Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-08-20
Further Particulars Of the Great Battle at
- Springfield, Missouri.


- Springfield, Missouri.
From the Springfield correspondence Of the
Missouri Democrat we make up the following
account Of the recent battle at that place:
SPRIssFIzLD, GREEN COUNTY, Mo y
Sunday, August u, 1861.
Night before last a little army Of hfty-txo hun
dred men moved in two columns on a march OF
twelve or fifteen miles to attack body of rebels
Of view the move was one OF doubtful propriety,
not to say absolute rashnea. The larger forcs
were, with the exception Of three thousand men
well armed and equipped, and they had a very
large body Of cavalry. But the question of evacu-
ating Springfield the key of the entire southwest,
had already been discussed and settled In the
negative.
General siegel, with six pieces of cannon, his
own regiment, and that Of Colonel Solomon s.
moved In a southerly direction, marching about
fifteen miles, passing around the extreme south
light or for the sound Of artillery from the north
west to announce the opening Of the battle
General Lyon, with the volunteers composing
the Missouri First, Lieut. Colonel ndrews; Iowa
First, Lieut.. Colonel Merritt; Kapsss First, Col
Deitzler; and Second, Colonel Mitchell; part Of
the Missouri Second, under Major Osterhaus and
detac hment Of twenty men from Colonel Wy
mans Illinois Regiment, three or four com panies
Of mounted Home Guards, q force of regulars
about eight hundred strong, and two batteries of
four and six pieces respectively, left Springfield
until two a. m when we halted for two hours
at which time Captain Gilbert's company of reg
ulars snd Major Osterhaus's battalion were thrown
out as skirmishers on either side of the column
and we moved forward.
Shortly after five O'Clock party Of rebels act
Ing as picket was seen scattering over the hills
had already penetrated far enough to cut off their
route, unless they took a very circuitous one in
which case We should reach camp ahead of them
We soon came in sight Of the valley In which
they were encamped. thousand tents stretch
ing OF Into the distance and partially screened
from view by hill jutting into an angle Of Will
son creek were before us, presenting as animated
appearance al young city The enemy's camp
extended 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 south
ward about mile, thence eastward a mile and
hall, and then southwark half a mile, following
the windings Of the creek, along whose banks
the gently sloping hills on either side afforded
the most excellent camping ground.
The battlefield viewed by your correspondent
where the most severe fighting was done was
along the ridges and hills on either side (nostIy
on the west) Of the stream for the first mile men
toned above, where the creek runs In a southerly
direction.
As we crossed the hill on the north, moving in
southwesterly direction, Capt. Wright with the
mounted Home Guards was sent to the east side
30 as 70 cut on party Of Rebels In that 'di-
Iection. Adjutant Hancock, with a glass rode
to the brow Of the hill, where looking down be
could see every movement Of the enemy beneath
him.
On the sides Of the first ridge on the western
side Of the valley, Col. Blair's regiment, at ten
minutes after six O'Clock, encountered heavy
force OF Infantry, not less than a regiment and
after a severe contest they gained the. summit
and the defeated Rebels dispersed rapidly going
In direction which rendered 1t impossible for
any considerable number Of them to again par
ticipate in the battle. Tottsn's battery then
threw few balls as feelers, to draw out the enc
my's cannon.
Col. Blair's regiment then moved forward and
were soon met by well equipped regiment Of
Louisiana troops, whom after bitter contest of
Iorty-nVs minutes, they succeeded in routing,
though suffering severely themselves. UaP:
Lathrop's company Of rife recruits now assisted
them and together they, with Maj Osterhauss
men, moved up the second hill, which was con-
siderably larger than the first, and meeting a
third regiment, finally succeeded In driving
them back with the assistant Of Totten's bate
", and gaining the summit In this part Of the
hght the gallant Missouri volunteers acted brave
lY, indeed, no words Of praise could more than
do them justice.
During this engagement two com panies Of reg
ulars were sent 70 the east side Of the creek TO
engage a force which operating against
Capt. Wrisht's cavalry, sheltering themselves
behind fence. Capt. Plummer and Captain
Gilbert with their companies marched close up
to the fence and delivered effective FIRE, but
were com ed by great odds TO retire, which
they did, but again renewed the attack. The
enemy being largely reinforced, and having now
at least three thousand men, inmped over into
the cornfeld, and Capt Plummer's gallant band
was Immediately threatened with annihilation.
They retreated rapidly, firing as they did SO,
when Lieut.. Dubois having got his battery under
headway on 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 exploded Just they reached
the dsnse mass Of secessionists, scattering them
Hfeless on 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 First Gen LYON had previously had
poor opinion Of the fighting qualities Of these
men, formed more from suppositon than upon
any real failure In duty, but now the time had
oome for him to reverse his judgment, which he
did after their hrst repulse Of the enemy. They
fought like tigers, drove the enemy back, and
followed up the advantage gained for oonsid-
srsble distance.
his regiment was engaged. Lieut.. Purcell was
mortally wounded. Major Porter and Col Mer-
ritt, gallantlv cheering on their boys, escaped
unharmed. The Kansas First and Second Regi-
ments were now ordered forward to support the
right nank Of the lOwas
Colonel Green's regiment Of Tennessee cavalry
bearing a Secession flag, now charged upon our
two Oompsnie. Of infantry. Seeing the ns move. e.
meat, Capt. Totten poured a few rounds Of canis-
ter Into their ranks just In time to save our sick
men from being trampled TO death, dispersing the
rebels 50 completely that nothing more was seen
Of them during the day.
Gen. lyon now desired the Iowa boys, whom
he had found so brave to prepare to meet the next
onset Of the enemy with the bayonet immediately
after firing. They said, g Give US a leader and
we will follow TO death" On came the enemy
in overwhelming numbers, confident Of victory
over such Q meager force No time could be lost
TO select leader. &" will lead YOU - said Lyon;
"Come on, brave men," and placing himself In
the van, received fatal bullet In the pit Of his
stomach, which killed him instantly. The Iowas
delivered thar IRE, and the enemy retired; so
there was no need Of charging bayones. General
Lyons body was carefully picked up and con-
veyed toward the ambulances by two Of his body
guard. In his death, In his life, he was the
same devoted, patriotic soldier, regarding his own
life Of no value II he could but rescue bis country
His body hss been brought hither and embalmed, /,
for conveyance to his friends in Connecticut
There was no feeling Of depression on the part of
the troops at the unexpected calamity, but rather
feeling Of quiet determination to revenge his
death.
It was now q little after nine O'Clock, and the
battle bad ragged with nerceness seldom IL ever
equalled, for over three hours.
The battle ragged for two hours more, the COM
msRd deyolying upon Major Stursis. fhe enemy
made rspested attempts TO reAke the heig hts from,
which they had been driven, but Were gallantly
rrpulssd each time. The Kansas regiments be-
haved with q bravery seldom or never equalled
forming ambuscades for the benefit Of the rebels
by laying hat on tbs ground until the enemy
csme near enough for them TO see their eye
brows, when they would pour a deadly vollsy
into their opponents and again remain In posses
sion Of the feld- The last repulse Of the enemy