Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-08-14
Ben Mccullough and Gen. Price Killed.


ST.. LOUIS, Aug 13.-Rumors are current
on the street, Ill which some reliance can be
placed, that General Lyons command has
been totally routed by the rebels, Lyon killed,
and Segel in full retreat with the remnant Of
the Federal forces. This information is said to
have been received by asecessionist last even
ing The messenger who brought the news
killed four horses between Springfield and
Rolla in his haste to outstrp the government
messenger.
1t is also reported that General Fremont ne.
ceived dispatches about midnight corroborating
the above, but their contents are not divulged
Great anxiety is felt by union men here, and
the most serious apprehensious are INDUCED
for the safety of our army. We shall proba.
bly, get something reliable on the arrival of the
train tonight.
WASHINGTON, Aug l3.--The war depart
ment, to-day, received dispatch from Major
General Fremont, saying Gen. Lyons aid re-
ports that there has been an engagement, with
severe loss on both sides, and that Gen. Lyon
was killed. Gen. SiegeI, in command of the
tlOOpS5 was iStItHiB III SOOu Otuel liOul spring
fell. toward Rolla.
New York, Aug. 13.-A private dispatch
is reported to have been received here, stating
that Ben Mccullough and General Price were
both killed in the battle at Springfield, Mo,
and that our loss was 800.
ST.. LOUIS, August 13.-rhe following is
the official report of the fight near Springfield,
last Saturday, forwarded by one of General
Lyons aids =
To MAJOR General Fremont = Gen. Lyon, in
three columns, under himself, Gen. Siegel,
and Major S!urgs, attacked the enemy at 65
o'clock on the morning of the 10Th inst, nine
miles southeast of Springfield. The engage
ment was severe Our loss is about 800 killed
and wounded. Gen. Lyon was killed in a
charge at the head of his column. Our force
was 5000, including 1000 home guards. Mus.
ter rolls taken from the enemy give his force
as $4,000, including regiments from Louisiana,
Mississippi, Tennessee, the Texas Rangers,
and Cherokee half-breeds. Their loss is re
ported to be heavy, including Gems. McCullocll
end Price. This statement is corroborated bv
prisoners. Their tents and wagons were de
stroyed in the action.
Gen Siege lett only one gun on the field.
and retreated 20 Springfield with a large mum.
Der of prisoners, at O'clock on the morning
of the llth. He continued his retreat upon
Rolla, bringing off his baggage trains and
SO 900 in specie from the Springfield banks.
The following is the verbatim report of the
special messenger to Gen Fremont
early Saturday moning, Gen. Lyon
marched out of Springfield, and came up with
the enemy ON Davis Creek, on Green's prai-
ric, few miles southwest OF Springfield,
where he had taken strong position. Gen.
Lyon fired the first gun at twenty minutes
past six, when the battle Immediately com.
menced. Severe cannonading was kept up
two or three hours, when the fire of TOtten's
artillery proving too severe for the enemy
they gradually fell back towards their encaup-
ment on Wilson's Creek.
Lyons cavalry on the left flank and Siegel's
artillery on the right then began terrific at.
tack, and spread slaughter and diSmay in the
ranks of the rebels. aPursung them to their
camp, shells from Totten's artillery set fire to
their tents and baggage wagons, which were
all destroyed a Louisiana and Mississippi
regiment seemed to suffer most, aud were al.
most annihilated.
Some time in the afternoon, while General
Lyon was leading his column, his horse was
shot under him. lie Immediately mounted
another, and as lie turned round to his men,
waving his hat and cheering his men on to
victory, he was struck in the small OF the back
and fell dead to the ground. The command
then devolved on Gen. Siegel Purs it was
continued until nighttal when our little army
rested for the night in the enemys encamp-
ment.
Sunday morning Gen. Siege fearing the
enemy would recover and attempt to cut his
ANtommand off from Springfield, fell back on
that city where the home guards were sta
toned. Then fearing that the great numbers
OF the enemy might induce them to get be.
tween him and RoIa, Siege concluded to fall
back on Rolla with his provision trains and
meet reinlo.cements. AT the time of the de.
parturc of the messenger, the enemy had not
been seen, and it is probable that Siegel had not
been disturbed on his march. Ninety rebels
were captured including colonel of distinc-
ton, the messenger not remembering his name.
The sword and horse OF McCuoch were
among the trophies
Reinforcements are on the way to Rolla and
Gen. Siegel and the army may be considered
safe.