White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1861-08-15
Sanginary Battle at Springfield!
TERRIBLE R0UT OF The TORIES'
Lyon, AeCulloch and Price Kaied!

ST.. LOUIS. Aug. ID.
The following official report OF the
Eight near Springfield on Saturday last.
was forwarded by one of Gen. Lyons aids
to Fremont: Lyon, in three columns.
under himself. Gen. Seigel, and Maj.
Sturges Of the Cavalry. all attacked the
enemy at $50 on the morning Of the 10th
nine miles south east of Springfield. The
engagement was severe-our loss is SO0
killed and wounded. Gen. Lyon was
killed in charge at the head of his col
umn.
Our forces were {. 900. including 1000
Home Guards. The muster rolls report
ed taken from the enemy. give their
strength at $4,000. including regiments
from Louisiana. Mississippi and Tennessee.
with Texas Rangers and Cherokee half
breeds. Their loss is reported heavy. in
ending Generals McCulloch and Price.
This statement is corroborated by prison
ers. Their tents and wagons were des-
troyed in the action. Seigel left one gun
on the field and retreated to Springfield.
with large number of prisoners. At 8
o'clock on the morning of the 11th he
continued bis retreat upon Rolla, bring.
ing his baggage trains and $4,000 in
specie from the Springfield Bank.
The following is verbal report taken
from a special messenger, who brought
dispatches for Gen. Fremont. Early on
Saturday morning Lyon marched out of
Springfield to give the enemy battle. He
came up to them on Davis creek on Green's
prairie q few miles southwest of Spring.
field, where he had taken strong posi-
ton on rolling ground. Twenty minutes
past 6 O'Clock in the morning Gen. Lyon
fired the FIRST gun, when the battle i'm
mediately begun. Severe cannonading
was kept up for two hours. when the fire
of Capt. Totten's artillery proving too Sc
we're for the enemy, they gradually fell
back towards their encampments on Will
sons creek.
Gen. Lyons cavalry was posted on
the enemy's left flank and Gen. Seigel's
artillery on the right. Then began
terrific attack which spread slaughter and
dismay in the ranks of the enemy. pur-
suing them to their camp. Shells from
Capt. Totten's artillery setting fire to
their tents and wagons. which were all
destroyed.
A Louisiana regiment and Mississip-
pi regiment seemed to have suffered most
in the fight and were almost annihilated.
Some time in the evening as Gen. Lyon
was leading on his column, his horse was
shot from under him. He Immediately
mounted another. and as he turned around
to his men waving his hat and cheering
them on to victory, he was struck in the
small of the back by ball and fell dead
to the ground The command then de.
volved upon Seigel. and pursuit continu-
ed until night fall. when our little army
rested for the night in the encampment of
the enemy.
Sunday morning. Gen. Seigel fearing
the enemy might recover and attempt to
cut his command off from Springfield. fell
back on that city. where the Home
Guards were stationed. On reaching
Springfield, fearing the great numbers of
the enemy might induce them to go be-
tween him and Rolls, Gen. Selgel conclu-
ded to fall back upon Rolla with his pro.
vision trains and met the reinforcements,
which were on the way to him.
At the latest moment of departure Of
the messenger the enemy had not been
seen; it is probable Gen. Seigel has not
been disturbed in his march. Ninety Of
the rebels were captured. among whom
is q Colonel of distinction. The messen-
ger could not remember his name.
The sword and horse of McCulloch
were among the trophies.
Reinforcements are on their way from
Rolls5 and Seigel and his army are con-
sidered safe.