THE BATTLE OF ELK HORN (PEA RIDGE)

SERGEANT KINNEY'S
ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE

VAN BUREN, March 16th, 1862.

A few words of the great battle may be interesting. We left Baston Mountain on Tuesday, March 4th, and camped near Fayetteville; General Price's command in advance. Wednesday morning we passed through Fayetteville, our train being left behind; we camped for the night at Elm Springs, twelve miles from Fayetteville. It snowed heavily all day, making the roads almost impassable. We learned next morning that the enemy was at Bentonville, about 13 ,000 strong, and we took up the line of march for that place. The weather was piercing cold. our advance- guard engaged the enemy, who were in full retreat, one mile north of Bentonville, and fought them all the way to Camp Stephens, a distance of seven miles. I have not learned the loss of the enemy; ours was three wounded.

We saw two of the enemy dead and one wounded on the roadside. The woods all along the road were strewn with dead horses. We arrived at Camp Stephens about dark, almost frozen and starved, having only one biscuit for breakfast that morning, and no prospect of supper. We built fires, and sat around them waiting for the wagons to arrive. Just as they came up we were ordered to march. We left camp at ten o'clock that night without supper, or blankets to keep off the damp night air. We marched about seven miles, when we were ordered to rest, which we needed very much, having marched twenty-six miles that day and night. We made fires of fence-rails, and laid around them until morning.

It was impossible to sleep, for the night was bitter cold; no one will ever know how much we suffered from cold and hunger; no tongue or pen can paint it. Friday morning, March 7th, came at last, and with it the order, "Fall in!"

The Rangers "fell in" to a man, but such a worn-out set of men I never saw They had not one single mouthful of food to eat. We marched about five miles and countermarched three miles; General Price had opened the battle on the Telegraph road, near Elk Horn Tavern, at 10 A.M. The enemy had possession of the hills between the Telegraph and the road we were on. All the infantry and calvary of McCulloch's Division were drawn up in line; Third Louisiana was sent forward to open the engagement on our side. While we were marching through a lane, with some Texas and Indian cavalry on our right, we were suddenly fired on by a masked battery about 300 yards distant; we were thrown into considerable confusion, from which, however, we soon recovered, to witness one of the most brilliant charge of the campaign by Young's and other Texas cavalry. As soon as the battery opened on us the cavalry bugles sounded the charge. Like a flash of lightning the column of cavalry dashed out, completed surrounding the battery and capturing it in less time than it takes to write it.

The enemies infantry and cavalry who were supporting the battery fired one round and ran.

We now marched in a south-easterly direction. Major W. F. Tunnard, commanding; Captain Hart's Battery in advance.

We had marched about one mile, when we were fired on by a mountain howitzer, stationed on a high hill on our right. The enemy made some very close shots; fortunately not one of our boys was injured by them.

Colonel Hebert came riding down, and was requested by the men not to leave them. This was the highest compliment our reagent could bestow. His response was, "I will not leave you, my men, this day."

We then countermarched and passed under the foot of the hill on which the howitzer was planted, with McRae's and McNair's Regiments and Greer's Texas on the hillside. Rested a few minutes until heavy firing of small-arms was heard in front, and order came for us to march in the direction of the firing.

We had not proceeded far when we were fired upon by the enemy's infantry, who were posted in a thicket on our left. We instantly charged them, and drove them back, when we were fired on by a battery about two hundred distant on our right.

We charged the battery with McRae's and McNair's Regiments, gallantly led by Colonel Hebert, taking it and driving them from the guns. In this charge the three regiments became mixed. About this time Colonel Hebert and Major Tunnard were cut off and taken prisoners.

The enemy on our left opened a heavy fire on us. We charged and drove them off with a heavy loss to them. We then discovered the enemy's cavalry were flanking us on the right. Captain Gunnell, the senior officer in command, ordered us to take the fence, as a heavy body of the enemy's cavalry were flanking us on the right. We had scarcely taken the position when the cavalry made a bold and daring charge, and were repulsed with a heavy loss. At this time it was discovered that a large body of infantry were flanking us on the left. Captain Gilmore was immediately ordered to the left to meet the enemy in the thicket. Here a desperate fight ensued, the enemy having been thrown there in a large body. The Louisiana and Arkansas troops fought like bull-dogs, and drove them back with great slaughter.

This portion of the command then became separated from the balance. The men requested Captain Gilmore to take command, which he did. As he was forming the men in line, we were again flanked on the left. We charged, and drove the enemy back with heavy loss. Captain Gilmore then secured a flag, placed it front, and with the assistance of Lieutenants Gentles, Pelican Rifles, Morse, Pelicans No. I, and Hobbs, of McRae's Regiment, succeeded in forming them in line. These young officers showed great bravery and coolness.

This command was from 300 to 500 strong, and was the left of McCulloch's Division. They secured a guide, and made for the point from which they first started, determined to cut their way out, but had but one slight skirmish with the enemy on their way out, and were the last to leave the field. This command picked up all the stragglers on the way out, and came out with 800 or 1,000 men. Generals McCulloch and McIntosh fell early in the action, and Colonel Hebert was taken prisoner, and Major Tunnard.

The regiments engaged withdrew to the opposite side of a large cornfield, and laid on their arms for the night. A number of regiments were not engaged, but were held in reserve. McCulloch's Division was ordered to General Price at 3 A.M. I Will here mention the cool gallantry of Captain Gunnell in rallying the men through the whole engagement.

Arrived at General Price's camp near daylight. Soon after, our artillery and enemy's commenced a heavy duel. Churchill's Arkansas Regiment and Whitfield's Texas engaged their infantry on the right. our regiment, McRae's, McNair's, Hill's, and Mitchell's regiments were on a hill on the left of the Telegraph road, within 250 yards of our batteries. The cannonading was said to be one of the grandest sights ever witnessed, and lasted for four hours, when General Van Dorn ordered the troops to be withdrawn, on account of a want of food and sleep. The Rangers fought bravely through the fight of the 7th, both officers and men. A great many of the regiments were completely exhausted for want of food and sleep, and wandered off on the night of the 7th in search of food, and were unable to rejoin their companies on the morning of the 8th. our train was on the Elm Spring road to the Baston Mountain, and the army on the Frog Bayou road, falling back to this place. It would be impossible to picture the suffering of our army on this retreat. When the army arrived at White River, our gallant little Captain J. B. Gilmore gave out; he was placed in a wagon, and soon after fainted, having eaten nothing for four days. The men were eating new corn; some would shoot a hog and eat the raw meat without salt.

The enemy lost in killed six to our one, and a greater number in proportion wounded. We turned two of their battened and came out of the fight with four guns more than we had when we went in. We have between 500 and 600 prisoners; having more than they have of ours. Have saved all our trains. The enemy burnt a large number of their wagons to prevent their falling into our hands. The army is now encamped seven miles from here, on the Frog Bayou road. The Louisiana Regiment stationed here for the present.

Casualties in Shreveport Rangers: Private John Craig supposed to be killed; Frank Cane wounded, not dangerously; M. F. Miller, L. J. Singer, J. F. Jus, D. S. Duval, and C. Wols, prisoners; J. Kimball, missing. All the rest are here, rather badly used up. If the Rangers have not seen hard service now, they never will. An exchange of prisoners will be made in a day or two.

Hoping, etc., etc.,

W. KINNEY.

CAPTAIN GILMORE'S REPORT

HEADQUARTERS SHREVEPORT RANGERS,
THIRD LOUISIANA VOLUNTEERS.

Captain Gunnell, commanding Third Louisiana Volunteers:

SIR,---on the morning of the 4th of March, I left camp on Baston Mountain with my company, numbering sixty-three rank and file, and camped that night within three miles of Fayetteville.

Resumed the line of march with the regiment in the morning, camping that night at Elm Spring. The men very much fatigued, and many of them with their feet badly blistered. Resumed the line of march on the morning of the 6th, halting at Sugar Creek for a short time late that evening. Resumed the line of march that night, arriving three miles north of Camp McCulloch at about 2 o'clock on the morning of the 7th, remaining there until 7 A.M. The men were very much worn out, having had but little to eat since leaving Baston Mountain. The weather being very cold, and the men without blankets, they had but little sleep, and were, in consequence, in a poor condition to resume the march that morning. When the call was made to fall in, the Rangers fell in promptly. We marched within a short distance of the Telegraph Road when we were countermarched three miles. We turned off to the left, and while marching through the lane, we were fired on by a masked battery, about three hundred yards' distance on our right. The company was thrown into a little confusion, not expecting an attack from that quarter, but from which they soon recovered.

We were then marched a short distance up the lane, when we were fired on by a mountain howitzer stationed on a hill on our right. We then filed to the right, and marched upon the side of a hill, where we halted.

Soon heavy firing of small arms was heard in front. The regiment was then moved forward, the company in its place, in line.

We had not proceeded far when we were fired on by a body of the enemy's infantry from a thicket on our left. We moved in the direction of the enemy, when heavy firing ensued on both sides. Owing to the thick undergrowth, we could not advance in regular line of battle, and became somewhat mixed up by other troops rushing through our ranks. After the enemy had been driven back we were fired on by a battery on the right.

We were then ordered and led by Colonel Hebert to charge the battery. Here the Rangers became mixed up with the other companies of the regiment and some Arkansas troops, and I was unable to get the entire company together again during the day.

After the battery was taken, we were fired on from the woods to the left of the battery. Here considerable confusion ensued in every company, caused by members of other companies and some Arkansas troops getting mixed up with them; but showed great bravery in driving the enemy back to the thicket.

I here made an effort to reform the company, but had only partly succeeded, when it was discovered that a large body of the enemy's cavalry was flanking us on the right.

We moved in that direction to a fence. The cavalry made a charge on us at this point, but were repulsed with considerable loss. I was here ordered by Captain Gunnell, the senior officer in command, to go to his left into the thicket, to meet a large body of the enemy's infantry who were advancing upon us from that direction. I had not advance far when a heavy fire of small-arms was opened upon us. Here a desperate fight ensued; but we succeeded in driving them back with great loss. Here the men showed the greatest bravery---the coolest and most determined fighting I ever witnessed.

At the flash of the enemy's guns the men would rush madly on them, routing them from behind logs, stumps, and trees, shooting them at almost every step. In this fight were about 250 Louisiana and Arkansas troops engaged, and in the fight had become separated from the rest of the command.

I being the senior officer present, the men requested me to take command, which I did; and at once began to form a line, with the assistance of Lieutenants Gentles, Pelican Rifles, Morse, Pelican Rangers No. 1, Hubbs, of McRae's Regiment, but had gotten but few of them in line when we were flanked by a body of infantry on the left. We instantly charged them, driving them back with considerable loss on their side and but little on ours---the above named officers acting with great bravery and coolness. I particularly noticed the conduct of Lieutenant Henry Gentles. At times I saw him in the front ranks, using his gun with deadly effect upon the enemy, and at other times rallying the men and cheering them on. I then got a flag, and secured a guide---we having become lost in the thicket---and placing the flag in front, formed the men in line and started for the field we had left in the morning.

On our way out we had one slight skirmish with the enemy, picking up all our men who had broken down in the fight.

When we reached the field, we numbered 500 or 700 men, composed of various regiments engaged in the fight that day.

Here I sent the men to their respective commands, taking the Louisianians who were with me. I joined the remainder of the regiments at the hospital on the road. My men at this time were badly used up---some were unable to go along with the regimen; others went in search of food, and could not get back to the company in the morning.

I never saw men so completely worn out from hunger and fatigue. We slept on our arms that night until 3 o'clock A. M., when we marched to General Price's headquarters on Telegraph Road.

We were ordered on a hill to the left of the road, and remained there during a heavy cannonade between our batteries and the enemy's.

We were then ordered to march off the field, which we did in good order.

The missing of my company are as follows: Wounded---Frank Cane, severely (not dangerously); missing---M. F. Miller, James Kimball, Julos F. Jus, Charles Wols, John Craig, L. J. Singer and Daniel S. Duval.

I have the honor, Captain, to be your obedient servant,

Q. B. GILMORE,
Captain commanding Shreveport Rangers,
Third La. Vols.

Official Report of General Van Dorn

HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISS. DISTRICT,
JACKSONPORT, ARK., March 27, 1862.

COLONEL,---I have the honor to report that , while at Pocahontas, I received dispatched on the 22nd February informing me that General Price has rapidly fallen back from Springfield before a superior force of the enemy, and was endeavoring to form a junction with the division of General McCulloch in Baston Mountain.

For reasons which to me seem imperative, I resolve to go in person and take command of the combined forces of Price and McCulloch. I reached their headquarters on 3d of March, and being satisfied that the enemy, who had halted on Sugar Creek, was only waiting large reinforcements before he would advance, I resolved to attack him at once. Accordingly I sent for General Pike to join me with the forces under his command, and on the morning of the 4th of March moved with the divisions of Price and McCulloch by way of Fayetteville and Bentonville to attack the enemy's main camp on Sugar Creek.

On the 6th we left Elm Spring for Bentonville, and from prisoners captured by our scouting parties on the 5th, I became convinced that, up to that time, no suspicions were entertained of our advance, and that there were strong hopes of our effecting a complete surprise and attacking the enemy before the large detachments encamped at the various points in the surrounding country could rejoin the main body. I therefore endeavored to reach Bentonville, eleven miles distant, by rapid march; but the troops moved so very slowly that it was 11:00 A. M. before the head of the leading division (Price's) reached the village, and we had the mortification of seeing Siegel's Division, 7,00 strong, leaving it as we entered. Had we been one hour sooner we should have cut him off with his whole force, and certainly beating the enemy the next day.

We followed him, our advanced skirmishing with his rear-guard, which was admirably handled, until we had gained a point on Sugar Creek, about seven miles beyond Bentonville, and within one or two miles of the strongly-intrenched camp of the enemy.

In conference with Generals McCulloch and McIntosh, who had accurate knowledge of this locality, I ascertained that , by making a detour of eight miles, I could reach the Telegraph Road, leading from Springfield to Fayetteville, and be immediately in rear of the enemy and his entrenchments.

I had resolved to adopt this route, and therefore halted the head of the column near the point where the road by which I had proposed to move diverges, threw out my pickets, and bivouacked as if for the night. But soon after dark I marched again, with Price's Division in advance, and taking the road by which I hoped, before daylight, to gain the rear of the enemy. Some obstructions which had been hastily thrown in our way so impeded our march that we did not gain Telegraph Road until nearly 10:00 A. M. of the 7th. From prisoners with forage-wagons, whom our cavalry pickets brought in, we were assured that we were not expected in that quarter, and that the promise was fair for a complete surprise.

I at once made dispositions for attack, and directing General Price to move forward cautiously, soon drew the fire of a few skirmishers, who were rapidly reinforced, so that before 11 o'clock we were fairly engaged, the enemy holding very good positions, and maintaining a heavy fire of artillery and small-arms upon the constantly advancing columns which were being pressed upon him.

I had directed General McCulloch to attack with his forces the enemy's left, and before 11 o'clock it was evident that, if his division could advance or even maintain its ground, I could at once throw forward Price's left, advance his whole line and end the battle. I sent him a dispatch to this effect, but it was never received by him. Before it was pinned his brave spirit had winged its flight, and one of the most gallant leaders of the Confederacy had fought his last battle.

About 3 P. M. I received by aids-de-camp the information that Generals McCulloch and McIntosh and Colonel Hebert (incorrect) were killed, and that the division was without a head. I nevertheless pressed forward with the attack, and at sunset the enemy was flying before our victorious troops at every point in our front, and when night fell we had driven him entirely from the field of battle. Our troops slept upon their arms nearly a mile beyond the point where he made his last stand, and my headquarters for the night were at Elk Horn Tavern. We had taken during the day seven cannon and about two hundred prisoners.

In the course of the night I ascertained that the ammunition was almost exhausted, and that the officer in charge of the ordinance supplies could not find his wagons, which, with the subsistence train, had been sent to Bentonville. Most of the troops had been without food since the morning of the 6th, and the artillery horses were beaten out. It was therefore with no little anxiety that I awaited the dawn of day. When it came, it revealed the enemy in a new and strong position, offering battle.

I made my disposition at once to accept the gage, and by 7 o'clock the cannonading was as heavy as that of the previous day. On the side of the enemy the fire was much better sustained; for being freed from the attack of my right wing, he could now concentrate his whole artillery. Finding that my right wing was much disorganized, and that the batteries, one after another, were retiring from the field, with every shot expended, I resolved to withdraw the army, and at once placed the ambulances, with all of the wounded they could bear, upon the Huntsville road, and a portion of McCulloch's division which had joined me during the night, in position to follow---while I disposed of my remaining forces as best to deceive the enemy as to my intention, and to hold him in check while executing it.

About 10 o'clock I gave the order for the column to march, and soon afterwards for the troops engaged to fall back and cover the rear of the army. This was done very steadily; no attempt was made by the enemy to follow us, and we encamped, about 3 o'clock P. M., about ten miles from the field of battle. Some demonstrations were made by his cavalry upon my baggage trains and the batteries of artillery, which returned by different routes from that taken by the army; but they were instantly checked, and, thanks to the skill and courage of Colonel Stone and Major Wade, all the baggage and artillery joined the army in safety.

So far as I can ascertain, our losses amounted to six hundred killed and wounded and two hundred prisoners and one cannon, which, having become disabled, I ordered thrown into a ravine.

The best information I can procure of the enemy's loses places his killed at more than 700, with at least an equal number wounded. We captured about 300 prisoners, so that his total loss was nearly 2,000. We brought away four cannon and ten baggage-wagons, and we burnt upon the field three cannon taken by McIntosh in his brilliant charge. The horses having been killed, these guns could not be brought away.

The force with which I went into action was less than 14,000 men; that the enemy variously estimated at from 17,000 to 24,000.

During the whole of the engagement I was with the Missouri Division under Price, and I have never seen better fighters than those Missouri troops, or more gallant leaders than General Price and his officers. From the first to the last shot they continually pushed on, and never yielded an inch they had ; and when at last they received the order to fall back, they retired steadily and with cheers. General Price received a severe wound early in the action; but would neither retire from the field nor cease to expose himself to danger. No successes can repair the loss of the gallant dead who fell upon this well-fought field. McCulloch was the first to fall. I had found him, in frequent conferences I had with him, a sagacious, prudent counselor, and a bolder soldier never died for his country.

McIntosh had been very distinguished all through the operations which had taken place in the region; and during my advance from Baston Mountain I placed him in command of the cavalry brigade and in charge of the pickets. He was alert, daring, and devoted to his duty. His kindness of disposition, with his reckless bravery, had attached the troops strongly yo him; so that; after McCulloch fell, had he remained to lead them, all would have been well with my right wing; but after leading a brilliant charge of cavalry and carrying the enemy's battery, he rushed into the thick of the fight again at the head of his old regiment and was shot through the heart. The value of these two officers was but proven by the effect of their fall upon the troops. So long as brave deeds are admired by our country, the names of McCulloch and McIntosh will be remembered and loved.

General Slack, after gallantly maintaining a continued successful attack, was shot through the body; but I hope his distinguished services will be restored to his country. A noble boy, Churchill Clark, commanding a battery of artillery, and during the fierce action of the 7th and 8th, was conspicuous for the daring and skill which he exhibited. He fell at the very close of the action. Colonel Rivers fell mortally wounded about the same time, and was a great loss to us. On a field where there were many gallant gentlemen, I remember him as one of the most energetic and devoted of them all.

To Colonel Henry Little my especial thanks are due for the coolness, skill and devotion with which for two days he and his gallant brigade bore the brunt of the battle. Colonel Burbridge, Colonel Rosser, Colonel Gates, Major Lawther, Major Wade, Captain McDonald, and Captain Shaumberg, are some of those who attracted my special attention by their distinguished conduct.

In McCulloch's Division, the Louisiana Regiment, under Louis Hebert, and the Arkansas Regiment, under Colonel McRae, are especially mentioned for there good conduct. Major Montgomery, Captain Bradfute, Lieutenants Lomax, Kimmel, Dilon, and Frank Armstrong, A. A. G., were ever active and soldierly. After their services were no longer required with their own division, they joined my staff, and I am much indebted to them for the efficient aid they gave me during the engagement of the 8th. They are meritorious officers, whose value is lost to the service by their not receiving rank more accordant with their merit and experience than that they now hold. Being without my proper staff, I was much gratified by the offer of Colonel Shands and Captain Barret, of the Missouri Army, of their services as aids. They were of great assistance to me by the courage and intelligence with which they bore my orders; also Colonel Lewis, of Missouri.

None of the gentlemen of my personal staff, with the exception of Colonel Maury, A. A. G., and Lieutenant C. Sullivan, my aid-de-camp, accompanied me from Jacksonport, the others having left on special duty. Colonel Maury was of invaluable service to me, both in preparing for and during the battle. There, as on other battle-fields where I have served with him, he proved to be a zealous patriot and true soldier. Cool and calm under all circumstances, he was always ready either with his sword or pen. His services and Lieutenant Sullivan's are distinguished; the later had his horse killed under him while leading a charge, the order for which he had just delivered. You will perceive, Colonel, from this report, that I did not capture, as I hoped, or destroy the enemy's army in Western Arkansas, I have inflicted upon it a heavy blow and compelled him to fall back into Missouri; this he did about the 16th inst. For further details concerning the action, and for more particular notices of the troops engaged, I refer you to the reports of the subordinate officers which accompany this report.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

EARL VAN DORN, Major-General.

Col. W. W. Mackall, A. A. G.

The following is quoted from, A Southern Record, The History of the Third Regiment Louisiana Infantry, W. H. Tunnard, Baton Rouge, LA.; 1866. "A review of the battle shows, that more desperate fighting was never done during the whole campaign, than Herbert's Brigade from the Third Louisiana Regiment. They charged and routed successively three brigades of the enemy; fought three and a half hours unsupported, against a largely superior force, driving them back over a mile, and only desisted because of complete exhaustion. The battery that they charged belonged to Siegel's Brigade, whose men were all armed with Colt's revolving rifles with extra cylinders for quick reload. Hebert's Brigade killed outright forty-seven of the enemy's cavalry, who had charged into the open field, not wounding a man. The Ninth Iowa Regiment lost forty-seven men killed, and two hundred and thirty-seven wounded. Among the killed were four captains. One of the prisoners said that when the Louisianians first fired on their forces, out of a company sent forward as skirmishers, ten were killed and forty wounded. This demonstrates the desperate character of the fighting, and the unerring precision with which the Louisianians used their arms. The foe could not be convinced that it was the only Louisiana regiment in the army, and frankly acknowledged the desperate valor with which they fought."

On the 8th of March Van Dorn's Army of the West started its retreat towards Van Buren, Arkansas. The Third Louisiana Regiment stayed in Van Buren a short time to reorganize and recuperate, they then left for Fort Smith. They departed Fort Smith in the later part of March they marched eastward to Little Rock.