Weekly Gazette
Elgin, Illinois
April 23, 1862

A Brilliant Exploit

We learn form Col. Joslyn of an exploit in the opening of the Pea Ridge battle, which we have never seen in print.

It appears that Lieu't Frank Campbell, of company B, of the 36th, had charge of a squad of pickets, some 25 in number, thrown out around the McKisick farm, some nine miles from Bentonville. When Sigel retreated from the latter place to join Curtis, he had no time to notify Lieu't Campbell, but left him to take care of himself. Learning that the enemy was moving on Bentonville in force, he started to call in his pickets.- Four of them were picked up before he could reach them. He then took his squad and started for camp. Approaching Bentonville he found it in the possession of the enemy, and the rebels swarming all over the country. Determined not to be captured, he took a circuitous route, passed innumerable squads of the enemy, pretending to belong to Price's body guard, he gave orders to the rebels, borrowed pistols and ammunition of them, and finally brought his men safe into our camp. That man is fit to be an officer, and deserves promotion.