when we halted for two hours, at which time | heavy force of infantry, not less than a full regiCaptain Gilbert's company of regulars and Ma-ment, and after a severe contest they gained jor Osterhaus' battalion were thrown out as the summit, and the defeated rebels dispersed skirmishers on either side of the column, and rapidly, going in a direction which rendered it we moved forward. impossible for any considerable number of them to again participate in the battle. Totten's battery then threw a few balls as feelers, to draw out the enemy's cannon. Colonel Blair's regiment moved forward, and were soon met by a well-equipped regiment of Louisiana troops, whom, after a bitter contest of forty-five minutes, they succeeded in routing, though suffering severely themselves. Captain Lathrop's company of rifle recruits now as Shortly after five o'clock a party of rebels, acting as a picket, were seen scattering over the hills to give the alarm; but a portion of our column had already penetrated far enough to cut off their route, unless they took a very circuitous one, in which case we should reach camp ahead of them. We soon came in sight of the valley in which they were encamped. A thousand tents, stretching off into the distance, and partially screened from view by a hill jut-sisted them, and together they, with Major Osting into an angle of Wilson's Creek, were before us, presenting as animated appearance as a young city. The enemy's camp extended from the head of the valley, overlooked on the north, east, and west sides by hills and ridges two or three hundred feet in height southward about a mile, thence eastward a mile and a half, and then southward half a mile, following the windings of the creek, along whose banks the gently sloping hills on either side afforded the most excellent camping ground. Near the northern end of the valley lived John McNary, formerly from Indiana, who, finding the rebels within five miles, on Tuesday last packed up his few worldly goods, took his family, and started for the good old Hoosier State, where it is not a crime to be loyal to the Government under which we live. Not less than twenty or thirty families, living on farms in the vicinity, started about the same time, most of them having little or no idea where they were going, except to escape from the danger which threatened them. The battle-field viewed by your correspondent, where the most severe fighting was done, was along the ridges and hills on either sido (mostly on the west) of the stream for the first mile mentioned above, where the creek runs in a southerly direction. terhaus' men, moved up the second hill, which was considerably larger than the first, and, meeting a third regiment, finally succeeded in driving them back with the assistance of Totten's battery, and gaining the summit. In this part of the fight the gallant Missouri volunteers acted bravely; indeed, no words of praise could more than do them justice. Of course, many acts of valor were performed not witnessed by me; but among those I saw Captain Gratz, leading his men against overwhelming odds, and falling in death just as he had repulsed the foe; Lieutenant Murphy dashing forward ahead of the line, waving his sword high in the air, shouting onward to the almost wavering men, who gained fresh courage from the exhibition, and, pushing forward, drove the enemy from the field. In this fight many of our brave soldiers fell to rise no more; while Colonel Andrews had his horse shot from under him, and was wounded himself slightly. General Lyon suffered in a similar manner. Captains Cavender, Cole, and Yates, each slightly, or at least not dangerously wounded; Lieutenants Brown and Johnson, and Corporals Conant and Rogers, more or less severely wounded. During this engagement, two companies of regulars were sent to the east side of the creek, As we crossed the hill on the north, moving to engage a force which was operating against in a southwesterly direction, Captain Wright, Captain Wright's cavalry, sheltering themselves with the mounted Home Guards, was sent to behind a fence. Captain Plummer and Captain the east side so as to cut off a party of rebels Gilbert, with their companies, marched close seen in that direction. Adjutant Hascock, with up to the fence and delivered an effective fire, a glass, rode to the brow of the hill, where, but were compelled by great odds to retire, looking down, he could see every movement of which they did, but again renewed the attack. the enemy beneath him. His appearance in The enemy, being largely reinforced, and havfull view caused a great hubbub in the rebel ing now at least three thousand men, jumped camp, which had already been thoroughly over into the corn-field, and Captain Plummer's aroused by our appearance, and camps and gallant band was imminently threatened with baggage were hastily loaded and moved tow- annihilation. They retreated rapidly, firing as ard the south. We had completely surprised they did so, when Lieutenant Dubois, having them. The evidence of that fact was every-got his battery under headway on the hill near where visible; but they had got quickly into line of battle-their clouds of cavalry were visible, and their twenty-one pieces of cannon were not long silent after ours had opened the engagement. On the sides of the first ridge on the western side of the valley, Colonel Blair's regiment, at ten minutes after six o'clock, encountered a the Missouri volunteers, seeing the position of affairs on the opposite side of the valley, threw in the most precise manner several shells, which exploded just as they reached the dense mass of secessionists, scattering them lifeless on the ground in scores, while all who could were glad to run for dear life. The gallant men in Colonel Blair's regiment were now ordered back, and their position | quently against such a course, declared it would ful and unpunished enemy, and very likely have his retreat entirely cut off. After being wounded, he exclaimed to Major Schofield, "The day is lost," but the Major said, "No, General, let us try once more." So they tried, and the General fell. It was now a little after nine o'clock, and the battle had raged with a fierceness seldom if ever equalled for over three hours. The smoke hung like a storm cloud over the valley, a fit emblem of mourning for the departed hero. "He sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his last battle, No sound shall awake him to glory again." Colonel Green's regiment of Tennessee cavalry, bearing a secession flag, now charged upon our wounded, who were partially guarded by one or two companies of infantry. Seeing the movement, Captain Totten poured a few rounds of canister into their ranks just in time to save our sick men from being trampled to death, dispersing the rebels so completely that nothing more was seen of them during the day. Gen. Lyon now desired the Iowa boys, whom he had found so brave, to prepare to meet the The battle raged for two hours more, the next onset of the enemy with the bayonet im- command devolving upon Major Sturgis. The mediately after firing. They said, "Give us a enemy made repeated attempts to retake the leader and we will follow to death." On came heights from which they had been driven, but the enemy in overwhelming numbers, conti- were gallantly repulsed each time. The Kansas dent of victory over such a meagre force. No regiments behaved with a bravery seldom or time could be lost to select a leader. "I will never equalled, forming ambuscades for the lead you," said Lyon. "Come on, brave men; benefit of the rebels by laying flat on the and placing himself in the van, received a fatal ground until the enemy carne near enough for bullet in the pit of the stomach which killed them to see their eyebrows, when they would him instantly. The Iowas delivered their fire pour a deadly volley into their opponents and and the enemy retired, so there was no need again remain in possession of the field. The of charging bayonets. Gen. Lyon's body was last repulse of the enemy was the most glorious carefully picked up and conveyed lifeless tow- of all, and was participated in by the members ard the ambulances by two of his body guard. of every regiment on the field. The enemy In his death, as in his life, he was the same came fresh and deceived our men by bearing a devoted, patriotic soldier, regarding his own Union flag, causing them to believe Siegel was life of no value if he could but rescue his coun- about making a junction with our forces. Distry. His body has been brought hither and covering the ruse just in time, our gallant boys embalmed, for conveyance to his friends in rushed upon the enemy, who, with four cannon Connecticut. There was no feeling of depres-belching forth loud-mouthed thunder, were on sion on the part of the troops at the unexpected calamity, but rather a feeling of quiet determination to revenge his death. On the Tuesday night previous he had ar- us." He then called a council of war, at which there was nearly an unanimous voice for evac-| uating Springfield. Gen. Sweeney pleaded elo the point of having their efforts crowned with success, and again drove them with great loss down the slope on the south side of the hill. Captain Totten's ammunition was now nearly exhausted, and placing Dubois' battery upon the hill at the north end of the valley, Major Sturgis ordered the ambulances to move toward town. The infantry and Totten's full battery followed in good order and were not pursued by the enemy, who was evidently glad to be let alone. Among the prisoners taken was a surgeon living in St. Charles County. He was immediately released, and Dr. Melcher accoinpanied him to the rebel Generals, arranging for the return of our wagons to bring in our wounded and dead. Lieutenant-Colonel Horace H. Brand, of the First regiment, Sixth Division, who commanded the rebel force at Booneville, equipped and outnumbering his own more than three to one. It will be seen that to the last he was the gallant soldier and true patriot, with an eye single to the cause of the Union, and counting his own life as nothing compared with the honor and glory of his country. As I wrote you on the 7th, the enemy were encamped twelve miles from Springfield on Tuesday, while our force was scattered upon the different roads leading to the city, at a distance of three to five miles. Two thousand were five miles from town, on the Fayetteville road, under command of Major Sturgis, of the regular army. This force was ordered by Gen. Lyon to be ready to move at a moment's notice, and at 6 P. M. on that day they were in ranks, artillery horses harnessed, and every thing in readiness. Shortly after 9 o'clock an incessant stream of visitors, messengers, and communications poured in upon the General, some reporting the engagement of Capt. Stockton of the Kansas First, and two companies of Home Guards with a party of rebel cavalry, on the prairie west of the town, in which two of the latter were wounded and carried off by their comrades; others receiving orders, and still others waiting for the same. Two com and who said he was now acting as aid to | Lyon to attack an army formidably armed and General Price, was taken prisoner early in the day. The Illinois Twentieth made themselves useful by 'guarding the prisoners. One of them had a horse shot under him. When General Siegel, who commanded the eastern division, heard the roar of Totten's artillery, he at once attacked the enemy in his quarter, driving him half a mile, and taking possession of his camp extending westward to the Fayetteville road. Here a terrible fire was poured into his ranks by a regiment which he had permitted to advance within a few paces of him, supposing it to be the Iowa First. His men scattered considerably, and Col. Salomon's could not be rallied. Consequently Siegel lost five of his guns, the other being brought away by Capt. Flagg, who compelled his prisoners, some sixty in number, to draw the artillery off the field. Our troops took some four hundred horses and about seventy prisoners, and compelled the enemy to burn nearly all of his baggage to keep it from falling into our hands. The enemy had twenty-one pieces of cannon, and at least twenty-six, including those taken from Siegel. There were none of them worked with precision, every shot for nearly an hour going whiz twenty feet over our heads. Our army reached Springfield in safety, and are now pre-panies were ordered to the relief of Capt. paring to move toward Rolla, but with no Stockton. Eight companies of the Kansas hopes whatever of reaching there. With a First, part of the Kansas Second, and Major baggage train five miles long to protect, it will Osterhaus' battalion Missouri Second, were orbe singular, indeed, if the enemy does not dered to a certain point in town to await the prove enterprising enough to cut off a portion arrival of Gen. Lyon, who, strange to say, was of it, having such a heavy force of cavalry. so entirely occupied that, instead of starting at 10 With two more regiments we should have o'clock, it was two hours later when he left his driven the enemy entirely from the valley, head-quarters, and without looking at his watch and, with a proper cavalry force, could have he proceeded to Camp Hunter, having already followed up such a victory with decisive re-ordered Major Sturgis to drive in the enemy's sults. Our loss is about two hundred killed pickets if within two miles of his own. Capand six hundred or seven hundred wounded, tain Steele's company of cavalry were despatchwhile the loss of the enemy must have been ed on this errand at half-past 12, and General double our own. Dr. Schenck, who was in the Lyon, with the troops above mentioned, arrebel camp at a late hour last evening, bringing rived at 3 A. M. Here he consulted his watch, away our wounded, reports our men compara- and finding it more than two hours later than tively few with those of the enemy, whose dead he supposed, at once called together the prinwere lying thick under the trees. cipal officers, communicated his embarrassing position, and took their advice, which resulted in the withdrawal of the entire force to Springfield. The General had intended moving his force seven miles further, and attacking the enemy at daylight. On the return to town, We have passed through one of the most the General said to a friend that he had a preterrible battles ever fought upon the continent, monition that a night attack would prove and, though we drove the enemy from his disastrous, and yet he had felt impelled to try stronghold and successfully repulsed his re-it once, and did not know but he must do so peated attempts to retake it, forced him to burn his baggage train and tents to keep them from falling into our hands, and captured large numbers of prisoners and horses, we have lost our commander, and our army is compelled to fall back by the numerical force of the rebels, who are seeking to outflank us, and cut off our communication with St. Louis. A review of the events immediately preceding the battle, will show the causes which induced Gen. -St. Louis Democrat, August 15. SPRINGFIELD, GREEN Co., Mo., again. Before we reached Springfield it was daylight. An ambush was prepared a mile from the city, which would open upon the enemy if they pursued. During Wednesday continual alarms were circulating, and a real panic prevailed among the citizens, who rapidly packed up and left for supposed places of safety. The troops were under arins in every quarter, and several times it was reported that fighting had actually com menced. Toward night the panic in a degree around the extreme camp of the enemy, where he halted thirteen miles from town, and on the south side of the rebels, ready to move forward and begin the attack as soon as he should hear the roar of Gen. Lyon's artillery. The main body of troops, under Gen. Lyon, moved from the city about the same hour, halted a short time five miles west of the city, thence in a southwesterly direction four miles, where we halted and slept till 4 A. M., Saturday, the day of the battle. Moving forward, with Captain Plummer's company and Major Osterhaus' battalion thrown out as skirmishers, we soon saw a party of rebel pickets near our extreme right, scampering off to alarm the camp, but as our centre and left were already partially between them and camp, they were forced to the westward, and it is doubtful whether they reached the camp at all before the battle. It was now five o'clock. The enemy's pickets were driven in; the northern end of the valley in which they were encamped was visible, with its thousands of tents and its camp-fires; the sky was cloudy, but not threatening, and the most terribly destructive of battles, compared with the number engaged, was at hand. Our army moved now toward the southwest, to leave the creek and a spring which empties in it on our left. Passing over a spur of high land which lies at the north end of the valley, they entered a valley, and began to ascend a hill moderately covered with trees and underwood, which was not, however, dense enough to be any impediment to the artillery. Capt. Wright, with three or four companies of mounted Home Guards, the only ones in the engagement, was sent to the left, across the creek, to cut off a party of horsemen visible on that side, near a house recently vacated by a Union man named Hale. Upon their approach, the rebels retired behind the south fence of a corn-field, and in the adjoining bush were soon visible swarms of men, whose fire threatened to be disastrous to the Home Guard cavalry should they approach. Through the thin stalks of the broom-corn, Capt. Wright had seen the ambuscade, and approached only near enough to draw their fire, when he withdrew, to induce them to follow him into the field, where Friday the city was remarkably quiet. Those he could charge upon them effectively. He who made it a business to repeat exciting ru-repeated this movement three times, but the mors had been frightened away with much of the material upon which they operated. Enlistments in the Springfield regiment "for the war were rapid, and a feeling of security prevailed. During the afternoon Capt. Wood's Kansas cavalry with one or two companies of regulars, drove five hundred rebel rangers from the prairie five miles west of the town, capturing eight of their number and killing two, without loss to our side. Thursday morning the rebels were reported actually advancing upon the city. The troops were quickly in line of battle, baggage-wagons all sent to the centre of the town, and in this position they remained during nearly the entire day. The enemy having been reinforced, had encamped in position two miles nearer the city on Wilson's Creek, their tents being on either side of it, and extending a mile east and south of the road, crossing to two miles west and north of the same, the creek running nearly in the shape of a horizontal . At the crossing of the Fayetteville road the hills on either side of the stream were two or three hundred feet high, the slopes being very gentle on the north and abrupt on the south side, and the valley about half a mile in width, though in many places up stream or west and northward, the slopes were so gentle that they were occupied by tents for a much greater distance. Thursday evening the troops were ready for marching orders, but a portion of the Kansas troops had been so much engaged the night before as to be really unfit for service, and an order for all except those actually on guard to retire and rest was issued, and the night attack was again deferred. At 8 o'clock in the evening, Gen. Siegel, with his own and Colonel Salomon's command, and six pieces of artillery, moved sonthward, marching until nearly 2 o'clock, and passing VOL. II.-Doc. 38 enemy were too wily, and would only remain behind the fence. Captains Plummer and Gilbert's companies of regulars were then ordered to attack them in the corn-field, which they did, and were driven back from the fence and followed by three thousand or thirty-five hundred rebels, before whom the two companies retired firing. Meanwhile the opposite hill had been stormed and taken by the gallant Missouri First and Osterhaus' battalion, and Totten's battery of six pieces had taken position on its summit and north side, and was belching forth its loudmouthed thunder, much to the distraction of the opposing force, who had already been started upon a full retreat by the thick raining bullets of Colonel Blair's boys. Lieut. Dubois' battery, four pieces, had also opened on the eastern slope, firing upon a force which was retreating toward the southeast, on a road leading up the hill, which juts into the southwestern angle of the creek, and upon a battery placed near by to cover their retreat. Observing the danger of Capt. Plummer and his gallant men, Lieut. Dubois skilfully threw a few shells among their pursuers, which, bursting just as they reached the dense mass of humanity, scattered them wounded and lifeless upon the ground by scores, while the balance ran for dear life in every direction. Having driven a regiment of the enemy from one hill, the Missouri Volunteers encountered in the valley beyond another fresh and finelyequipped regiment of Louisianians, whom, after a bitter fight of forty-five minutes, they drove back and scattered, assisted by Capt. Lothrop and his regular rifle recruits. Totten and Dubois were, meanwhile, firing upon the enemies forming in the southwest angle of the valley, and upon their batteries on the opposite hill. The brave and undaunted First, with ranks already thinned by death, again moved forward up the second hill, just on the brow of which they met still another fresh regiment, which poured a terrible volley of musketry into their diminished numbers. Never yielding an inch, they gradually crowded their opposers backward, still backward, losing many of their own men, killed and wounded, but covering the ground thick with delegates from the ranks of the retreating foe. Lieut.-Col. Andrews, already wounded, still kept his position, urging the men onward by every argument in his power. Lieut. Murphy, when they once halted, wavering, stepped several paces forward, waving his sword in the air, and called successfully upon his men to follow him. Every captain and lieutenant did his duty nobly, and when they were recalled and replaced by the fresh Iowa and Kansas troops, many were the faces covered with powder, and dripping with blood. Capt. Gratz, gallantly urging his men forward against tremendous odds, fell mortally wounded and died soon after. Lieut. Brown, calling upon his men to "come forward," fell with a severe scalp wound on the side of his head. Being carried to the rear, faint and bloody, he cheered on those brave defenders of the country whom he met, declaring that the enemy would yet be routed. Gen. Lyon meeting him pointed to him as a proper example for his comrades. Just then Gen. Greene's Tennessee regiment of cavalry, bearing a secession flag, charged down the western slope near the rear upon a few companies of the Kansas Second, who were guarding the ambulance wagons and wounded, and had nearly overpowered them, when one of Totten's howitzers was turned in that direction, and a few rounds of canister effectually dispersed them. The roar of the distant and near artillery now grew terrific. On all sides it was one continuous boom, while the music of the musket and rifle balls, flying like an aggravated swarm of bees around one's cars, was actually pleasant compared with the tremendous whiz of a cannon ball or the bursting of a shell in close proximity to one's dignity. Capt. Cole of the Missouri First had his lower jaw shattered by a bullet, but kept his place until the regiment was ordered to retire to give place to the First Iowas and some Kansas troops. Up to this time Gen. Lyon had received two wounds, and had his fine dappled gray shot dead under him, which is sufficient evidence that he had sought no place of safety for himself while he placed his men in danger. Indeed, he had already unwisely exposed himself. Seeing blood upon his hat, I inquired, "General, are you badly hurt?" to which he replied, "I think not seriously." He had mounted another horse and was as busily engaged as ever. The Iowa First, under Lieutenant-Colonel Merrritt, and part of the Kansas troops were now ordered forward to take the place of the Missouris. The former had all along the march been "gay and happy," passing the time with songs which were frequently joined in by the entire regi ment, making together a chorus which could be heard for miles, and Gen. Lyon had often remarked that they had too much levity to do good fighting. Mutual friends suggested that they ought at least to have an opportunity to show themselves in case of an engagement, and many argued that they would fight the better from keeping in good spirits. Gen. Lyon at one time replied, "Yes, I will give them an opportunity, but very much fear they will disgrace themselves." When they now came up to the front it was in splendid order and with a firm tread. The Missouri First had been almost overpowered, were almost exhausted from the severe fighting in which they had been engaged for over two hours, and had they not been relieved, must soon have fallen before the fourth body of fresh troops brought against them. The Iowas and Kansans now came upon the stage of action, and right well did they fight. The former fought like tigers, stood firm as trees, and saved us from utter and overwhelming defeat. Gen. Lyon saw their. indomitable perseverance and bravery, and with almost his last breath praised their behavior in glowing terms. Major Porter was all along the line, cheering his men forward, even when bullets fell like hail, and scores were dropping all around him. Companies B, under Lieut. Graham, C, Capt. Mason, who was killed soon after entering into action, F, Capt. Wise, H, Capt. Gottschalk, I, Capt. Herron, and K, Capt. Cook, were in the very thickest of the fight. The three latter were afterward placed in ambush by Capt. Granger of the regulars. Lying down close to the brow of the hill, they waited for another attempt of the enemy to retake their |