The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-09-04
A PREsESrIaENr OF DEATH.

Itseems that the leader of the Federal for
ces at the recent great battle near SPRING
field, No., could not dispossess himself vf
the idea that that fight was to be his last.
The correspondent of a st. Louis paper
says, on the Wednesday before the batlle,
Gen. Lyon said to him:
Well. | begin to think our term Of SOL
diery is about completed. have tried ear.
nestly to discharge my whole duty to the
government, and appealed TO them for rein.
fercements and supplies but, alas, they do
not come. and the enemy Is getting the adj
vantage Of u.s."
Gen. Lyon, on Wednesday. called caun-
ell Of war. according TO the authority here
quoted, and the result was decision in "a.
yor Of the evacuation Of Springfield. Gen.
eral Sweeny plead eloguently against sach a
course. declaring il would be the ruin Of the
Union cause in that PARTON Of the State. and
urged battle as soon Is they were in striking
distance. He pointed out the loss Of repu-
taiion to the General and his officers, which
would follow such course. This council
decided the course to be pursued. and Thurs.
day, when the Brigade Qaartermaster en-
quired when we were to leave Springfield, ,
General Lyon replied. " not before We are
whipped" n he retreated withoui battle,
he said. he would be pursued By an unpunish.
ed enemy. and very likely have his rs,rea,
cut Of.
For three or four days before the battle,
General Lyon changed much in appearance.
Since il became apparent to han thai he
f.k. -
my cut to pieces. he had lost much Of his
former energy and decision. To one Of his
staff he remarked the evening befare the bat
tie, am man believing in presentIments,
and ever since this night surprise was plan.
ned, have had feeling cannot get rid Of,
that Il ,cOald result disastrousiy. Threugh
the refusal Of Government properly to rein
force me am obliged TO abandon the econ.
try. ri leave il without engaging the enc
my the public will call me ! coward. n 4
engage him may Be defeated. and nv CON.
mand cut to pieces. an too weak to hold
Springfield, and yet The people viii demand
that bring about battle with The very ca.
envy | csnno, keep iovn against. Hos can
this result otherwise than against us!p
On the way TO the field Frequently rode
near him. He seemed like one beviidered,
and often when addressed failed TO give any
recognition, and seemed totally unaware
that he was spoken 10. On the battle 6eld
he gave his orders promptly. and seemed
selections Tor the welfare Of bis men. but Of.
terly regardless of bis Own safety. While
he was standing where bullets few thickest,
just after hs favorite horse was shot from
snder hin. some Of his officers iaterposed
and begged tina, he vould retire frum the
spot aud seek one less exposed. Scarcely
raising his eyes IRON the enemy, he said:
IL Is vel! enough hat staad here. I
an sadsEed.r
While theIine as forming fsr the charge
against the rebels 10 which he LOST kis lie,
Gen. Lyon turned 70 Major sturgis, Who
stood near him, and remarked:
III fear that the day 10 Lost IL Gel. se;gel
had been successful W would have Joined u
befOre this. l think wiIl lead ibis charge"
ne had been wosaded ia the Ter ID an
early part Of the engsgement--a hesk wsund
nerely-Grsm which the bleed flowed PRO-
issely. Msjor siurgis duriag the ess,sssa.
tim noticed blood 90 General Lyea's hat.
and al frst supposed dat he had been tsseh.
ing IL With his hand. which sas get wsh
blood frsu his leg. mement after. per.
eeiyed that IL was fresh, he removed he
Geasral's hat. snd asked he cause 81 its sp.
pesrabee. Its no,hinr. Major. setting
but wesnd in the hsad.s szid Gen. Lyon.
turning away and mounting bis horse. With.
GOT taking the hat beld est % bin By Msja
sturgis, We addressed he fevizas ks was 10
c0mmaad with
" ferUard men! TUiH lead yoxrs
Two inmates afterwards he lss dead 90