The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-21
Price Evacuates Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo-; Feb. l3.--Special to
St. Louis, via, Bear Creek 18th, instant
our troops took possession OF Springfield
today without firing gun.
Price evacuated the place yesterday af.-
ternoon, marching out on the Fayetteville
road.
ST. LOUIS, Feb 14.--The following das
patch was forwarded from Headquarters
this morning
To General cClellan, Washington.
The Flag OF the Union now floats over
the Court House in Springfield.
TIE enemy retreated after short engage,
mont, leaving large amount OF stores and
equipage, which was captured by General
Curtss. Our cavalry is in close pursuit.
[Signed.J H. W. HALLECK,
Major General.
SPRINGFIELD. Feb. a. Special to St.
Louis Democrat. Our army, under com.
mand of Gen. Curtis, marched from Leban-
on, on the 18th, and formed in three divi.
sions, the right under Col. JEFF. G. Davis
the left under Col. Carr, and the centre
under Gen. Sigel.
Six miles from Springfield, on the 18th,
skirnish took place between our advance
and party OF rebels In which nine of the
latter were killed and one OF our men was
slightly wounded.
At sunset the same day, 800 of the ene>
my attacked our pickets, but were driven
back with the loss OF 80
This was regarded as the commencement
of the battle, and 5000 cavalry and infant
~, with battery of artillery, were sent
| forward.
The battery was placed. on an eminence
commanding the supposed approach of the
rebels, and then shells were thrown, to
which no response was made, and our for
ces returned, leaving strong picket guard.
During the night continuous fire was
kept up by the pickets.
At 3 O'Clock on the morning of the 18th
our forces advanced in line of battle on
Springfield. Gen. Price retreated, leaving
over 600 of bis sick and large quantities Of
forage and wagons behind. he had 10000
effective troops, ard FIVE pieces of artillery.
Yesterday evening battalion of our
cavalry captured 100 wagons of his train,
and last night firing by pickets was heard
in the direction of the retreating foe.
This morning at six O'Clock our whole
force followed the enemy. 1t is reported that
Price is failing back for reinforcements,
and when they have joined him, be would
return and give US battle. General Hal
leck received dispatch from General Cur
tbs, saying that Prices rear was overtaken
in the pursuit from Springfield, and after a
brief resistance the rebels fed, leaving the
road strown with wagons and baggage.
Gen. Curtis reports having taken more
prisoners than be knew what to do with.
SPRINGFIELD, Feb. I6.-According to
latest advices the Federal army was in vig-
orous pursuit of the rebels.
Prices army was on Crane Creek, twen>
ty-nine miles from here, Oh Friday evening,
and our forces tive miles in the rear, pre-
pairing to make an early start in pursuit
next morning. Price had placed his train
in advance.
About 100 wagons containing supplies
for him, were brought into this place from
Forsyth, only TOW hours before his re-
treat.
| Rebel sympathizers here CAIN that
Price will be reinforced by twelve or fifteen
regiments from Bentonvie, Arkansas, un-
der General Van Dorm; but General Sigel,
who was advancing on the rebel column by
different route than that pursued by Gen.
Curtiss may strike blow on their flank
an upset Prices calculations.
Four rebel officers and thirteen privates
fell into our hands on Friday and are now
here. The officers are the notorious Col.
Freeman, Major Berry, Aid de Camp to
Gen. Mcbride, Capt. Dickinson, Chief En-
gineer, and Capt. Downell, Qaartermaster.
A Pony Express with relay posts has
been established BY Capt. Baldwin between
| Rolla and this point.