Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-09-19
Yours respectfully,
 HUGH MACDONALD, Agent for Berthold, Smith X Co.
Report of Franz Sigel, Commanding Se-
 cond Rrieade Missouri Volunteers.

Agent for BertlOlt, foi1ltn X 70. Report of Franz Sigel, Commanding Se-
 cond Brigade Missouri Volunteers.
 HEADQUARTERS 2d BRIGADE Mo. VoI.,)
 CAMP OF Coop HOPE, NEAR RoLLA,
 August l6, lobl
 GENERAL: I respectfully submit to you the re- port of the battle on Wilson's Creek, so far as the troops under my command were concerned.-
 On Friday, the 9th of August, Gen. Lyon in formed me that it was his intention to attack the enemy in his camp at Wilson's Creek, on the morning of the l0th that the attack should be made from two sides, and that l should take com mand of the left. The troops assigned to me con sisted of the Second Brigade, Missouri volunteers, goo men-infantrv of the third and fifth regiments, under the command of Lieut. Col. A bert and Col. Solomon, aud six pieces of artillery under Llcuts. Schaefer and Schuetzenbach; besides two compa- nies of regular cavalry, belonging to Maj Sturgis.
 I left Camp Fremont, the south side of Springfield, at Gl5 o'clock on the evening of the 9th and arrived at day break within a mile of the enemy's camp. l advanced slowly towards the camp, and after taking forward the two cavalry companies from the right and left cut off about forty men of the enemy's troops, who were com ing from the camp in little squads to get water and provisions. This was done in such manner that no news of our advance could be brought into the camp.
 In sight of the enemv's tents, which spread ou on our front and right, planted four pieces of ar tilery little hill, whilst the infantry advanced toward the point where the Fayetteville road crosses Wilson's Creek, and the two cavalry com ranies extended to the right and left to guard our Hanks. It 5l2 o'clock, when some musket firing was heard from the northwest. therefore ordered the artillery to begin their fire against the camp of the enemy, (Mjssourlans) which was so destructive that the enemy seen leaving their tents and retiring in haste towards the north east l K; tIo +; ,,,I+ h,l quickly advanced, passed the creek and traversing the camp, forming almost in the center of it. As the enemy made his rally ill large numbers before rs about 5000 strong, consisting of infantry and cavalry, ordered the artillery to be brought for ward from the hill and formed there in battery across tue vaIlcy with the third and fifth to the left and the cavalry to the right Alter etiec- tuai fire of halt an hour the enemy retired in some confusion into the woods and up the adjoining | hills. The firing towards the northwest was now more distinct, and increased, until it was evident that the main corps of General Lyon had engaged the enemy along the whole line. To give the greatest possible assistance to him, I left position l in the camp and adyapced towards the north to attack the enemy $ line of battle in the rear. l Marching forward we struck tile Favettcyille l road, making cur way through large number of cattle and horses, until we arrived at m eninence used as a slaughtern@ place, and known IS Sharp's | farm On our route we had taken about one hun | | At Sharps place we met numbers of the encmv's soldiers who were evidently retiring in this dircc. 1 ton; and suspected that the enemy on his re- | treat would follow in the stme direction, formed the troops across tic road by planting the artillery | on the plateau and the two infantry regiments on the right and left, the road, whilst the cav airy companies extended on our Hanks At this time and after some silirmshing in front of our | line. the firing in the direction of the northwest, which was during an hours time roaring in success | ion, had almost entirely ceased. l thereupon pre- sumed that the attack of Gen. Lyon had been sue cesstul, and that his troops were in pursuit of the enemy, who moved in large numbers towards the south and along the ridge Oi hill, about lUU yards opposite our right.
 This was the state Of affairs at 6l5 o'clock in the morning, when it reported to me by Dr. Me- choir, and some of skirmiSherS, that '' LyOns s men were coming up the road" Lieut.. Albert, of the 3d. and Col. Solomon, Of the 9th, notified their regiments not to fire on troops conn ng in this direc- ton, whilst cautioned the artillery in the same manner. Our troops in this moment expected with anxiety the approach of our friends, and were way ing the flag, raised a signal to their comrades, when at once two batteries opened their fire against us-one in front, placed on the Fayettville road, and the other upon the hill upon which we had SUD- posed Lyons forces were in pursuit of the enemy, whilst a strong column of infantry supposed to be thcSlowa regiment advanced from the Fayetteville road and attacked our right.
 It is impossible for me to describe the constern- ation and trightful confusion which was accustomed by this important event. The cry, " they Lyons troopS) are firing against us," spread like wild fire through our ranks; the artierymcn, ordered tC fire, and drectedby myself, could hardly be brought forward to serve their pieces; the infantry would not level their arms until it was too late. The enemy arrived within ten paees of the muzzlcs o our cannon, killed the horses turned the Hanks o the infantry and forced them to fly. The troops were throwing themselves into the bushes and bye. roads, retreatng as well as they could followed and attacked necessarily by large bodies of Arkan sas and Texas cavalry. In this retreat we lost five cannon, of which three were spiked and the cOlors of the third, the color bearer having been wounded and his substitute killed. The total loss of the two regiments, the artillery and the pioneers, u killed, wounded and missing, amounts to 292 men as will be seen from the respective lists.
 In order to understand clearly our actions and our fate you will permit to slate the following facts: Ist, according to orders, it was the duty o this brigade to attack the enemy in therear and to cut off his retreat, which order tried to execute whatever the consequences might be.
 2d. The time of service of the fifth regiment Of Missouri volunteers had expired before the battle 1 had induced tbem, company by company, not to | leave us in the most critical moment, and had en- gagged them for the term of eight days, this term ending on Friday the 9th the day before the battle.
 3d. The 3d regiment, of which 400 three months men had been dismissed, composed Tor V!e greater part of recruits, who had not seen the enc my before, and were imperfectly drilled:
 4th The men serving the pieces. ana the HI ers' consisted of infantry taken from the od rcslii1eA' and were mostly recruits, who had only le" dayS l instruction. 1,r.
 some companies had no officers at ala great pity; hnt tbe ronseouence of the system of the three months service c,, :,
 fter the arrival of the army at Springfield, the command was entrusted to me by Maj. Sturgis and ! tbo majority of the commanders of regiments Considering all the circumstances, and in accord once with the commanding officers, 1 ordered the retreat of the army from Springfield. The prepa a. lions were begun in the night of the 10th, and.at day-break the troops were on the march towards the Gasconade Before crossing the river received information that the ford could not be passed we'll and that strong force of the enemy moving from the South West plains Towards Waynesvile, to cut off our retreat. 1 also was aware that it would take considerable time to cross the Robdoux and the Little and Big Piney on the old road
 To avoid all these difficulties and to give the army an opportunity to rest, directed the troops