Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-08-23
The Great Battle at Springfield.


WHY 1T WAS FouGnT-DEsPERATE BRAvERY OF
THE UNION TRoOPs-How GEN. LYON WAS
KILLED-PARTICULARs OF THE ENGAGEMENT.
Correspondence ofth st. Louis Democrat.
SPRINGfiELp, Greene County Mo-
Sunday August II, 1851.
Night before last little army of fifty-two
hundred men moved in two columns on a
march Of twelve or fifteen miles to attack q
body of rebels twenty-five thousand strong.
In military point Of view, the move was
one of doubtful propricty, not to say abso-
Lutte rashness. The larger forcc were, with
the exception of three thousand men, well
armed and equipped, and they had very
large body Of cavalry. But the question Of
evacuating Springfield, the key of the entire
Southwest, had already been discussed and
settled in the negative. 1t was decided that
the loyal citizens of Greene and tho surroun-
ding counties should not have cause to saw
we had left them without struggle, aban-
doned themselves, their families, their all,
to heartless and desperate foe, until the
enemy had felt our steel and tried the mcttle
of our troops. That mettle proved itself
worthy OF the great cause in which it was en-
gagged. The Union troops who fought and
won the battle Of yesterday need no higher
earned justly entitle them to They fought
like brave men, long and well. =
Gen. Sigel, with six pieces of cannon, his
own regiment, and that Of Colonel Solomon's,
moved in a southerly direction, marching
about fifteen miles, passing around the cx.
trcme southeastern camp Of tho enemy and
halted until daylight, or for the sound Of ar
tillery from the southwest to annoucc tho
opening Of the battle (.
Gen. Lyon, with the volunteers composing
the Missouri First, Lieut. Colonel Andrews:
Iowa First, Lieut. Colonel Merritt; Kansas
First, Col. Dictzler; and Second, Colonel
Mitchell; part of the Missouri Second, under
Major Osterhaus ; and detachment of twcn-
ty men from Col. Wyman's Illinois Regiment;
three or four companies of mounted Home
Guards; force Of regulars about eight humid
red strong, and two batteries of four and six
pieces respectively, left Springfield about
eight o'clock p. NJ, marching slowly until 2
A. NJ, when we halted for two hours. at
which time Capt. Gilbcrt's company of regu-
lars, and Major Osterhaus' battalion were
thrown out as skirmishcrs on either side of
the column, we moved forward.
Shortly after o'clock party of rebels,
acting as picket, were seen scattering over
the hills to give the alarm, but portion Of
our column had already penetrated far enough
to cut of their route, unless they took very
circutous one, in which case we should reach
camp before them. We soon came in sight
Of the valley in which they were cncamped.
thousand tents stretching off in the dis
tance and partially screened from view by
hill jutting into an angle of Wilson Creek
were before us, presenting as animated an
appearance as young city. The enemy's
camp extended from the head of the valley,
overlooking on the north, east and west sides
by hills and ridges, two and three hund.
red feet in height soutEward about one
mile, thence eastward mile and half, and
thence southwark half mile, following tho
windingsof the creek, along whose banks tho
gently sloping hills on either side afforded
the most excellent camping ground.
Near the northern end of the valley lived
John McNary, formerly from Indiana, who
finding the rebels within five miles, on Tues
day last, packed up his few worldly goods,
took his family, and started for the good old
Hooscr State, where it is not a crime to be
loyal to the government under which we live.
Not less than twenty or thirty families, liv-
ing on farms in the vicinity, started about
the same time, most Of them having a little
or no idea, where they we've going, except to
escape from the danger which threatened
them.
The battlefield, viewed by your correspond
cnt, where the most severe fighting was done,
was along the ridges and hills on either side
(mostly on the wesD of the stream for the
first mile mentioned above, where the creek
runs in southerly direction.
AS we crossed the hill on the north NOV
ing in southwcsterly direction, Captain
Wright, with the mounted Home Guards.
was sent to the east side, so us to cut of a
party Of rebels seen in that direction. Adj
jutant Hascock, with glass, rode to the
brow Of the hill, where, looking down, ho
could see every movement Of the enemy be-
meath him. His appearance in full view
caused great hubbub in the cnemy's camp,
which had already been thoroughly aroused
BY our appearance, and camps and baggage
were hastily loaded and moved towards tho
south. We had completely surprised them.
The evidence Of that fact was everywhere
visible, but they had got quickly into tho
line of battle-thcir clouds Of cavalry were
visible, and their twenty one pieces Of can.
non were not long silent after ours had OPEN
ed the engagement.
On the sides Of the first ridge on the west
ern side Of the valley, Col. Dlair's regiment.
at ten minutes after six o'clock, encountered
a heavy force of infantry, not less than full
regiment, and after severe contest thew
gained the summit, and the defeated rebels
dispersed rapidly, going in direction which
rendered it impossible for any considerable
number Of them to again participate in the
battle. Totten's battery then threw few
balls as feelcrs to draw out the cnemy's
cannon.
Col. Blair's regiment moved forward and
were soon met by well equipped regiment
of Louisiana troops, whom, after bitter con-
test of forty five minutes, they succeeded in
routing, though suffering severely themsel-
yes. Capt. La;hrop's company Of rife re-
cruits now assisted them, and together they.
with Major Osterhaus' men, moved up the
hill, which was considerably larger than the
first, and meeting third regiment, finally
succeeded in driving them back, with the
assistance of Totten's battery, and gaining
the summit. In this part Of tho fight tho
gallant Missouri volunteers acted jbravely-
indeed, no words of praise could more than
do them justice
OF course many acts Of valor were per.
formed not witnessed by me, but among those