The Battle of Pea Ridge (Elkhorn Tavern) Official Records and Battle Description

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The Battle of Pea Ridge (Elkhorn Tavern)
March 7-8, 1862
elkhorn.jpg (48157 bytes)

On the night of March 6, Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn set out to outflank the Union position near Pea Ridge, dividing his army into two columns. Learning of Van Dorn's approach, the Federals marched north to meet his advance on March 7. This movement--compounded by the killing of two generals, Brig. Gen. Ben McCulloch and Brig. Gen. James McQueen McIntosh, and the capture of their ranking colonel--halted the Rebel attack. Van Dorn led a second column to meet the Federals in the Elkhorn Tavern and Tanyard area. By nightfall, the Confederates controlled Elkhorn Tavern and Telegraph Road. The next day, Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, having regrouped and consolidated his army, counterattacked near the tavern and, by successfully employing his artillery, slowly forced the Rebels back. Running short of ammunition, Van Dorn abandoned the battlefield. The Union controlled Missouri for the next two years.

Detailed Battle Description	Good detail description taken from the Confederate Military History.
The Pea Ridge Campaign	From "Battles and Leaders of the Civil War" this is the Union side of the battle.

Official Records

Union Reports
Brig. Gen. Franz Sigel
Maj. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis

Confederate Reports
Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn
Maj. Gen. Sterling Price
Confederate Orders
Brig. Gen. Albert Pike

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