Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-08-20

DEMOCRATIC COUNTY CONVENTION.
The Democrats Of the several Townships Of
Scott county are requested TO send Delegates to a
County Convention 70 be held II the Court House
8" ,ha nitv Of Davenport, on Wednesday, the zlst
day Of August, - two o'clock r. n. Tho object
q tho Convention IL to elect Delegates 10 attend
the StsAs Csasaaties 70 - holden II Dssnoiaes
tho goth day Il Asgust inst.
RATIO:
One Delegate for each Townsh p and one addi-
tional one for each twenty votes east at the last
Presidential election.
Wilkes Description Of tho Battle Of
Springfield.
We make room this morning for the
entire letter Of F. B. Wilkie, Esq., army
correspondent of the Dubuque Herald
1t is the only full description OF the en-
gagement We have yet seen, and will be
read with great interest. A nearly com.
plete list Of killed and wounded is
given:
SPRINGFIELD, Mo-,
Aug. 10, 1861.
Ere this You have probably received
by telegraph the outlines Of the battle
Of Springfield or Wilson's creek--a bat
tie the blood,est, in proportion toihe
forces engaged, ever fought on Amer
lean soil. Its details will give birth to
both pride and deadly sorrow in our
State--prlde at the galiantry displayed
by her sons, sorrow at the numbers who
sealed their devotion to their country
with their blood. Iowa will weep when
she learns how many of her children
were swept down by the terrible missiles
OF the battlefield, yet she can reflect
with thrill Of honest pride that almost
the very last words Of Gen. Lyon
words uttered a. the mists OF death were
gathering rapidly over the senses of the
those whom she sent forth TO represent
her in this terrible conflict.
Ever since the battle Of Carthage, as
is generally well understood, the seccs-
sion forces have been gathering in force
operations upon Springfield and this
portion of the State. The fact was well
known here--not merely was the dlrcc-
ton of the cnemy's destination known,
but his exact force, arms, in short every
thing. Day after day the enemy gath
cred strength, and messenger after mes
senger was sent by Gen. l. on for rein
forcements. None came, and he, with a
force OF less than 5000 men, was left in
the heart of the enemy's country, to pre-
serve all the hardwon possessions Of
the Government against u force that
outnumbered him six to one. For weeks
no one las doubted the result that
reached us to-day all knew it to be in
cvltable unless instant steps were taken
BY the Government TO reinforce the
command. The result has been that all
the operations Of the Government in
Southwest Missouri have been rendered
nugatory, an army nearly cut to pieces,
the prestige Of the Federal arms weak
ened if not destroyed, the Union cause
in this part Of the State given its death
blow-all arising from the infamous and
criminal hesitation Of the Government in
responding to the demand Of Gen. Lyon
tor aid. A fearful responsibility rests
somewhere-it should be fixed instantly
upon the ones to whom it belongs.
Thursday the entire force under Ben
McCuloch moved up and occupied ra-
vine, known as Wilson's creek, and lying
some fifteen miles south OF the town.
The ravEe is deep, some eight hundred
yards wide at the top, densciy timbered
and watered by small stream. It's
general direction Is little north Of west
as one enters it from the State road and
follows up the ravine. In this ravine
the eaemy, to the number of $4,000
cavalry and infantry, 81 pieces Of artil.
lcry, and IN immense amount OF imped-
insentd, entered upon the State road,
and proceeding up ana down the rayine,
took up position which occupied one
mile east Of the road and two west. The
point Is strong onc-stronger by ma.
tire than ma jority Of the most torni.
dable works Of art-and reminds one in
its general character Of Bulls Run and
vicinity.
During the day Gen. Lyon determin.
ed to attack the enemy Lere and mol
wait for their sortie upon Springfield =
which at furthest would be delayed blu,
. day or two. Accordingly on Thurs
day night the entire force, with the ex
ception OF the Iowa regiment and q
small force to guard the town, was de-
tailed tor the expedition, and soon after
da'k set out and at distance Of some
four CT five miles from the enemy halt
ed. At midnight he sent down word
tor two companies to advance aud drive
in the enemy's pickets for distance OF
two miles from his own command: and
Immediately set out with his staff to su.
perintend the projected attack in person,
1t was bis intention to reach the position
Of the enemy SO as to fall upon them at
daylight, if poss bic, taking them by
surprise. To do this the Fedora! forces
should have left their position by At lat.
est 3 o'clock but 2 passed, and = fam,
graSish tint in the eastern sky announc.
cd the approach Of daylight, and vet the
0enersi' gave 10 orders to move. Sud
dsnly be glanced Ut his watch-"Why,
good Coz" said hs,-sit is three O'Clock
II hays. md . terrible mistake n
And % { Proved-in looking ~. hi
watsh bsfocs be had not held it in the