, 1862-03-18
LETTERS FROM THE WESTERN
ARMY.


The interruption Of communication with
Gen Cu1tis's column, save official dispatches,
las kept us from receiving letters Of our cor
with that column, or has brought
them to our hands greatly delayed. AS any
thing from that quarter vii; be read with inter
est, The following letters news has been
anticipated in our columns from other rsources-
will prove Of value rs showing the condition
Of affairs in southwestern Missouri
MATTERS AT spR1NGF1ElDLrHE BATTLE
FIELD OF WILSON'S CREEK
: LFrom our Special Correspondent
Failing in procuring transportation to the
arny, left Rolla and travelled to Springfield
On foot, loaded down with all Of soldiers
Pa1aphernalia fer T2r; at night sleeping upon
ground, in the open air. For the most part,
tie country is rough and rocky, with few in
bahitants. and few Inducements for settle
ment. Many>of tho houses On the rout, are
abandoned and unoccupicd. Many are burn
ed-tences are tom: down, and scarce
of vandalism. Springfield, once the most
neat and forrishlng town in South
western Missouri, were it not for the army
and ltsappendages, would be a1mosta a deserted
ruin--a silent city in desert. Twice within
the year have its Uhion inhabitants compris-
LIZ ~ 4A1 lAlE Ia1GE@L l)u1uQU-QEEn QTlfEu
from their homes and their business, and now
ftaie Of q repetition Of the same thing prevents
their return. Very many Of the Tebe11ious
party are following after and sharing Prices
fortunes; 60 that to-day the Louss arc ten
anted by soldiers, the streets arc th1ongcd
with t4;em, and business confined almost
exclusively to 1ucksters and the worst
Of nil nuisances, suffers. In many parts
. Of the town and Its environs, large
and elegant buildings have been bnrned, and
regret to say it, mostly by our own soldiers.
Orchards broken down, and the charred ruins
the demon of destruction has reyeled there.
Large brick mansion belonging to Mr. Falk-
ner, strong Union 1nan and 4 refugee. and
situated on the Cassyille road, about mile
from town, wuE fired, I am told, by some Of
the 44th Illinois. The large stone chimness,
sno to 1he e9en ally rssa cta
Of war. Whoever the guilty parties a1e, the
act is heathenish, and touches OF barbarism,
No picture, however skiltally drawn, or moth
Ing that have tead, has evef conveyed to my
mind wars sa1dening realities, 20 clearly as
the desolafion / have seen with my own eyes
Tour zeaders5~ere undoubtedly long ago In
formed Of: the haste of Prtcess fight from
Springfield. About four hundred Of his sick
were left IN the Court House, In two churches
| and in large hotel, which had been converted
into hospitals: a green or red stripe sewed
I
the only INDIGESTION Of uniform about them.
| Otherwise they were the came miscellaneous
copper-bottoms as Ill Of Prices horde oI
"begRars coming to town" The filth and
dirt Of the sick rooms and the stencil arising
therctrom was upcndu1able. Among the pris
oner6 Was the notorious Toni Freeman. he
with others, come 1of them officers, wert
caught soonsafter their hight from Springfield.
he was in the brush collecting stock, and
coming upon our rickets, and mtstaklng then
for their Own, he inquired the way to Prica,t
quarters, and was directed to our camp. Com
| ing TO another large party, he made The sam!
| inquiry, and Was Informed that he MAS needed
mo1r; In our own than in Prices camp, ant
was Immediately taken into custody. HI
takes it coouy aud is not disposed to gEies'
| over his fate.
1left Springfield the esd inst, With a1asg,
train Of supplies for the army. 4 party of d
went in advance to Wilson's Greek, and Wis
it'd the field where, on the 10Th day Of tast
August, one Of the most terrific and deStruc
tive battles On our continent vas fought, aat
| which Will occupy 4 conspicuous =pAEe il
/ American history. was pointed to the spo
where the brave Lyon fell, and walked ovc
the soil enriched BY the blood OF the braves
Of Americas free bofneo and hcely offeret
in defense Of the old flag Of freedom -,Th
graves OF the slain, are: thlckiy scattered TO
Creek; ard am told that in many rlAces
scerca were buried In onecommon grave Oh
lists, old shoes; and cid garments we're sire =
orershe ground, ands the bones Of horse
; wbitened many pa1ts Of the field. In man
p1scee trees were cut down by-cannoA- -oalls
large branches we're torn of Of some, and th
trunks Of ethers were perforatedxw1th bullets
and noticed one large tree where Il ball ha.
I gope completely through lis center. Soldier
and vi+itors hsVe searched fhe fie1d md carrie
evoy every ffaemeus,cf shell or bullet, ore
| cutting them from the trees untilnot . :frAs
nent Of the messengers Of death could I In
after scaFch Of feeTral hours. :: : ;. r
i Dug Springs, another place rendered clsssi
II from deeds ofdaranE. vas regarded with d.
i; arrived IT. C5sne's CieeG, fiuh evidences {
the Wild scsmpc< And disptdered& &iRht Of &h
: ceSels were plaialT visible, :. :.