thousand yards in advance of their position occu-Officers-killed, of 66 66 66 66 wounded, wounded, Total,...... 9 31 8 ..137 .600 .168 953 brigade and regimental commanders. I am very truly, your obedient servant, pied in the morning, and ready to renew the fight } Brigadier-General Commanding Second and Third Divisions. GENERAL BLUNT'S CONGRATULATORY ORDER. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE FRONTIER, RHEA'S MILLS, ARK., December 12, 1862. GENERAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 3: The General Commanding takes this occasion to express his heartfelt thanks to the officers and soldiers of his command for their gallantry at the battle of Prairie Grove, on Sunday, the seventh instant, which crowned the army of the frontier with complete success and a brilliant victory. Cols. Orme, Clarke, McE. Dye, and Bertram, When it is considered that the enemy we encommanding brigades, were with their commands gaged outnumbered us three to one; that they in the thickest of the fight, and performed their were inspired by the confidence of success, and duties well. I must especially mention the work-stimulated by the most urgent appeals to their ing of Murphy's, Foust's, Backof's, and Boeries's batteries. The former fired his guns with the precision of a sharp-shooter, while the others worked their pieces gallantly in the midst of a terrible infantry fire. My cavalry, the First Iowa, Eighth Missouri, Tenth Illinois, and Second Wisconsin, having been with you during the day, I know but little of the parts taken by them. They have on other fields proved themselves worthy of the name of American soldiers, and I have no doubt sustained it while with you. Major Hubbard and his command, the fighting battalion of the First Missouri cavalry, gallantly held in check the rebel advance in the early part of the day, and on this occasion officers and men have added to their already high reputation. To Capt. Wm. Hyde Clark, my Assistant Adjutant-General, who had for three days been carried sick in an ambulance, but mounted that morning to be with me during the battle, I am much indebted for services on the field, and also to Captain Littleton, C.S., Captain Brewster, Lieutenants Pettit, Thomas, and Douglass, of my staff, for their conduct and assistance throughout the battle. There were many instances of individual courage and bravery that I should like to mention, but will have to refer you to the reports of brigade commanders. Of Lieut.-Col. Black, Thirty-seventh Illinois infantry, I must say that a braver man never went upon the battle-field, and he has, on this occasion, added to the laurels won at Pea Ridge. In conclusion, General, let me say for the Second and Third divisions, that they had marched one hundred and ten miles in three days to join you; that they came upon the field weak in numbers on account of the severity of the march. Of my command I have lost: VOL. VI.-Doc. 5. passions and prejudices; that they possessed the advantage of being in their own country, and familiar with every road, hill, and mountain-pass; that they possessed every advantage in position, which was of their own choosing, you have every reason to be proud of having participated upon that bloody field. No battle during the present war has been more determined and bloody, and never was there a field upon which, considering the number of troops engaged and the time occupied, the slaughter was as great. The results of your victory cannot be over-estimated. The stake was an important one. With your defeat, Western Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and the Indian country would have been the prey of the rebel army. Your victory has virtually ended the war north of the Arkansas River. For these results, you are entitled to the plaudits of a grateful country. To the Second and Third divisions, for the promptness with which they responded to my request to reenforce me, and the unparalleled marching done by them to reach me before support would be too late, as well as for the gallantry displayed by them upon the field upon that memorable day, the highest praise is justly due. Although we have cause to rejoice over our victory, yet we cannot but feel saddened at the loss of our brave comrades who have fallen by our side, and to condole with those to whose homes grief has been brought by the loss in battle of those friends that were dear; but while we drop a tear of sympathy over their graves, we cannot forget that their death was a noble sacrifice to sustain their country's flag, and that they died such a death as every true soldier and patriot would choose to die. Your noble conduct upon Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief of Staff. CONGRATULATORY ORDER OF GENERAL HERRON. HEADQUARTERS SECOND AND THIRD DIVISIONS, PRAIRIE GROVE, ARK., December 10, 1862. FELLOW-SOLDIERS: It is with pride and pleasure that I am enabled to congratulate you on the victory so recently achieved over the enemy. Meeting their combined forces, vastly your superiors in numbers, armed and equipped in the most efficient manner, contrary to what we have been led to believe, marshaled by their ablest generals, posted in a strong position of their own selection, prepared and ready to attack us, entertaining toward us feelings of hatred and fiendish passion, evoked by infamous lies which even rebel generals should have disdained to utter, you, fellow-soldiers, after a forced march of over one hundred miles in less than three days, weary, exhausted, and almost famishing, animated only by that feeling of patriotism that induced you to give up the pleasures and comforts of home to undergo the dangers and hardships of the field, did most gallantly meet, fight and repulse the enemy. Your fellow-soldiers elsewhere, your friends and relatives at home, your fellow-citizens and your country, as they learn of the splendid service of the artillerymen, of the determined, daring and brilliant charges of the infantry, will render you that praise and honor which is justly your due. Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Missouri, your native States, are proud of their noble sons. I, who witnessed your gallant daring in every encounter, in behalf of your country and myself, tender you grateful thanks for the services you have rendered. Whilst we drop a tear, therefore, for those who have fallen, and sympathize with those who are yet suffering, let us not forget to render thanks to the beneficent Giver of all blessings for the success that has thus far attested the truth and right of our glorious cause. F. J. HERRON, Brigadier-General Commanding Second and Third Divisions. GENERAL CURTIS'S REPORT. ST. LOUIS, MO., Thursday, Dec. 11, 1862. Major-General H. W. Halleck, General-in-Chief of the U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. Further details are received from Gens. Blunt and Herron, from the battle ground, Prairie-Grove, near Fayetteville, Arkansas: Our loss in killed and wounded is now estimated at one thousand, and that of the enemy at over two thousand. The rebels left many of their dead and most of their wounded for us to care for. Extensive hospitals will be improvised in Fayetteville. Persons returned from the battle-field repre sent that the enemy are twenty-eight thousand strong. Their artillery was much crippled. We took four caissons filled with ammunition, and a large number of small arms. General Blunt moves forward to-day on Cane Hill. General Herron remains at Prairie Grove burying the dead and taking care of the wounded. The enemy muffled their wheels and moved off in the night, continuing their retreat to Van Buren, and probably crossing the Arkansas River. Col. McFarland, of the Nineteenth Iowa regiment, is killed. Col. Black of the Thirty-seventh Illinois, and Major Thomas of the Twentieth Iowa regiment, and a large number of subalteran officers, are wounded. It was a hard-fought battle, and a complete vicS. R. CURTIS, Major-General Commanding. tory. OFFICIAL REPORT OF COLONEL WEER, HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION,} Lieutenant-Colonel Moonlight, Chief of Staff': COLONEL : Having just received the reports of the subordinate commanders, I hasten to submit to the General Commanding an account of the part taken by this brigade in the battle of Prairie Grove, Washington County, Arkansas, on Sunday December seventh, 1862. The Third Indian regiment (Cherokee) had previous to the action been ordered to protect the train some miles distant, so that we went into the engagement as follows: Tenth Kansas regiment, Major H. H. Williams, commanding three hundred and eighty-seven men company I being absent on detached service. First Kansas battery, Lieut. Marcus D. Tenny, commanding, ninety-five men. Third Indian Regiment, Adjutant Gallagher commanding, forty-four men. Thirteenth Kansas regiment, Colonel Thomas M. Bowen, commanding, three hundred and seventy-five men. Total number of men engaged, nine hundred and two. We entered the field upon the enemy's left, General Herron being then engaged some distance in our front; and immediately received an order to hurry forward to his assistance. The battery was placed in advance, the infantry marching by the right flank in its rear. The hurrying forward had just commenced, the head of the battery having entered an orchard, when a shower of bullets was sent at it from an adjoining thicket on the right. Fearing for its safety, and surprised at this unexpected reception so far distant from where General Herron was engaged, the Tenth Kansas was hurried into the thicket to clear it. They had hardly entered before they were subjected to a terrific fire, but fortunately with little loss. The battery moved forward into a meadow out of reach of small arms, while the Tenth Kansas continued moving and driving the enemy, but were soon again involved in a severe contest. Thereupon the Thirteenth Kansas and the frag. ment of the Third Indian were moved forward into the timber to the assistance of the Tenth. A line of battle was formed under the brow of a gentle declivity. Some detachments from the Second Kansas (cavalry, dismounted) and the right wing of the Eleventh Kansas regiment came to our help during the fight, and a continuous firing, with but slight intermissions, was kept up until dark. The line was as follows: The Indians upon the right, under Lieutenant Gallaher, as skirmishers, next to the left, the Tenth Kansas, under Major Williams, next a detachment of Second Kansas under Lieut.-Colonel Bassett; next, the Thirteenth Kansas, under Col. Bowen; next, the right wing of the Eleventh Kansas, under Colonel Ewing, and next, and last, upon the left, a small detachment of the Second Kansas, under Captain Crawford. The firing was general, and very rapid, with occasional lulls, during which we several times attempted to pass the brow of the hill and engage the enemy in close quarters. We were as often repulsed by the rain of bullets. At one time, two mountain howitzers, under Lieut. E. S. Stover, Second Kansas, came to our assistance, and did splendid execution. About dark, and while making a final attempt to pass over the brow of the hill, the enemy arose in the timber with loud yells, surrounding us on all sides, and charged. The air was thick with bullets, and nothing saved us from annihilation but the protection afforded by the brow of the hill. They must have been heavily reenforced, and so overpowering were their numbers that we were compelled to yield before the charge and fall back. At this time (about dark) Rabb's battery on our left, and Lieut. Tenny with the First Kansas battery on our right, saved us from destruction. Their firing was so rapid and well directed that the enemy was compelled to fall back, and we marched from the field in good order. We were engaged from three o'clock P.M. till dark. Our whole line of battle could not have numbered over twelve hundred, and with this force we engaged, as we afterward learned, General Frost's whole division, two Arkansas regiments, etc., and with the aid of the batteries above named, his final reënforcements. Our safety, even at the commencement of the action, must be attributed to the fact that our weakness was concealed from the enemy by our position, and that many of their men were unwilling conscripts. The desperate charges made by him at night by so large a force, was evidently intended to cover his retreat. The damage done the enemy far exceeded our losses. Lieut.-Col. Bassett and Capt. Crawford, of the Second Kansas, and Lieut. Stover, commanding the two howitzers, Capt. Rabb, commanding battery, their officers and men, for their valuable assistance, courage, and zeal. Due credit will doubtless be given them in reports from their proper commanders. I cannot be too earnest in my commendations of Col. Bowen, commanding Thirteenth Kansas, Major Williams, commanding Tenth Kansas, and Lieut. Tenny, commanding First Kansas battery, all of my own brigade. Their daring skill and active endeavors in the rallying and management of their men, amid storms of bullets, deserve not only honorable mention, but a place upon the record of those who merit promotion. Though not immediately under my personal supervision, I am credibly informed that Adjutant Gallaher, and his handful of Cherokees, did noble service in protecting the right flank of the Tenth, under Capt. Quigg. The accompanying reports from regimental commanders, will give the names of those receiving at their hands special mention. The conduct of Lieut. Tenny and his battery, was under the immediate eye of the General Commanding. Their destructive and rapid fire has even extorted high encomiums from the enemy. I desire to call officially the attention of the General to the condition of this battery, and would respectfully state that it is due to the valor, skill, and patient labor of Lieut. Tenny, that the proper steps be taken to place him as its captain, he having for a long time been discharging the functions of that office, and that the meritorious officers under him be promoted. To my adjutant, Lieut. J. K. Hudson, of the Tenth Kansas, I cannot award too high praise. He was my only aid, and was everywhere at duty's call, carrying orders, cheering and rallying the men. His worthy qualities in camp, as well as upon the field, entitle him to promotion. I trust that the merits of several non-commissioned officers and privates, will not hereafter be overlooked in granting commissions. Below I append a list of casualties. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that on the seventh instant, after being ordered by you to place that portion of the First brigade under my charge into position, the order was promptly executed by battery L, First Missouri light artillery, supported by the Twentieth regiment Wisconsin volunteers advancing across the creek. After playing the battery for about thirty minutes, doing good execution, I observed the enemy's fire to slacken. I then ordered the Twentieth Wisconsin to move cautiously forward. They moved across the field about five hundred I desire to express my grateful acknowledg-yards, when I ordered them to lie down under ments to Col. Ewing, of the Eleventh Kansas, cover. Receiving information that a heavy force As this was the first time most of the men were under fire, great credit is due them for the pertinacity with which they clung to their position, and rallied when broken. There were some disgraceful exceptions, but it is to be hoped that upon a fresh field they will show themselves worthy soldiers. was threatening my left flank, I immediately tieth Wisconsin, which was hotly engaged. The changed front to the left, the Nineteenth Iowa Nineteenth, led by Lieut.-Colonel McFarland, adand Ninety-fourth Illinois following up the move-vanced up the hill steady and across the orchard ment brought up in echelon, the Twentieth Wis-back of the house where the Twentieth Wiscon consin leading on the right. After the execu- | sin gave way- the Nineteenth still advancing to tion of the movement, I observed a battery of the fences adjoining the woods when the enemy the enemy supported by infantry, trying to get who lay concealed arose to their feet, three regiinto position in my front. I immediately ordered ments deep, pouring a destructive fire on us from the Twentieth Wisconsin to charge on the bat-three sides, which caused the regiment to waver tery, which was done in gallant style, Major Starr and fall back to the battery on the left of the leading. After taking the battery, the regiment road leading up the hill. Lieut.-Col. McFarland advanced under a heavy fire to the brow of the here fell shot through the body. I then took hill, when they met a heavy force of the enemy's command and rallied what was left of the regi infantry, some four or five regiments, advancing, ment, as the regiment met with a severe loss in which opened a terrific fire on the Twentieth the charge. I then left the men that I had rallied Wisconsin, and obliged them to fall back, which in charge of Capt. Roderick, of Co. K, and went they did in good order, destroying what they to rally some scattered troops, when Col. Orme could (while falling back) of the battery taken rode up and ordered Capt. Roderick to fall in and before; the Twentieth fell back in good style rally with the Ninety-fourth Illinois, which he did, across an open field to a fence, where they re- led by Col. Orme in person, driving the enemy formed and remained until the firing ceased for back with great slaughter and held their position the day. The officers and men behaved nobly, until ordered to fall back and re-form. In the reand stood the fire like veterans. I regret that treat of the Twentieth Wisconsin the color-bearer the loss of the Twentieth Wisconsin is heavy. was shot, letting fall the colors, when the enemy As far as I have been able to ascertain, it amounts made a desperate effort to get it, but a portion of to forty-nine killed, one hundred and forty-eight the Nineteenth rallied, and getting possession of wounded, and eight missing. it, carried it off the field with them. In conclusion, I cannot help but bring to your notice the gallant behavior of Major Starr, in immediate command of the Twentieth Wisconsin, as also Adjt. Morris, of the Twentieth, for the cool and prompt manner in which he executed my orders. Capt. Backhof, of the battery, behaved nobly, and his battery did good execution, although exposed for a time to a heavy fire of the enemy's infantry. Its loss of the killed and wounded will be forwarded as soon as it can be made out. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HENRY BERTRAM, MAJOR KENT'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS NINETEENTH IOWA VOLUNTEERS, To Colonel William Orme, Commanding Second The Nineteenth regiment, five hundred strong, was ordered into line of battle at twelve o'clock M., Lieut.-Col. McFarland commanding. By order of Col. Orme three companies were detached and deployed as skirmishers. The companies were A, B, and C, and owing to the circumstances Lieut. Root, the acting adjutant of the regiment, was ordered to take command, which was done, the skirmishers advancing under a heavy fire to a corn-field on the right of Co. E, First Missouri regiment artillery, and were ordered to hold it at all hazards, which was done until ordered to fall back and form in line of battle. The regiment was then ordered to advance to the left of the white house on the hill to support the Twen In making out this report it is with pleasure I can say the officers and men behaved nobly and fought desperately, as if the fate of the battle depended on them alone. I will mention especially Capt. Roderick, of Co. K, whom I left in charge of some scattered troops, also Capt. Richmond, of Co. H, and Capt. Taylor, of Co. G; also Lieut. Brooks, of Co. I, who brought the colors off the field, and in doing so was badly wounded. Others are equally meritorious, but are too numerous to mention at present. The report of the detachment of skirmishers I give to you as received. To Major Kent, Commanding Nineteenth Regi ment Iowa Volunteers: SIR: Having been ordered to take command of the three companies of skirmishers on the seventh, the day of battle, I advanced them to the right of battery E, of the First Missouri, where the right wing, under Capt. Bruce, was attacked by a supe rior force of the enemy, but a few well-directed shots drove them back. I would here notice the bravery of Capt. Bruce and the men under him. After advancing up near the wood the enemy fantry and two battalions of cavalry. They met came out of cover showing a heavy body of inwith a warm reception from the right under Capt. Bruce, which made them scatter. At this time I got an order from Col. Orme to fall back to the corn-field so as to let the batteries shell the woods, which was done in good order and held until ordered to join the regiment. R. ROOT, Lieutenant Commanding Skirmishers, On the morning of the eighth I was ordered into line at six o'clock, and advanced across the creek and formed in line of battle, and advanced up through the timber on the left of the Twentieth Wisconsin. I was then ordered to occupy the fence east of the house, which I did, crossing part of the ground that was fought over the day before. I occupied the position until ordered to fall back, so as to let both sides have a chance to collect their dead. I selected an advantageous piece of ground, and occupied it until ordered into camp. Below is a list of the killed, wounded, and missing of the Nineteenth regiment : KILLED. Commissioned officers,. Enlisted men,. . . . WOUNDED. Commissioned officers,. Enlisted men, Missing,.. Total aggregate,.. 3 5 8 .198 I remain your obedient servant, GENERAL HERRON'S LETTER. The following letter from General Herron to a gentleman in Dubuque, Iowa, gives a detailed ac count of the battle: HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION ARMY OF THE FRONTIER, CAMP PRAIRIE GROVE, December 15, 1862. driving them back to Illinois Creek, where I found their whole force strongly posted on a long ridge, with magnificent positions for batteries. For one mile in front it was clear ground, and my road. lay right in the centre of their line. From a prisoner taken I learned that Hindman was on the ridge with his whole force, and intended to whip me out before Blunt could get up; in other words, to take us one at a time. The case looked tough, with Blunt ten miles away, and twentyfive thousand men between us; but I saw at a 42 glance there were just two things that could be done, namely, fight them without delay, and depend on the chance of Blunt's hearing me and 140 coming up, or retreat and lose my whole train. It required no time to make a decision; and sending back for the Second division to close up, I took a look over the ground. At the regular crossing of the creek, I ordered two guns over to feel the enemy's position; but having felt rather too hard, they opened on us with two full batteries. Myself and staff made a very narrow escape here, as we were standing by the side of our pieces when they directed the fire of all their guns on us. For about ten minutes the solid shot and shell flew thick, several passing within a foot of me. I withdrew my pieces from this position, satisfied we couldn't cross at that place. There was a place further down the creek that I found we could cross, but it required a road cut through the timber to get at it. This was quickly done, and getting one full battery over and divided, posting three pieces in each of two places, so as to make them believe it was two batteries, I sent orders for the other three batteries with the infantry to cross the creek as soon as the first battery opened fire. At ten o'clock all was ready, and I gave the order to open. Of course the enemy directed their firing at the battery in position, and before they could change any of their pieces, I had fourteen guns more across the creek, and hard at work. Under cover of these guns I crossed all the infantry, General Blunt had kept up communication and thus formed my line of battle in the midst with me until Saturday night, at which time the of a terrific artillery-fire. The firing on our side enemy forced his pickets back, and by making a was elegant, both for rapidity and accuracy, and feint in front, withdrew his attention, and threw excelled any thing I had ever witnessed. Seeing their whole force, twenty-five thousand, in be- that all was working well, I commenced advanctween us. On the Saturday before, I had sent ing the batteries toward the enemy's lines, folall my cavalry, three thousand in number, to re-lowing up close with the infantry. Our skirenforce Blunt, having nothing therefore with me but infantry and artillery. I had necessarily to leave considerable behind, to keep my line open, and keep a heavy guard on my train of four hun- The enemy then commenced moving his troops dred wagons, so that I had left but four thousand from right on to my left, to force my position. available men. A more beautiful morning or a There was but one thing to do; and sending forgrander sunrise than that of December seventh ward, I ordered the Nineteenth Iowa and TwenI never beheld. We had marched about seven tieth Wisconsin to charge. It was a glorious miles south-west of Fayetteville, when musketry sight, and witnessed by me just as plain as I was heard in the distance, and in a few minutes could see a company manuœuvre in the street, the Arkansas cavalry came dashing back in great while standing on the sidewalk. They charged disorder. The enemy's advance had attacked up a hill, capturing a battery of four guns on the them. It took half an hour to get them rallied crest, and driving the rebels a thousand yards, and form a battery and two regiments of infantry but were unable to hold the ground, and were in for protection, when I again commenced an ad- turn driven back. These two regiments lost vance. For four miles we fought their cavalry, fifty men each killed in this charge. The fight You have undoubtedly received ere this pretty full particulars of the fight at this place on Sunday last. I left Wilson's Creek to help Blunt, as the rebels were pressing him hard, and had marched one hundred and ten miles in three days, with the entire baggage and commissarytrain. This you will see at a glance was a tremendous matter; but I told the boys there was a fight on hand, and that we must get there, or break a wheel. On Sunday morning at three o'clock we reached Fayetteville, and after one hour's rest pushed on. mishers soon became engaged with those of the enemy, and indeed in but very few minutes the whole left wing was engaged. |