April 27, 1862.-skirmish at Pea Ridge, Tenn.
Report of Maj. Gen. John A. Meclernand, U. S. Army.
headquarters First Division, Camp Stanton, Tenn., April 27, 1862.
Sir: Upon returning from your headquarters to-day, in view of the information given by the negroes whom I sent you, I ordered a reconnaissance by my cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel McCullough.
He has just come in, reporting that he went to Stantonville, 8 miles from Pittsburg, and on the road from that place to Purdy.
On his way from Stantonville to Pea Ridge he captured one of the enemy's cavalry scouts, who is now in my camp.
Upon arriving at Pea Ridge he encountered the enemy's pickets, killing 3 of them and driving others back.
He met with these pickets about 5 miles from my camp.
Two other negroes, picked up by my mounted pickets, report that they belong to a man named Johnson, who lives about 4 miles from my camp.
These negroes say that the enemy's pickets were formerly posted at their master's house, but are now about 1 mile beyond, and the enemy's camp about 4 miles beyond that.
It was also discovered by my cavalry that the road over which they passed from the Purdy to the Corinth road was much cut up, probably by the artillery of the enemy about the time of the battle of Shiloh.
Yours, &c.,
[653]
