The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-23
lifeless on the ground in scores, while all
who could were glad to run for dear life.

The gallant men in Col. Blair's regiment
were now ordered back, and their position
taken by the Iowa First. Gen. Lyon had
previously had poor opinion of the fight
ing qualities of these men, formed more
from supposition than upon any real failure
in duty, but now the time had come for
him to reverse his judgment, which he did
after their first repulse of the enemy. They
fought like tigers, drove the enemy back,
and followed up the advantage gained for a
considerable distance. Captain Mason,
Company G, was killed soon after his regi-
ment was engaged. Lieut.. Purcell was
mortally wounded. Major Porter and Col.
Merritt gallantly cheering on their boys,
boys, escaped unharmed. The Kansas First
and Second regiments were now ordered
forward to support the right flank of the
IOwa's.
Col. Green's regiment of Tennessee cav.
airy, bearing secession fog, now charged
upon our wounded who were partially guard
ed by one or two companies of infantry.
Seeing the movement, Captain Totten
poured a few rounds of canister into their
ranks Just in time to save our sick men from
being trampled to death, dispensing the
rebels so completely that nothing more was
seen of them during the day.
Gen. Lyon now desired the Iowa boys
whom he had found so brave, to prepare to
meet the next onset of the enemy with the
bayonet Immediately after firing. They
said, "Give US leader and we will follow to
the DEATH" On came the enemy in over
whelming numbers, confident of victory
over such meagre force. No time could
be lost to select o leader. ~ will lead you"
exclaims Lyon; " come Oh, brave men !"
and placing himself in the van, received
fatal bullet just at toe pit of the
stomach, which killed him instantly.
The Iowas delivered their fire and the enc.
my retired, so there was no need of charg>
ing bayonets. Gen Lyons body was care
fully picked up and conveyed li:eless towards
the ambulances by two of his body guard.
In bis death as IN his life, he was the same
devoted. patriotic soldier, regarding his own
life as OF no value if he could but rescue his
country. His body has been brought hith>
er and embalmed, for conveyance to his
friends in Conaecticut. There was no feel
ing of depression on the part of the troops
tat the unexpected calamity, but rather a
feeling of quiet determination to revenge
his death. On the Tuesday night previous
he bad arranged for hight attack upon
the enemy, but singularly found himself
delayed two hours behind the proper time
for starting by rumors of skirmish on
the prairie west of town, and the attack
was postponed. Wednesday he said
to me: "Well, begin to believe our
term of soldering is about completed. 1
have tried earnestly to discharge my whole
duty to the Government, and appealed to
them for reinforcements and supplies but,
alas, they do not come, and the enemy is
getting the advantage of u.s." he then
called a council of war, at which there was
nearly unanimous voice Tor evacuating
Springfield. Gen. Sweeney plead eIoquenty
against such course, declared it would be
the ruin of the Union cause in that quarter
of the State, and urged battle as soon as
the enemy were within striking distance.
BE also pointed out the loss of reputation
both to the General and his officers which
would follow such step. This counsel de-
cided the course to be pursued, and Thurs
day when the brigade quartermasteri inquired
when we were to leave Springfield, General
Lyon replied, "Not before we are whipped" !"
This was the proper course to pursue. If
he retreated without battle he would Ger.
tainly have been pursued by boastful
and unpunished enemy, and very likely
have his retreat entirely cut off. After
being wounded he exclaimed to Mai. Scho-
field, 1.-The day is lost" but the Major said
"No, General, let US try once more" So
they tried and the General fell. 1t was now
little after uine o'clock, and the battle had
reged with ferceness seldom if ever euualed
for over three hours. The smoke hung like
storm cloud over the valley, fit emblem
of mourning for the departed hero.
He sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his last
battle,
No sound shall awake him to glory again.
The battle ragged for two hours more, the
command devolving upon Major Sturgis.
The enemy made repeated attempts to re.
take the heights from which they had been
driven. but were gallantlyrepulsed each time.
The Kansas regiments behaved with a
bravery seldom or never equaled, forming
ambuscades for the benefit of the rebels bv
lying fat on the ground until the epemv
came near enough for them to see their
eyebrows, when they would pour a deadly
volley into their opponents and again re.
main in possession of the field, The
last repplse of the enemy was the most
glorious one of all and was participated in
by members of every regiment in the field.
The enemy came fresh and deceived our men
by bearing Union flag causing them to
believe that Sigel was about making a
junction with our forces. Discovering the
ruse just in time, our igallant boys rushed
upon the enemy, who, with four cannon
belching forth loud mouthed thunder, were
on the point of having their efforts crowned