Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-08-21
IS Tcci:d D,sl at,l to The Chiesgo TrihuIe !
The Battle Of Springfield.
ST. Lor1s. Aun. 10 ?. N

ST. Louis, Aug. l4-2 ?. NJ.
The following is an account of the bat
tie near Springfield, by Capt. Fairchild, of
the lst Kansas regiment, who has arrived
at Rolla:
We had been diminishing in view to
81 the enemy, when on Thursday night,
it was reported Nv a party of our cavalry
that his outposts we're four miles southwes
of Springfield. The Ist and I'd Kansas
Regiments, two companies of cavalry and
two or three companies of Regulars, were
ordered out to engage him if possible
When they came within attacking distance.
they formed line of battle, but the enemy
withdrew.
Next day at 5 P. NJ, We received or
ders to take one days ~rationsi and prepare
for march. About Z O'Clock in the same
evening a greater part OF US, under Gcuer-
al Lyon, left Springfield. while Siegel re
manned behind as a reserve. Sicgel had
about 1900 men under him. We march
ed seven miles in the direction of the enc
M, and then rested for several hours. AT
G o'clock Saturday morning, resumed
our march, and after having preceded 3
miles further, came upon the enemy, who
were encamped on a piece Of ground ad-
Pirably adapted to their species of war
fare, covered at intervals with brushwoOd
and cornfield, and covering many r~ayines
for concealment. As soon as General Ly-
on came within sight Of the C-onfedcrates,
he opened 4 cannonade on them. 1t was
promptly and ably answered, and the bat
tie now fairly commenced, and in a short
time became general along the whole line.
A little before eight o'clock. Gen. Lyon
was wounded by q shot in the foot, and
his horse killed, and he retired to the rear
for surgical treatment.
1t so happened that our troops were
hard pressed by the C~onfedcrates Just al
this time. Things Logan to assume 9
threatening aspect, and Gen. Lyon seeing
the danger, at once dismissed all thought:
of his wound, mounted his horse and rode
in front of his men, and waving his la.
and handkerchief. called out to the bows t
rally and follow him. 4 ball struck hin
in the back and killed him instantly. The
effect of Lyons death upon our troops wa.
terrible. 4 feeling of CONSERVATION spread
through our ranks and depicted itself il
every countcnancc. At that moment haG
the enemy made a charge, cur troops
would have hardly resisted it with sue.
cess, and their defeat might have been ca.
ey; but soon every other feeling gave way
to a feeling Of revenge and deadly deter.
minatiOn. Major turgis promptly assum.
ed the command, and from that time until
+ o'clock in the afternoon, the combat last.
ed almost uninterruptediy, and was con-
Quoted with a fierccness on beth, sides rare
ly equallcd in the annals of war. Our
troops would have achieved a splendid vic,
tory, had It not been for the fearful odds
they had to contend against. On the side
of the Copfedcrates, 10000 to $4,000
were in the fght, and to these. up to 2
o'clock p. ~. body of only 5000 was
opposed. An unfortunate circumstanct
for O trOors vas. that, during the great.
er part of the battle, they came so neaI
the Confedcrates, that the old shot guns
and other indifferent weapons of the latter
could be used with the same deadly efect
as Mimic muskcts. The ground too, wal
of the enemy's W choice. and our troop.
went into battle not kRo~ing how far tn,
line of the enemy extended, or where hi.
. forces were.
i At about 3 o'clock P. NJ, Gen. Siegel
havir heard cannonading, cams up Will