White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1861-08-22

eu.rded bv one or two companies Of in.
fsntrv. Seeing the movement, Capt. Tot
ten noured . iew rounds Of canister into
their ranks Just in time to save our sick
men from being trampled to death, dis
persiue the rebels 20 completely that moth
ing more was seen of them during the
day.
Gen. Lyon now desired the lows bows
whom he hsd iouad 90 brave, to prepare
to meet the next onset Of the enemy with
the bayonet after firing. They said, "Giye
us : leader sd We win follow to death" !"
On cana the enemy in owe, whelminc
nunbers, .con6dent Of victory over such q
meaare force. No time could be lost to
select q leader. II will lead you." e..
claimed Lyon. "Come on. brave men,"
and placing himself in the van, received
q fatal bullet Just at the pit of the stom-
aeh, which killed him instantly. The
Iowas delivered their fire, and the enemy
retired. so there was no need of charging
bay oueas.-- Gen. Lyons body was care
fully picked mp. and conveyed lifeless to-
ward the ambulances by two of his body
guard. In his death, as in bis life, be
was the same devoted, patriotic soldier,
regarding his own life as of no value If be-
could but rescue his country. His body
has been broaght hilher and embalmed,
for conveyance to his friends in Conuecti-
cut. There was no feeling of depression
on the part Of the troops at the unexpect-
ed calamity. but rather a feeling of quiet
determination to revenge his death. On
the Tuesday night previous he had ar
ranged for q night attack on 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 post
poned. Wednesday, he said to me-
"Well. begin to believe our term of
soldering is about completed. / have
tried earnestly to discharge my whole
duty to the Government. and appealed to
them for reinforcements and supplies; but,
alas, they do not como, and the enemy is
getting the advantage of u.s." He then
called . council Of war, at which there
was nearly unanimous voice for evacu-
ating Springfield. Gen. Sweeny plead
eloquenily against such course. declared
1t 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. He also pointed ont
the loss of reputation both to the General
and his officers which would follow such
a step. The council decided the course
to be pursued. aud Thursday. when the
brigade Quartermaster inquired when We
were to leave Springfield. Gen. Lyon re-
piled. Mot before we are whipped" This
was the proper course to pursue. If he
retreated without battle, he would GER
tainly be pursued by boastful and un-
punished enemy, and very likely have his
retreat cut of. After being wounded, he
exclaimed to Major Scho6eld. "The day
is lost;" but the Major said, mo. General,
let US try once more" So they tried,
and the General fell. 1t was now little
after nine o'clock, and the battle had rag
ed with 6erceness seldom If ever eqnalled,
for over three hours. The smoke hung
like storm clond over the valley, 6t
emblem for the mourning of the departed
hero.
He sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his bals
No sound can awake him to glory as.n."
The battle ragged for two hours or more,
the command devolving Maj. Sturgis.
The enemy made repeated attempts to
retske the heights from which they had
been driven. bat were gallantly repulsed
each time. The Kansas regiments be.
hsved with q bravery seldom or never
eqraled, forming ambuscadcs for the ben
eft Of the rebels. lying fiat on the ground
until the enemy came near enough to see
their eye-bslls, when they would pour o
deadly volley into their opponents. and
again remain in possession Of the field.
The last repulse Of the enemy was the
most glorious of all, and was participat
in by members of every regiment on tho
field. The enemy came fresh. and deceiv-
ell our men BY bearing . Union flag.
causing them to believe Seigel was about
making ajunction with our forces. Dis
covering the ruse just in time. our gal
liant boys rushed upon the enemy. who,
with four cannon, belching forth loud
mouthed thunder, were on the point of
having their efforts crowned With success,
and again drove them. with great loss,
down the slope on the South side of the
hill. Capt. Totten's ammunition was now
nearly exhausted, and placing Dubois
battery on the hill at the North end of
the valley. Maj. Sturgis ordered the amb,.
lances to move towards town. The in
fantry. and Totten's full battery. followed
in good order, and were not pursued by
the enemy, who was evidently glad to be
let alone. When Gen. Seigel, who com.
msnded the Eastern Division, heard the
roar of Totten's artillery, be at once at
tackled the enemy in his quarter, driving
him half . mile. and taking possession Of
his camp. extending Westward to the
Fayetteville rosd. Here Q terrible Gre
was poured into his ranks BY q regiment
which be had permitted TO- Iedvance with
in few psces or him. supposing il to BE-
the Iowa 6rss. His men scattered con.
and Col. Solomon's could not
be rallied. consequently Seigel lost Eve Of
his guns, the other being brought away
BY Capt. Flaeg. who compelled his pris-
oners. some sixty in number, to draw the
artillery of the Geld. Our troops took
some four hundred horses, and about sew
enty prisoners. and compelled the enemy
to burn nearly al Of his baggage. to keep
E.Arr f~1ls.. go L. l.