had hurried back to
him. The line was formed, facing to the south, on the crest of the
bluffs overlooking the Valley of Sugar Creek, Sigel being on the right,
next to him Ashboth, then Davis, and Carr being the left. The position
was entrenched, and the approaches were obstructed by felled timber. One
foraging party of 250 men and one gun did not return till after the
battle, so that Curtis' force engaged was just 10,250 men and
forty-eight guns.

Van Dorn did not assault that evening. By dawn next day it was
ascertained that he had made a great detour by the west, and was coming
up on the right and rear. Curtis faced his line to the rear and wheeled
to the left, so that his new line faced nearly west; the original right
flank, now the left, was scarcely moved, and Carr's division had become
the right. Colonel Osterhaus, with three regiments of infantry and two
batteries, was despatched from Sigel's division to aid a regiment of
cavalry and a flying battery that had been quickly sent to retard the
enemy's centre and give Carr's division time to deploy. Osterhaus met
the cavalry returning, and threw his detachment against the advancing
line. The picket posted at Elkhorn tavern, where Carr was to deploy, was
attacked and driven back, and Carr's division had to go into line under
fire. Osterhaus found himself opposed to the corps of McCulloch and
McIntosh, and was about being overwhelmed when Davis' division moved to
his support. Pea Ridge is in places covered with timber and brush, in
places intersected by deep ravines, and a portion of it was a tangle of
fallen timber, marking the path of a hurricane. Manoeuvring was not
easy, and detours were required in reinforcing one part of the line from
another. The contest on the field, where Davis and Osterhaus were
opposed to McCulloch and McIntosh, was fierce and determined until
McCulloch and McIntosh were killed. Their numerous, but partially
disciplined followers lost heart and direction, and before the close of
day gave way before the persistent and orderly attack, and finally broke
and left the field.

Carr's division was opposed to Price's corps, and Van Dorn gave his
personal attention to that part of the field. Gallantry and
determination could not prevail against gallantry and determination
backed by superior numbers. Bit by bit, first on one flank, then the
other, he receded. Curtis sent his body-guard, then the camp-guard to
reinforce him, and then a small reserve