With Good’s Texas Battery at Pea Ridge
A lthough the battle at Pea Ridge did not result in a victory for the Confederate Army of the West, First Lieutenant James P. Douglas of Good’s Texas Battery felt confident “we have taught the Federals a lesson they won’t forget soon.” Engaged at b oth Leetown on March 7 th and near Elkhorn Tavern the following day, Douglas and his battery experienced some of the hottest artillery fighting of the entire engagement. The artillery duel with the Federals on the morning of March 8 th he considered most impressive. “At sunrise, we opened on the enemy’s batteries to our front at a distance of 600 yards. Our fire was answered with great spirit and soon the roar became ceaseless and sublime. The six-piece battery to our left fired a few rounds and fell back. The one to our right fired slowly while the enemy with eight batteries poured a torrent of shot, shell, and canister upon our little band. Our boys manned the guns with coolness and great rapidity. Soon many of them were wounded and fi...