m 
answered tho enemy’s batteries, which had opened 
upon our advancing columns, with a brisk fire. 
The cannonading was kept up for a few minutes, 
when the enemy precipitately lied, taking away 
most of his killed. Other regiments were coming 
into the field to take part in the ball. Among the 
latter was the 4th Iowa; the men anxious for the 
fray had pulled off their coats and threw them aside. 
There is little doubt that if the rebels had been fol¬ 
lowed up closely, the rout would have been com¬ 
plete, and no time would have been given them to 
burn their barracks at Cross Hollows. 
The Colonel Herbert who commanded the rebel 
brigade was the gentleman of California notoriety, 
who slew the waiter at Willard's Hotel, a few years 
since. The other Confederate Colonels under him 
in the fight were McRae and McNair. 
Our troops rested a short time and took a circui¬ 
tous road by Ossago Spring for Cross IIollows. 
When they arrived there they found the enemy had 
skidadadled. Only three men were ibund in Cass- 
villo when our army arrived. At Iveotsvillc nearly 
all the inhabitants fled. From that point to Cross 
Hollows about two-thirds of the inhabitants on the 
road have deserted their dwellings. In several 
houses the tables were spread for breakfast, and in 
the hurry of flight were thus left. 
The stampede of these deluded people was ex¬ 
ceeded by the hurry ot the rebel army to get away. 
Camp Benjamin, located in a beautiful place three 
miles West of Cross Hollows, in the principal val¬ 
ley, had 108 commodious huts erected, with chim¬ 
neys in the center. The rebels burned all but five, 
aud in the hurry of their flight left 30 game cocks; 
some of these brandished silver spurs. Their best 
fighting material was thus evidently left behind. 
A book containing the general orders, aud a quan¬ 
tity of brass knuckles were also left behind by the 
chivalry. 
Ben McCullough arrived from Fori Smith the day 
before the fight at Sugar Creek, but did not partici¬ 
pate in any part of the action except the retreat. 
Ho insisted on making a stand at Cross Hollows, 
but Price objected. 
Our line extends ten miles —the right, under 
Sigel, resting at the Osage Springs, and the left, 
under Col. Carr, extending to Camp Benjamin. Col. 
Carr’s headquarters are at Cross Hollows. The 
region east, eighteen miles to War Eagle Creek, is 
broken, intersected by but a few paths, rendering it 
impracticable for an enemy to turn our left, so that 
our position at plosent, with only one half the force, 
would be considered perfectly secure. Benton 
county was nearly unanimosly opposed to the call¬ 
ing of the Convention which carried, by tt juggle, the 
statu over to the Confederates, and it lias been stated 
that a sii)(pressed Union feeling generally prevails. 
Gen. As both was sent, last, Saturday cm arecon- 
noitering expedition to Fayetteville with the cav¬ 
alry. The grist mills and half a dozen other build¬ 
ings were destroyed by Price when passing through. 
r The inhabitants expressed a wish that our troops 
would occupy the place. Gen. Asboth has hoisted 
the stars and stripes, and calls for re-enforcements. 
Col. Dodge made a visit with a small squad of 
exchange New York papers for Richmond, and dis¬ 
course most amicably for an hour. It is still more 
comical to see these same men, the instant they get 
back to their respective posts, renew their dodg¬ 
ing behind the logs, and repeat their efforts to get a 
good opportunity of blazing away ut each other; 
yet this scene is a literal statement of proceedings 
the writer has repeatedly seen on the Potomac and 
elsewhere. 
Picket Gossip, Incidents, Etc. —When the Fire 
Zouaves first wont picketing iu 5 irginia, last sum¬ 
mer, they used to receive a great deal ot attention 
from the rebellious citizens in the vicinity ot their 
outposts, especially after nightfall. Lurking around 
the neighborhood in the day time, the would-be 
assassin was accustomed to get tno spot where the 
picket could be found after dark pretty well located 
in his mind, and so creep up to him. rifle or knife in 
hand, to dispatch him. On one occasion, a Zouave, 
who was picketing on the Centerville road, sus¬ 
pecting that this sort of game was to he tried on 
him that night, secreted himself a short distance 
from the spot his comrades had Occupied during the 
day. As be expected, bis adversary failing to find 
him in the usual spot, commenced to “feel him out” 
by throwing atones in various directions, wherever 
he presumed the picket to be. Having been duly 
warned by the death of a companion of tint danger 
“ Who goes there?” 
answered by a fatal vol- 
O, Gon! may the shout of the nation ring out 
Till the babe in the cradle its chorus shall falter; 
Till the land 
Of brave men, 
Ueart and hand 
Joined again, 
Shall swell but one hymn, around one common altar; 
Till the hymn, as it wakes 
All the seas and (ho lakes, 
Shall rise to the dawning of peace as it breaks— 
And breathe, by the banner no brother forsakes, 
‘ Thu Union—Now and Forever!”’ 
, J Y V 1 - V5“ 
;r - V 
of springing up and demanding, 
(which question had been 
ley.) the Zouave remained still as death, with his 
rifle at lialf-egck, behind the bush where he had 
hidden himself, and quietly awaited results. The 
would-be assassin, after vainly endeavoring to “stir 
up” his enemy by thowing stones, finally went in 
search of him, with a cocked revolver in his grasp, 
looking here and there in the bushes, and moving 
stealthily about in the vicinity, until he finally 
stumbled upon the. hiding-place of the Zouave) 
when it was discovered on the following morning 
that one of the most active and influential seces¬ 
sionists of that county had been shot dead near the 
post of that same Zouave! 
Not the least of the charms of picketing is the 
freedom it gives the picket, when oft' duty, to rove 
about in the vicinity of the advanced posts. With 
the pass of a picket in his pocket, it is not difficult 
for him to lay the inhabitants of the vicinity—if in¬ 
habitants there be—under involuntary contribution 
for such objects as please his sharp appetite and keen 
sight.. A turkey or a chicken never corues amiss to 
him, and a nice sheep has an attraction tor his digits 
which even that of the pole for the magnet cannot 
excel. In all his goings and comings, tho picket is 
especially mindful of what he shall cat and drink, 
and never laileth to lie in possession of a goodly 
store of provisions which tho quartermaster’s 
accounts do not mention—uever, albeit he may not 
have seen the color of Uncle Samuel’s gold for two 
months! His greatest delight is to make a descent 
upon some rich old rebel, and secure a peace-offer¬ 
ing from that same which shall furnish his mess 
with an abundance of feasting. The one thing he 
knowoth, beyond all other knowledge, is that a good 
dinner is tho prirnum mobile of a soldier’s valor, as 
it is his chlefest enjoyment. And if his hardships 
appear havdor to him than all other hardships 
known to man, so do the comforts to which we have 
referred appear more comforting to him than any 
other comforts whatever. 
Re he vis n.—Having seen the principal things to 
bo seen in picketing, wo will return. The way lies 
through dark ravines, over slippery hill-sides, and 
through lonely woods all white with snow aud 
frost. Before we leave the advanced posts of the 
army, however, wo will see the wounded pickets 
oared for, tile tired ones asleep, and our friend Jake 
shall lie relieved. Wo smile our adieus as we hear 
him go growling to the washhouse, declaring that he 
is tired of picketing, it is so much the same thing 
over and over—a little danger, a little hungryncss, 
a little to eat, a little blanket to cover one’s self, and 
a little sleep; and then a repetition of all these 
littlenesses, day after day, forever. 
Tub End Coming.— Andyei—noCfforever!” Even 
in the embittered mind of this picket., as he goes to bis 
mdo couch, there is a speaking consciousness that this 
order of things will not. always endure. Beyond all 
the pains and hardships of Ibis service, beyond all 
the darkness of these perilous limes, is seen, with 
the eye of faith, the day when this arraying of man 
against man shall cease, and when our beloved and 
glorious Union, purified and redeemed, shall bo still 
more beloved and glorious!—the day when even 
these stern and rugged picketing grounds will be 
beautiful beneath the blended smiles of summer and 
of peace! __ 
The Retreat of l'rico into Arkansas. 
The Cross Hollows (Ark.) correspondent of 
the Missouri Democrat , under date ot the 25th nit., 
gives the following interesting details of the retreat 
of Price, and his pursuit by General Curtis: 
In leaving Springfield, Price undoubtedly sup¬ 
posed be could make good his retreat. But he was 
mistaken. The same night of our arrival came or¬ 
ders to march at day-break, in pursuit of him, the 
following morning the divisions of Generals Sigel 
and Asboth taking the Mount, Vernon road, while 
those of Generals Jolf, G. Davis aud Carr took the 
direct route to Cassville. Pushing rapidly forward, 
twelve o’clock ol that day found the latter divisions 
passing the famous battle field of Wilson’s Creek, 
where the enemy had bivouaced the night previous, 
leaving early that morning. Here the camp fires 
were still burning, much of the meat that had been 
killed for the troops lying about uncooked, with 
every evidence of having left “ iu something of a 
hurry!” 
Onward we pushed, never halting until 12 o’clock 
that night. Tho division of General Davis wasin 
the advance, with the cavalry of Colonel Ellis and 
Major McConnell. The enemy, it seems, had halted 
on Crane Creek, and here were captured quite a 
number ot prisoners. First was the rebel Colonel 
Freeman, so well known as the marauder at Salem, 
below Holla. Our pickets were close upon the 
enemy’s camp, and Freeman's horse escaping from 
him. ran up,the road, followed by the Colonel. In 
a very few moments he was on his way to head¬ 
quarters. Soon after came a dapper little major, 
walking right up to our pickets, and askiug if they 
could show him General Price’s headquarters. 
“Certainly,” was the reply, and in a trice he was 
before Gen. Curtis. Afterward our men captured 
an engineer and several other commissioned officers. 
Had uot the night been so terribly dark, it is more 
than likely Gen. Curtis would have attacked the 
enemy, but he determined not to be drawn into an 
ambuscade. The troops lay on their arms awaiting 
the break of day. At an early hour, February 15th, 
the column moved forward, hut during the night 
Price had again Hod, leaving a large proportion of 
his camp equipage aud a number of wagons. Dur- 
ROCIIKSTER, N. Y., MARCH 29, 1862, 
« I’A.rtSOTvT ” 15UOWNLOW 
if it cost me my life. Nay, when I agree to do such 
things, may a righteous God palsy my right arm, 
and may the earth open and close in upon me 
forever!” 
Tho soul was not to be conquered; and as an 
exhibition of the power possessed by the rebels, he 
was imprisoned. But little was hoard of the Parson 
until shortly after the.Federal army under General 
Bitei.i. took possession of Nashville, and the hosts 
of rebeldom were fleeing on their journey to the 
age. Captain Ilaydin, of the 9th Iowa battery, 
answered the enemy’s fire from tho opposite bluff, 
throwing three shells from a howitzer with such 
good effect that the enemy were forced to tall back 
with their battery. Gen. Curtis then ordered the 
cavalry to move up the hill and charge on the re¬ 
treating foe. The order wus gallantly obeyed by 
Colonel Ellis in command of the 1st Missouri cav¬ 
alry, followed by Major Wright, leading bis bat¬ 
talion, and Major McConnell, with third battalion of 
3d Illinois cavalry. The whole force ol our cavalry 
making the attack numbered some eight hundred. 
Gaining the brow of the hill, it was ascertained that 
they had fallen hack over a mile to an open field, 
where their battery was again stationed, and the 
enemy in three formed in line. 
Our cavalry, regardless ol danger, plunged for¬ 
ward to the charge on the enemy’s position, mostly 
screened by the intervening woods. Nothing could 
have withstood the impetuosity of such a charge, 
bad not our advance, led by Col. Ellis, when de¬ 
bouching from the woods into the open field, been 
met with a murderous fire poured in upon their 
ranks from behind the trees. Our loss was severe 
in killed and wounded ur, this point. Inevitable de¬ 
struction, without a chance to resist so galling a fire, 
caused our brave men to recoil, when Col. Ellis, 
with great coolness and presence of tuind, ordered 
his men to right and left and scour the woods. The 
order was obeyed with telling effect on the enemy, 
many of whom were cut down behind their places 
of concealment, and the rest fled. Meantime, Major 
McConnell, with his battalion, left the road, and de¬ 
ploying to the left, advanced on the enemy’s line, 
while Majors Wright and Bolivar performed the 
same maneuver on the right. 
Two regiments of infantry arrived to support the 
cavalry, and formed in line. Colonel Phelps’s regi¬ 
ment deployed on the left of the road, and Lieuten¬ 
ant-Colonel Herron, with the 9th Iowa, deployed on 
the right. Capt. Iiayden, of the Dubuque battery, 
ing that day the chase was very oxciting, there 
being constant skirmishing between our advance 
and his rear guard. The road was strewn with 
broken wagons, dead and dying mules and horses, 
and every conceivable kind of goods. At 4 o’clock 
iu the afternoon, the booming of cannon notified us 
that Price had made a stand. 
The Dubuque battery was pushed forward, and 
for an hour we had a line artillery fight. By the 
time our infantry got up, the enemy had precipi¬ 
tately fled. On the 16th inst., we pushed on, finding 
many evidences of the hasty flight, in that day’s 
march. During the afternoon our cavalry again 
overtook the rebels at Cross Timbers, aud hero was 
made a gallant charge by Col. Harry Pease. This 
charge was really one of the most brilliant things 
that occurred on the route. On the 17th instant 
wo had several skirmishes, and at last discovered 
the enemy in position on the South side of Sugar 
Creek. 
Skirmishing between the pickets of the two armies 
occurred during the morning, when Price moved 
out of sight beyond the brow of the south-western 
hills. His army, as was since ascertained, then 
formed in two lines on both sides of the road, aud 
two Louisiana regiments under command of Cot. 
Louis Herbert, which had arrived from Cross Hol¬ 
lows to re-enforce Price, marched with their bat¬ 
teries, determined to give us a warm reception. 
Two of the enemy’s cannon were planted on the 
brow' of the hill overlooking Sugar Creek, aud 
their pieces were also ranged along the road, about 
two hundred yards apart, for half a milo or more. 
These pieces had prolongs attached, indicating that 
a running fight was intended in case of pursuit. 
Iu the meantime our eavaly formed on the oppo¬ 
site side of tho valley, and marched across tho creek 
to a point near Trott’s store, and halted. The enemy 
then opened lire from their batteries. One shot loll 
short, and a shell exploded over the heads of our 
men stationed on the opposite hill, doing no dum_ 
