The Nevada Democrat., 1861-08-29
Aerada aemutrat.
"Details OF the BatlIe of WIIsOm's Creek.
SPRINGFIELD Mo. Auuust IL.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo-, August IL.
Night before last little army of 6.2O0
formed, in two columns, on march of IL
or Is miles, to attack body Of rebels
about 1000 strong. In military point Of
view, the move was one of doubtful propri-
ETY., not to say absolute rashness. The larger
force were, with the exception of 5000 men
well armed aud equipped, and they had a
very large body OF cavalry, but the question
of evacuating Springfield, the key to enter
the southwest, had already been discussed
and settled in the negative.
Gen. Sigel, with pieces of cannon, HE
own regiment and that of Col. Solomon's,
moved in sOutherly direction, marching
about 10 miles, passing around the extreme
southeastern camp of the enemy, and halted
until daylight, or for the sound Of artillery
from the northwest TO announce the open
ing OF the battle.
Gen. Lyon, " ith the volunteers composing
the Missouri lst, Lieut.. Col. Andrews; Iowa
lst, Lieut.. Col. Arrit; Kansas LIST, COL
Detzler, and Kansas I'd, Col. Mitchell Hart;
part Of the Missouri I'd, under Major Oster-
haus, and detach ment Of 200 men from
COL Wyman's Illinois regiment; three or
four companies Of mounted Home Guards;
force Of regulars about 800 strong, aud
two batteries, Of four and six pieces respec
lively, left Springfield about 8P.M. We
marched steadily along until A. NJ, when
we halted for two hO1rs. AT this time Capt.
Gilbert's company Of regulars aud Major
Osterhau's battalion were thrown out as
skirmishers on both sides Of the column, and
we moved forward on the sides Of the first
ridge on the western side Otthe valley.
Col. Blair's regiment, at 10 minutes after
8 o'clock encountered hea Wy force of in-
fantry-nOt less than full refiment. After
a short contest, they gained the summit, and
the defeated rebels dispersed rapidly, going
10 direction which rendered it impossible
for any considerable number of them to
again participate 10 the battle. Totten's
battery then threw few balls as feelers TO
draw out the enemy's cannon. Col. Blair's
regiment advanced forward aud were soon
met by well-equipped regiment of Louis
lana troops, which, after bitter contest OF
45 minutes, they succeeded in routing,
though suffering severely themselves. Capt.
Lathrop's company of rife recruits now as
sisted them, aud, together, they, with Naj.
Osterhaus's men, moved up the second bill,
WuiCu WhH tuuu tuC -
and meeting third regiment, finally suG.
eeeded in driving them back, with the assis-
tance Of TOtten's battery, gaining the sum
NIT. In this part Of the fight the gallant
Missouri volunteers acted Lravely; indeed,
no words of praise could more than do them
justice.
During this engagement two companies
of regulars we're sent TO the east side of the
creek to engage force which was opera
ting against Capt Wright's cavalry, shell
teriug themselves behind fence. Captain
Gilbert, with these companies marched close
up to the fence and delivered an effective
fire, but were compelled by great odds to
retire, which they did, bot again renewed
the attack. The enemy being largely rein
forced, aud having now at least 5000 men,
jumped over into the corn6eld. and Captain
Plnmmer's gallant command was lmmedi-
ately threatened with annihilation. They
retreated rapidly, firing as they did so, when
Lieut.. Dubois having got bis battery under
headway on the hill near the Missouri vol
unteers, seeing the position Of affairs on the
opposite side Of the valley, threw in the
most precise manner several shells, which
exploded just as they reached the dense mass
of SeeessiOnists, scattering them lifeless on
The ground in scores, while all who could
we're glad TO run for dear life.
The gallant men 10 Col. Blair's regiment
we're now ordered back. and their position
taken by the Iowa lst Gen. Lyon bad pre-
viousIy had poor opinion of the fighting
qualities of these men, formed more from
supposition than upon any real failure OF
duty. But now the time had come for him
to reverse bis Judgment which he did after
their first repulse Of the enemy. They
fought like tigers. drove the enemy back,
and followed uo the advantage gained for
considerable distance. Capt Mason, CON-
pany G, was killed az soon as his regiment
was engaged Lieut.. Pierce was mortally
wounded.
The Kansas lst and I'd regiments, we're
now ordered forward 10 support the right
flank Of the Zonaves. Col. Greene regiment
of Tennessee cavalry, bearing a secession
flag, now charged upon our wounded, who
were partially guarded by one or two COM
panies Of infantry. Seeing the movement,
Capt. Totten poured few rounds OF CAMS
ter into their ranks just 10 time to save our
sick men from being trampled to death,
dispersing the rebels so completely that
notbing more was seen Of them during the
day.
Gen. Lyon now desired the IOwas to pre-
pare to meet the next onset Of the enemy