The Nevada journal., 1861-08-30
BATTLE AT WILSON'S cRsBIs,

BATTLE AT WILSON'S CREEFf,
The following is from correspondent of the
St. Lsuis Democrat, who witnessed tho battle
near Springfeld:
SPRINGsIELD, Missouri, August 11th.
Night before l+st little arriy of 5000 men
moved in two colfnns on n march of twelve or
fifteen miles to attack body Of rebels % 600
strong. In military point Of view the move
was one of doubtful propriety. not to say abso-
lutc rashness. The large force WERE with the
exception Of three thousand men, well armed
and equipped, and they had n very large BODY
Of cavalry: but the question of evaeuating
Springfield, the key of the entire south west had
I already been discussed and settled in the mega
tive Gen. Sigel. with six pieces of cannon. his
own regiment and that of Col. Solomons moved
in n southcrly direction, marching about fifteen
miles. passing around the extreme southeastern
canTp'0f the enemy, and halted until daylight
or for the sound OF artillery from the north west
to announce the opening Of the battle. General
Lyon, with the volunteers, COMPOSING the Mis-
souri, First. Lieut.. Col. Andrews; Iowa First.
Lieut.. Col. Merritt; Kansas First. Col. Deitzler,
ana Second, Col. Mitchell part of the Missouri
Second. under Major 0stcrhaus. and tietach-
ment OF twenty men from Col. Wyman's Illinois
regiments three four companies of mounted
/ Home Guards. Il force Of regulars about 500
! strong, and two batteries of four and six pieces
respectively left Sprins sfeld about eight o'clock
/ 7. W., marching slowly along until two o'clock
A. NJ, when we hailed for two hours at which
time Capt. Gilberts company of rerulars and
| Major Osterhaus' battalion were thrown out as
skirmishers on either side of the column and
/ we moved forward on the sides of the first ridge
| on the western side of the valley. Col. Blair's
regiment. at ten minutes after eight o'clock en-
couniered heavy force of infantry. not less
than ftIli regiment and, after a severe contest
they gained the summit, and the defeated rebels
dlspersed rapidly, going in direction which
rendered it impossible for any considerable
number of them TO again participate in the bat
tie. Tottens battery then threw a few balls as
teeiers to draw out the encmys cannon Cot
Blairs regiment moved forward and were soon
met by well equipped regiment Of Louisiana
troops, whom, after Il bitter contest of forty-fye
minutes, they succeeded in routing. though suf
iern& severely themselves. Capt. Lathrop's
company of rifle recruits now assisted them,
and, together with Major 0sterhaus' men, move d
up the second hill, which was considerably lar
ger than the first. and meeting third regiment.
finally succeeded in driving them back with the
assistance of Tottens battery. and gained the
summit. In this Fart &c the fight the gallant
Missouri volunteers acted bravely indeed. no
words Of praise could more than do them in. ticc
During this engagement two companies of reg
uI"la were schl 10 tbc cast SIDE Of the creek to
engage force which was orerating against
Captain Wright's cavalry shcltering ihcmselves
behind fence. Captains Plummcr and Gilbert.
with their COMPANIES, marched close up TO the
fence and delivered effective fire. but we're
compelled by great odds TO retire, which they
lid. but ;.gaIn renewed the attack The enemy
being largely enforced. and having now at least
three thousand men. jumped over into the col n
hed, and Captain Plummcr's gallant han was
Immediately threatened with annhilation. They
re;rcated rapidly. firing as they did so, when
Lieutenant Deboir. having got his battery under
headway on the hill near the Missouri volun-
teers, seeing the position of affairs on the oppo-
site OF the valley. threw, in the most precise /
manner serernl shells, which exploded lust as
they reached the dense mass Of Secession;sts. /
scattering them lifeless on tue ground in scores
while all who could were glad to run for dear
hfe The gallant men in Colonel Blairs regi- |
ment were now ordered back, and their position
taken by the iowa First. General Lyon had |
previously had poor opinion of The fighting |
qualities Of these men, formed more from SUI
position than any real failure in duty. but now /
the time had come for him to reverse his judg- I
mcnt-which he did after their first repuIse Of
the enemy. They fought Ike tigers-drovc The /
enemy back, and followed up the advantage /
gained for i considerable distance Can't Ma |
son, Company G, vas killed soon after h s reci- /
HUrceit
mortally wounded. Major Porter and Colonel |
Merritt escaped unharncd. The Kansas First /
and Second regiments were now ordered forward |
to support the right flank Of the Towans. Col /
Green's regiment Of Tennessee cavalry. bearing /
a secession flag, now charged anon our wound !
ed. who were partially guarded by one OF two /
companies of infantry Seeing the movement, !
Captain Toten poured few rounds Of canister
into their ranks, iuSt in time o save our / k /
from heinz tro1pDlc1 IN II
the rebels 50 completely that nothing more was |
seen Of them during the day. Gen. Lyon now
desired the Iowas to prepare TO meet the next !
onset of the enemy with the bayonet. Immcdi- |
ately after 6rirg. they snid' Give MS leader
and we will follow him 10 death" On came /
the enemy in overwhelming plumbers. confident |
of victory. No time could be lost to select a |
leader. 4" | will lead YOU exclaimed Lyon;
Come on and placing himself in the var,
received fatal bullet just at the pit of the
stomach. which Killed him Instantly The Towas
delivered their fire and the enemy reti.ed-so1
there was no need Of charging hayonets. Gen. /
LYONS body was carefully picked up and con
vered lifeless toward the smbulanccs by two cf /
his body guard. On the Tueeday night previous (
he hal arranged for a night attack upon the e, =
emy. but singuarly enough found himself de-
laycd two hours beyond the proper time for
starting by rumors Of a skirmish on the prairie |
west of town, and the attack was postponed.-I
On Wednesday he said to nc" Well. believe
our term of soldering is about completed. |
have tried earnestly to discharge my whole duty
to the Government and appealed to them for
rcinforcements and supplies; but they do not
come. and the enemy is getting the advantage
of us He then called council Of war, at
which there nearly an unanimous voice for
cvacuating Springfield. G' neral Swceny plead
cloqucnty against such a course: declared it
would be the ruin of the Union cause in that
quarter of the State. and urged battle as soon
ms the enemy were within striking distance. He
also pointed out the loss of reputation, both to
the General and his officers which would follow
such n step. This counsel decided the course to |
he pursued, and Thursday, when tte Brigade |
Quartcrmaster inquired when we were to leave |
Springfield. General Lyon replied. :. Not before
we are whipped" This was the proper course +
to prr'ue. If he retreated without battle he !
would certainly have been pursued by n boastfiJf I
and unpunished enemy and very likely have his |
retreat entirely cut eff After being w sCurtled /
and before receiving his fatal wound, he ex-
claimed to Major SehofeFd, - The day is lost"
but the Major said :. No. General. let us try |
once more" So they tried, and ths General
fell
II was now little after nine clock. and the !
battle had seri with ierrencss seldom ifcver
eqaalled, for over three hours. The battle ragged
for twn hours more, the command devolving
upcn Major Sturgis. The enemy made repeated
attempts to take the nights from which they