Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 2.djvu/252

 position, while the enemy was still encircling it in front and rear. All night was spent by Curtis in forming a new line of battle and there was little sleep in the camp. Early on the morning of the 8th the battle was renewed all along the lines by a heavy fire of artillery. This was followed by a general advance of the Union army, which charged with such fierce determination and unflinching courage that the Confederate lines began to weaken. The batteries were now pouring in such a deadly fire that a number of Confederate positions were taken. The enemy’s lines began to waver before the steady storm of shot and shell, but as Davis, Sigel and Carr closed in on them with volleys of musketry, they were met by a deadly fire at short range, which rapidly thinned our ranks. Slowly the Confederates were crowded out of the woods into the open field, where their lines were broken, and the men at last turned and fled in confusion.

The Confederate army suffered very severely in this battle. Two distinguished Generals, McCulloch and McIntosh, were killed, and Generals Price and Slack were wounded, besides the loss of minor officers and men of not less than 2,500. The Union loss was two hundred and three killed and a little more than 1,000 wounded and prisoners. The Ninth Iowa lost two hundred and eighteen men; the Fourth, one hundred and sixty; the Third Cavalry, fifty; the two Iowa batteries, thirty-nine.

Ingersoll says of this battle:

“Whether considered in reference to the skill with which the troops were maneuvered or the valor with which they fought, the battle of Pea Ridge must be placed among the most memorable and honorable victories of the war. In a field far removed from General Curtis’ base of supplies, in a country much better known to the enemy than to him; that enemy outnumbered him more than two to one. Yet he defeated him so thoroughly, that his scattered squads were driven in panic far away to the south.”

Iowa men had borne a most conspicuous part in this