The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-08-15
sIECEA FALLS BACK IN GOOD ORDER
RcinaorCeHaAents Going to EaiaaA

ST. LOUIS, August 10.
The following IS the official report of the
fight near Springfield on Saturday last
HEAD QUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT.
10 Col. E. ID. I'oWnsend
Gen. Lyon with three columns under himself,
Gen. Siegel and Major Sturgcs of the cavalry
attacked the enemy at half past clock on
the morning of the 10Th, nine miles southeast
of Springfield. The engagement was severe.
Our loss is about 800 killed and wounded Gen
Lyon was killed in charge ut the head of his
column Our force was 5000 including 1900
home guards. The muster rolls reported taken
from the enemy give his strength at % 900 in
Guiding regiments from Louisiana, Mississippi
and Tennessee with the Texan rangers and Cher
okec half hloods.
Their loss is reported heavy, including Gems
McCulloch and Price. This statement is con-
trmed by prisoners. Their tents and wagons
were destroyed in the action. Gen. Sigel left
only one gun in the field and reiterated to
Springfield with large number Of prisoners at
, clock on the morning OF the l2sh. He con-
tinued his retreat upon Rolla, bringing off his
baggage trains and $25 COG in speci, from
Springfield Bank
Signed, j. G. FREXoNT,
Major General Commanding
The following is u verbal report taken from
special messenger who brought dispatches for
Gen. Fremont early on Saturday morning
Gen. Lyon marched cut of Springfield TO give
the enemy battle. He came up to him on Da-
Wis creek on Green Is prairie, a few miles south
west of Springfield, where he had taken a strong
position on a rolling ground.
At 20 minutes past & % clock in the morning,
Gen. Lyon fred the first gun when the battle
Immediately began. Severe cannonading was
kept up for two or th,ee hours, when the fire
of Capt. Tottens artillery proving too severe
for the enemy they gradually fell back towards
their encampment on Wilson's creek. Gen
Lyons cavalry were posted on the enemy's
lett.hank and Gen. Slegel's artillery on the
right, they began terrific attack and spread
terror and dismay in the ranks of the enemy,
pursuing them to their camp, shells from Tot
tens' artillery setting frs to their tents and
baggage wagons which were all destroyed.
A Louisiana and a Mississippi regiment seemed
70 have suffered the most in the fight and were
almost annihillated.
Some time in tho afternoon as General Lyon
was leading on his column, his horse was shot
from under him, he Immediately mounted
another and as he turned around to bis men
waving his hat in his hand and cheering them
on to victory, he was struck in the small of his
back and fell dead to the ground.
The command then devolved on Gen. Seigel
Pursuit continued until night fall, when Quilt
tie army rested for the night.
Sunday morning Gen. Sigel fearing The enc
my might recover and attempt to cut his COM
mand off from Springfield, fell back on the city
whcre the homo guards were stationed. On
reaching Springfield, fearing the great number
of the enemy might induce them to get between
him and Rolla, Gen. Sigel concluded to fall
back upon Rolla with his provision train and
meet the rciniorcements 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 that Gen. Sigel has not been dis