March 8, 1862
During the night, the Confederates held Elkhorn Tavern and the confidence that they had won the battle. Unfortunately, it was a very cold night, and General Earl Van Dorn had left his supply trains behind. His soldiers were tired, hungry and cold. Union General Curtis spent most of the night making sure his troops were fed, supplied and ready for battle the next day.
In the morning, Union Colonel Davis emerged from the woods only to be shot at by waiting Confederate batteries. In the meantime, General Sigel sent Colonel Osterhaus marching up Telegraph Road to meet up with Colonel Davis. Colonel Asboth came up on the far left. From flank to flank, the entire Union Army of the Southwest would have been visible from a bird's eye view. This terrifying site stunned the confident Confederates.
General Sigel massed 21 guns at the Confederate artillery and army marching towards the Union on the field. After the Confederates faultered, he turned the guns towards the woods at the base of the mountain where the Confederate calvary was hidden. This proved a deadly combination of shrapnel and splintered wood. The Confederates began their retreat down Huntsville Road.
About 11am General Earl Van Dorn had realized that the battle was lost and ordered an all out retreat. General Curtis had mistaken the road where he was to retreat and sent his troops in pursuit via Cross Timber Hollow. They did not meet up again. Federal forces reported 203 killed, 980 wounded and 201 missing for a total of 1,384 casualties. Confederates suffered approximately 2,000 casualties. It was one of the few times that a larger Confederate force would be defeated by a smaller Union army.