The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-09-05
]. Not the slightest disposition to

Q | frmness. Not the slightest disposition TO
{ give way was manifested at any point, and
while Captain Steels battalion, which was
some yards in front Of the line, together
with the troops on the right and left, were
in imminent danger of being overwhelmed
|, by superior numbers, the contending lines
being almost muzzle to muzzle, Captain
Granger rushed to the rear and brought
up the support of Dubois battery, consist
ing of two or three companies of the First
Missouri, three companies Of the First
Kansas, and two companies of the FIRST
Iowa, in quick time, and fell upon the en-
emys right flank, and poured into it
murderous volley, killing or wounding
nearly every man within sixty or seventy
yards From this moment perfect rout
took place throughout the rebel front, while
ours on the right front continued to pour
calling fire into their disorganized mass
1t was then evident that Totten's bat
terry and Steele's little battalion were safe
Among the officers conspicuous in lead
ing this assault were Adjutant Hezcock,
Captains Burke, Miller, Maunter, Maui
rice, and Richardson, and Lieut. Howard
all of the First Missouri There were
others Of the First Kansas and First Iowa
who participated, and whose names do
not remember. The enemy then fed from
the field A few moments before the
close of the engagement, the Second Kan
sas, which had firmly maintained its posi-
ton, on the extreme right. from the time
it was first sent there, found its ammuni-
ton exhausted, and directed it to with.
draw slowly and in good order from the
field, which it did, bringing off its wound
ed, which left our right flank exposed,
and the enemy renewed the attack ct that
point, after it had ceased along the whole
line, but it was calamity met by Captain
Steele's battalion Of regulars, which had
just driven the enemy from the right to
the centre, and, aftera sharp engagement
drove him precipitately from the field
Thus closed--at about III oclock-an
almost uninterrupted conflict Of six hours.
The order to retreat was given soon after
the enemy gave way from our front and
centre, Lieut.. Dubois battery having been
previously sent to occupy with its sup
ports, the hill in our rear. Capt. Tot
tens battery, aA soon as his disabled hors-
es could be replaced, retired slowly with
the main body of infantry, while Captain
Steel was meeting the demonstrations up
on our right flank. This having been re-
pulsed and no enemy being in sight, the
whole column moved slowly to the high,
open prairie, about two miles from the
battle ground; meanwhile our ambulances
passed to and fro, carrying off our wound
ed. After making short halt on the
prairie, we continued our march to Spring
field.
1t should be here remembered that,
Just after the order TO retire was given,
and while ii was undecided whether the
retreat should be continued, or whether
we should occupy the more favorable por-
tion of our rear and await tidings OF Col
Sigel, one of his non commissioned officers
arrived and reported that the Colonel's
brigade had been totally routed and all his
artillery captured, Col. Sigel himself hay-
Ing been either killed or made prisoner
Most of our men had fired away all their
ammunition, and all that could be obtain
ed from the boxes of the killed aad wound
ed Nothing, therefore, was left to do
but to return to Springfield, where $50
Home Guards, with two pieces of artil-
lery, had been left to take care of the
train. On reaching the little ork road
we met Lieut.. Farrand with his company
of dragons and considerable portion Of
Col Sige's command, with one piece of
artillery. At 5 o'clock, p. m, we reach
ed Springfield.
Thus closed day long to be remem-
bered in the annals of history a day
which has brought gloom and sorrow to
many hearts throughout the land but ia
theirs and mothers, widows and orphans
may receive some consolation from the
fact that their relatives and friends pre-.
sented on that day wall Of adamant to
the enemies Of their country, and when
/ they fell it was in great cause, and with
, their breasts to the enemy.
That 3, ZOO men, after fatiguing nigh,
! march, attacked the enemy, numbering
!, 20, 900, on their own ground, and after !
g bloody conflict of six hours, withdrew a,
. their leisure to return to their provision,
: aud water, is the best eulogium l can pas,
. on their conduct that day and indeed j,
q would be impossible to refer to individual
3 acts Of courage, without doing injustice i
IS many gallant men, yet am constrained 4
q call the attention Of the General com
n handing to the particularly importan
d services rendered by several officers whicl
i, came under lay own observation.
b. Wherever the battle most iercely rage.
a. there was Gen. Lyon to be found an
A. there, too, WIS Major Sco6eld, his princi
d pal staff officer. The GOODNESS and equa
70 nimity with which he moved from poin
10 to point carrying orders, was theme 3
" universal conversation. / cannot to
IL 4 4 I r. - ~ Il 4 : :.