. Popular history of the civil war . his wings in the hottestof the fight more than twenty years ago. We must now leave our gallant troops in undisputed pos-session of the Mississippi as far south as Arkansas, to followthe fortunes of Generals Curtis and Sigel. Starting fromSpringfield, Mo., in the middle of February, the Nationals,commanded by General Samuel R. Curtis, pushed down theMississippi Valley into Arkansas. Well aware that the enemyfar outnumbered his own force, and was still increasing,Curtis knew that there was no time to be lost. There is anold saying which he did well to remembe
. Popular history of the civil war . his wings in the hottestof the fight more than twenty years ago. We must now leave our gallant troops in undisputed pos-session of the Mississippi as far south as Arkansas, to followthe fortunes of Generals Curtis and Sigel. Starting fromSpringfield, Mo., in the middle of February, the Nationals,commanded by General Samuel R. Curtis, pushed down theMississippi Valley into Arkansas. Well aware that the enemyfar outnumbered his own force, and was still increasing,Curtis knew that there was no time to be lost. There is anold saying which he did well to remember, A thing donepromptly is twice done. The Unionists marched at the rate of twenty miles a day,in stormy weather, over roads heavy with mud, with scantyfood, enduring many hardships, until they drove the enemyout of Missouri. Yet when the Nationals, eager for an attack,were almost treading upon the heels of the rebel general,Price, there came a piece of news which startled Earl Van Dorn, an active, energetic com-. i862.] Where their s a Will, theres a Way 197 mander in the Confederate army, had joined General McCul-loch, himself taking charge of the Confederate , General Albert Pikes four thousand Indian troopshad been added to the rebel army, making its total strengthtwenty-five thousand. In consideration of this fact, and thathis own army was growing smaller from several causes, Curtisfell back to a safer position in the north-western corner ofArkansas. Here he came face to face with the enemy. Themeeting was unexpected. General Curtis was writing in histent one morning, when scouts brought word that the rebelswere near. Hastening to gather his army, numbering less thantwelve thousand men, he instantly despatched a messengerto General Sigel, then in camp near Bentonville, four milesaway. General Curtis was near Pea Ridge. On their wayfrom Boston Mountains to attack Curtis, the Confederatequartet — Van Dorn, Price, McCuUoch, and Pike — c
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