The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-08-22
The Great Battle at Springfield,

The Great Battle at Springfield.
Correspondence of the St. Louis Democrat
SPRINGFIELD, Green Co., No.,
Sunday, Aug. II, 1851
Night before last little army OF fifty hun
dred men moved in two columns on march of
twelve or fifteen miles TO attack body of rebels
twenty-five thousand strong. IN military point
of view, the move was one of doubtful prOpriety,
not to say absolute rashness. The larger force
were, with the exception of three thousand men,
we'll agmed and equipped, and they had very
large body CT cavalry. But the question of evac-
uating Springfield, the key OF the entire South
west had already been discussed aud settled in
the negative 1t decided that the loyal citizens
of Green and the surrounding counties should hot
have cause to say we had left them without strug
gle, Abandoned themselves their families, their
ALL to heartess aud desperate foe, until the enc
my felt steel and tried the mettle OF our troops.
That mettle proved itselfworthy the great cause
in which it was engaged The Union troops who
fought and won the battle of yesterday need no
higher mark, brighter name than the laurels
earned Justly entitle them to. They fought like
brave men, taAg and well
Gen. Sigel, with SIX pieces of cannon, his own
regiment and that of Col. SaloQon's, moved in Il
southerly direction, marching about fifteen miles
passing around the extreme southern camp of the
enemy and halted until daylight, or for the sound
of artillery from the southwest to announce the
opening Ut the battle.
Gen Lyon, with tie volunteers composing the
Missouri First, Lieut., Col, Andrews Love First,
Lieut. Col. Merritt Kansas First, Colonel Deitg-
Ter; and Second Colonel Mitchell part Of the
Missouri Second, under Major Osterhaus; and a
detachment of twenty men from Colonel lyman 8
Illinois REGIMENT three oi four companies OF
mounted Home Gaardsj force OF regulars about
eight hundred strong, ana t%Q batteries OF four
and SIX pieces respectively, lett Springfield about
eight o clock P. III, marching slowly until A. NJ,
| halt fart W., Mt
GiIbert's company of regulars and Major Oster-
hans 5 battalion were thrown out as sklrmishers
on either side of the Column, and we moved for
ward.
ing as picket, seen scattering over the hills
to give the alarm, but portion of our column had
already penetrated far enough to cut off their
route, unless they took very circuitous one, III
which case we should reach camp ahead of them.
We soon came in sight Of the valley in which
they wsre eneamped A thousand tents sffe ching
eff into the DISTANCE and partially screened from
view by hill juttag lRt9 an angleof Wilson Greek
were before US, presenting as animated an appear
ance as Il Young CITY, The enemys camp extend
cd from the head of the valley, overlooked on the
north, east and west sides by hills and ridges two
or three hundred feet in height southwark about a
mile, thence eastward miie and half, and then
southwark halt mile, following the windings of
the creek. along whose banks the gentle siopihg
hills either side Rttol ded the most excellent
camping ground.
Near the northern end of the valley lived John
1IcNary, formerly from Indiana, who, finding the
rebels within five miles, on Tuesday last packed
up his few wordly goods, took his family, and
started for the good old u oosier State, where it is
not crime 10 be loyal to the government under
which we live. Not less than tweaty or thirty
families, living on farms in the vicinity, started
about the time, most of them having little or
no idea where they were going except TO escape
from the danger which threatened them.
The battlefield. viewed by your correspondent,
where the most severe fighting was done, was
along the ridges and hills on either side mostly on
the West) Vi the stream for the first mile mention
ed above, where the creek runs in shutoerly di
reotiOn.
As we crossed the hill Oh the north, moving in
Il southwesterIy direction, Capt. Wright with the
mounted Home Guards, was sent TO the east side,
as to cut off party Ofrebes seen in that direc
ton. Adjutant Hascock, with glass, rode TO the
brow of the HILL where, looking down, he could sec
every movement OF the enemy beneath him. His
appearance in full view caused great hubbub in
the rebel camp, which had already been thorough
ly aroused by our appearance, and camps and bag
gage were hastily loaded and moved towards the
south. We had completely surprised them. The
evidence of that fact was everywhere visible, but
they had got quickly into line of battle-their
clouds of cavalry were visible, and their twenty
one pieces of cannon not long silent after
had opened the engagement
On the sides of the first ridge on the western side
of the valley, Col Blair regiment at ten minutes
after six O'Clock, encountered heavy force OF ill.,
fantry, not less than full regment, and after
severe contest they gained the summit and the de-
feated rebels dispersed rapidly, going in direc-
ton which rendered 1t impossible for any consid
cradle number ofthem to again participate in the
battle. Totten's battery then threw few balls as
feeers to draw out the enemy's cannon
Col. Blairs regiment moved forward and were
soon met by we'll equipped regiment of LOuisi'
ana troops, whom, after bitter contest of forty
five minutes, they succeeded in routing, though
suffering severely themselves. Capt Lathrops
company OF rifle recruits now assisted them, and
together they, with Maj. Osterhaus' men, moved
up the second hill, WHICH was considerably larger
than the first, and meeting third regiment. finally
succeeded in driving them back, with the assist
anoe of Tottens battery, and gaining the summit.
In this part of the fight the gallant Missouri vol
unteers acted brevely-indeed, no words of prase
could more than do them justice.
OF course many acts of valor were performed not
witnessed by me, but among those saw conspic
uous were Captain GratZ, leading his men against
overwhelming odds, and fallinl in death just as he
had repulsed the foe; Lieut. Murphy dashing for
ward ahead of the line, waving his sword high in
the air, shouting onward TO the almost wavering
men, who gained fresh courage from the exhibit
ton and pushing forward, drove the enemy from
the field. In this fight, many of our brave soldiers
fell to rise no more, while Colonel Andrews had
his horse shot from under him and was wounded
himself slightly. General Lyon suffered in SINH
lar manner Captains Lavender, Cole and Yates, |
each slightly or at least not dangerously wounded;
Conant and Rogers, more or less severely wound. |
ed.
During this engagement two companies ofregu-
lars were sent to the east side of the creek to en-
gage force which was operating against Capt. |
Wrignt's cavalry, sheltering themselves behind
fence Capt. Plummer and Capt. Gilbert with
their companies marched close up to the fence and
delivered an effective fire. but were compelled by
great odds retire, which they did, but again re
newed the attack. The enemy being largely rein |
iniorced, and having now at least three thousand
men, jumped over into the corn fed, and captain |
Plummers gallant band was Immediately threat |
ened with humiliation. They retreated rapidly, |
firing they did SO. when Lieut.. Dubois having |
got his battery under Roadway the hill near the
Missouri volunteers, seeing the position of affairs
ON the opposite side of the valley, threw in the |
most precise manner several shells which expl O. |
ded just they reached the dense mass Of seces-
sionists scattering them liteless the ground in
scores, while all who could were glad to run for
dear life.
The gallant men in Col. Blair's regiment were
now ordered back and their position taken by the
Iowa tirst. Gen. Lyon had previously had fromed
poor opinion OF the fighting qualities of these men
more from suppositlon than upon any real fail
IRE in duty, but now the time had come for him to
reverse his Judgment which he did after their iEst
repulse of the enemy They fought like tigers
irove the enemy back, and followed up the adj
vantage gained for considerable distance. Capt.
Mason, Company C,was killed soon after his Teg-
nent was engaged. Lieut.. Purcell was mortally
wounded. Major Porter and Col. Merrill gallant
y cheering on their boys, escaped unharmed-l
The Kansas First and Second Regiments were or
dered forward to support the right fank OF the
Iowas.
Col Green's regiment of Tennessee cavalry J