New-York daily tribune., 1861-08-18

with their families at home. Such men as these
c)uld not be brought up to fight well against
overwhelming numbers, and their dissatisfaction
communicated itself to many of Sigels regiment.
Notwithstanding these very adverse circumstances
Sigel brought in about one hundred prisoners and
many horses.
LENGTH OF TIVE BATTLE.
During the latter part of the battle the smoke
from cannons and muskets, which hung Ike
dense cloud over the valley, was increased bye
the enemy setting fire to train of thirty or
forty wagons, for fear they would be captured
by our advancing troops. The battle commenced
about sir o'clock and continued, Nth tm slight
cessation, until elerem, at which time our ambu-
lances, being filed with the wounded officers and
others, commenced moving toward Springfield,
under protection of DuBois's Battery. The enemy,
ho,cerer, made no attempt to toilo1, ,ohiea is sg
fcient yroof that they rere badly chPped.
GEN. LYoN's APPLICATIONS FOR RE-ENFORCE-
MENTs DIsREGARDED.
Government had been repeatedly urged to send
Gen. Lyon re9niOrcements, at least sufficient TO
make up for the loss Of three months men who
were about leaving or had already left; but alas,
none were furnished; while thousands in the
North would gladly have gone and succOred their
friends, and saved the key of the Southwest
from falling into the hands Of the Rebels. IL
was better for the Union cause that the battle
should be fought, even against such great odds,
than that Springfield should fall without
struggle.
INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE.
After retreatiDg in good order nearly two
miles, Totten's battery and three companies OF
infantry were posted as protection, and Dubois
then ordered back with his battery. Still the
enemy made no demonstration, and not until
Dubois was leaving the hill commanding the val
ley from tbe North did the enemy reOccupy the
hights on the west, from which we had driven
them. Then meeting no resistance from US they
assembled in large numbers, and, raising their
traitOrous banner, made an effort at cheering.
The enemys force was not far from twenty
two thousand all but about three thousand Of
whom were armed, and generally pretty well
armed. According to Lieut.-Col Horace III.
Brand Of Bonneville, who was taken prisoner in
the early part of the day, they had twenty-one
pieces of cannon and plenty of ammunition,
though toward the last of the battle it is said
the five guns lost By Sigel were also turned
against us. The guns of the enemy were not
worked with great rapidity or precision, not a
bah coming within twenty feet of the ground for
the first half hour, at about the end of which
time, however, one plowed up terrible dust
within fifteen feet of where l was standing.
Adutant waldron of the Iowa Regiment be.
hayed gaantly, and received q slight wound.
Capt. Burke of the Missouri First, said to me
in the morning: "Aly boys are going to fight
10 Kill to-day, and if we don't whip the Rebels,
not one Of my men shall leave the field alive. :"
His men did fight WELL aud the enemy were de-
feated Burke himself was struck with spent
ball, then one tore through his blouse without
injuring him, and another twice through bis pants,
barely scraping his knee
Major Schofield had a few of his whiskers
trimmed of bya passing bullet, but was other
wise uninjured.
Major Halderman of the Kansas First, was
slightly wounded.
Two Rebel surgeons were among those taken
prisoners. One was released by DR.. Melcher,
who aiterward accompanied him TO the Rebel
camp, and saw and conversed with McCuloch,
Price and Rains, and arranged for our wagons
returning to gather the wounded and dead. The
other surgeon was marched 10 Springfield before
his position was known, when he was set at
liberty and passed through our lines. He ex-
pressed himself satisfied with the treatment he
had received except being marched twelve miles
out Of his way He invited DR.. Franklin and
DR.. Davis of the regular hospital TO accompany
him, to the Rebel camp, assuring them Of good
treatment.
Among the prisoners taken were ten or fifteen
negroes. none of whom, l think, were armed,
but simply acting as servants.
THE RETURN TO SPRINGFIELD.
On the return to Springfield We fell in with
Col. Saomon, who said his men had acted badly
and that he could form no idea of the extent OF
their loss, but knew that it wns serious. Had
tbe,epemy been at all enterprising they could
have caught hundreds who were wandering
around in small squads, attempting to return to
town from Sigels division, as well as harrassed
US to death on our retreat from the west side
of the bloody field.
We reached Springfield in safety. Our pickets
were stationed and wagons sent for the balance
of our wounded and dead. Since 3 o'clock yes
terday afternoon the wounded have been pour
ing in. The regular hospital building, very
large, new Courthouse and dwelling attached,
has been filed up, receiving about l2O. The
Bailey House has been turned into hospital