White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1861-08-22
Full Particulars of the Battle!
GALLANT CONDUCT OF THE
KANSAS BOYS!
THE ENEMY REpULsED!
THE VICTORY OURsl!
From the st. Louis Republican.

RoLLA, Tuesday Morning. Aug. 13.
The following was the first account re-
ceived here of the battle near Springfield.
It is in all its main features based on .
statement by Capt. Fairchild. of the First
Kansas Regiment, who arrived here by
stage last night:
At about 6 o'clock on Saturday morn
ing, we resumed our march, and after
having proceeded three miles further.
came upon the enemy. They were en-
camped on . piece of ground admirably
adapted for their species of warfare, COW
cred at intervals with brush wood and
corn6elds, and containing numerous ra-
vines for conceslment. As soon as Gen.
Lyon came within sight of the Confeder-
ates, he opened cannonade on them. 1t
as promptly and ably answered. The
battle now fairly commenced, and in q
short time, became general along the
whole line. A little before 8 o'clock,
Gen. Lyon was wounded by shot in the
foot, and his horse killed, and he retired
to the rear for surgical treatment. 1t so
happened that our troops were hard press
ed by the Confederates just at that time.
Things began to assume threatening as.
pect. Lyon seeing the danger, at once
dismissed all thoughts of his wound.
mounted his horse. rode in front Of his
men, waving his hat and handkerchief,
calling out to the boys to rally and follow
him. While be was still surveying them.
q ball struck him in the back and killed
him instantly.
There is hardly doubt that our troops
would have achieved SPLENDID victory
had it not been for the fearful odds they
had to contend against. On the side Of
the Confederates from 10000 to 25, 900
are reported to have been in the fight, and
to these. up to 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
body Of only about 5000 men was op-
posed. An unfortunate circumstance for
our troops, moreover, was that during the
greater part of the battle they came SO
near the Confederates that the old shot
guns and other Indifferent weapons of the
latter, could be used with the same dead.
ly effect as Minnie muskets. The ground,
too. was of the enemy's choosing, and il
is stated ~ fact that our troops went
into battle. not knowing how far the line
of the enemy extended, or where his forces
were located.
About 2 o'clock P. n. Gen Seigel, hsv-
ing either heard the csnnonading or re-
ceived . special message from Major
Stnrgie. came MP with his reserve from
Springfield. He Immediately attacked
the enemy on the right flank, and did
terrible execution among them. The
rest Of our troops, seeing that Seigel
brought them succor. rallied with renew
ed vigor. and made one more determined
onset on the enemy. Bot such were the
overwhelming odds against which they
bad to eight, that the encounter amounted
to nothing moro than . mutual cutting
up. and BY four o'clock oil parties seem
ed anxious to withdraw from the field.
The q. 8. troops retired 70 Springfield
in good order, and there the call Of the
roll BY regiments was responded to o.
usual. Our informant says he counted
ITO wounded in . hospital in Springfield,
al belonging to the Fins Kansas Regi-
ment.
The following d . list Of the killed and
wounded officers. 20 far - asesrtained:
Gen. Lyon.
Lieut.. Q. Ayriel. 90. 4. 1st Kansas.
Lieut.. L. L. Jones. Of Cspt. Wslksr's