The Nevada Democrat., 1861-08-29

lney said, "Cffve US leader and we will
follow to the deathln On came the enemy,
in overwhelming numbers, confident of vic.
tory. No time could be lost to select n lea.
der. Il will lead yon," exclaimed Lyoo.
'come ont and placing himself in the van.
received fatal bullet Just at the Dit Of tbr
stomach, which killed him instantly. The
IOwas delivered theirs fre, and the enemv
retreated-so there was no need of charging
bayouets.
On the Tuesday night previous Gen, Ly.
on had arranged for a night attack upon
the enemy, but singularly found himself
delayed two hours behiHd the proper time
| for starting, 10y rumors Of skirmish on
the prairie west Of the town, and the nj.
tack was postponed. On Wednesday be
said TO me well, believe our term OF
soldering is about completed, have tried
earnestly to discharge my whole duty to the
Government, and appealed to them for rein.
fOrcements and supplies; but they do not
come and the enemy is getting the advan.
tage of u.s." He then called council Of
war, at which there was nearly a unanimous
voice for evacuating Springfield. Gen.
Sweeney pleaded anxiously against that
course, declared 1t would be the ruin of the
Union cause in that quarter of the State.
aud urged battle as soon as the enemy
were within striking distance.
The council decided the course to be pur.
sued. and therefore when the brigade quar-
termaster inquired when we were to leave
Springfield, Gen. Lyon replied, mot be.
fore we are whipped This was the proper
course TO pursue. If he retreated without
a battle, be would certainly have been pur-
sued by boastfli and unpublished enemy
and very likely have his retreat entirely
cut off,
After being wounded, he exclaimed TO
Major ScOGeld, "The day is lost - bat the
Major said, "NO, General. let us try Il once
more )" so they tried, The General fell.
II was now little after O'Clock, ana
the battle had ragged with flerceness sell
dom If ever equaled, for over three hours,
aud il continued for two hours more. The
command devolved upon Major Sturgis
The enemy made repeated attempts to 70.
take the heights from which they had been
driven, but were gailantiy repulsed each
time.
The Illinois regiments behaved with ad-
mirable bravery, seldom or never equaled
laying ambuscades for the benefit OF the
rebels, by laying fiat on the ground until
the enemy came near enough for them To
see their eyebrows, whereupon they would
pour deadly volley into their opponents,
and then remainin possession Of the field.
The lastrepulse Of the enemy was the most
glorious Of all, and was participated in by
members Of every regiment on the field
The enemy came freGh, and deceived our
men by bringing UniOn flag, causing
them TO believe Sigel was making juhc.
tion with our forces. Discovering the ruse
Just 10 time, our gallant boys rushed upon
the enemy, who. having four cannon, were
on the point Of having their efforts crown.
cd with success, and drove the enemy on
the south side Of the hill. Capt. Totteu's
ammunition was now nearly exhausted and
placing Dubois battery on the hill, at tho
north end Of the valley, Major Sturgis or.
dered the ambuanCes 10 move towards
town.
Among the prisoners taken was sur.
geon living in st. Charles county. lie was
Immediately released, and DR.. Melcher &C
companied him to the rebel Generals, or.
ranging for the return of our ambulance
10 bring ia our wounded and dead. Lieut.
Col. Horace ii. Brand. Of the lst regiment,
forces at Boonville, aud who said he was
now acting as aid to Gen. Price, was taken
prisoner early in the day.
When Gen. Sigel, who commanded the
eastern division, heard the roar Of Totten's
artillery he at once attacked the enemy IN
bis quarters, driving them half mile, and
taking possession Of bis camp, extending
eastward to the Fayetteville road. Here .
terrible fire was poured into his ranks by IA
regiment which he had permitted to ad-
vance within a few PAGES Of him, suppOsing
il to be the Iowa lst. His men scattered
considerably, and Col. SalOmon's could not
be rallied together again consequently
Gen. Sigel lost five Of bis guns. the other
being brought away by Capt. Flagg, who
compelled his prisoners to drawthe artillery
of The field.
Our troops took some 400 horses end
about 70 prisoners, and compelled the ene-
my to burn nearly all bis baggage to keepit
from falling into our hands. The enemy
had Il pieces Of cannon, including those
taken from Sigel. There was none Of them
worked with precision, every shot for near.
ly an hour going at least twenty feet over
our heads
Our loss is about 200 killed and 600 Or
700 wounded, while the loss Of the enemy
must have been double our own. Dr.
Schneek, who was in the rebel camp al
late hour last evening, bringing away
our wounded, reports our men comparative
ly few with those Of the rebels, wb0se
5ood ,para ly;no fbiclr under the treps