August 21, 2024 • 20 mins
At the Battle of Pea Ridge, on the morning of 7 March 1862, an advance Cavalry and Artillery force which included CPL Dysart and the 3rd Iowa Cavalry witnessed some of the first shots of the battle as three artillery pieces fired into the Confederate Right Wing as it marched along the Ford Road toward Elkhorn Tavern. A “running cavalry fight” ensued, but the Union force was routed, and CPL Dysart made for Union lines forming south of him.
Sources used for this episode:
Dysart, Henry M. Civil War Diary: Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 1862. https://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/islandora/object/ui%3Atestcwd_22746_2_1.
Scott, Robert N. The Wart of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser. 1, vol. 8. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1883. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924079893719&view=1up&seq=3.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:22):
Hello everyone.
My name is bill Coughlin andwelcome to first person civil
war podcast.
Which retails the stories of thesoldiers and officers.
On the ground in the battles ofthe civil war.
Episode 31 is entitled.
Corporal Henry M dyes art.
(00:43):
And the third Iowa cavalry.
At the battle of pea Ridge andrelies on his book.
Civil war diary, battle of peaRidge, Arkansas, March, 1862.
Henry Martin dies.
Art was born in 1842 in Maurycounty, Tennessee.
(01:04):
Henry's extended family, justlike the nation.
Was divided against itself.
Henry's father was aPresbyterian minister and an
abolitionist.
While his uncles were slaveowners.
Because of this few Henry dyesart's uncles invited his family
to leave Tennessee.
(01:25):
Which they did by boat sometimein the 1850s.
According to us.
Federal census records by 1860Henry dyes art and his family
now lived in Davis county, Iowa.
Where he eventually enlisted incompany D of the third Iowa
cavalry on 26, September, 1861.
(01:49):
By January, 1862, Henry dies.
Art was a corporal.
And stationed with his regimentat Benton barracks St.
Louis.
On new year's day, he begankeeping a diary.
And although not yet tested inbattle.
Corporal dyes art knew he wouldsee fighting in the months to
come.
(02:10):
Time flies and it is indeed truethat it waits for no man.
Today we may be at home in peacetomorrow at war.
Today, happy tomorrow.
Sad.
Today, rich.
Tomorrow poor.
As time revolves new areas, openup marked sometimes with dark
(02:33):
events.
The past is open to view, butthe future is always uncertain.
Sometimes bright, sometimesdark.
In 1861, the slave state ofMissouri became the scene of
several battles as both a unionand Confederate forces vied for
control of one of the criticalborder states.
(02:57):
By 1862.
The union army was on theoffensive.
Determined to push theConfederate Missouri state guard
out of their own state.
And to continue advancing and toNorthwestern, Arkansas.
This effort began in earlyFebruary and corporal dyes art
and the third Iowa cavalry.
(03:18):
Commanded by Colonel Cyrus Buseymarched in the headquarters
element of the four divisionarmy of the Southwest.
Commanded by Brigadier general,Samuel R.
Curtis.
Though successful andmaneuvering the Confederates out
of Missouri.
The pursuit soon ended.
(03:38):
By the time, the army of theSouthwest cross the border into
Northwestern, Arkansas Brigadiergeneral Curtis recognized that
his extended supply lines wouldprove a hindrance to any further
advance.
And decided to array his army ina defensive posture.
As the army of the Southwestgave up the initiative.
(03:59):
Uh, Confederate army under thecommand of major general Earl
van Dorn coalesced inNorthwestern, Arkansas.
Which eventually totaledapproximately 16,500 men.
And enjoyed a numericalsuperiority of approximately
6,000 men over the union army.
By 28, February Fayetteville,the largest town in the region.
(04:23):
Became the center of activityfor both armies.
Corporal dyes art and the thirdIowa cavalry was active during
this time, trying to gatherinformation about the
Confederates movements.
After marching all day overArkansas mountains and rocks.
It is pleasant to spend anArkansas night and in Arkansas
(04:44):
thicket as last night was spentwith an Arkansas rock for a
pillow and an Arkansas sky for acovering.
We surrounded and enteredFayetteville again this morning
at sunrise, but found no enemy,although it had been occupied by
the rebels again yesterday.
Major general van Dorensultimate objective was to secure
(05:06):
the state of Missouri for theConfederacy, but before even
entering the state, he had todefeat the army of the
Southwest.
On four March, the Confederatesbegan their advance upon the
union army.
Which fortified along pea Ridgeand face south along the little
sugar Creek to meet them.
On the night of six, March,1862.
(05:27):
Corporal dyes art summed up thelevel of preparation by the army
of the Southwest.
All the trains and everyimpediment are arranged along
the road for three miles northof the Bluffs or Hills where
preparations are being made fora warm reception of the enemy.
Everything is being ready tomove.
(05:49):
On each side of the road, thebrush, which is very dense is
almost completely blocked upwith wagons and tents.
We have orders to be ready toMarch at a moment's warning.
And tonight have built a hugelong keep fires nearby, which we
will sleep in the leaves withsabers and revolvers on.
Everyone expects a fighttomorrow.
(06:13):
As corporal dyes art remarkedabout the union.
Army's preparedness to fight theConfederates along little sugar
Creek.
It was all for not.
Major general van Dorn and hisarmy of the west.
We're in the process of marchingby the flank along the snow
covered Bentonville detour.
Just as the union army usedterrain to fortify their
(06:35):
position, the Confederates usedit to mask their movement.
Major general van Dorn believedthat speed was essential to get
his army into the union rearbefore they had time to react.
And thereby ensure a swiftvictory.
To accomplish this, thatConfederacy departed without
ammunition, supply trains.
(06:57):
This meant the ammunition, themen carried on them was all they
had.
The detour would place theConfederates several miles in
the rear of the army of theSouthwest.
And in this, they weresuccessful.
On the morning of seven March,1862, the union army discovered
that the Confederates hadsuccessfully marched into their
(07:19):
rear.
And Brigadier general Curtisscrambled to turn his army
around, to meet the threat.
He ordered Colonel Peter JAuster house commander of the
first division to turn aroundand form the left flank of the
army.
To prevent the enemy from stillmore strengthening their
position in our rear and toengage a part of his forces
(07:43):
general Curtis ordered me tomake a demonstration on their
right flank towards Lee town.
And if necessary on theBentonville and CastleVille
road.
The force is detailed for thispurpose.
We're mainly cavalry battalionsof the third Iowa cavalry first
and fifth, Missouri cavalry.
And three pieces of the flyingbattery, all under the immediate
(08:06):
command of Colonel Bussey.
Corporal dyes art heard movementto the west throughout the
night.
And surmise that theConfederates were on the move.
The next morning, he and hiscomrades rush north to meet the
Confederates in battle.
At eight this morning, it wasevident that the whole rebel
(08:27):
force had successfully gotbehind us.
At about nine, our battalion wasordered out to take part and
followed the road, which leadsNorthwest from the hospital
until we reached the open field,which extends in the shape of
the letter.
Y.
And he continues.
On first entering the opening.
We formed in line of battle, ourway to our right.
(08:50):
We got the first glimpse of theenemy through an opening neck
where our Canon were planted.
What corporal dies art saw fromtheir position in the foster
farm was the entire right wingof the Confederate army.
Tiredly marching along the Fordroad toward Elkhorn Tavern.
Push throughout the night, theConfederates were exhausted and
(09:13):
several hours behind thescheduled linkup with the other
Confederate wing at the Tavern,which was still east of their
position.
As corporal dyes art witnessedthe first Missouri flying
artillery opened fire on sevenMarch, 1862 upon the
Confederates along the road.
They were some of the firstshots of the battle of pea
(09:33):
Ridge.
These when fired, seem to throwthem into confusion.
The ground was low and in fairview of us where we were in
line, I could distinguishofficers rushing to and fro and
wild excitement, seeminglypreparing for an advance on us.
(09:55):
The first Confederates toorganize and advance upon
corporal dyes.
Dart the third, I have a cavalryand the rest of the small union
force was Brigadier general.
James M Macintosh's cavalrybrigade.
Which consisted of the third,sixth, ninth, and 11th, Texas
cavalry regiments.
(10:15):
As well as two separate cavalrybattalions.
Colonel BW stone, commander ofthe sixth, Texas cavalry formed
and charged upon corporal dyesart and the union cavalry.
And Foster's farm.
The five mountain regimens underthe command of the late general
McIntosh were formed in columnin timbers west of the field
(10:40):
occupied by the enemy.
And we're thus marched into thefield.
When about 300 yards away fromthe enemies lines.
This is an estimated distancefrom union forces around Elkhorn
Tavern.
A large force of cavalry wasdiscovered Southeast of ours,
then marching position.
Bearing the colors of the starsand stripes.
(11:02):
At this moment, from that 0.3heavy guns opened upon our
columns, a most destructive andgalling fire.
Which mainly affected our secondbattalions.
The regiment of Colonel Greer.
That is the third Texas.
Was on our extreme.
Right.
And next was the regiment undermy command.
(11:24):
At this moment, the order wasgiven to charge and in an
instant, our gallon columns werepouring a destructive fire in
the face of the enemy.
And at once they abandoned theirguns.
After the artillery opened fireColonel Bussey formed the third
Iowa cavalry into a marchingcolumn and met the Texans in
(11:47):
what he described as a runningcavalry fight.
From corporal dyes arts point ofview, the fighting was intense.
We had remained in line ofbattle.
Only a few moments when we wereled in column a fours along the
road, north.
And while in motion and justopposite the nook where our
(12:07):
battery was planted five timesour numbers charged upon us
through the nook and past thebattery, which was now taken.
Being in column of fours.
And so suddenly overwhelmed, wewere thrown into confusion.
It almost every man fought untiloverpowered in hand-to-hand
conflict.
(12:29):
With the entire Confederate wingin the immediate area, they
could bring more forces into thefight.
Brigadier general Albert pikemaneuver two of his regiments,
the first and second Cherokeemounted rifles.
From the Ford road through somewoods and managed to flank the
union cavalry.
Corporal dyes art credits theappearance of this brigade as
(12:52):
the turning point and thefighting around the foster farm.
I have read in history of, andseen depicted the horrors of
battle where foe measured armswith foe and mortal combat.
But here my own eyes witnessedthem.
And every direction I could seemy comrades falling.
Horses frenzied and riderlessran to and fro.
(13:16):
Men and horses, random collisioncrushing each other to the
ground.
Dismounted troopers ran andnever direction.
The scene baffles description.
Had I weeks of leisure, I mightperhaps give some idea of the
scene, but cannot by thecampfire in haste.
The union position was overrunand routed.
(13:39):
The Iowans and Missourians whowere not captured, broke in any
direction they could.
Some are treated west throughthe open farm field while others
corporal dyes aren't included.
Broke toward the Woodline totheir south.
I was among these and seeing noother way of escape.
I dismounted and threw down thefence.
(14:01):
While doing this, the bulletswhizzed by my head like BS.
Uh, number lodging in the railsI was handling.
I had not got through fairlywith my horse when as many as 20
of our boys were ready to passthrough the gap.
And every time I tried to Mountgetting my foot in the stirrup,
someone ran against me.
So gathering the rains.
(14:22):
I led my horse halfway acrossthe field before mounting him.
This is in reference to oversince field south of the woods
where the union infantry we'rein the process of forming a
defensive line and he continues.
When on him.
I found he was shot in the thighand very lame.
Being dismounted.
(14:42):
I escaped to camp on foot.
For the remainder of the day,the union army held two
unconnected defensive lines.
Wanted over since field.
And the other at Elkhorn Tavern.
The fighting around the Tavernwas particularly heavy as the
union fourth division held itsground for most of the day,
(15:04):
until it finally broke underheavy pressure.
At over since field.
Thanks.
So the untimely death ofBrigadier general Benjamin
McCullough, the right wings,commander.
And Brigadier general James andMick.
his replacement.
The Confederates formed for anassault, but only a part of that
force advanced against the unionfirst division.
(15:27):
As this fighting unfolded partof the third Iowa cavalry
reformed under the leadership ofColonel Bussey and fought it
over sins field.
Corporal dyes art with his horselamed in the morning.
Fight.
I remained in the regimentalcamp for the rest of the day.
So Elkhorn Tavern was now inConfederate hands.
(15:48):
The union army stabilized theirline in a series of fields
Southeast of the Tavern.
And it was at this location thatboth armies concentrated their
forces to fight the next day.
On eight March, 1862, corporaldyes art was detailed with
caring for the regimentalwounded of the army field
hospital.
(16:09):
Though, not in the fight.
He was close enough to stillhear the battle and provided an
interesting insights on how themen around the hospital reacted
to news from the frontline.
All we're in suspense andanxious for results.
For today must decide thebattle.
Regimens moved along the road bywhere I was waiting on the
(16:30):
wounded.
It's both men and officers,whereas lively and jovial as if
going to a corn husking.
During the whole four noon,hundreds of stragglers were in
camp.
Some in lost their guns, somewere sick, some lame, some sent
to wait on the sick.
Idle men stood about in squads,away from their companies on a
(16:52):
thousand different excuses.
Men continuously hurried backand forth between the
battlefield and the camp.
Each one was halted at almostevery step by crowds of anxious
fellows who asked a thousandquestions.
How has the battle going?
Who is retreating?
Do the enemy fall back.
(17:13):
Anxiety grew to such a feverpitch that corporal dyes art
witnessed the army supply trainsdeparting for the south.
But in reality, such an escapewas not needed.
With his army, fully arrayed,Brigadier general Curtis mast,
his artillery.
And what was up to that point?
The largest artillery, barrageof the war.
(17:34):
And it became apparent that theConfederate artillery had run
out of ammunition.
And can not match the unionartillery in firepower.
Brigadier general Curtis orderedthe entire army to charge, which
routed the Confederate army andthe battle of pea Ridge ended in
a decisive union victory.
(17:55):
Henry M dyes art's diaryconcluded with an entry on 21,
January, 1863.
But as service in the third,Iowa continued in the war.
He was captured on one May, 1863in Arkansas, but returned to the
regiment and mustered out ofservice on 15 September, 1864.
(18:18):
He returned to Iowa where heworked at a newspaper and as a
librarian, In 1965, Henry M dyesarts diary.
Diary was donated to the peaRidge national military park
where it remains today.
While the university of Iowa.
Maintains a digitized version.
(18:39):
Thank you for listening to the31st episode.
The link to corporal dyes art'sbook is now available on the
podcast website.
First person, civil war,podcast.com.
On Facebook, Instagram, X, andLinkedIn this week.
You will find an illustration ofthe battle of pea Ridge from
(19:01):
Harper's weekly.
And a picture of Henry M dyes.
Art's promotion orders tocorporal.
I'd like to thank Jordan fromIowa for the suggestion of
corporal dies, art story, andthe picture of his promotion
orders.
If you have a suggestion of asoldier or officer for an
episode.
(19:21):
Please send me a message.
I intend to use, listen torecommendations as the topics of
future episodes.
In two weeks time, firstLieutenant C Seton.
Fleming of company G second,Florida infantry provides next
episodes.
First person account at thebattle of Williamsburg.
(19:47):
My name is bill Coughlin.
And thank you for listening tofirst person civil war podcast.
Hello everyone.
My name is bill Coughlin andwelcome to first person civil
war podcast.
Which retails the stories of thesoldiers and officers.
On the ground in the battles ofthe civil war.
Episode 31 is entitled.
Corporal Henry M dyes art.
(00:43):
And the third Iowa cavalry.
At the battle of pea Ridge andrelies on his book.
Civil war diary, battle of peaRidge, Arkansas, March, 1862.
Henry Martin dies.
Art was born in 1842 in Maurycounty, Tennessee.
(01:04):
Henry's extended family, justlike the nation.
Was divided against itself.
Henry's father was aPresbyterian minister and an
abolitionist.
While his uncles were slaveowners.
Because of this few Henry dyesart's uncles invited his family
to leave Tennessee.
(01:25):
Which they did by boat sometimein the 1850s.
According to us.
Federal census records by 1860Henry dyes art and his family
now lived in Davis county, Iowa.
Where he eventually enlisted incompany D of the third Iowa
cavalry on 26, September, 1861.
(01:49):
By January, 1862, Henry dies.
Art was a corporal.
And stationed with his regimentat Benton barracks St.
Louis.
On new year's day, he begankeeping a diary.
And although not yet tested inbattle.
Corporal dyes art knew he wouldsee fighting in the months to
come.
(02:10):
Time flies and it is indeed truethat it waits for no man.
Today we may be at home in peacetomorrow at war.
Today, happy tomorrow.
Sad.
Today, rich.
Tomorrow poor.
As time revolves new areas, openup marked sometimes with dark
(02:33):
events.
The past is open to view, butthe future is always uncertain.
Sometimes bright, sometimesdark.
In 1861, the slave state ofMissouri became the scene of
several battles as both a unionand Confederate forces vied for
control of one of the criticalborder states.
(02:57):
By 1862.
The union army was on theoffensive.
Determined to push theConfederate Missouri state guard
out of their own state.
And to continue advancing and toNorthwestern, Arkansas.
This effort began in earlyFebruary and corporal dyes art
and the third Iowa cavalry.
(03:18):
Commanded by Colonel Cyrus Buseymarched in the headquarters
element of the four divisionarmy of the Southwest.
Commanded by Brigadier general,Samuel R.
Curtis.
Though successful andmaneuvering the Confederates out
of Missouri.
The pursuit soon ended.
(03:38):
By the time, the army of theSouthwest cross the border into
Northwestern, Arkansas Brigadiergeneral Curtis recognized that
his extended supply lines wouldprove a hindrance to any further
advance.
And decided to array his army ina defensive posture.
As the army of the Southwestgave up the initiative.
(03:59):
Uh, Confederate army under thecommand of major general Earl
van Dorn coalesced inNorthwestern, Arkansas.
Which eventually totaledapproximately 16,500 men.
And enjoyed a numericalsuperiority of approximately
6,000 men over the union army.
By 28, February Fayetteville,the largest town in the region.
(04:23):
Became the center of activityfor both armies.
Corporal dyes art and the thirdIowa cavalry was active during
this time, trying to gatherinformation about the
Confederates movements.
After marching all day overArkansas mountains and rocks.
It is pleasant to spend anArkansas night and in Arkansas
(04:44):
thicket as last night was spentwith an Arkansas rock for a
pillow and an Arkansas sky for acovering.
We surrounded and enteredFayetteville again this morning
at sunrise, but found no enemy,although it had been occupied by
the rebels again yesterday.
Major general van Dorensultimate objective was to secure
(05:06):
the state of Missouri for theConfederacy, but before even
entering the state, he had todefeat the army of the
Southwest.
On four March, the Confederatesbegan their advance upon the
union army.
Which fortified along pea Ridgeand face south along the little
sugar Creek to meet them.
On the night of six, March,1862.
(05:27):
Corporal dyes art summed up thelevel of preparation by the army
of the Southwest.
All the trains and everyimpediment are arranged along
the road for three miles northof the Bluffs or Hills where
preparations are being made fora warm reception of the enemy.
Everything is being ready tomove.
(05:49):
On each side of the road, thebrush, which is very dense is
almost completely blocked upwith wagons and tents.
We have orders to be ready toMarch at a moment's warning.
And tonight have built a hugelong keep fires nearby, which we
will sleep in the leaves withsabers and revolvers on.
Everyone expects a fighttomorrow.
(06:13):
As corporal dyes art remarkedabout the union.
Army's preparedness to fight theConfederates along little sugar
Creek.
It was all for not.
Major general van Dorn and hisarmy of the west.
We're in the process of marchingby the flank along the snow
covered Bentonville detour.
Just as the union army usedterrain to fortify their
(06:35):
position, the Confederates usedit to mask their movement.
Major general van Dorn believedthat speed was essential to get
his army into the union rearbefore they had time to react.
And thereby ensure a swiftvictory.
To accomplish this, thatConfederacy departed without
ammunition, supply trains.
(06:57):
This meant the ammunition, themen carried on them was all they
had.
The detour would place theConfederates several miles in
the rear of the army of theSouthwest.
And in this, they weresuccessful.
On the morning of seven March,1862, the union army discovered
that the Confederates hadsuccessfully marched into their
(07:19):
rear.
And Brigadier general Curtisscrambled to turn his army
around, to meet the threat.
He ordered Colonel Peter JAuster house commander of the
first division to turn aroundand form the left flank of the
army.
To prevent the enemy from stillmore strengthening their
position in our rear and toengage a part of his forces
(07:43):
general Curtis ordered me tomake a demonstration on their
right flank towards Lee town.
And if necessary on theBentonville and CastleVille
road.
The force is detailed for thispurpose.
We're mainly cavalry battalionsof the third Iowa cavalry first
and fifth, Missouri cavalry.
And three pieces of the flyingbattery, all under the immediate
(08:06):
command of Colonel Bussey.
Corporal dyes art heard movementto the west throughout the
night.
And surmise that theConfederates were on the move.
The next morning, he and hiscomrades rush north to meet the
Confederates in battle.
At eight this morning, it wasevident that the whole rebel
(08:27):
force had successfully gotbehind us.
At about nine, our battalion wasordered out to take part and
followed the road, which leadsNorthwest from the hospital
until we reached the open field,which extends in the shape of
the letter.
Y.
And he continues.
On first entering the opening.
We formed in line of battle, ourway to our right.
(08:50):
We got the first glimpse of theenemy through an opening neck
where our Canon were planted.
What corporal dies art saw fromtheir position in the foster
farm was the entire right wingof the Confederate army.
Tiredly marching along the Fordroad toward Elkhorn Tavern.
Push throughout the night, theConfederates were exhausted and
(09:13):
several hours behind thescheduled linkup with the other
Confederate wing at the Tavern,which was still east of their
position.
As corporal dyes art witnessedthe first Missouri flying
artillery opened fire on sevenMarch, 1862 upon the
Confederates along the road.
They were some of the firstshots of the battle of pea
(09:33):
Ridge.
These when fired, seem to throwthem into confusion.
The ground was low and in fairview of us where we were in
line, I could distinguishofficers rushing to and fro and
wild excitement, seeminglypreparing for an advance on us.
(09:55):
The first Confederates toorganize and advance upon
corporal dyes.
Dart the third, I have a cavalryand the rest of the small union
force was Brigadier general.
James M Macintosh's cavalrybrigade.
Which consisted of the third,sixth, ninth, and 11th, Texas
cavalry regiments.
(10:15):
As well as two separate cavalrybattalions.
Colonel BW stone, commander ofthe sixth, Texas cavalry formed
and charged upon corporal dyesart and the union cavalry.
And Foster's farm.
The five mountain regimens underthe command of the late general
McIntosh were formed in columnin timbers west of the field
(10:40):
occupied by the enemy.
And we're thus marched into thefield.
When about 300 yards away fromthe enemies lines.
This is an estimated distancefrom union forces around Elkhorn
Tavern.
A large force of cavalry wasdiscovered Southeast of ours,
then marching position.
Bearing the colors of the starsand stripes.
(11:02):
At this moment, from that 0.3heavy guns opened upon our
columns, a most destructive andgalling fire.
Which mainly affected our secondbattalions.
The regiment of Colonel Greer.
That is the third Texas.
Was on our extreme.
Right.
And next was the regiment undermy command.
(11:24):
At this moment, the order wasgiven to charge and in an
instant, our gallon columns werepouring a destructive fire in
the face of the enemy.
And at once they abandoned theirguns.
After the artillery opened fireColonel Bussey formed the third
Iowa cavalry into a marchingcolumn and met the Texans in
(11:47):
what he described as a runningcavalry fight.
From corporal dyes arts point ofview, the fighting was intense.
We had remained in line ofbattle.
Only a few moments when we wereled in column a fours along the
road, north.
And while in motion and justopposite the nook where our
(12:07):
battery was planted five timesour numbers charged upon us
through the nook and past thebattery, which was now taken.
Being in column of fours.
And so suddenly overwhelmed, wewere thrown into confusion.
It almost every man fought untiloverpowered in hand-to-hand
conflict.
(12:29):
With the entire Confederate wingin the immediate area, they
could bring more forces into thefight.
Brigadier general Albert pikemaneuver two of his regiments,
the first and second Cherokeemounted rifles.
From the Ford road through somewoods and managed to flank the
union cavalry.
Corporal dyes art credits theappearance of this brigade as
(12:52):
the turning point and thefighting around the foster farm.
I have read in history of, andseen depicted the horrors of
battle where foe measured armswith foe and mortal combat.
But here my own eyes witnessedthem.
And every direction I could seemy comrades falling.
Horses frenzied and riderlessran to and fro.
(13:16):
Men and horses, random collisioncrushing each other to the
ground.
Dismounted troopers ran andnever direction.
The scene baffles description.
Had I weeks of leisure, I mightperhaps give some idea of the
scene, but cannot by thecampfire in haste.
The union position was overrunand routed.
(13:39):
The Iowans and Missourians whowere not captured, broke in any
direction they could.
Some are treated west throughthe open farm field while others
corporal dyes aren't included.
Broke toward the Woodline totheir south.
I was among these and seeing noother way of escape.
I dismounted and threw down thefence.
(14:01):
While doing this, the bulletswhizzed by my head like BS.
Uh, number lodging in the railsI was handling.
I had not got through fairlywith my horse when as many as 20
of our boys were ready to passthrough the gap.
And every time I tried to Mountgetting my foot in the stirrup,
someone ran against me.
So gathering the rains.
(14:22):
I led my horse halfway acrossthe field before mounting him.
This is in reference to oversince field south of the woods
where the union infantry we'rein the process of forming a
defensive line and he continues.
When on him.
I found he was shot in the thighand very lame.
Being dismounted.
(14:42):
I escaped to camp on foot.
For the remainder of the day,the union army held two
unconnected defensive lines.
Wanted over since field.
And the other at Elkhorn Tavern.
The fighting around the Tavernwas particularly heavy as the
union fourth division held itsground for most of the day,
(15:04):
until it finally broke underheavy pressure.
At over since field.
Thanks.
So the untimely death ofBrigadier general Benjamin
McCullough, the right wings,commander.
And Brigadier general James andMick.
his replacement.
The Confederates formed for anassault, but only a part of that
force advanced against the unionfirst division.
(15:27):
As this fighting unfolded partof the third Iowa cavalry
reformed under the leadership ofColonel Bussey and fought it
over sins field.
Corporal dyes art with his horselamed in the morning.
Fight.
I remained in the regimentalcamp for the rest of the day.
So Elkhorn Tavern was now inConfederate hands.
(15:48):
The union army stabilized theirline in a series of fields
Southeast of the Tavern.
And it was at this location thatboth armies concentrated their
forces to fight the next day.
On eight March, 1862, corporaldyes art was detailed with
caring for the regimentalwounded of the army field
hospital.
(16:09):
Though, not in the fight.
He was close enough to stillhear the battle and provided an
interesting insights on how themen around the hospital reacted
to news from the frontline.
All we're in suspense andanxious for results.
For today must decide thebattle.
Regimens moved along the road bywhere I was waiting on the
(16:30):
wounded.
It's both men and officers,whereas lively and jovial as if
going to a corn husking.
During the whole four noon,hundreds of stragglers were in
camp.
Some in lost their guns, somewere sick, some lame, some sent
to wait on the sick.
Idle men stood about in squads,away from their companies on a
(16:52):
thousand different excuses.
Men continuously hurried backand forth between the
battlefield and the camp.
Each one was halted at almostevery step by crowds of anxious
fellows who asked a thousandquestions.
How has the battle going?
Who is retreating?
Do the enemy fall back.
(17:13):
Anxiety grew to such a feverpitch that corporal dyes art
witnessed the army supply trainsdeparting for the south.
But in reality, such an escapewas not needed.
With his army, fully arrayed,Brigadier general Curtis mast,
his artillery.
And what was up to that point?
The largest artillery, barrageof the war.
(17:34):
And it became apparent that theConfederate artillery had run
out of ammunition.
And can not match the unionartillery in firepower.
Brigadier general Curtis orderedthe entire army to charge, which
routed the Confederate army andthe battle of pea Ridge ended in
a decisive union victory.
(17:55):
Henry M dyes art's diaryconcluded with an entry on 21,
January, 1863.
But as service in the third,Iowa continued in the war.
He was captured on one May, 1863in Arkansas, but returned to the
regiment and mustered out ofservice on 15 September, 1864.
(18:18):
He returned to Iowa where heworked at a newspaper and as a
librarian, In 1965, Henry M dyesarts diary.
Diary was donated to the peaRidge national military park
where it remains today.
While the university of Iowa.
Maintains a digitized version.
(18:39):
Thank you for listening to the31st episode.
The link to corporal dyes art'sbook is now available on the
podcast website.
First person, civil war,podcast.com.
On Facebook, Instagram, X, andLinkedIn this week.
You will find an illustration ofthe battle of pea Ridge from
(19:01):
Harper's weekly.
And a picture of Henry M dyes.
Art's promotion orders tocorporal.
I'd like to thank Jordan fromIowa for the suggestion of
corporal dies, art story, andthe picture of his promotion
orders.
If you have a suggestion of asoldier or officer for an
episode.
(19:21):
Please send me a message.
I intend to use, listen torecommendations as the topics of
future episodes.
In two weeks time, firstLieutenant C Seton.
Fleming of company G second,Florida infantry provides next
episodes.
First person account at thebattle of Williamsburg.
(19:47):
My name is bill Coughlin.
And thank you for listening tofirst person civil war podcast.
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