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

(Official Records, Series I, Volume XIII, page 363)

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE SOUTHWEST,
Camp on Little Beaver, April 19, 1862.

 Capt. J. C. KELTON,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Saint Louis:

CAPTAIN: It rains night and day; streams all high, mud axle deep. Quarter rations of breadstuff. Men in good health and spirits. Moving as fast as I can get the teams  forward. Have cavalry down in Arkansas below Gainesville. My infantry and artillery by different routes heading the Middle and North Fork, both of which are swimming.

I leave Colonel Wright's command, about 400 cavalry, at Forsyth. My foraging parties occasionally meet straggling bands, but find no large rebel force. A party of Colonel Carr's division attacked a band of rebels on the south side of White River Friday, wounding 2; none hurt on our side. Rebels coming in and giving bonds. I leave nothing for man or brute in the country passed over by my army, except a little saving to feed the poor, which will hardly save them from suffering. I am sure no rebel army will find subsistence in Southern Missouri or Northern Arkansas.

My teams are much dilapidated. Not a horse, mule, or wagon, or set of harness has yet arrived to answer requisitions made immediately after the battle of Pea Ridge. I asked for 800 horses, 400 sets of harness (artillery), 1,000 cavalry horses, and fresh and increased transportation. Major Allen promised to help me. Tell him I heard some ox teams crossed the Osage some days ago. That, is all I can hear of, and they must have been over a month moving to the Osage. If so, they are nearly worn out. Give the major my respects, and beg him to remember me in his prayers. Long marches wear out machinery, and constant supplies must be furnished to fill natural depletions.

 SAML. R. CURTIS,

Major-General.