Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-08-16
A NATIONAL FAST DAY.
Garibaldi with 90, 900 Men for Freedom
A Rebel Depot on the Potomac
Clean ed Out.
THE PR1vATEER SUMTER AT CARRAccAs

hulllOTS are CuTTeIlI OH the StTcctS, Ill WHICH
some reliance is placed, that Gen. Lyons COM
mand in the Southwest has been totally rout-
ed by the lebcls-the General himself killed
and that Gen. Seigel was in full retreat with
the remnant of the Federal forces.
This information is said to have been re-
ceived here by secessionists last evening-the
messenger who brought the news having kill
ed four hcrses between Springfield and Rolla
in his haste to outstrp the government mes
senger.
1t is also reported that Gen. Fremont re-
ceived dispatches about midnight corroborat-
ing the above, but their contents have not
yet been divulged.
Great anxiety is felt by the Union men
here, and most serious apprehensions are in
dulged for the safety of our army. Probably
something reliable may be received on the ar
rival of the train tonight.
SECOND DISPATCH
The following is the official report of the
fight near Springfield, on Saturday last,
as forwarded by one of Gen. Lyons aids to
Gen. Fremont:
Gen. Lyon, in three columns under himself,
Gen. Sigel and Maj. Sturgis, of the cavalry,
attacked the enemy at 81 o'clock on the morn
ing of the 10th, nine miles southeast Of
Springfield. The engagement was severe =
Our loss is about eight hundred killed and
wounded. Gen. Lyon was killed in the charge
at the head of his column. Our force was
5000, including 1000 Home Guards. The
muster rolls reported taken from the enemy
give his strength at $4,000, including regi-
ments from Louisiana, Mississippi and Ten
nessee, with Texas Rangers and Cherokee
half-breeds. Their loss is reported heavy, in
Guiding Gems McCulloch and Price This
statement is corloborated by prisoners
Their tents and wagons were destroyed in
the action. Sigel left one gun on the field,
and retreated to Springfield with large num-
Der of prisoners. At o'clock on the morn
Rolla, bringing off his baggage wagons and
$685. 900 dollars 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, a few miles South
east Of Springfield, where he had taken a
strong position on rolling ground. Twenty
minutes past six o'clock in the morning Gen.
Lyon fred the first gun, when the battle i'm,
mediately began. Severe cannonading was
kept up for two or three hours, when the fire
of Capt Totten's artillery proving too severe
for the enemy, they gradually fell back to-
wards their encampment on Wilson'S creek.
Gen. Lyons cavalry posted on the enemy's
left flank, and Gen. Seigers artillery on the
right. Then began terrific attack which
spread slaughter and dismay in the ranks of
the enemy, pursuing them to their camp
shells from Totten's artillery setting fire to
their tents and wagons, which were all de-
stroyed. A Louisiana regiment and Mis-
sissippi regiment seemed to have suffered most
in the fight, and were almost annihilated
Sometime in the afternoon, as Gen. Lyon
was leading on his column, his horse was shot
rom under him. lie Immediately mounted
another, and as he turned around to his men,
waving his hat in his hand, cheering them on
to victory, he was struck in the small of the
back, by ball, and carried to the ground
The command then devolveds upon Gen. ST.
gel Pursuit continued until niShtfall, when
our little army rested for the night in the en-
campment of the enemy.
Sunday morning, Gen. Sigel fearing the en-
envy might recover and attempt to cut his
communication off from Spring feld, fell back
upon that city, where the Home Guards were
stationed. On reaching Springfield, fearing
the great numbers of the enemy might induce
them to get between him and Rola, Gen. ST.
gel concluded TO fall back upon Rolla, with his
provision trains, and meet the reinforcements
which were on the way to him. At the latest
moment of the departure of the messenger the
enemy had not been seen, and it is probable
Gen. Sigel has not been disturbed in his march.
Ninety of the rebels were captured, among
whom was colonel of distinction, the mes
senger not remembering his laAe. The sword
and horse of McCulloch were am ong the tro-
plies. Reinforcements are on the way from
Rolla, and Sigel and his army may be consid-
cred safe.
THIRD DISPATCH.
Great excitement exists in the city tonight.
It is reported on reliable authority martial
law will be proclaimed tomorrow morning by
Gen. Fremont. Union men in deep sorrow
over death of Gen. Lyon. A large force has
been sent out tonight to reinforce Gen. Sigel. |
One regiment also left this morning. The ri
sing of the secret league of Secessionists ex-
sting in the city was feared, and this was
What caused martial law to be proclaimed-l
Several prominent Secessionists, supposed to
,e in secret league, have been arrested to-
light. Gen. Fremont declares it his intention
o hang any person caught burning railroad
ridges, cutting telegraph wires or firing into
rains. J.