Curtis ordered
me to move north and east with two divisions, leaving Blunt with
one division to occupy that country. It was on this return march
that I was overtaken by a severe attack of bilious fever.

As my official report of December 7, 1862, is published in Volume
XIII of the War Records, I make no reference here to the operations
covered by it. That able and impartial historian, the Comte de
Paris, published a very accurate history of the operations in
Missouri in the summer of 1862, in which he paid me the compliment,
which a soldier values so highly, of saying that I was free from
partizan passion.

It was during my absence through illness that Hindman made his
expected advance. Blunt's division was encamped at Cane Hill, and
Hindman crossed the mountains at Lee's Creek, aiming to reach
Blunt's rear, cut off his retreat, and overwhelm him.

BATTLE OF PRAIRIE GROVE

Fortunately, Blunt had received information in advance of the
intended movement, and had called the two divisions from Missouri
to his support. These two divisions, under General Herron, were
encamped at Wilson's Creek, a distance of about 116 miles. On the
morning of December 3 they began their march to join General Blunt.
They had reached a point about six miles south of Fayetteville,
when, unexpectedly to both, Herron's and Hindman's heads of column
met at Prairie Grove about seven o'clock in the morning of December
7, and the engagement commenced immediately. Blunt, hearing the
sound of battle, moved rapidly toward Prairie Grove and attacked
the enemy's left. The battle lasted all day, with heavy losses on
both sides, and without any decided advantage to either side. At
dark the enemy still held his position, but in the morning was
found to be in full retreat across the mountains. A portion of
our troops occupied the battle-field of Prairie Grove when I resumed
command on December 29, and the remainder were making a raid to
the Arkansas River, where they destroyed some property, and found
that Hindman had retreated toward Little Rock. It was evident that
the campaign in that part of the country for that season was ended.
The question was "What next?" I took it for granted that the large
force under my command--nearly 16,000 men--was not to remain idle
while Grant or some other commander was trying to open the Mississippi
River; and I was confirmed in this assumption by General Cu