of
the Missouri divisions, commanded by Gens. Steen, Clark, Frost,
Rains and Green. He was so hard pressed, however, that Col. Carr,
who accompanied Col. Dodge, sent back for his other brigade--Col.
Vandever's--a mile and a half away, which arrived and went into position
near Elkhorn Tavern in time to aid in repelling a fresh assault.

More artillery had been brought up, but not enough to successfully
contend with Van Dorn's massed guns.

The Union infantry lay behind the cover of fences, logs and stumps, and
when the Confederate infantry was pushed forward waited until it was
within 100 paces, and then poured a deadly fire into it which shattered
the ranks and drove it in retreat. Gen. Slack, one of Price's ablest
brigade commanders, was killed and Lieut.-Col. Cearnal severely wounded.

324

There was a lull in the battle about 2 o'clock while Van Dorn and Price
were reforming their men for a fresh and more determined assault. The
brunt of it fell upon Col. Vandever on the crest of a hill about 300
yards north of Elkhorn Tavern. Vandever succeeded in driving back the
enemy, though at a great cost, since the 9th Iowa lost upward of 100 men
and Col. Phelps's 26th Mo. about 75.

Though the enemy was repulsed, Col. Vandever deemed it better to fall
back to Elkhorn Tavern, leaving the battleground in the possession of
the enemy.

Col. Carr sent to Gen. Curtis for reinforcements, but Curtis, still
believing that the main fighting was in front of Leetown, could only
spare him his headquarters guard, with two howitzers. He also sent
urgent counsel to Carr to "persevere" and hold his ground with the
utmost obstinacy.

Another lull in the battle occurred while Van Dorn and Price were
bringing up and forming fresh troops. This time it was Gen. Clark's
Missouri Division, reinforced by other troops. The Union soldiers
received it, as they had the others, lying behind fences and logs and
waiting until the enemy was where every shot would tell.

It was about 3 o'clock when this charge was repulsed.

Again Col. Carr sent to Gen. Curtis for reinforcements, and this time
the General sent him five companies of the 8th Ind., under Lieut.-Col.
Shunk, and three rifled cannon.

325

Van Dorn and Price now brought up everything, and concentrated their
energies for a supreme effort to drive the stubborn Yankees from the
field and achieve a victory before darkness should intervene. Their
artillery speedily overpowered and dro