The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-09-05
The natsIe .aw,lsoa,s creek.

The official report of the battle of Will
sons Creek by Maj. Sturgis, appears in
the columns of the ST. Louis Democrat of
Monday. We make such an abstract as
will give our readers clear idea of the
operations Of the battle field as detailed
by him.
The First Missouri and First Kansas
moved at once to the front, supported by
Totten's battery, and the First Iowa regi-
ment, Dubois battery, Steele's battalion,
and the Second Kansas, were held in re-
serve. The First Missouri now took it's
position IN front, upon the crest of small
elevated plateau The First Kansas was
placed on the left of the First Missouri,
and separated from it some sixty yards,
on account of ravine. The First Iowa
took its position on the left of the First
Kansas, while Totten's battery was placed
opposite the interval between the First
Kansas and First Missouri. Major Oster-
haus battalion occupied the extreme right,
with his right resting on ravine which
turned abruptly to our right and rear
Dubois battery, supported by Steele's bat
TALON was placed some eighty yards to
the left and rear of Totten's guns, SO as to
bear upon powerful battery of the ene-
my, posted to our left and front, on the
opposite side of Wilson's Creek, to sweep
the entire plateau upon which our troops
were formed
The enemy now rallied in large force
near the foot of the slope, and under CON
siderable cover, opposite our left wing, and
along the slope in front and on our right
towards the crest Of the main ridge run
ming parallel to the creek. During this
time, Captain Plnmmer, with his four
companies of infantry, had moved down a
ridge about five hundred yards to our left,
and separated from us by deep ravine
and reached its abrupt terminus, where he
found his further progress arrested by .
large force of infantry occupying cornfeld
in the valley in his front. At this mo
ment, an artillery fire was opened from
high point about two miles distant, and
nearly in our front, from which Colone
Sigel was to have commenced his attack
This FIRE was answered from the opposite
side Of the valley, and at little CREATE
distance from the line of fire of the tw,
batteries being nearly perpendicular to on
own. After about ten or twelve shots OF
either side, the firing ceased, and We Meth
er heard or saw anything more Of Genera
Sigel's brigade until about 81 O'Clock
when brisk cannonading was heard for
few minutes, about mile to the right q
that heard before, and from two to tire
miles distant.
Our whole line now advanced wit
much energy upon the enemy's position
The firing which had been spirited for til
last naii hour, now increasing toa coniiil
nous roar. During this time Captain Tot
tens battery came into action by section
and by pieces AS the nature of the groun
would permit Git being wooded, wit
much undergrowth), and played upon til
enemy's lines with great effect After
fierce engagement, lasting perhaps half a
hour, and in which our troops retired tw
or three timeSin more or less disorder, b,
never more than few yards, again |
rally and press forward with increased vi!
or, the enemy gave way in the utmost col
fusion, and left Us In possession Of ii
position.
Meanwhile, Captain Plummer was d
dered To Move forward on our left, bt
meeting with oyerpowering resstanc
from the large mass Of infantry in the cor
field in front, and in the woods beyond
was compelled to fall back, but at tn
moment, Lieut. Dubois battery, wLic
had taken position on our left flank, sur
ported by Captain Steel's battalion, opene
upon the enemy in the corn field fire /