The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-09-10
THE BATTLE NEAR SPRINGFIELD.
Official report Of Gen. Mc Cui1ouch.
HEADQUARTERS, near Springfield. Mo-,
August 18th, 1861.

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&. S. H.:
following official report of the battle of the Oak
Hills, on the 10th inst. Having taken position
about ten miles from Springfield | endeavored to
gain the necessary information of the strength and
position OF the enemy, stationed in and about the
town. The information was very conflicting and
unsatisfactory. | however made up my mind to
attack the enemy in their position, and issued
orders on the 9th inst. to my force to start at 9
O'Clock at nj ght, to attack at four different points
at day-llght. few days before, Gen. Price, in
command oi the Missouri force, turned over his
command to me, and | assumed command Of the
entire force, comprising my own brigade, the
brigade of Arkansas State forces, under Gen.
Pearce, and Gen. Prices command Of Missourians.
My effective force was FIVE thousand three hun
dred infantry, fifteen pieces of artillery, and six
thousand horsemen, armed with hlnt-lock muskets,
rifles and shot-guns There were other horsemen
with the army who were entirel unarmed, and
instead of being help were continually in the
way. When the time arrived for the nj ght march,
1t commenced to ra IN slightly, and fearing from
the want OF cartridge boxes that my ammunition
would be ruined, | ordered the movement to be
stopped, hoping to move the next morning. My
men had but twenty-five rounds Of cartridges
apiece, and there was to be had While
still hestating in the morning, the enemy was re-
ported advancing, and l made arrangements to
meet him. The attack made simultaneously
at half past five A. NJ, right and left fanks,
and the enemy had gained tie positions they
desired.
Gen. Lyon attacked us on our left and Gen
Siegel on our right and rear From these points
batteries opened upon US. My command was soon
ready. The Assourans, under Gems. Slack, Clark
Mcbride, Parsons and Raines, were nearest the
position taken by Gen. Lyon, with his main torce
they we're instantly turned to the left and opened
the battle with an incessant fire Of small arms
Woodruff opposed his battery to the battery of the
enemy under Capt. Totten, and constant can
nonading was kept up between these batteries
during. the battle. 1erbcrts regiment of Louisiana
Volunteers and McIntosh's regiment of Arkansas
Mounted Rlfemen ordered to the front, and
after passing the battery (Tottens) turned to the
left and soon engaged the enemy with the regi-
ments deployed Col Mcintosh dismounted his
men, and the two marched up abreast to fence
around large corn field, where they met the left
OF the enemy already posted. A terrible conflict
Of small arms took place here. The opposing
force body Of Regular United States
Infantry, commanded by Capts. Plummer and
Gilbert.
Notwithstanding the CALLING fire poured on
these two regiment, they leaped over the fence
aud, gallantly led by their Colonels, drove the
enemy before them, back upon the main body.
During this time, the Missourans under Gen
Price, were nobly attempting 10 sustain them
selves in the centre, aud hotly engaged OIL
the sides of the hegh: upon which the enemy
were posted. Far on the right, Seigel had opened
his battery upon Churchlls and Greers regiments,
and had gradually made his way to the Spring
field road, upon each side Of which the army was
encamped, and in prominent position he
established his battery | at once took two com
panes of the Louisiana regiment, who were near
est me, and marched them rapidly from the front
and right to the rear, with an order to Colonel
Mcintosh to bring up the rest. When we arrived
near the encmy's battery, We found that Reids
battery had opened upon it, and it was already
in confusion. Advantage taken of it. and
soon the Louisianians were gallantly charging
among the guns, and swept the cannoneers away.
Five guns were here taken, and General Seigels
completely routed, were in rapid re-
treat, with single gun, followed by some COM
panies of the Texas egiment, and portion Of
Col Majors Missouri cavalry. In the pursuit,
many of the enemy killed and taken priso-
ners, and their last gun captured
Having cleared our right ard rear, it was
necessary to turn attention to the centre, under
Gen. Lyon, who was pressing upon the Missourans,
having driven them back. To this point Nc
Intoshs regiment, under Lieut.. Col. Emery and
Churchilps regiment, on foot, Gratoit's regiment
and McRae's battalion, were sent to their aid
a terrible fire Of musketry now kept up
1loag the whole side and top Of the hill, upon
which the enemy were posted Masses Of infantry
fell back and rushed forward The summit of
The hill was covered with the dead and wounded
both sides were fighting with desperation for the
day Carrols and Greer's regiments, led gallantly
BY Captain Bsadfute, charged the battery, but the
Fhoe strength of the enemy were immediately in
real and deadly fire WAS opened on them. At
his critical moment, when the fortune Of the
lay seemed to be at the turning point, two regi-
nents of General Perce's brigade ordered
% march from their position, Gas reserves) to sup
port the centre The order obeyed with
llacrty, and Gen Pierce gallantly rushed with
his brigade to the rescue.
Reads battery was also ordered to move forward,
md the Louisiana regiment was again called into
.ction on the left of it. The battle then became
general, and probably no two opposing forces ever
ought with greater desperation. Inch by inch
he enemy gave way and were driven from their
position Totten battery fell back Mi>sourians,
rkansians Louisanians and Texans pushed |
onward. The incessant roll of musketry was
and the balls fell thick as EaistOnes;
,ut still our gallant Southerners pushed onward,
nd with one wild yell broke upon the enemy, |
,ushing them back and strewing the ground with I
heir dead Nothing co1ld withstand the i'm
,etuosity of our final charge. The enemy fed
md could not again be rallied, and they were seen
q IL 81. fast rstreating ameng the bills ia the |