Battle of Pea Ridge
or Elkhorn Tavern, Arkansas
MARCH 6 - 8, 1862

No. 55.

Report of Maj. D. Todd Samuels, commanding Price's escort.

CAMP BEN. MCCULLOCH, March 21, 1862.

SIR: In obedience to General Orders, No. 24.  I beg to make the following report:

Early on the morning of the 6th instant my command was ordered forward to support Colonel Gates' regiment, then rapidly flanking the enemy, under command of Brigadier-General Sigel, on the right. Overtaking the enemy, I immediately deployed a line of skirmishers to annoy and harass them until further aid should arrive. The bravery and coolness of my skirmishers in exposing themselves to the fire of fifty times their number was to no purpose with impunity.

On the morning of the 7th, having been thrown forward in advance of the whole army, at 10 o'clock pursuing, I came upon the enemy in full force at Elkhorn Tavern. I immediately dismounted my command, and by a flank movement on the right obtained a favorable position, and succeeded in bringing on a general engagement. Attacked by ten times my force, I was compelled to fall back some 150 yards, at which time Colonel Little's brigade timely came to our aid--to victory! to glory!!

Later in the day, the left wing of the army having been ordered to advance, my command was transferred to that part of the field, and again, with Brigadier-General Price's division and General Steen's division, we succeeded in driving the enemy a mile from their position. Night arriving checked us in our bold and gallant advance.

Saturday morning we were ordered to support Colonel McCulloch's regiment and guard roads parallel to the enemy, which we succeeded in doing.

My loss during the engagement is 1 killed, 3 wounded, and 5 missing.

I have the honor to be, respectfully,

 J. T. CEARNAL,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Price's Escort,

Per D. TODD SAMUELS,

Major, Commanding.