The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-26 00:00:00

AMERICA.

BATTLE IN MISSOURI.
LIVERPOOL, SUNDAY.

Tho royal mail steamship Africa, Captain Shan-
non, which touched at Queenstown last evening to
land mails and despatches, arrived in the Mersey
at two o'clock this afternoon. She brings New
York advices to the 14th inst.

An important battle has occurred at Springfield
Missouri. The Neu, York Herald of the 14th inst.

gives the following details :
" The most important news from the seat of the
war we have to record to-day comes from Missouri,
where the gallant General Lyon has been contend-
ing in the south-western portion of that State with
an immense force of the rebels ; and this news, we
regret to say, tells of the death of General Lyon
and the retreat of his army.
"It will be remembered that on the Bth instant

General Lyon had a fight with his advance guard,
and that of the rebels under Gen. 11I'Culloch, at Day
Spring, near Springfield, where he endeavoured to
draw the latter out of his shelter in the woods. It

appears from official intelligence received by Major-
General Fremont, at St. Louis, from one of General
Lyon's aids, that the fight was renewed on the 10th,
at half-past six. Three columns of the Union forces,
respectively commanded by General Lyon, General
Siegel, and Major Sturgess, numbering in all
8,000, being engaged on one side, and a body of
rebels, under General M'Culloch and General Price,
numbering 23,000, on the other. The battle took
place at Davis Creek, about nine miles south-
east of Springfield. Against this immensely supe-
rior force, which was composed of regiments
from Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkan-
sas, and Texas, the troops of General Lyon were
still able to maintain their ground, and pressed the
enemy back to their encampment on Wilson's
Creek, which General Siegel actually occupied for
the night ; but fearing a flank movement of the
rebels, he withdrew his small force.
" General Lyon was killed while charging at the
head of his column. The engagement was a severe
one. Eight hundred of the Union troops are re-
ported killed and wounded. The loss of the rebels
was very heavy, and is said to include Generals
M'Culloch and Price. All the tents and waggons
of the rebels were lost.

" General Siegel effected a retreat to Springfield
in good order, and from there fell back on Rolla,
the terminus of the south west branch of the
Pacific Railroad, leaving only one gun behind on
the field. He captured 90 prisoners, and brought
back as a trophy the horse and sword of Gen.
M'Culloch, together with 25,000 in specie from the
Springfield bank.
" At last report there was no appearance of pun,
suit on Siegel's retreating columns, and his army
was considered safe.

"The report of the rebel loss has been confirmed
by the statements of prisoners taken, and their
numbers have been ascertained from the muster
rolls on the field.

" A despatch, confirming the account of the
battle, and the death of General Lyon, was re-
ceived yesterday at the War Department from
General Fremont."
A telegram dated St. Louis, August 13, says :--
" In consequence of the recent special trains on the
South West Branch, and the extensive prepara-
tions made here for sending reinforcements to
General Siegel, no trains came from Rolla to-
night. Nothing further has been received from
Springfield. The police office was taken possession
of this evening by the United States autho-
rities, and special orders issued to place
the Home Guards under arms at the various ar-
mouries, to be preparei for any emergency. The
city is quiet now, and no apprehensions of disturb-
ance are felt. It is understood General Fremont
will declare martial law to-morrow. A loan of
250,000 dols. was effected from our banks to-day
by General Fremont. Heavy siege guns are being
mounted to command the various approaches to the
city. It is stated that General Siegel would have
lost another gun had he not compelled the prisoners
to drag it off the field."
No military movement of importance had taken
place at Washington.
Orders had been issued from the Navy Depart-
ment for the construction of five out of the twelve
steam gunboats authorised by Congress.
Charles J. Faulkner, of Virginia, lately United