sville, leaving only
Davis's and Carr's Divisions on the field. We who took part in this
campaign appreciate the difficulties and obstacles Curtis had to overcome,
and how bravely and efficiently he commanded, and we honor him for it. So
did General Halleck; but the Government, for some reason, failed to give
him another command in the field, though they retained him in command of
departments to the end of the war.

[Illustration: SYLVANUS DODGE

Father of Major-General G. M. Dodge.]

Letter of General Grenville M. Dodge to his Father on the Battle of Pea
Ridge

ST. LOUIS, MO., April 2, 1862.

DEAR FATHER:--I know there is no one who would like to have a word
from me more than you. I write but little--am very weak from my
wounds; do not sit up much; but I hope ere long to be all right again.
Nothing now but the battle will interest you. It was a terrible three
days to me; how I got through God only knows. I got off a sick bed to
go to the fight, and I never got a wink of sleep for three days and
three nights. The engagement was so long and with us so hot that it
did not appear possible for us to hold our ground. We lacked sadly in
numbers and artillery, but with good judgment and good grit we made it
win. My officers were very brave. Little Captain Taylor would stand
and clap his hands as the balls grew thick. Captain Burton was as cool
as a cucumber, and liked to have bled to death; then the men, as they
crawled back wounded, would cheer me; cheer for the Union; and always
say, "Don't give up Colonel, hang to em;" and many who were too badly
wounded to leave the field stuck to their places, sitting on the
ground, loading and firing. I have heard of brave acts, but such
determined pluck I never before dreamed of. My flag-bearer, after
having been wounded so he could not hold up the colors, would not
leave them. I had to peremptorily order him off. One time when the
enemy charged through my lines the boys drove them back in confusion.
Price fought bravely; his men deserved a better fate, but although two
to one they could not gain much. Their artillery was served
splendidly--they had great advantage over us in this. Mine run out of
ammunition long before night and left me to the mercy of their grape
and canister. Had I have had my full battery at night I could have
whipped them badly. After the Fourt