It was on March the 7th in the year of '62 We had a short engagement with Abe Lincoln's crew Van Dorn was our commander as you remember be We lost 10.000 of our men, near the indian territory Pat Price come riding up the line, his horse was in the pace And as he gave the word 'retreat' the tears rolled down his face Ten thousand deaths I rather die, than they should gain the field From there he got a fatal shot and we were forced to yield I know you brave Missouri boys were never yet afraid Let's try to form in order, retreat the best we can The word retreat was passed along, it caused the heathen cry Helter skelter through the woods, like lost sheep they did fly At Springfield and Carthage many a hero fell At Lexington and Dry Wood as near the truth can tell But such an utter carnage as did I ever see Happened at old Pea Ridge near the indian territory It was on March the 7th in the year of '62 We had a short engagement with Abe Lincoln's crew Van Dorn was our commander, as you remember be We lost 10.000 of our men, near the indian territory We lost 10.000 of our men, near the indian territory