Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-08-16
Great Battle at Springfield, Mo.
OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.
General Lyon Killed.
DEFEAT OF THE REBELS
Ben. McoullOch and Con. Price Killed.


HEAD QUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT.
To Col. T.. ID. Townsend:
Gen. Lyon with three columns under him.
self General Sigel and Major Sturgos Of the
cavalry, attacked the enemy at half past six
O'Clock on the morning Of the 9th, nine miles
southeast Of Springfield. The engagement
was severe. Our loss is about 500 killed aud
wounded. Gen. Lyon was killed in a 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 regiments from
Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee with the
Texas rangers and Cherokee half bloods.
Their loss is reported heavy including Gem
erals MoCulloch and Price. This statement
is confirmed by prisoners
Three Tenn. wagons were destroyed in the
action. Gen. Sigel left only one gun in tho
field and rcircatod to Springfield with large
number of prisoners at 8 o'clock on the NOR
ming Of the 18th. lie continued his retreat
upon Rolla bringing off bis baggage trains
and $4,000 in specie from Springfield Bank.
Signed, J. C.. FnEMovr,
Maj. Gen Commanding.
The following is a verbal report taken from
a special messenger who brought dispatches
for Gen. Fremont early on Saturday morning.
Gen. Lyon marched out of Springfield to
give the enemy battle lie came up to him
on Davis creek on Greens prairie a few miles
south west Of Springfield where he had taken
strong position on rolling ground
At 20 minutes yast 6 o'clock in the morn
ing Gen. Lyon fired the first gun when the
battle Immediately began Severe cauonad-
ing 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
towards their encampment on Wilson's creek
Gen. Lyons cavalry were posted on the enc
my left flank and Gen. Sigol'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 Totteu's artillery setting fire to their
tents and baggage wagons which were all
destroyed.
A Louisiana regiment and a Mississippi
regiment seemed to have suffered most in the
tight and we're almost annihiated.
Some time in the afternoon 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 in his hand and cheering them
on to victory. he was struck in the small Of
the back by a ball, and fell dead theground.
The command then deyolved on Gen Sigol.
Pursuit continued until night fall, when our
little army rested for the night
Sunday morning Gen Sigcl fearing the en-
envy might recover and attempt to cut his COM
mand off from Springfield. fell back on The
city where the home guards were stationed.
On reaching Springfield, fearing the great
uunlnr of tho rnfftbt f,,I, a..
get letween him and holla, Gen. Sipel con-
eluded to fall back upon Rolla with his pro-
vision train and meet the reinforcements which
were on the way to him.
At the latest moment of the deDarture of
the messenger, the enemy had not been seen.
and it is probable that Gen. Sigol has not been
disturbed IN his march. Ninety OF the rebels
were captured, among whom was a Colonel
OF distinction, the messenger not remember
ing his name.
The sword and horse of McCulloch were
among the trophies Reinforcemcnts are on
the way from Rolla and Gen Sigel and hi.
army may be considered safe
lNDEpENDANoE, Mo, Aug. 10.
The Santa Fe mail, with dates to July Goth
has arrived
Lieut.. Smith, of the 5th Infantry, went to
chihuahua, to recover the government trains
stolen 10y one Kirk, wagon master, and was
taken prisoner by the Texan troops, and is
now at Elparosa On parole
1t is reported that there are large numbers
of Texans ON THEN way mp to sieze Fort Stan
ton, and any other property they can ind 49,
Preparations have been made To receive them
at Font Stanton. They can defend themselves
II the enemy have no artillery. and they will
never get near enough to do any damage, as
the Federal pickets aie out five miles in eve
ry direction.
The news reached Sante Fo that the regu-
lars had been ordered home. If so, the gov.
eminent virtually abandons tho territory to
the South, the volunteers being no kind of
protection to the inhabitants
Fort Fillmore is now garrisoned by thir-
teen companies Of reguars-l0 of infantry
and three OF dragons The regulars are IN
der marching orders, as soon as the volun-
teers can relieve them.
The Apache Indians are troublesome
they thinking that as the United States troops
have abandoned some of their posts, that the
country is left open for them to murder and
steal. They have attacked the overland mail
coach and killed the driver, but were finally
repuised and the coach went on
Two steamboats, passed our landing yester-
day, going down the river, loaded with Unit
ed States troops. Their destination is sun
posed TO be Lexington, as the time of enlist
ment OF troops now there has expired.
All quiet here.
WASHINGTON, Aug, IS.
The President to-day appointed Col. Hun.
ter. who commanded column in the late en-
gagoment, Major General, and Major Stone.
man, of the cavalry, w. f. Smith. Of the to-
biographical corps, and II. W. Benham, OF the
Engineers, Brigadier Generals of the volun-
tecr forces.
The Potomac Aotlla is still actively en-
ployed.
Capt. Craven, who is in command Of the
ldntee, informs the Navy Department that
he will report in person, the circumstance
attending the capture of ten negroes On the
evening of the llth a negro came on board
and mentioned the name of an individual who
has been exceedingly active in procuring sup
plies for the regiments, including arms, am
munition and mon, aud sending them in boat
loads from Herring Creek over into Virginia
lie further says that this agent had assistance
IN forwarding recruits TO the various landings,
and that at Herring Crock there was a minis
ter acting as servant and spy
Captain Budd, of the Resol,,te, il appears,