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[246] was opened and maintained with great spirit on both sides, until the arrival of Gen. Sigel's force about half-past 8 o'clock.

Sigel's artillery soon took position on the enemy's right, and engaged with spirit in the contest. The approach of Sigel's infantry on the left of my division, rendered the position of my batteries secure, and enabled me to withdraw the Second brigade from their support, and prepare my entire division for a general attack upon the enemy's left. The gradual decrease of the enemy's fire and the withdrawal of some of his guns offered a favorable opportunity, and I immediately ordered an advance across the field. Previous to this movement, Col. Dodge had taken position with his brigade on my right, so as to prevent any attempt the enemy might make to attack me on this flank.

The Second brigade, together with the Eighteenth and Twenty-second Indiana, soon warmly engaged the enemy's infantry, occupying a strong position in the “thick scrub-oak” skirting the base of the hill, on which his artillery was posted. The enemy soon began to yield to the steady fire and determined advance of our troops, and finally broke and fled in much confusion, leaving behind his dead and wounded.

The heights were soon carried, and on reaching the summit of the hill, I ordered a halt in order to bring my artillery in position on the road leading to Huntsville, my left resting at Elkhorn Tavern. Here Col. Benton, with five companies of the Eighth Indiana, and a section of artillery, who had been kept back, guarding the road leading from Cross Hollows, joined their command. Much to their chagrin, and that of their gallant commander, the enemy did not give them an opportunity to add new laurels to those already won at Rich Mountain.

The division lost during the engagement sixty killed, two hundred and seventy wounded, and eight missing. Total killed, wounded and missing, three hundred and thirty-eight.

It affords me pleasure to be able to bear testimony to the prompt and efficient manner in which the brigade commanders, Cols. Pattison and White, conducted their brigades throughout the entire engagement. The regimental commanders, Col. Benton, Eighth Indiana, Col. Hendricks, Twenty-second Indiana, and Lieut.-Col. Washburn, Eighteenth Indiana, of the First brigade, and Lieut.-Cols. Barnes, Thirty-seventh, and Frederick, Fifty-ninth Illinois, of the Second brigade, acquitted themselves with distinction. Col. Hendricks fell early in the engagement, after which Major Daily commanded the regiment with great credit to himself during the remainder of the battle.

The part taken by the Peoria light artillery, (Ills.,) under Capt. Davidson, and the First Indiana battery, under Capt. Klaus, have been so conspicuously described in the above report, that it would be useless to call further attention to their efficiency and gallant conduct. The First Missouri cavalry, under Col. Ellis, reported during the night of the sixth, from a four days scout on the White River, during which time they captured fifty rebels with their arms and horses.

The bearing and efficiency of my staff-officers, Lieut. Holstein, A. A. General, and Lieutenants Pease and Morrison, aids-de-camp, were conspicuous everywhere, fearlessly executing every order. Every part of the field witnessed their gallantry.

My Division Surgeon, Benjamin Newland, deserves the highest commendation for his promptness and skill — establishing his hospitals and taking care of the wounded.

My Division Quartermaster and Commissary Captain, Branson and Bradley, performed their duties equally prompt and efficiently. The superior number of the enemy's forces, engaged as he was in his favorite “scrub,” his utter rout when led on to desperation at the loss of two of his famous generals on the field, is sufficient proof of the valor and patriotism of the troops displayed in every conflict with the enemy. Both officers and men fought with a courage and determination seldom excelled, and which will ever entitle them to the gratitude of a grateful country.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

Jeff. C. Davis, Colonel Commanding Third Division. Capt. F. J. Mckenny, Assistant Adjutant-General Army South-west.


Report of Col. Pattison.

headquarters, First brigade, Third division, March 10.
To Col. Jeff. C. Davis, Commanding Third Division South-western Army:
sir: In accordance with your order, and as is customary in such cases, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the brigade under my command, in achieving the complete victory over the enemy, in the late battles, fought on the seventh and eighth instants, at Leetown and Elkhorn Tavern, in Benton County, Arkansas.

On the morning of the sixth, in obedience to your command, I moved my brigade, consisting of the Eighteenth Indiana regiment, under Lieut.-Col. Washburn, the Eighth Indiana, under Col. Benton, the Twenty-second Indiana, under Col. Hendricks, and the First Indiana battery, of six field-pieces, under Capt. Klaus, and took possession of the hills on the north side of Sugar Creek, and immediately west of the principal telegraph road from Springfield to Fort Smith, the Twenty-second occupying the left on the ridge next the road; the Eighth, with Klaus's battery, in the centre, on another prominent point, and the Eighteenth upon the next ridge to the right, each point being separated by deep ravines extending back a considerable distance in the direction of the Cassville road. Col. Benton, and Lieut.-Col. Washburn, in compliance with orders, set their respective commands to work, throwing up in the course of five hours, quite a respectable breast-work, which in case of an attack from the direction of Cross Hollows, would have been an excellent defence.

On the night of the sixth, the brigade bivou acked in this position. Nothing of moment transpired


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