t was captured the day before from Davis's and Carr's
Divisions.

Gen. Van Dorn made several reports which are strangely inconsistent
with one another, and seem the natural efforts of a man to find the best
excuses that will present themselves from day to day for his failure
in a great effort. His first report, which was to Gen. Albert Sidney
Johnston and the Confederate War Department, and sent two days after the
battle, reads as follows:

Headquarters Trans-Mississippi District, March 9, via Hog
Eye; March 10, 1862.

Fought the enemy, about 20,000 strong, 7th and 8th, at
Elkhorn, Ark. Battle first day from 10 a. m. until after
dark; loss heavy on both sides. Gens. McCulloch and Mcintosh
and Col. Hebert were killed; Gens. Price and Slack were
wounded (Gen. Price flesh wound in the arm); the others
badly wounded, if not mortally; many officers killed and
wounded; but as there are some doubts in regard to several I
cannot yet report their names. Slept on the battlefield
first night, having driven the enemy from their position.
The death of Gens. McCulloch and Mcintosh and Col. Hebert
early in the action threw the troops on the right under
their commands in confusion. The enemy took a second and
strong position. Being without provisions and the right wing
somewhat disorganized, determined to give battle on the
right on their front for the purpose only of getting off the
field without the danger of a panic, which I did with
success, but with some losses.

I am now encamped with my whole army 14 miles west of
Fayetteville, having gone entirely around the enemy. I am
separated from my train, but think it safe on the Elm
Springs road to Boston Mountains. The reason why I
determined to give battle at once upon my arrival to assume
command of the army I will give in report at an early day.

338

In this it will be seen that he disclaimed any intention on the second
day of making more than a fight to cover his retreat. This is clearly an
afterthought to excuse the poor battle that he put up. There is no
doubt that he had still hoped to whip Curtis's army, and that he had men
enough to do it, if they had been handled properly and had fought with
the same determination and aggressiveness that the Union troops did. For
some weeks he continued to send in reports, explanatory and partially
contradic