Lesson 57: Battle of Elkhorn, Arkansas - Part I

This battle was begun on the 6th and ended on the 8th of March, 1862. On the 16th of April, the news reached us that the Federals were coming down on Gen. Price in large force, that he was falling back upon Fayetteville, so that he might be reinforced by McCulloch and McIntosh.

As soon as Gen. McCulloch received the above intelligence, he hastened with all speed to the relief of Gen. Price with his entire force, which consisted of the following regiments and battalions: Colonels Greer's, Sims', Young's and Stone's regiments of Texas Cavalry; Majors Whitfield's and Brook's battalions; Colonels Standwaite's, Drew's and Cooper's Indian regiments, all of which were under the command of Gen. Pike, of Arkansas. Colonels Churchill's and Embry's regiments, together with Whitfield's battalion, were dismounted. Then came the regular infantry regiments, under the following: Colonels Hebert, (pronounced Ha-bear,) Mitchell, Rector, McNair, McCray and Hill, all of whom, except Col. Hebert, are from Arkansas. All told, I think, makes sixteen regiments, numbering in the aggregate about ten thousand men. Gen. McCulloch's division embraced four batteries under Capt. Good, of Texas; Hart, Province and Davidson, of Arkansas. The infantry and artillery were in winter quarters in the region of Cross Hollows. Col. Young's regiment also was not a great ways off. These were the first forces to join Gen. Price. Gen. McCulloch joined Price at Cross Hollows, eighteen miles from Fayetteville, where it was agreed they would make a stand, and await the attack of the enemy. But our scouts and spies reported the Federals to be flanking to our right with their entire force, aiming to occupy Fayetteville. This news forced our Generals to fall back to Boston Mountain, fifteen miles below Fayetteville. This was McCulloch's favorite position. Before abandoning Fayetteville, Gen. McCulloch had all the Government property, such as houses, provisions, etc., burnt.

Some one may ask why did not McCulloch agree to fight him at Fayetteville and save the place? Because he knew with the forces he then had, he could not sustain himself in so unfavorable a position, without running a most dangerous risk. Again, the Federals were reported to be advancing so rapidly, that it was believed, and everything indicated it, that, in their hot and eager pursuit, they would follow us into Boston Mountains, where victory would have crowned our efforts, even though a hundred thousand had come against us. Besides, if he had made a fight at Fayetteville, the entire place would have been destroyed. Gen. McCulloch burnt the provisions because the enemy were reported to be so close he had no time to remove them. He fell back upon Boston Mountains because be knew, and everybody knew, they afforded an invincible position. While there we were reinforced by Gen. Pike's brigade of Indians. Notwithstanding, Gen. Price threatened to assume the whole command and march upon the enemy. Gen. McCulloch declared his purpose to remain in the Mountains until sufficiently reinforced, or ordered away by Major General Van Dorn. All anxiously expected and desired the arrival of Gen. Van Dorn. At length, on the evening of the 1st instant, he reached our camps. And on the 4th instant, we took up the line of march for the Federal camp. To this movement, I am informed, McCulloch was most bitterly opposed, contending it was better to remain there until sufficiently reinforced to insure victory beyond a doubt. But Gen. Van Dorn, it seems, gave all attention to Gen. Price, and heeded not the wise and timely remonstrances of McCulloch.

Our first day's march was through the heaviest snow storm known to this country. That night we slept all night. The next day was an excessively cold one. We marched till after dark, and camped at Elm Springs, slept about four and a half hours, and again we were on the solemn march and before day it commenced snowing on us again; still, onward we pressed, nothing daunted. That evening we came upon part of Gen. Siegel's command, seven thousand strong, at Bentonville. Gen. McIntosh, who had command of our cavalry force, ordered Colonel Young's regiment and one regiment Missouri cavalry that had fallen in with us, to remain in front of the town and make some demonstrations, while he, Gen. McIntosh, would take Colonels Greer's and Sims' regiments and Major Brooks' battalion, and go around the town and cut off their retreat. We moved off to the left of the town, three hundred of our men, under Lieutenant Bogges, acting as advance guard. We intersected the road they were retreating on, four miles from Bentonville, but were about half an hour too late, for they had learned of our intentions, and accordingly formed themselves in ambush above and below where our road intersected theirs, having not less than seven thousand secreted there in the hills, whilst we had less than two thousand five hundred. Some fifteen or twenty of the Federals exhibited themselves on horseback; one of them rode down in front of our command and demanded us to lay down our arms, whereupon T.J. Lacy discharged at him the contents of his shot-gun. Immediately Gen. McIntosh ordered a charge. We all raised the Texas war-whoop and rushed ahead, but soon a most galling fire of small arms, followed by the thunder of artillery, opened our eyes and closed our mouths. We discovered that we had been most egregiously taken in, and every man looked out for himself.

It was in vain the officers endeavored to rally them. Captain Cumby, with his company and Sims' regiment, who had just come up, made the second charge, but were instantly repulsed. Capt. Cumby's company was in advance, and daringly did it lead the charge, rushing into the ambush, where it lost the only two men killed on the field, Messrs. Isam and Honey.