V. The Battle of Leetown
At 11:00 a.m. on march 7th, confederate Brigadier General McCulloch's cavalry corps marched along Ford Road in the direction of Elkhorn Tavern, near which Price's infantry under Heth's direct supervision already had assembled. Leading units from McIntosh's division already approached the intersection to Leetown Road, when the federals first reaction occurred.
Union Colonel Peter Osterhaus had gathered his two-brigade division near the small village Leetown when being informed of a large force of rebels passing north of his forces. He immediately ordered a small force of independent cavalry units lead by Curtis' headquarter details under Colonel Cyrus Bussey to intercept the confederates in order to gain time to alert his direct superior, Brigadier General Franz Sigel, whose second division was not yet on the field. Bussey bravely led his men over an open field, but was quickly being countercharged by McIntosh's two brigades under Sims and Greer, fielding each about 1,500 men. Despite the fact that his men were thoroughly routing Bussey's band, McCulloch was temporarily surprised by this unexpected attack and sent word to Heth requesting further orders. While waiting for an answer, McCulloch decided to unlimber his four batteries of artillery along the open ground to shell the village in the distance and to keep the federals from any other rash charges. Soon, several although outnumbered union guns began to reply.
As soon as Heth recognized the action to the east, he consulted his detailed maps and came to the conclusion, that taking Leetown would allow his cavalry to gain the Telegraph Road and to deny possibilities to retreat for whatever forces of Curtis' army he had already engaged at Elkhorn Tavern. Heth therefore ordered McCulloch to take the village by all reasonable means, but to keep his command intact in the process.
According to that, McCulloch formed his troops into line of battle parallel to Ford Road. On the left of Leetown Road, McIntosh’s (Sims‘) and Greers brigades, 3,000 strong, advanced against a brigade under Osterhaus‘ direct command. Brigadier General Pike ordered Gates‘ Missouri brigade, only about 700 men backed by most of McCulloch’s artillery, to slowly advance across Oberson’s field in heavy skirmish formation and to confront Osterhaus‘ second brigade under Greusel. Stand Watie’s 800 strong Indian brigade were sent westward to gain Greusel’s flank or rear, because Pike did not trust their effectiveness during a frontal engagement.
Heavy fighting at first erupted east of the road, where Osterhaus‘ brigade was assaulted several times by McIntosh’s (Sims‘) dismounted force. After beating back the confederates for the third time, Colonel Osterhaus sensed movement to his right. Bursting through the thicket came the troops from Greer’s brigade, forcing Osterhaus to invert his line. Nearing his breaking point, Osterhaus heard three loud „huzzahs“ to his rear. Sigel, at the head of his last brigade, Schaefer’s, had arrived and double-timed down the pike to save Osterhaus‘ right flank. With the support of two light batteries, Greer’s men were temporarily forced to withdraw.
While the fighting seemed to die down to the right, disaster was quickly befalling the union left flank. After taking a longer detour, Stand Watie’s cherokee, creek and chickasaw warriors approached the extreme left of Greusel’s brigade. With a savage war cry on the tops of their lungs, the native warriors charged the surprised federals after successfully having crept on them. Soon joined by a determined push from Gates‘ now emboldened regiments, Greusel’s terrified men were racing to the few buildings in their rear, discarding weapons and equipment while retreating. Pikes whole division followed swiftly. Upon recognizing the catastrophe and without being able to commit any fresh reserves, Sigel ordered a general retreat in southern direction, that was quickly turned into a rout due to the hard pressing presence of McCulloch’s mounted brigades.
Nearly 1,000 prisoners, mainly from Greusel’s and Osterhaus‘ brigades were gathered while Pike had to put in all of his authority to prevent a slaughter of the surrendered by his determined native allies. Union losses beside those captured were 300 killed and 200 wounded, while the confederates themselves lost about 500 men in total.
While Gates‘ brigade forced Sigels remainders farther south, the rest of McCulloch’s troops, Greer’s lightly engaged brigade in the lead, pushed up the Telegraph Road in north-eastern direction.
