Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-08-22
The Retreat from springfield.
From the St. Louis Republican


RoLLA. Saturday morning, Aug. Ito
day it may be fairly said that the army which
was in the battle near Springfield has reached
the terminus OF It's long and tedious march.
The terminus, however. is not Rolla, as was
at first expected. but Il place about eight
miles southwest of here, On the road to
Springfield, where there is plenty of water
and other facilities for camp. The distance
is so short as to induce an almost continuous
tide of travel between the camp and the
town. and the road for miles is seen cove red
with horsemen, wagons, buggies, and pedes-
trians, making their way in or out. All the
hotels and taVerns in town are crowed to ov-
erhowing. Among the guests are quite
large number of officers of the retreating
army, who have come into town to enjoy
more comfortable quarters than can be afford
ed them in camp. They are not very talka-
tive, but seem fatigued from their long march
and considerably depressed by the unsatisfac-
tory result of their heroic labors.
1t has been generally supposed that Gene
sal Sigel conducted the whole retreat from
Springfield to Rolla. But this is not so. Ma
jOr Sturgis is now in command. The circum-
stances, as far as can ascertain, are as fol-
lows: On the morning of the commence
ment of the retreat, Gen. Sigel assumed COM
mand OF the troops, all the officers ac9uiesc-
ing on the superstition that he had received
his commission as Brigadier General. On
the same day, by the direction of Sigel, the
troops marched some thirty miles. But on
the very next day he caused them to relax
their pace so as to march only six miles. 1t
was presumed from this that it was his inten-
ton 10 Institute another Carthage retreat,
inviting the enemy to come on, and dealing
them blow after blow as he went along. 1t
was, moreover, observed that Sigel would as
sign the rear guard service almost exclusive
ly to the regulars, thereby causing them
much Inconvenience, as they had to march at
least five miles behind the van, and could not
get into camp at night until twelve O'Clock.
These two circumstances called forth much
complaint. 1t was agreed among the officers
that the troops could not, in their present
weakened situation, afford TO be drawn into
another battle, and the practice of Sigel in
assigning regulars to the rear guard service
to the exclusion of the volunteers, was con-
strued into an undue preference for the lat
ter. The question next arose whether Sigel
had received his formal commission as Briga-
dier-General, and, it being found that he had
not, Major Sturgis assumed the command, by
right OF his superior title, and conducted the
retreat for the remaining days.
Gen. Sigel had been ordered to take po-
sition south OF Springfield, but instead of
| that, seeing that be could gain an advantage
over the enemy, he pushed on further, and
came TO position southwest. He was there
mistaken by Captain Totten for the enemy,
and received disastrous fire from aim,
| which. according to Sigel's own words.
| proved TO Tim the most destructive fire he
received that whole day. Major Sturgis. as
soon as he saw the mistake, ordered Captain
| ToIten to desist; but the injury had been
done. and the ill-feeling which had been ere
| ated could not be obliterated.
| Nothing later has been heard of the move
ments of the Confederate army. Captain
McFall, at the head OF a detachment of cav
| slry.>will proceed to-day or tomorrow with
i a flag of truce, in order to disinter the body
of General Lyon, and bring it to this place.
He will also request of the Confederates TO
be allowed to take a list of the wounded in
| the Springfield Hospital. There are now in
| all from 9 1000 to 10000 troops in and about
Rolla, idcluding Major Sturgis' command
| Others are expected. and SO soon as a suffi-
| cient number has arrived, and all prepare
tion for the transportation of baggage and
| camp stores, you may expect grand move
| ment Southwark movement which, it is
hoped, will prove fatal to the invaders of our
| soil.