The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1861-09-12
THE GREAT BATTLE
III
.s9.D01 Rebels Defeated
by 5000 FeHeE.Esis!
General Lyon Killed
The Camp CaptuIred-
The Young German General, 81
gel, the Hero Of the Battle

. SiNfT q EH-. We nave received al -ttN d -AAz -.
containing later adyices from Missouri contra
dieting the first accounts of the Battle, and show
ing a complete victory Of the Federal troops.
The NEws.-The news which We publish this
morning says the 1AG, places u different phase
altogether upon the fight at Springfield. SIgel
there achieved a glorious victory. though the
Odds were f~earful!y against him. He spent the
night Of the battle in the enemy's camp, and next
day fell back upon Springfield. the rebels no
where showing themselves. lie has fully made
up the Bull Run disaster. y full report Of the
engagement appears below. Lyon was forced
into the fight. As it was, however, every thing
turned out for the best. The day was ours.
The following is from a correspondent of the
~. Louis Democrat, who witnessed the battle near
Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mo-, Aug IIth.
Night before last Il little army Of ~ffty-two hun
dTed, formed IN two columns, On a march of II
OF ID miles, to attack i body of rebels about D.
900 strong. Ia a military point of view, the
move WAS one OF doubtful prOpTiety, not 10 say
absolute rashness. The larger force We're, with
the exception of three thousand men, well armed
and equipped, and they had u very large body of
cavalry, but the question OF eyacuating Spring
field, the key to enter the southwest, had already
been discussed and settled in the negative.
Gen. Sigel, with six pieces Of cannon, his own
regiment and that of Col. SOlOmOns, moved into
Il southerly direction, marching about - miles,
ih%Nli7 iADuiiu iHt At4fIAt sJuLI-fd~ltEn camp
of the enemy, and halted until daylight, or for
the sound OF artillery from the northwest to an
nounce the opening of the battle.
Gen. Lyon, with the volunteers composing the
Missouri First, Lieut.. Col. Andrews; iowa First,
Lieut.. Col. Arrit; Kansas First. Col. Dietzler,
and Second, Col. Mitchell Hart; part of the
Missouri Second, under Major Osteriiaus, and a
detachment of 200 men from Col. Wyman's Hi
nOis regiment; three or four companies of mount
ed Home Guards a force of regulars about 500
strong, and two batteries of four and six pieces
respectively, left Springfield about eight o'clock,
+. NJ, marching steady along until >, y. NJ,
when We halted for two hours ut which time
Capt. Gilbert's company of regulars, and Maj.
Osterhaus' battalion were thrown out as skirm-
ishers on either side of the column, and we moved
forward on the sides of the first ridge on the west
ern side of the valley. Col. Blair's regiment, at
ten minutes after eight o'clock, encountered Il
heavy force of infantry-not less than a full regi-
ment-and after Il short contest, they gained the
summit, and tine defeated rebels dispersed rapidly,
going in u direction which rendered it impossible
for any considerable number of them to again lsir-
~ticipite in the battle.
Totten's Battery then threw Il few balls as feel
ers 10 draw out the enemy cannon. Col. Blair's
regiment advanced forward and were soon met by
a well equipped regiment of Louisiana troops,
whom after a bitter contest of ~ minutes, they
succeeded in routing, though suffering severely
themselves. Capt. Lathrop's Company Of Rifle
Recruits now assisted them, and together they,
with Maj. Osterhaus' men, moved up the second
hill, which was considerably longer than the first,
and meeting q third regiment, finally succeeded
in driving them back, with the assistance of Tot
tens Battery, 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. During
this engagement two companies of regulars were
sent To the east side of the creek, To engage a
force which was operating against Captain
Wrirbffs a. yalrv shaItaripr themselves h.h1pI n
fence. Captain Plunmer and Captain Gilbert,
with their companies marched close up TO the
fence, and delivered an effective fire, but were
compelled by great odds to retire, which they did,
but again renewed the attack.
The enemy being largely reinforced, and hav-
ing now at least 3 900 men, jumped over into tile
cOrnfield, and Captain Plummer's gallant com
mand was Immediately Threatened with annihila-
ton. They retreated rapidly, firing rs they did
50, when Lieut.. Dubois having got his battery
under Roadway on the hill near 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 Is they reached the dense mass of Secession
lists, scattering them lifeless on the ground in
scores, while all who could We're glad TO run for
dear life. The gallant men in Col. Blair's
regiment were now ordered hack, and their posi-
ton taken by the Iowa First. Gen. Lyon had
Il poor opinion of the fighting qualities of these
men, formed more from suppOsition than upon
any real failure in duty. But now the time had
come for him TO reverse his judgment, which he
did after their first repulse of the enemy.
They fought like tigers, drove the enemy back.
and followed up the advantage gained for a con-
siderable distance.
Capt. Mason, Company c., was killed as soon
as his regiment was engaged. Lieut.. Pierce was
mOrtally wounded. Major Porter and Col. Mo-
witt escaped unframed.
The Kansas lst and ID regiments were now
ordered forward TO support the right flank of the
Col. Green's regiment of Tennessee cav
airy, bearing a Secession flag. now charged upon
our wounded, who were partially guarded by one
or two companies of infantry. Seeing the move
ment, Capt. Totten poured Il few rounds of can
mister into their their ranks Just in time 10 save
our sick men from being trampled to death, dis
persing the rebels so completely that nothing
more was seen of them during the day.
Gen. Lyon now desired the Iowas to prepare to
meet the next onset of the enemy with the bayonet,
after firing. They said, "Give us a
leader and we will follow 10 the death - On came
the enemy, in overwhelming numbers, confident of
victory.
No time could be lost to select a leader.
II will lead you, - exclaimed Lyon =. come on ~
and, placing himself in the van, received a fatal
bullet just at the pit Of the stomach, which killed
Instantly.
The Iowas delivered their fire, and the enemy re-
treated-so there was no need Of charging tayonets.
General Lyons body was carefully picked up and
conveyed toward the ambulances by two Of his body
guard.
On the Tuesday night previous he had arranged
for 4 night attack upon the enemy, but singularly
Ound himself delayed two hours behind the proper
for starting, by rumors of n skirmish on the
prairie west Of the town, and the attack was post
DOned.
Wednesday. he said To me well, ! believe our
Of soldering Is about completed. | have tried
zarnestly TO discharge my whole duty TO the Govern
nent. and appealed 10 them for endorsements and
.upplies but they do not come aud the enemy Is
Getting the advantage of US"
He then called a council Of war, at which there
vas nearly i unanimous voice for eyaculting Spring