills, and prevent communication being cut off with the First brigade, Gen. Salomon's. The contest by this time (about three o'clock P.M) had become vigorous and determined. The entire infantry of three divisions, and also a portion of the Kansas Second, (dismounted,) were engaged in the woods with the rebel infantry, three times their number. The rattling of musketry, uninterrupted for fully three hours, was terrific. The contending armies swayed to and the same time directing the infantry to withdraw from the woods, in order to draw the enemy from under cover and within range of my artillery. On reaching the open field on their right, just alluded to, I discovered the entire division of Gen. Frost advanced to the edge of the timber, and about two hundred yards distant. They opened on us a fierce fire from Enfield rifles, and were in the act of throwing down the fence to make an assault on the battery, which had no support except my own staff and body-guard; but Lieut. Tenny, with commendable promptness, wheeled his guns into position, when their destructive fire of canister and shell soon sent the rebel hordes back under cover of the woods. At the same time, a fire from the two mountain howitzers attached to the Third Wisconsin cavalry, was directed upon them further on my right, with good effect. It was here that the rebel General Stein fell. A few minutes after this last repulse of the enemy by Lieut. Tenny, a rebel battery of ten guns, supported by a heavy body of infantry, opened from their extreme left, when bringing his guns to bear in that direction, he in less than ten minutes silenced their battery, dismounting two of their guns and driving them from their position with severe loss. While this attempt was being made to charge my artillery on the right, the same demonstration was made upon Rabb's and Hopkins's batteries; the enemy following up my infantry as they retired from the woods, and with a shout rushed out from under cover of the trees, when the two batteries, supported by the infantry of the Eleventh regiment, belched forth a perfect storm of canister, producing immense slaughter in their ranks, and compelling them again to retire. As darkness approached, the fire, which from both artillery and musketry had been terrific and uninterrupted for over three hours, gradually ceased along the whole line, and my command bivouacked upon their arms ready to renew the conflict at early dawn. I could not tell with any certainty the extent of the damage done the enemy, but knowing that they had a force greatly superior to mine in numbers, I felt assured that they would give us battle again in the morning, and made arrangements accordingly. My wounded were all cared for during the night; the transportation and supply-trains of the whole army sent to Fayetteville, and Gen. Salomon's brigade, which had been left at Rhea's Mills, ordered to the field; ammunition was brought up and distributed, some refreshments obtained for the men, and every thing was in readiness to renew the battle at the first dawn of day. But daylight revealed the fact that the enemy had availed themselves of the night to retreat across the Boston Mountains. Their transportation had been left south of the mountains, and their retreat thereby made unincumbered and stealthy. I am assured by my own men who were prisoners with them, as well as by deserters from their ranks, that they tore up the blankets of their men to muffle the wheels of their artillery. Just before daylight I received a note from Gen. Hindman under a flag of truce, requesting a personal interview to make provision for caring for his dead and wounded. On meeting him I soon became satisfied that there was no other force there, except his staff and escort, and a party left to take care of the wounded; and that his force had commenced retreating early the previous night. On looking over the battle-field in the morning, it soon became evident that the enemy had been most roughly handled, and that our artillery had made fearful slaughter in their ranks. Though many had been already carried away, their dead lay strewn over its whole extent. The entire Federal loss is, killed, one hundred and sixty-seven; wounded, seven hundred and ninety-eight; missing, one hundred and eightythree; total, one thousand one hundred and forty-eight. Of the missing, the greater portion were taken prisoners, and have been since exchanged. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded cannot fall short of three thousand; and will probably much exceed that number, as many of them not severely wounded were taken to Van Buren. Their loss in killed upon the ground will reach one thousand, the greater number of whom have been buried by my command. into the thickest of the fight. The same is true of Col. Bowen and Major H. H. Williams, commanding regiments in the same brigade. Capt. S. J. Crawford, of the Second Kansas, who commanded a battalion of that regiment that fought on foot, displayed great gallantry; as did also the lamented Capt. A. P. Russell, who fell mortally wounded. Col. Thomas Ewing, Lieut.-Col. Moonlight, and Major Plumb, of the Eleventh Kansas, gave evidence of their high qualities as gallant officers. To Capts. Rabb and Hopkins, and Licuts. Tenny and Stover, who served their artillery with such terrible and destructive effect upon the enemy's ranks, too much praise cannot be awarded. All did their duty well and nobly. Men of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana mingled their blood upon the same field, and for the same worthy cause. For their deeds of valor upon the field of Prairie Grove, their native States may well be proud of them. I cannot close this report without availing myself of the occasion to express my thanks to Brig.Gen. F. J. Herron for the promptness with which he responded to my order to reënforce me, as also for the gallantry displayed by him upon the field. His conduct is worthy of emulation and deserving of the highest praise. To the members of my staff, Major V. P. Van Antwerp, Inspector General; Capt. Oliver Barber, Chief Commissary; Capt. Lyman Scott, Jr., Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, and Lieuts. J. F. Hill, H. G. Loring, G. M. Waugh, D. Whittaker, and C. H. Haynes, aids-de-camp, who were in the saddle and with me constantly from before daylight in the morning until the close of the action after dark, I am indebted for efficient and valuable services on the field. Made a special target by the rebel troops, in obedience to the notorious "address" of their Commanding General, Hindman issued on the eve of the battle, and a printed copy of which, over his signature, each of them carried on his person to "shoot down" my mounted officers, they were saluted wherever they rode by a perfect storm of balls from the enemy's guns. I have the honor to be, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES G. BLUNT, Brigadier-General. GENERAL HERRON'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS SECOND AND THIRD DIVISIONS, ARMY OF THE FRONTIER, BATTLE-FIELD OF PRAIRIE GROVE, ARK., December 9. GENERAL: In reviewing the operations of the seventh instant, I must necessarily commence my report a few days previous to that date. On the morning of December third, I was encamped, Many instances of individual gallantry and dar- with the Second and Third divisions of the army ing occurred during the day, for an account of of the frontier, at Wilson's Creek, Mo., and there which I refer you to the reports of regimental, received your despatch announcing the advance brigade, and division commanders. As the im- of the rebel force under Gen. Hindman, and ormediate commander of the First division, I deem dering me to move forward with my command to it but justice to say of Col. William Weer, com- your support at Cane Hill, Arkansas. manding the Second brigade, that he behaved three hours after the receipt of your despatch, throughout with great gallantry, leading his men the Second division was in motion, the Third Within soon following. Reaching Elkhorn on the even- commanding, occupying the right, and the Third ing of the fifth instant, I there received your order to send forward all my cavalry to you, and in obedience thereto I ordered forward Col. Wickersham, with the Tenth Illinois cavalry, First Iowa, Eighth Missouri, and first battalion Second Wisconsin cavalry, all of whom reached you safely. division, under my immediate command, the left of my position. It required but a short time to satisfy myself that the rebels were present in largely superior force, and I immediately determined to give them the best fight I could until you could come up with additional forces. The enemy making a movement of their infantry toward my left, I ordered forward the Second brigade of Third division, under Col. W. W. Orme, to the base of the ridge occupied by them; and while their attention was attracted by the fire of the Second brigade, I moved up the First brigade, under command of Lieut.-Col. Bertram. The bat teries advanced across the open field, with the infantry, pouring in a terrible fire of grape and canister. On Sunday morning, the seventh instant, at four o'clock, I arrived at Fayetteville, having marched all night, and was pushing rapidly forward, expecting to join you by ten o'clock of same day, when six miles south of Fayetteville, my advance, consisting of two companies of First Missouri cavalry, under Major J. M. Hubbard, discovered a body of cavalry falling back on the road in great disorder. It proved to be the First Arkansas and Seventh Missouri cavalry, that were moving forward to join you and had been attacked by a large body of rebel cavalry under Gen. Marmaduke, near Illinois Creek, ten miles from Cane Hill. After some effort, the retreating cavalry were checked and re-formed; but in holding the rebel advance the First battalion First Missouri cavalry were severely handled, and Major Hubbard taken prisoner. Here the rebels formed in line of battle, but on opening fire upon them with a section of battery E, First Missouri artillery, they were soon put to flight and driven back four miles to Illinois Creek. Here I dis-played, and more downright hard fighting done, covered the enemy in position directly in front, on each side of the road, occupying a high ridge, about three quarters of a mile from the ford of the creek, covered with timber and thick underbrush. Wishing to feel the position of the enemy, I ordered the Ninety-fourth Illinois infantry, with a section of battery E, First Missouri light artillery, across the creek, and opened fire upon them. Their batteries were in good position, commanding the ford of the creek, and having excellent range, compelled my advance to fall back. It being impossible to move my command across the ford, under their fire, I then ordered Colonel Halston, commanding Second division, to cut a road through the timber and move Captain Murphy's battery (F, First Missouri artillery) to a point on the south side of the creek, and half a mile from the regular ford, my intention being to draw the fire of the enemy to enable my infantry to cross the creek at the ford. The movement was entirely successful, the battery dividing, getting into position, and opening fire on the enemy before they discovered the movement. Under cover of its fire, I ordered forward the batteries of Capt. Backof, Lieut. Foust, and Lieut. Boeries, supported by the Nineteenth Iowa, Twentieth Wisconsin, and Ninety-fourth Illinois infantry. So rapidly was the order obeyed that the whole eighteen pieces were at work before the enemy could obtain our range. The fire was rapidly replied to by the rebel batteries, which had every advantage in position; but so accurate was the firi 1 ne hour nearly all their batteries During The I had formed - Col. Houston When within one hundred yards of the ridge, the Twentieth Wisconsin and Nineteenth Iowa infantry were ordered to charge a battery placed near a farm-house on the edge of the hill. The charge was made in gallant style, the enemy driven back, and the battery taken, but the ground could not be held; regiment after regiment of infantry was hurled upon them, and they were compelled to fall back. This was followed by a charge of the rebels en masse upon the batteries of Capts. Foust and Backof and Lieut. Boeries. Never was there more real pluck and courage dis than at this moment by the above-named batteries. Advancing to within one hundred yards of the guns, the rebels received a fire that could not be withstood, and retreated in disorder-receiv ing, as they ran, a terrible fire, causing great slaughter among them. For the management of his battery, and the soldier-like qualities displayed by Capt. Foust, company E, First Missouri light artillery, at this time especially, he deserves very great credit. Col. Houston was then instructed to move one of his brigades from the right to the support of the centre. Arriving at the point, and discovering the rebel infantry again moving down the hill, Col. Houston ordered the Twenty-sixth Indiana and Thirty-seventh Illinois regiments to charge them, which they did, Colonel Houston leading in person. It was a repetition of the first charge. The same battery captured, the enemy again driven back, and we in turn compelled to abandon the position by force of numbers. About this time, half-past two o'clock P.M., a battery opened some distance from my right, which I soon discovered to be from your division. With the knowledge that you had really arrived, a new spirit was infused into my command, now almost worn out by the severe work, and they went at it again with increased vigor. When your column moved up, the Second brigade of Second division, Colonel Wm. McE. Dye, commanding, also advanced on your left, having a severe fight in the timber, and driving the enemy from the hill-side. From this hour until dark the firing was steady and terrific, the batteries of the First division firing the last round. My command slept on their arms nearly one |