Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-03-12

prising the enemy. The plan was
carried into execution on the night
Of Aug. 9. By one of those singular
condolences which occur now and
then n the field, the rebels had decid-
advance on Springfield. Gen. Nc
CulIoch had the execution of the
movement in charge. But owing TO
the threatening condition of the
weather the order of the march was
temporarily countermanded, the men
being directed, however, to rest on
their arms and be ready to move at
moments notice. The advance
picket lines had been called in, and
were not reinstated when the order
for the night advance was counter
manded. Gen. Lyon came in sight of
the rebel camp fires at o'clock on the
morning of Aug. 10. The arrange
ments for attacking were eonsummat-
ed as rapidly as possible. A column
under Col. Siegel, numbering 1900
men, had been dispatched to attack
the enemy on the flank and rear, and
had approached by a different route
from Springfield from that followed
by Gen. Lyon. At dawn on the 10th
Col. Siegel was within a mile of the
enemy's camp, gained the position
designed for him TO occupy without
being discovered by the main body
opened by Gen. Lyon and Col Siegel
simultaneously not far frou 6 A. M.
Gen. Prices force was completely
surprised, and had it not been for the
unfortunate conduct Of Col. Siegels
force soon after the attack opened.
the day would have been won by
Lyon. A portion Of the Siegel
column, after the rebels, dIsmayed by
the surprise, had abandoned their
camps, made an indiscrimate rush for
plunder. While they were engaged
In the search for booty the disunionists
rallied, and charging back, captured
the union battery and q large number
of prisoners. Col. Sigel afterward
regaining SINGLE gun. Thus"
says DR.. Woodward, 'early in the
engagement were twelve huadred of
Lyons army lost to him" Gen Lyon
moved along the lines N the thickest
Of the fight, encouraging the men by
MS example and words His horse
was shot under him, and he received
three wounds, one near the ankle, one
in the thigh, and the third, which cut
through the scalp to the bone, while
rallying his troops for new assault.
In tne final charge he was shot
through the left side, the ball passing
near the heart. His faithful body
servant, Albert Leham, received him
IN his arms. The dying soldier re-
marked:
Lehman, I am going" and in q
few seconds expired. His death was
without struggle, calm and peace
ful.
Ia the retreat from Wilson'S creek
the body of Gen. Lyon was left on the
battle field. When the shattered
column reached Springfield flag of
truce was sent back for the remains,
which were given up by the enemy.
In the confusion of abandoning
Springfield, says Dr.. Woodward, the
remains Of Gen. Lyon were left be-
hind. The day after the battle Mrs.
Phelps, wife of Col. Phelps, member
of congress from the southwestern dis
trict of Missouri, and a staunch
unionist, learning that the body was
still lying in town, asked and obtain
ed the privilege of interring it. She
caused it to be placed in a wooden cof-
fin, and the whole to be placed in a
case of zinc, which was then hermeti-
caLly sealed. At first Mrs. Phelps
,oloooJ +bn ooGr ~ -, o,,+1oo, oo1 10 :.
on her farm and covered it over with
a pile Of straw four Or five feet deep,
but afterward apprehending, though
without any just grounds for suspic-
ION, that 1t might be molested by the
soldiers of Gen. Parsons brigade,
which was then camping on the place,
she had it quietly removed and buried
in the night time. Maj. Sturgis, who
assumed command of the union army
after Lyons death, supposed that the
remains were being removed until the
troops We're 25 miles from Springfield,
when it was too late to recover them.
| Immediately after the news of Gen.
Lyons death was received, Daniel
Knowlton, of New York, a cousin of
Gen. Lyon, telegraphed Gen. Ere
mont requesting him to have the re-
mains secured in a sealed coffin. Aug.
Is. in company with John B. Hasler,
of Webster, Mass, brother-in-law of
Gen. Lyon, he started for Missouri
for the body Of the distinguished
patriot and officer. With the neces-
sary permits they reached Springfield
Aug. %, and were received by Gen.
Price, who extended every facility in
his power for procuring the remains.
Gen. Parsons rendered guard for the
body and extended other courtesies
during the time they were obliged to
remain IN Springfield, Mrs. Phelps,
who had exercised holy guardian
skip over the remains of Gen. Lyon,
offered the hospitalities of her home
for his relatives. The remains were
received at st. Louis Monday evening,
Aug. 26. and arrived in Hartford
Tuesday, Sep. 3. At New York the
corpse lay IN state for three days.
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