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CHAPTER IV.

CASSVILLE - THE STATE ELECTION - MARCH TO PEA RIDGE - EXCITEMENT AND A NIGHT MARCH - TURNIPS vs. ORDERS - FIND THE REBEL CAMP BUT NOT THE REBELS - MYSTERIOUS MOVEMENTS - ANOTHER NIGHT MARCH - STEALING A QUILT - GALLANTIRY OF AN OFFICER - MUDTOWN AND CROSS-HOLLOWS - OSAGE SPRINGS - UNOFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE CAMPAIGN.

We pitched our tents on a high level piece of ground nearly half' a mile due north of the town, with Silver Creek running between. This is quite a handsome place with a population, I should suppose, of about 250 inhabitants, and is the county-seat of Barry county. There were about thirty houses remaining in the place, many having been burned - and of the remaining thirty, seven were occupied by families at the time we arrived. It is sixty miles distant from Springfield, and an equal distance from Fayetteville, Arkansas, on the direct road from the former to the Iatter place. The houses, both in the town and on the farms in the vicinity, were of' a much better class than any we had before seen since leaving Springfield. Like most other cities and towns in the South, there was a large public square, in the centre of which stood the Court House, and on the four sides, facing it, were all the business establishments of the place. In various parts of' the town chimneys were

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standing alone, marking the spot where houses had once stood - silent mementos of the war.

It often occurred to me while contemplating these, and the desolation which surrounded them, that an epitaph would not be inappropriate - as that would complete their grave-yard look. The epitaph might appropriately read -

IN MEMORY

OF THE

FORMER RESIDENCE OF THE HON, JUDGE SMITH,
BEING A BURNED OFFERING

ON THE ALTAR OF

STATE TREASON AND CIVIL WAR.

The election commissioner from Iowa, J. L. DAVIES, Esq., of Davenport, arrived on the 13th, and we were notified that an election would be held for State officers on the following day. Opposition to soldiers voting was a new subject now thrown into the great boiling cauldron of politics in the northern States. Enemies of the Union and sympathizers with the rebellion urged stoutly that as United States soldiers in the regular army were not allowed the right of suffrage, it would be a "violation of the Constitution" for our citizens while in the army to participate in the election of officers. Not so, however, with the loyal Legislature and people of Iowa, who declared that those who had voluntarily periled their lives for their country, and who were then en-

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during the, hardships of war and the dangers of an open enemy in the field, should not be denied the right of freemen in fighting at the ballot-box those whom they regarded as an equally dangerous enemy at home. But after the polls were opened it was found there had been only one kind of tickets furnished, and the men not belonging to the political party which the tickets represented, were somewhat indignant that their friends at home, had not sent them tickets also. However, the election passed off quietly and speedily, and free from all kinds of' wire-working usual on such occasions.

On the evening of the 13th four houses in the town took fire and were burned down, notwithstanding the efforts of a large concourse of' soldiers to extinguish the fire by throwing stones at it; an extraordinary display of Gen. TOTTEN'S energy was also witnessed on this occasion, in kicking a Missouri Lieutenant through the crowd because he threw stones at the wrong house.

The "Army of the Frontier" was here organized, the 1st Division under Gen. BLUNT, the 2nd under Gen. TOTTEN, and the 3rd under Gen. HERRON - Gen. SCHOFIELD commanding the whole. The 1st Iowa Cavalry was transferred to the 3rd Division, and one battalion of' the 6th Missouri Cavalry, under Major MONTGOMERY, took its place in the 2nd Division.

On the morning of the 17th we left Cassville at 7 o'clock, in the direction of Fayetteville, Arkansas, on the Telegraph Road. We passed during the forenoon better looking farms than on any previous day's march.

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Few of the farm houses were occupied, and we saw but few fields under cultivation. We passed one or two fields of cotton, but there was no appearance of' care on the part of the owner to keep the weeds out - in fact they were in a more flourishing condition than the crop.

W e passed through the town of Keithsville about noon without halting. This was a very pretty village - containing some half dozen houses, and as many chimneys standing alone in various parts of the town.

One brigade of Gen. BLUNT'S army was encamped here when we passed through the town, consisting of one regiment of Kansas mounted infantry, and two regiments of Indians, also mounted, with a few pieces of light artillery. I noticed a few of' the Indians very well clothed, but the greater portion of them had on no other garments than a profuse covering of paint, which was put on for the double purpose of ornament and to designate the tribe to which they belonged. I observed one fine athletic fellow whose only clothing consisted of a huge spur, fastened on his heel by a piece of rope, and a small bell hanging to his nose.

After leaving this place our road lay through a very hilly country, and more thinly settled. Reaching a ravine, before ascending the hill on which the battle of' Pea Ridge was fought, we were somewhat astonished at the amount of labor which had been expended in felling trees. The entire space of ground embraced between the hills on either side, was covered with fallen timber, which had been so arranged as to form an abattis.

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Since the battle, however, a road had been cut through, along which we passed, and ascended an abrupt hill, which brought us at once on the battle-field. The first object of interest which presented itself, was the ground on which the dead of our own army were buried - and many men from the 37th Illinois regiment, who had participated in the action, hastened to visit the graves of their comrades who had there fallen. Next, our attention was attracted to the trees, which bore evidence to the terrible artillery firing on the part of the rebels - and were also perforated with rifle balls; but the object of chief interest was the house in which the rebel Gen. MCCULLOCH had died, which was the headquarters of the rebel army - where Gen. PRICE issued his orders during the battle, confidently expecting to entertain his antagonist after a short decisive battle and victory. It was a large two story frame house, standing on the right of the road as we reached the field, and half a mile beyond the grave yard. There was a large old fashioned sign swinging on the top of a pole, in front, ornamented with a pair of Elk's horns, and underneath the word "Tavern" - which we interpreted to mean "Elkhorn Tavern." There were fields beyond, but the house was almost entirely surrounded by timber, being not over an acre of cleared ground surrounding it, and no fences of any kind - we here bivouacked for the night.

Next morning at 4 o'clock, marched two miles south, where we pitched our tents, being much fatigued by our twenty-eight mile march of the previous day.

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The men were enabled while here to procure abundance of wild game - deer, and wild turkeys - which could be constantly seen in the woods.

Much excitement existed in camp on the night of the 18th. Rumors were prevalent that a large rebel army in two columns, was advancing to drive us back - one from Fayetteville, and another from Huntsville, and that the former had arrived and taken up its position at a place called "Cross-Hollows," only eighteen miles distant.

Orders were issued to have three day's rations in our haversacks, and be prepared to move at a moment's notice. We slept on our arms that night, and confidently expected that our long hoped for meeting with the rebels would take place on the next day. Much care was taken that each man should have his forty rounds of ammunition, and an inspection by company commanders ordered. But on examination the men were found not only to have their "forty rounds,' but extra ammunition in their pockets. However, the night passed off quietly till about 2 o'clock in the morning, when a rifle shot rung out clear and distinct from our picket post on the road, which brought some of us to our feet suddenly, and seizing our swords we listened breathlessly for the volley which would follow, if the enemy were approaching. But as there was no further demonstrations we again fell asleep, and did not awake till daybreak.

The following day (20th) we received orders to be prepared to march the same evening at 5 o'clock with

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three days' rations in haversacks - leaving our tents, knapsacks, and wagons behind - carrying only our blankets, arms, ammunition, and haversacks. We accordingly started at that hour in the direction of Huntsville, which was distant forty miles. We passed over a very rough mountainous country, and had a disagreeable and hard night march. The night was cool, and there was no moon-light to guide us over the rough stony road, and many of the men whose shoes had been almost worn out on our previous marches, were soon entirely barefoot; yet, with a fortitude not often seen in any other regiment, they kept on, with bleeding, lacerated feet, determined to share in the expected battle.

About 2 o'clock in the morning we suddenly descended an abrupt hill, and found by the sounds in front that our artillery were fording a considerable stream of water. But as no time was allowed us for reflection as to its probable depth - whether we would have to wade or swim - we soon found ourselves nearly waist deep, in a swift current of cold water - the monotony of a chilly sensation and the uncertainty as to whether we were crossing or had adopted the bed of the stream as a road to travel on, was relieved occasionally by a sudden tumbling over a huge boulder stone, thus completing our bath. But by some, I regret to say, this blessing was not appreciated, and the second commandment (thou shalt not take the name, &c.,) was violated. We afterwards learned this was the War Eagle, a tributary of White River.

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Just before daybreak we halted for a short time, as we supposed for a few minutes rest, but afterwards learned that some doubt was entertained at headquarters as to whether we were on the right road. When day dawned we found ourselves in a narrow ravine, with high precipitous hills, in which were imbedded huge overhanging rocks, rising on either side, and a large saw mill just in front of us. The march was then resumed, and after passing the mill a turnip patch was seen in advance; but as strict orders had been given that no one should leave the ranks for the purpose of procuring provisions, or "on any pretext whatever," our inventive genius at once commenced devising ways and means by which to get some of the tempting esculent. Capt. H., however, was the only one who succeeded in that enterprise, and I will venture to give his mode of doing so. Selecting a few of his men on whom he could rely in such an undertaking, he instructed them to get in advance, and secure as many of the turnips as possible, before Col. LEAKE came up, and if the Colonel said anything, he (Capt. H.) would immediately order them back to the company, and they should take no offence if he swore pretty hard at them - but by all means be sure to get the turnips. Accordingly when the Colonel discovered them he at once rode up to the fence, but the hungry Captain was watching the proceedings closely, and at once shouted "never mind, Colonel, they are my men – d__d if I don't buck and gag every one of them! - Get out of that, you thieving scoundrels, and come into your places! I'll

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teach you to leave your company and "jayhawk" turnips, you villains” - and then, as they fell into their places with their pockets full of the coveted luxury, he joined them and received his share.

About noon for some distance our road lay near the brink of a precipitous hill, and some three hundred feet beneath us we caught a glimpse for the first time of White River. But as we were on a forced march, and very much exhausted, no object of interest could be enjoyed, and we only gave it a passing glance as we hurried forward and were soon again in the pine woods, and among the cotton fields which lie in the low lands bordering on that stream. As the sun was just sinking from view, there came sounds of the heavy rapid galloping of cavalry in our rear, and in a few moments a column dashed past - the jaded horses covered with foam - and were lost to view in the gloom of the thick forest beyond. Then came a few pieces of light artillery, and as that thundered past at the utmost speed of the horses, our pace was quickened, and all the fatigue of our past twenty-seven hours hard marching vanished. On we went - past farm houses whose bright cheerful lights sometimes for a moment flashed upon us, and then again left us in a deeper gloom - anon a slight deviation from the beaten road, and we were precipitated into a ditch, or scrambling through a brush pile - but the assurance we felt that the long sought enemy were now almost in our grasp, gave us an energy that would have overcome any obstacle. We now passed a farm house, and as we

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emerged from the cleared ground and re-entered the forest, came upon a large number of camp fires, and heard far in advance an irregular discharge of rifle shots. We were ordered to halt, and bivouacked for the night in the camp occupied a few minutes before by the rebels. As usual, they had been notified of our approach in time to retreat. Our cavalry skirmished with them as far as Huntsville, six miles distant - killing two and capturing seven prisoners. No regular order in encamping was observed - each company selecting its own ground, and in some instances several companies occupying the same ground. Companies E, K and H, occupied a level space between the end of a large barn and creek, with an abundance of good straw for bedding. However, we were a little annoyed by a disagreeable smell during the night which, as we discovered next morning, was caused by the half decayed heads of cattle lying around us - the spot having been used by the rebels as a slaughter-yard.

At 9 o'clock on the following morning, (Oct. 22nd) we moved one mile and again halted - this time in an open field, where we remained during the day; various and conflicting rumors as to movements of the rebels being in the meantime actively circulated. They were said to be in large force at Huntsville, and prepared to give us battle; and the opinion was prevalent that we were awaiting the arrival of Gen. HERRON'S division (the 3rd) before making an attack.

At 4 o'clock P. M., October 22nd, we were ordered

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to be prepared to march at a moment's notice, and a few minutes later all were ready for a move. The few wagons and ambulances which had accompanied us were sent forward to the head of the division, and our regiment left to act as rear guard.

Just at dark we fell into line, and moved forward in strict silence, for about half a mile - then halted. After standing a few minutes, we observed large fires burning some distance in advance, and on either side of us, but the men were prohibited from leaving the ranks to warm themselves at them, and becoming chilled from standing in the night air, some enterprising individuals attempted to get up small fires, but the attempt met with disfavor from the commanding officer, who positively forbid that anything should be done which would attract the attention of the enemy. After the lapse of some fifteen minutes, we again moved forward, but after proceeding a few rods, again halted - and other attempts at getting up fires made, with a like result; another short forward movement, brought us into a corn-field, and mysterious little fires sprung up all along the line, but being in such close proximity to the larger ones on either side of us, they were probably not detected, as no objection was made to them. We were perplexed to know what all the mystery of our movements meant - whether we were retreating, or advancing on Huntsville. Huge fires were constantly springing up in every direction - fences and stacks of grain were blazing, as well as timber in the woods, and we knew by some of the lights in the distance,

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that houses were also being burned. If our movements in the early part of the night were intended to bewilder the enemy, and succeeded as well in that quarter as they did with us, it was a complete success. After about three hours spent in this description of successive marches and halts we had only advanced a distance of one mile, and our patience was nearly exhausted.

During one of these halts, which happened immediately in front of a large frame house, I had taken a seat on the fence opposite the door, when a lady came out in her night dress and informed me that one of the men had come into her room through a window and taken the clothing off her bed, and she had just awoke as he was leaving the room. She added that she was a "Union woman" - that she had previously lost the greater portion of her household goods by Missouri guerrillas, and the clothing now stolen was all that remained for her bed. Lt. C__h, who was sitting near by, on hearing the case, at once volunteered to institute a search for the lost bedding, and after escorting the lady to her room, proceeded on his undertaking with a zeal that would have done credit to a detective. His first question,"who stole a quilt?" delivered in a loud indignant tone elicited a general laugh, and perhaps caused a little anxiety on the part of some of the men to know if any more "quilts" could be found in that neighborhood, as the article happened to be precisely what was most in demand. However, he afterwards adopted a more quiet mode of procedure, and after a search of about fifteen minutes re-

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turned in triumph, having found the "quilt" secreted in a corner of the fence. He restored it to the owner through a hole in the window, receiving her thanks with becoming modesty - little supposing that the lady entertained any suspicions that he had been the purloiner himself.

Just at daylight on the following morning, having only passed over the distance of five miles during the night, our pace was quickened, and we marched rapidly until near 5 o'clock in the evening, when we reached "Mudtown," where we bivouacked for the night.

"Mudtown" was a village of some fifteen small log houses, situated on the direct road leading from Springfield to Fayetteville, and the population, so far as I was able to judge, did not exceed ten or twelve individuals. There were by-paths leading to the western entrance to Cross-Hollows, seven miles distant, a favorite resort for guerrilla bands, from its being situated at the intersection of a number of deep ravines, and well shut in by an almost perpendicular wall of rocks and precipitous hills, with innumerable pathways leading to the summit through crevices in the rocks - which enabled sentinels to descend and give timely notice of the approach of danger to parties in the valley beneath. The main road leading from Springfield to Fayetteville, passed directly through it, and on account of its natural strength, and the abundance of good spring water which issued from its rocky sides, the place was much used as a camping ground.

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Having marched a distance of thirty-seven miles since the previous evening, we were much fatigued, and slept soundly that night.

On the following morning we received orders to march at 9 o'clock A. M., and as we had no rations to cook, or tents to strike, mechanically got out of our blankets and started at the appointed hour, with no particular ceremony.

After passing through Mudtown, we struck off to the left and had an easy march of thirteen miles, over a less hilly country than that of the previous day, arriving in camp at Ozark Springs at half past three o'clock P. M.

Soon after going into camp a cool north wind set in, and our tents not yet having overtaken us from Pea Ridge, the men at once commenced gathering brush and heaping it up near their fires in such a manner as to shield themselves from the cold. Having so arranged my brush pile as to allow sufficient room to lie down between that and the fire, I drew the cape of my overcoat around my head, and was soon sleeping soundly. I was awakened a short time before daybreak by the ravings of a private belonging to company K, who was delirious from fever. On rising I found that a heavy snow-storm had set in, which had extinguished the fires, and the snow already covered the ground to the depth of two inches. Soon afterwards the whole camp was stirring, and large fires burning - the fuel, as usual, consisting of' rails taken from fences.

Our wagons came up during the day, bringing our

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tents and provisions - the latter much needed, as the rations we had carried with us were exhausted. The sun came out warm, and the snow soon disappeared, but left the ground cold and wet. We found a few sweet potatoes in a field near camp, which were well relished after our long diet on government rations. By means of "jayhawking," a necessary accomplishment, and by this time well understood in our regiment, we were also sometimes so fortunate as to have chickens, and other delicacies on our tables. Apples were abundant, but having been frozen, they were not much sought after.

Reports came to us on the 25th that Gen. HERRON had defeated the rebels, capturing six pieces of artillery, a number of prisoners, and a train of salt wagons on their way to Fayetteville. This report induced me to make some inquiries as to the object of our late mysterious movements, when the following unofficial information was obtained:

Gen. BLUNT'S command was composed of mounted Kansas infantry and Indians, with a few cavalry regiments; being thus enabled to move with greater celerity than either of the other divisions, he of course always took the advance, striking the first blow, and if he found himself unable to cope successfully with a superior force of the enemy, simply held him in check until the other two divisions could come to his assistance. We were thus kept almost continually on the move, and occasionally, as at Newtonia, after making a forced march

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arrived on the ground just in time to see Gen. BLUNT win a victory which our arrival secured to him, but for which we received no credit.

When we left Pea Ridge for Huntsville, Gen. HERRON advanced on Cross-Hollows, driving a small rebel force back to Fayetteville. Gen. BLUNT broke camp at KEITHSVILLE, and took up his line of march towards Fayetteville. After passing Mudtown, however, he suddenly wheeled off to the right towards Bentonville, thus placing himself directly between the two rebel forces at Huntsville and Fayetteville, with the other two divisions of our own may on either flank.

In the meantime the rebels at Huntsville, unaware of the changed disposition of the forces under Gens. BLUNT and HERRON - doubtless supposing our division the only one in the vicinity - likewise determined on a "flank" movement, by which they would pass our left, capture our trains in the rear, and by uniting with their other force in the vicinity of' Fayetteville, make a combined attack on HERRON and defeat him before either of the other divisions could come to his assistance.

They accordingly left Huntsville simultaneously with our arrival, and by making a detour to the left passed us. But some hesitation in their movements now ensued, and they bivouacked that night midway between Huntsville and Bentonville. In the meantime HERRON had been warily observing the movements of events, and after the departure of our division towards Huntsville, with a corresponding advance of BLUNT in the direction of Ben-

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tonville, he determined not to remain an idle spectator, but add another link in the chain of these already complicated "strategic" movements. The distance intervening, however, between him and the field of operations was sixty miles. The sun had already gone down - the night was dark, and the roads, from their obscurity, impracticable for artillery. Nothing daunted by these obstacles, his resolution was at once formed. Hastily ordering out his cavalry, he put himself at its head with trusty guides, and dashed off. His knowledge of the movements of' Gen. MARMADUKE, (commanding the rebels) obtained from scouts, proved more accurate than that possessed by BLUNT, who was now, notwithstanding his thorough knowledge of border warfare - aided by two regiments of Indian scouts - about to have his well laid plans thwarted by the indomitable energy of this young Iowa tactician, who performed his sixty mile ride in the short space of eight hours. The first intimation of coming danger in the rebel camp was heralded by the clash of sabres and pistol shots in their midst. The surprise was complete, and no resistance made. In the confusion each man thought alone of his own safety, and many were so fortunate as to secure horses and escape, leaving their entire camp equippage, artillery and trains, with a large number of prisoners in the hands of our cavalry.

MARMADUKE succeeded in rallying a small portion of his command, with which he retreated towards Bentonville. But another disagreeable surprise yet awaited him, as BLUNT'S forces lay directly on his route. On

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arriving at Bentonville, therefore, instead of meeting the expected support of his co-operating forces, he found himself suddenly confronted by that officer, who continued the pursuit to Fayetteville. Gen. BLUNT'S chagrin at being thus outwitted, and having a victory almost within his grasp unexpectedly snatched from him, was, no doubt, equal to MARMADUKE'S surprise. The flight of the rebels continued beyond Boston Mountains, whither they were followed by the Indians, who ceased their pursuit and annoyance only when the Arkansas River placed the panic stricken fugitives beyond their reach.

The immediate results growing out of this brief campaign, were of vast importance to the inhabitants in the region of country lying along the southwestern border of Missouri, as they were now relieved from the presence of this formidable body of marauders under command of Gen. MARMADUKE, who had long infested it - and whose depredations had been a source of continual annoyance. Having their headquarters at Huntsville, with lines south to Fort Smith, they were enabled to make frequent incursions into Missouri - penetrating at times almost as far north as Springfield. It was the main body of this same force under Col. COFFEE which we encountered at Newtonia early in October, and who fell back from that place, followed as far as Keithsville by Gen. BLUNT.