The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-08-14
The Federals Retteat to Rolla
INTERESTING PARTICULARS OF
THE FIGHT.


ST. Louis, August 3.-The following il
J the official report of the. fight near Spring
field on Saturday last, as forwarded by on,
of General Lyonss aid-de-camp to Genera
Fremont #8f
General Lyon, in three columns, under
himself. General Sigel and Major Sturgis, o.
the cavalry, attacked the enemy at halfpast
| six on the morning of the 10th, nine mile:
southeast Of Springfield
The engagement was severe. Our loss is
about 800 killed and wounded. Gen. Lyon
was killed in a charge at the head of his
column. Our force was 5000, including
] Loco Home Guards. The muster rolls re-
! ported taken from the enemy, give his force
as 1000, including regiments from Leuisi-
ana, and Mississippi, with Texan rangers,
and Cherokee half-breeds.
Their loss is reported heavy, Including
! Gems. Mccullough and Price
This statement is corrobOrated by pris-
oners. @
e Their tents and wagons were DESTROYED
in the action. Sigel left one gun on the
field, and returned to Springfield with
large number of prisoners.
At o'clock on the morning of the llth,
he continued his retreat upon RolIa, bring
ing off his baggage trains and S25, 900 in
specie from the Springfield Bank.
The following is a verbal report taken
from messenger, who brought dispatches
for Fremont:
Early on Saturday morning, Gen. Lyon
marched out of Springfield, and gave the
enemy battle. We came up to them on
Davis Greek, in Green's Prairie, a few miles
Southwest of Springfield, where be had ta-
ken strong position on rolling ground.
7n.1IFwy - u
morning, Gen, Lyon fred the first gun, and
the battle Immediately began.
A severe cannonading was kept up two
or7three hours when the fire of Capt. Tot
tens artillery proving too severe for the
enemy, they gradually fell back toward
their encampment on Wilson's Greek.
Gen. Lyons cavalry posted on the enc
N.Y. ieft flank, and Gen. Sigel's artillery
on the right, then began a terrific attack,
and spread slaughter and dismay through
the ranks of the enemy, pursuing them to
their camp.
Shells from Totten's artillery set fire to
their tents and baggage wagons, which
were all destroyed.
Louisiana and Mississippi regiment
seem to have suffered most in the fight, and
were almost annihilated
Sometime in the afternoon. as Gen. Lyon
vas 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 to the ground.
= The command then devolyed upon Gen.
Sigel
The pursuit continued until nightfall.
when our little army halted for the night in
thesencampment of the rebels.
On Sunday morning, Gen. Sgel fearing
the enemy might recover and attempt to cut |
his army off from Springfield, fell back on
that city, where the Home Guard were sta
TONED. Reaching Springfield, and fearing |
the great number of the enemy might in |
duce them to get between Springfield and |
Roila, Gen. Sigel concluded to fall back on /
Rolla with his provision trains and meet /
which were on the way to /
him. ra
Al the latest moment of the departure of |
the messenger, the enemy had not been
seen, and it is not probable that Sgel was /
disturbed in his march.
Ninety of the rebels were captured
among them q. Colonel Of distineti0n-the
does not remember his name
The 3 ord and horse of Mccullough are
among The trophies.
Reintorcements are on the way 10 Rola,
and Gen. Sige and his army may be con-
sidered safe.