The Daily Dispatch: March 13, 1862., [Electronic resource]

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The battle in Arkansas.

Some little excitement was produced in the city yesterday morning, on the reception of the news from Arkansas, announcing that a great battle had been fought by Gens Price and Van Dorn. Several dispatches were received at the War Office, and by members of Congress from that section, all a little ambiguous, but still agreeing as to the main facts. It seems that our forces engaged the enemy on Pea Bidge, Benton county, Ark., near the Missouri line. There were about thirty thousand on either side, and the contest was a severe one. Beginning on the 7th, the engagement was kept up through the day with great loss. On our side, Gens Ben McCulloch, Melatosh and Hubert were killed, and Gena. Price and Slack wounded; Col. Sims had an arm broken. That night our troops slept on the battle-field, and in the morning again commenced the attack, and succeeded in getting beyond the Federal army and between them and the Indian territory, from which Confederate reinforcements were expected. A junction with Gen. Pike could then be effected, at which time it was confident the Federal army could be destroyed or espaliered. It is certain that when the conflict ended we had a decided advantage in position, and had cut off the Federal army from their reinforcements. Disastrous as this battle was to us so far as loss of general officers is concerned, an equal or superior loss was inflicted on the enemy. In official circles this is regarded as a victory, and it is believed that the next news will announce it as a fact.