USA > Louisiana > The province and the states, a history of the province of Louisiana under France and Spain, and of the territories and states of the United States formed therefrom, Vol. III > Part 33
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The Hon. Henry F. Thomasson introduced a series of conserv- ative resolutions, condemning disunion and looking to a conven- tion of all the states to "settle the slavery question" and secure the perpetuation of the Union. The resolutions were passed and the convention adjourned to meet again August 19, following or sooner pursuant to a possible call by the president. Other import- ant acts of the convention were a measure to submit to a vote of the people the question of secession or cooperation with the admin- istration at Washington ; the election of Samuel H. Hempstead, Albert Rust, T. H. Bradley, E. A. Warren and J. P. Spring as delegates to a border state convention, proposed by Virginia and Missouri, to be held at Frankfort, Ky., May 17, and a vote of thanks to the Hon. Stephen (A. Douglas, John J. Crittenden and Albert Rust for efforts toward a feasible solution of the troubles of the time. This filled the wise and conservative men of the state with great hope for the future. But, most unfortunately, when the convention again met, war was already upon the country, and the ordinance of secession was passed with but one negative vote. The few days between the adjournment and reassembling of the convention had not made traitors of this majority that had so recently condemned disunion. The swift moving events, every- where producing consternation and alarm, called out determined men, and excitement ruled the hour. There was practically no Union sentiment in Arkansas after President Lincoln's first call for 75,000 men "to put down the rebellion." Simon Cameron, secretary of war, made requisition on Governor Rector for 780 Arkansas soldiers, and April 22, 1861, Governor Rector sent to him this brief but suggestive reply: "In answer to your demand for troops from Arkansas to subjugate the Southern States, I have to say that none will be furnished. The demand in only adding insult to injury. The people of this commonwealth are
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free men, not slaves, and will defend to the last extremity their honor, lives and property against Northern mendacity and usurpa- tion."
April 20, two days before, President Walker had called a session of the convention for May 6. Now war was an actuality and most of the Gulf states had seceded. Every one knew that war was in progress, but few realized its immensity. The con- vention did not rush hastily into secession. An ordinance for secession was introduced on the afternoon of May 6, by Col. W. Porter Grace, chairman of the committee on ordinances and resolutions. Its adoption was moved by Mr. Yell, of Jefferson county. Mr. Dinsmore, of Benton county, moved an amendment providing for the submission of the question of secession to a popular vote in June following. The amendment was tabled on motion of Mr. Patterson, of Jackson county. A roll-call revealed a vote of sixty-five for secession and five against secession. Expressions of deepest attachment to the Union and the old flag were heard. The most fiery and vehement of the secessionists in the body were cautious and deliberate. There was but little even of vehement detestation of the abolitionists manifested. A hur- ried, whispered conference went on and an effort was made to have the result unanimous. Before the vote was formally announced, four of those who had voted against secession changed their votes. The final vote was cast about four o'clock in the afternoon. When the name of Isaac Murphy, of Madison county, afterward the military governor, was reached, it was passed and the roll-call continued. It was so far unanimous, with Mr. Murphy's name still to call. The clerk called it. Mr. Murphy arose and, in an earnest and impressive manner, in a few words explained the dilemma he was in; but said, "I cannot violate my honest con- victions of duty-] vote 'No.'" Delegates were present in anx- ious attendance from the Carolinas, Alabama and Georgia. They knew that the fate of their action largely depended upon the attitude of Arkansas. If Arkansas voted 'no,' then the whole secession movement would receive a severe blow. "Every men- ber," wrote one who was present on that memorable occasion, seemed impressed with the importance of the vote he was giv- ing. The hall of the House of Representatives was crowded almost to suffocation. The lobby, the gallery and the floors of the chamber were full, and the vast crowd seemed excited to the very highest pitch. A profound stillness prevailed all the time, as vote after vote was taken and recorded, except occasionally, when a well known Union man would arise and preface his vote
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with expressions of patriotic southern sentiments, the crowd would give token of its approbation, but the adoption of the ordin- ance of secession was the signal of one general acclamation, which shook the building to its very foundation. Doubtless each mem- ber realized when he gave his vote that it meant a conflict, but what else could be done? Since the North had already begun the attempted subjugation of the South, it was war if we remained in the Union and war if we went out. It was war waged by us and through us if we stayed in and war waged on ns and against us if we went out. But every principle of honor and right die- tated that we should rather be made war upon than that we should, either actively or passively, suffer ourselves to aid in making war upon the other southern states." The announcement of the vote was greeted with wild cheers by the assembly and by those in the densely packed lobbies and galleries, and by an artillery salute by the guns of Capt. William E. Woodruff's Pulaski artillery, near the river, back of the statehouse.
The convention repealed its former act, submitting the ques- . tion of "secession" or "no secession" to a vote of the people and adopted a new state constitution which passed into history as the constitution of 1861. Under this constitution, the state of Arkan- sas was admitted to the Southern Confederacy May 20, 1861. The provisional congress of the Southern states was then in session at Montgomery, Ala., and A. II. Garland, Robert W. Johnson, Hugh F. Thomasson, W. W. Watkins and Albert Rust were sent to it as delegates. A military board was brought into existence. It consisted of Gov. Henry M. Rector, Benjamin C. Totten and Christopher C. Danley and was empowered to arm and equip troops. Sammel W. Williams, who succeeded Captain Danley in this board, went into the service and was succeeded by L. D. Hill. Albert Pike was commissioned to secure the co-operation of the Choctaw and Cherokee Indians with Arkansas in the now inevit- able conflict. President Davis authorized Messrs. James B. Johnson, T. C. Hindman and Thompson B. Flournoy to recruit regiments in the state. The military board called for 10,000 vol- unteers and the men of the state responded promptly, and during the war, ont of a voting population of 61,198, as counted in 1860, fully 50,000 men entered the Confederate service. Most of the organizations first enlisted entered the service as state troops. Brigadier-Generals James Yell and N. B. Pearce were appointed by the convention. General Pearce's brigade consisted of Gratiot's, Walker's and Dockery's regiments of infantry and Carroll's artillery. In September, 1861, General Hardee, commissioner and
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representative of the Confederate states, came to Arkansas and brought about the transfer of all state troops to the Confederate service, and Pearce's brigade disbanded and its members formed new commands. Each man was offered honorable discharge if, for any reason, he should not want to be so transferred. The records of the military board are lost or destroyed. There is 110 foster of Arkansas soldiers and officers of the Civil war, though the compilation of one has recently been provided for. The follow- ing, derived from Hempstead, from Shinn and from newspaper files and other historical sources, is believed to be a nearly correct and measurably complete list of regiments, battalions and artillery commands raised in Arkansas for the Confederate service, IS61-65. As space is somewhat limited the commanders of each of the organizations are named in the order of their succession, and the principal engagements, campaigns or movements in which each organization participated are mentioned. It is not possible to refer to all service in detail.
First Arkansas Infantry, Confederate: Col. James F. Fagan, Col. J. W. Colquit ; fought at Missionary Ridge, Franklin, Nashi- ville, Manassas, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga. First Arkansas Infantry, State : Col. Patrick R. Cleburne, Colonel l'atton; fought in engagements under Johnston, at Franklin, Nashville, Shiloh, Richmond, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga. This regimeut was later known as the Fifteenth Arkansas Infantry, Confederate. First Arkansas Mounted Rifles: Col. T. J. Churchill, Col. D. H. Reynolds, Col. R. W. Harper ; Oak Hill, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Franklin, Nashville, Bentonville, N. C. Second Arkansas Infantry, Confederate: Col. T. C. Hindman, Col. D. C. Govan ; Richmond, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga. This regiment was included in Hindman's Legion. Second Arkansas Mounted Rifles: Col. James McIntosh, Col. Harris Flanagin, Col. J. A. Williamson, Col. J. T. Smith, Col. James P. Eagle ; Pea Ridge, Oak Ilill, Chickamauga, Frank- lin. Second Arkansas Cavalry: Col. W. F. Slemons; Boonville, Juka, Poison Spring, Pilot Knob. Second Arkansas Battalion: Col. Bart Jones; luka, Corinth, Fort Pillow. This organization was consolidated with the Eighteenth and Twenty-third regiments. It surrendered at Fort Pillow. Third Arkansas Infantry, Confed- erate: Col. Albert Rust, Col. Van Manning; Chickamauga, Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, White Oak Swamp, Mal- vern, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg. Second Arkansas Infantry (known as Gratiot's regiment) : Col. John R. Gratiot ; fought at Oak Hill, disbanded in. 1861, and re-enlisted in other commands. Third Confederate Infantry : Col. John S. Marina-
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duke, Col. Cameron ; participated in Bragg's Kentucky expedition and fought at Shiloh. This regiment was included in Hindman's Legion. Third Regiment Arkansas Infantry: Col. De Rosey Carroll; fought at Oak Hill, disbanded in 1861 and re-enlisted in other commands. Third Arkansas Cavalry: Col. Solon Borland, Colonel Gee, Colonel Earle, Col. Benjamin F. Danley ; Corinth, luka, Forrest's campaign. Third Arkansas Infantry, State: Col. David Walker ; fought at Oak Hill and participated in campaigns in Arkansas. Fourth Arkansas Infantry, Confederate: Col. Evander MeNair, Col. HI. L. Bunn; New Hope, Atlanta, Frank- lin, Nashville, Elkhorn, Murfreesboro, Jackson, Chickamauga, Kesacca. Fourth Arkansas Battalion: Col. Francis A. Terry ; Columbus, Island Number Ten, Murfreesboro, Corinth. This regiment was consolidated with the Fourth Arkansas. Fourth Arkansas, State: Col. Thomas P. Dockery; disbanded and re-enlisted in other commands, notably the Nineteenth Arkansas. Fifth Arkansas, State: Col. David C. Cross, Col. L. Featherston, Col. John F. Murray, Colonel Howell; Perryville, Murfreesboro,. Franklin, Nashville. Fifth Cavalry: Col. R. C. Newton; took part in campaigns in Arkansas and Missouri. Fifth Arkansas Battalion (Sixth Arkansas Infantry) : Col. Franklin W. Desha, Col. Richard Lyons, Col. A. T. Hawthorne, Col. Samuel G. Smith ; Murfreesboro, Franklin, Nashville, Columbus, Shiloh, Corinth, Tupelo, Chickamauga. This regiment was consolidated with the Seventh Arkansas. Seventh Arkansas Infantry ("the Bloody Seventh") : Col. R. G. Shaver, Col. D. 11. Gillespie, Col. Peter Snyder ; Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamanga, Mission- aty Ridge; in every engagement of the Army of Tennessee. Eighth Arkansas Infantry: Col. William K. Patterson, Col. J. 11. Kelley, Col. G. T. Barcum; Shiloh, Chickamanga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, in Bragg's campaign and in Johnston's battles. Ninth Arkansas Infantry: Col. John M. Bradley, Col. S. J. Mason, Col. Isaac Dunlop; Shiloh, Corinth, Atlanta, Nashville, and in the engagements of Johnston's campaign. This organiza- tion contained forty-two Methodist preachers and was known as "the Parsons' Regiment." Tenth Arkansas Infantry: Col. T. D. Merrick, Col. A. R. Witt; Belmont, Shiloh, Port Hudson and in Price's campaign. Eleventh Arkansas Infantry: Col. Jabez M. Smith, Col. John L. Logan; Port Hudson, Fort Pillow, luka, Island Number Ten. This regiment was consolidated with the Seventeenth Arkansas. Twelfth Arkansas Infantry: Col. E. W. Gantt, Col. T. J. Reid ; Fort Donelson, Port Hudson ; sent to John- son's Island. Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry: Col. J. C. Tappan, Col. J. A. McNeely ; Belmont, Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro,
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Chickamauga. Fourteenth Arkansas Infantry: Col. M. C. Mitchell, Col. Pleasant Fowler ; Oak Hill, Elkhorn, campaigns in Arkansas. Fifteenth Arkansas Infantry: Col. James Gee, Col. Ben. W. Johnson; Columbus, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Port Hudson. Sixteenth Arkansas Infantry: Col. John F. Hill, Col. David Province; Pea Ridge, luka, Corinth, Port Hudson; sent to Johnson's Island. Seventeenth Arkansas Infantry : Col. G. W. LeMoyne, Col. Jordan E. Cravens ; Fort Pillow, Cor- inth. This organization, known as S. W. William's regiment, was consolidated with the Twenty-first Arkansas. Seventeenth Arkansas Infantry: Col. Frank Rector, Col. John Griffith ; Elk- horn, luka, Corinth, Port Hudson. This regiment was consoli- dated with the Eleventh Arkansas. Eighteenth Arkansas Infan- try: Col. D. W. Carroll, Col. J. J. Daly, Col. W. N. Parrish, Col. Robert 11. Crockett; Fort Pillow, Iuka, Corinth, Port Hudson. Nineteenth Arkansas Infantry: Col. C. L. Dawson, Col. A. S. Hutcheson ; Elkhorn, Arkansas Post, and in Johnston's and Hood's campaigns. Nineteenth Arkansas Infantry : Col. If. P. Smead, Col. W. S. Dismukes, Col. Thomas P. Dockery ; Fort Pil- low, Corinth. This regiment was captured on Black river near Vicksburg. It was consolidated with the regiment just mentioned after the battle of Arkansas l'ost. Twentieth Arkansas Infantry : Col. George King, Col. Henry P. Johnson, Col. Dan W. Jones ; Fort Pillow, Corinth, Iuka, Champion's Ilill, Big Black River, Vicksburg, Mark's Mill, Jenkins' Ferry, Poison Springs. Twenty- first Arkansas Infantry: Col. J. S. McCarver ; Corinth. Twenty- first Arkansas Infantry : Col. Dandridge McRae; participated in campaigns in Arkansas. This regiment was known also as the Fifteenth Arkansas. Twenty-second Arkansas Infantry : Col. J. P. King, Col. Frank Rector, Col. John Wallace; Prairie Grove, Helena, Little Rock, Red River expedition. Twenty-third Arkan- sas Infantry : Col. Charles W. Adams, Col. O. P. Lyles, Col. A. A. Pennington ; luka, Corinth, Port Hudson, Missionary Ridge. Twenty-fourth Arkansas Infantry : Col. E. E. Portlock ; Arkansas Post, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Georgia campaign, Hood's campaign. Twenty-fifth Arkansas Infantry : Col. C. J. Trumbull, Col. John Hufstedler ; Fort Pillow, Shiloh, Richmond, Murfrees- boro, Chickamauga and in Johnston's and Hood's campaigns. Twenty-sixth Arkansas Infantry: Col. Asa Morgan, Col. Pitts Yell, Col. I. L. Brooks; Prairie Grove, Mansfickl, Jenkins' Ferry, Pleasant Hill. Twenty-seventh Arkansas Infantry: Col. J. R. Shaler. This regiment was consolidated with the Thirty-eighth Arkansas. Twenty-eighth Arkansas: Col. Dandridge McRae, Col. J. E. Glenn, Col. J. M. Davie; Oak Hill, luka, Elkhorn.
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Twenty-ninth Arkansas Infantry : Col. J. C. Pleasant, Col. Sam S. Bell ; participated in campaigns in Arkansas. Thirtieth Arkansas Infantry: Col. A. J. McNeill; in campaigns in Arkansas. Thirty-first Arkansas Infantry: Col. T. H. McCray ; Richmond, and in campaigns in Arkansas. Thirty-second Arkansas Infantry : Col. C. H. Matlock, Col. J. E. Glenn ; in campaigns in Arkansas, Thirty-third Arkansas Infantry; Col. H. L. Grinsted; in cam- paigns in Arkansas. Thirty-fourth Arkansas Infantry : Col. W. H. Brooks; in campaigns in Arkansas. Thirty-fifth Arkansas Infantry: Col. A. T. Hawthorne; in campaigns in Arkansas. Thirty-sixth Arkansas Infantry: Col. Lucien C. Gause; served in Arkansas under General Holmes. Thirty-eighth Arkansas Infantry : Col. R. G. Shaver; Pleasant Hill, Jenkins' Ferry and in Arkansas campaigns. Thirty-ninth Arkansas Infantry : Col. R. A. Hart ; in campaigns in Arkansas. There has been men- tion of the Forty-fifth and Forty-seventh regiments, Arkansas Infantry, but the names of their colonels and the places of their service have not been recorded. The First Arkansas Cavalry, Col. James C. Monroe, fought at Prairie Grove, Pine Bluff, Elkin's Ferry and Poison Springs. Baber's Cavalry : Col. M. D. Baber; Arkansas campaigns. Woodruff's Artillery, under Maj. William E. Woodruff, saw service at Oak Hill, Little Rock, Helena, Jenkins' Ferry and elsewhere. Col. W. L. Anderson's Battalion and the regiments of Col. Sam S. Bell, Col. Lucien C. Gause, Col. A. S. Dobbins, Col. T. R. Freeman, Col. McGee, Col. George Rutherford, Col. , Coleman, Col. J. C. Wright, Col. C. A. Carroll, Col. T. M. Gunter, Col. William Crawford, Col. L. L. Thompson and Colonel Hobbs, all participated in cam- paigns in Arkansas. Venable's Cavalry, S. B. Thomasson's Infantry, B. T. Embry's Second Mounted Rifles and the battalions of Commanders W. F. Rapley, J. M. Harrell, Check, McCairn, Pat H. Wheat, Charles W. Pfeiffer, W. H. Trader, Cook, Chris- man, Witherspoon and Hill, and Col. John R. Homer Scott's Squadron performed gallant service. The following artillery organizations were in the service: Capt. W. D. Blocker's Battery, Capt. C. B. Etter's Battery, Capt. Henry C. West's Battery, Captain Anderson Mills' Battery, Captain Clarkson's Battery, Captain Reed's Battery, Captain Gaines' Battery, Capt. T. Rob- erts' Battery, Captain Hart's Battery, Capt. J. T. Humphrey's Battery, Capt. F. A. Shoup's Artillery, Capt. Francis MeNally's Artillery, Capt. J. A. Owens' Artillery, Capt. Ras Stirman's Sharp- shooters, Capt. Homer Thrall's Heavy Artillery, Captain Deshler's Battery, Captain Merrick's Battery, Captain Logan's Battery,
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Captain Provence's Battery, Captain Sims' Battery, Captain Young's Battery, Captain McCown's Artillery, Captain Trigg's Artillery, Captain Hubbard's Artillery, Captain MeCairn's Bat- tery, the Appeal Artillery and the Helena Artillery.
The first seven regiments were authorized as the first exuberant war expression of the state. They were state troops, armed and equipped by the state; but the fact is that the poorest men went into the army at their individual expense and armed and equipped themselves. This was the rule-the ranks were filled not by men only who were fighting for their slave property, but largely by men who had never owned or expected to own a slave. When the Union army under General Curtis was bearing down to invade Arkansas, ten more regiments were authorized and responded to this call and seven additional regiments were raised and mustered into the state's service. Fourteen infantry regiments besides the cavalry and artillery had been a strong demand on the people, but the calls for men were increased. By voluntary enlistments more than twenty infantry regiments were at length in the field. Including cavalry and artillery, Arkansas had about 25,000 volun- teer soldiery. Then came conscription. The number of years before old age exempted was lengthened and the age of youth exempting was shortened. Besides its large quota to the Confed- erate army, the state furnished soldiers to the Union army, and today the Grand Army of the Republic and the United Confederate Veterans' Association are both well represented in the state. In the history of wars it is doubtful if there is anything to exceed this in the heroic sacrifices of any people. The following men- tioned Union regiments, of whom about 5,500 were negroes, numbering, all told, about 13,000, and other organizations, were formed in Arkansas, principally in the northern and eastern cout- ties, in the years indicated: White troops-First Arkansas Cavalry, Col. M. Larre Harrison, 1862; Second Arkansas Cav- alry, Col. John E. Phelps, 1862; Third Arkansas Cavalry, Col. Abraham W. Ryan, 1862; Fourth Arkansas Cavalry, Col. Lafay- ette Gregg, 1863; Fourth Arkansas Mounted Infantry, Col. Elisha Baxter; First Arkansas Battery, Col. Henry. M. Easter, 1863; First Arkansas Infantry, Col. James M. Johnson, 1863; Second Arkansas Infantry, Col. M. L. Stephenson, 1863; Fourth Regi- ment (one company), Capt. Ira D. Bronson; First Arkansas Battalion, Col. John C. Bundy, 1862. Colored troops-Eleventh Regiment (five companies ), Col. James M. Steele; Forty-sixth Regiment, Eliphat Whittesly; Forty-fourth Regiment, John E. Cone; Fifty-seventh Regiment, Thomas D. Seawell; One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment.
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Soldiers from Arkansas were present in every part of the wide field of the war. Of those in the Confederate army, many fought in Virginia under Lee, Johnston, Jackson, Longstreet and Beaure- gard during practically the entire period of the struggle; others fought in Kentucky under Kirby Smith and Braxton Bragg ; others in Georgia and Tennessee under Bragg, Hood and John- ston ; others in Missouri under Price and in Mississippi under Price and Van Dorn; others in Louisiana under Dick Taylor ; others in Arkansas under Holmes and Hindman. Among engage- ments, of more or less importance in Arkansas, were the following, Bentonville, Pea Ridge, Leetown, Elkhorn Tavern, March 6-8, 1862; Salem or Spring River, March 18; Talbot's Ferry, April 19; Scarcy Landing, May 19; Big Indian Creek, May 27; Smithville, June 17; St. Charles, June 17; Little Red River, June 25; Grand Prairie, July 6; Bayou Cache, July 7; Aberdeen, July 9; Batesville, July 14; Fayetteville, July 15; Boonesborough; Jonesboro, August 3; Clarendon, August 13; LaGrange, October 11 ; Ifelena, . October II ; Marianna, November 7; Cane Hill, November 28; Boston Mountain, November 28; Helena, December 5; l'rairie Grove, December 27; Arkansas Post, January 10-1I, 1863; LaGrange, May 1; Helena, July 14; West Point, August 14; Austin, Bayou Meto, Brownsville, August 25-31; Reed's Bridge, August 27; Terry's Ferry, September 7; Little Rock, September 10; Pine Bluff, October 24; Clarksville, November 8; Waldron, December 30; Martin's Creek, January 17, 1864; Bates- ville, February 19; Long View, Mount Elba, March 26-30; Augusta, April 1; Spoonville, April 2; Okolona, April 3; Rose- ville, Stone's Farm, April 5; Moscow, April 13; Camden, Liberty, April 15-16; Poison Springs, April 18; Cotton Plant,; April 21 ; Mark's Hill, April 25; Princeton, April 30; Jenkins' Ferry, April 30; Richlands, May 3 ; Clarendon, June 25-29; Lake Chicot, June 26; Pine Bluff, July 2; Farris Mill, July 14; Wallace's Ferry, July 26; Massard Prairie, July 27; Fort Smith, August 24; Jones Ilay Station, August 24; Searcy, September 6; Douglas Landing, February 22, 1865; Chalk Bluff, May 11. "Besides the battles which were fought on her own soil," wrote Hempstead, "soldiers from Arkansas were engaged on the Confederate side in all the great battles in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, from Manassas to the surrender of Lee at Appomattox; in those of Oak Hill, Shiloh, Corinth, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Mission- ary Ridge, and all the engagements of Johnston's army from the opening of the campaign of 1864 until his surrender in North Carolina, after the surrender of Lee. They were at Fort Donel- son ; at the siege of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, in each of which
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places many were made prisoners ; and at other important points where the varying events of the conflict called them. The loss sustained by them in the progress of the great struggle was terrific. Regiments which entered the service with 1,000 men and more had less than 100 men left at the close of the struggle, and some even less than forty men. Other regiments were so far depleted as to entirely lose their identity and become merged with others." . The ill-fated Brig .- Gen. John E. Murrey was, at the age of twenty-two, killed in battle at Atlanta. Cleburne, the idol of the army and of the state, fell at Franklin. Other brave officers were killed or died or were wounded. The graves of Arkansans who gave up their lives for their convictions dot the land from Gettysburg to New Orleans. .
Gen. N. B. Pearce was sent to Northwestern Arkansas, where was fought, March 7, 1862, the first battle on Arkansas soil-Pea Ridge, or as it is better known.in the South, Elkhorn. March 6, Price and McCullough had attacked Sigel at Bentonville and forced him to retreat to Curtis' main wing. That at Elkhorn was a severe engagement, but hardly a decisive one. Pearce's troops were included in the command of Gen. Earl Van Dorn, who was opposed by the Federal, Gen. Samuel R. Curtis. The Confederates, though outnumbered and eventually somewhat dis- concerted by the death on the field of Gens. Ben McCullought and James MeIntosh, held their ground bravely, and in his report General Van Dorn said: "The enemy's position was a strong one, but we drove him from it and slept on our arms on the field of battle." Referring to his soldiers, he said: "The Old Guard of Napoleon was not composed of better men; I have never in battle seen their equals." At Pea Ridge, Van Dorn had 15,000 men, Curtis 20,000. Van Dorn and Price were opposed to Curtis, Mccullough and McIntosh to Sigel. The battle has been called the Buena Vista of the war. Gen. Albert Pike participated in it with his Cherokee brigade, which acquitted itself creditably. During the night of the 7th the Federal forces retreated to a better position ; on the 8th Van Dorn retired southward. After a few days, Curtis withdrew to Batesville, thence to Helena, Van Dorn reformed his army round about Van Buren and ordered a rendezvous at Duval's Bluff. The advance of Curtis' army into Arkansas had been checked. Beauregard was pressed by the Federals east of the Mississippi, and Van Dorn's forces were withdrawn and taken across the river to oppose the advance of the enemy down the river to Vicksburg. After that, Arkansas was unprotected until, that summer, President Davis created the Trans-Mississippi Department, including Arkansan, Texan and
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