Nebraska advertiser., 1861-08-22

pert Win lnelT companies HdlCuCu CIOoC
up TO the fence and delivered an effective
fire, but were compelled by great odds
to retire, which they did, but again re-
newed the attack. The enemy being
largely reinforced, and having now 81
least three thousand men, jumped over
into the corn field, and Captain Plum
mer's gallant band was imminently threat
ened with humiliation. They retreated
rapidly, firing as they did so, when Lieut.
Dubois, having gotten his battery under
Roadway on the hill near the Missouri
volunteers, seeing the position of affairs
on the opposite side of the valley, he
threw in tie most precise manner sever
al shells, which exploded just as they
reached the dense mass OF s~ecesslonls;s,
scattering them lifeless on the ground IN
scores, while all wIo could, were glad to
run for dear life.
The gallant men in Col. Blair's regi-
ment were now ordered back, and their
position taken by the Iowa First. Gen.
Lyon had previously had a poor opinion
of the fighting qualities of these men,
formed more from supposition than upon
any real failure IN duty, but now the time
had come for him to reverse his judg-
ment, which he did after their first re-
pulse Of the enemy. They fought like
tigers, drove the enemy back, and fol-
lowed up the advantage gained for Il con.
siderable distance. Capt. Mason, Com
pany c, was killed soon after his regi-
ment was engaged. Lieutenant Purcell
was MORALLY wounded. MAJOR Porter
and Col. Merritt gallantly cheering on
their boys, escaped unhurt. The Kansas
First and Second regiments were now
ordered forward to support the right
flank of the Iowa's.
Col. Green's regiment Of Tennessee
cavalry, bearing a secession flag, now
charged upon our wounded, who were
partially guarded by two companies of
infantry. Seeing the movement, Capt.
lotion poured a few rounds of canister
into their ranks Just in time to save our
sick men from being trampled to death,
dispensing the rebels so completely that
nothing more was seen Of them during
the day.
Gen. Lyon now desired the Iowa boys
whom be had found so brave, to prepare
to meet the next onset of the enemy by
the bayonet, Immediately after firing
They said, Give us a leader and we'll
follow to death" On came the enemy,
in overwhelming numbers, confident of
victory over such a meager force. No
time cOuldibe lost to select a leader. 81
will lead. you" exclaimed Lyon. Come
on, brave men, and placing himself in
the van, received a bullet just at the pit
of the stomach, which killed him instan-
ly. The Iowas delivered their fire and
the enemy retired, so there was nc need
of charging bayOnets. Gen. Lyons bo-
dy was carefully picked up and conveyed
l~ifeless toward the ambulances by two of
his body guard.
On the Tuesday night previous he had
arranged for a night attack upon the en-
nv, but singularly found himself delay
ed two hours behind the proper time for
starting, by rumors of a skirmish IN the
prairie west of town, and the attack was
postponed. On Wednesday he said to
me: "Well, l believe our soldering is
about completed. l have tried earnestly
to discharge my whole duty to the Gov
eminent, and appealed to them for rein
forcements and supplies but, alas, they
do not come, and the enemy is getting
the advantage of u.s." He then called
a council of war, at which there was a
nearly unanimous voice for evacuating
Springfield. Gen. Sweeny plead eIo-
quently against such a course, declared
it would be the ruin Of the Union cause
in that quarter os the State, and urged a
battle as soon as the enemy were within
striking distance. He also pointed on
the loss of reputation both to the Genera
and his officers which would follow such
a step.
This counsel decided the course to be
pursued, and Tuesday, when the brigade
quartermaster inquired when we were TO
leave Springfield, Gen. Lyon replied
"Not before we are whipped" After
being wounded, he exclaimed to Major
Schofeld, 1.-The day is lost" but the Ma
ior said, mo, General, let us try once
more" They tried and the Generalfel
1t was now a little after nine O'Clock, and
the battle had ragged with a ~ferceness
seldom equalled, for over three hours.
The smoke hung like a storm cloud yer
the valley, a fit emblem of mourning for
the departed hero.
He sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his last battle
No sound shall awake him to glory again"
The battle ragged for two hours more,
the command devolving on Mai. Sturgis,
The enemy made repeated efforts to re-
take the nights from which they had been
repulsed, but were gallantly driven back
each time.
The last repulse Of the enemy was the
most glorious of all, and was participant
ed in by members of every regiment il
the field. The enemy came fresh-re-
serve regiments-and deceived our men.
by carrying the American Flag, causing
them to believe hat Seigel was making
a junction with our forces. Discovering
the ruse Just In time, our gallant boys
rushed upon the enemy, who with four
cannon belching forth loud mouthed thun-
der, 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 af the hill.
When Gen. Sigel, who commanded the