The National tribune., 1885-07-09
PATRIOTISM IN THE WEST
Recollectlons OF the Battle Of Springfield, No.


To THE EDITOR: In an interesting account
of the battle of Hartsville, Mo-, by Lieut.. N.
N. Hill, published in late number of THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE, the statement is made
incidentally that the history Of many en-
counters beyond the Mississippi live only in
the memory of the survivors. Others, of
course have ofttimes observed the same fact,
especially those who served in the West, and
have felt, if they have not expressed, a desire
that the historian would devote more space and
time to trans Mississippi memoirs, and have
wished for published "reminiscences familiar to
themselves. Great armies, great men, and
great movements are doubtless attractive
themes to military writers, but we much pre-
fer, as rule to read about those events of which
we ourselves have been cognizant, though Oc-
curing it may be, during campaigns which,
relatively considered, seemed of neither great
magnitude nor Importance.
We may we'll believe that in some of the
Border States the unwritten history of the war
would afford examples of personal sacrifice,
thrilling adventure and exhibitions of courage
that would rival any accounts hitherto writ
| ten. The question in those States, outside Of
the cities and some of the favored towns was
not whether those able to bear arms would
fight, but on which side did they propose to
fight? As is well known the war was carried
even to their own thresholds, and they fought,
not alone for common country and flag, but for
| the State Of Missouri many had every possible
incentive to do and to dare.
Lieut.. Hills allusiOn to the battle of SPRING
field, Mo-, brings to my mind some of the
events of that engagement; for it was the wri-
ters fortune to be present on that beautiful
9Th of January, 1868, and as he then, for the
first time, saw the smoke and heard the thun-
der of battle, some of the incidents of the day
| made deep and lasting impressions, and their
| recital may not be out of order here, although
the data, if not the inclination, wanting
for giving detailed account of the fight.
Lieut.. Hills memory is at fault on one impor-
tant point, and he will pardon me for correct
not Col. Crabb, who commanded on that occa-
sion.
For days preceding there had been rumors
of an approaching enemy and threatened at
| tack; hence, the military stores were placed in
Fort No. l, northwest of the city, for greater
safety, and such means employed in preparing
for defense as were available. On the day
above named the enemy, under Gen. Marina
duke dispelled all doubt as to his presence and
intentions, by taking position on the south of
the city and opening the attack with artillery
and small-arms. A force had been stationed in
Fort No. 4, which, with line consisting of
dsm0unted cavalry, citizens and convalescents,
protected by buildings and hastily constructed
defenses, confronted the advancing lines and
returned the fire.
1t was reported then and has been claimed
since that the rebels numbered 5000 men. The
number of our own force can, perhaps, only be
approximated. True, it was composed mainly
of the Missouri State Cavalry; but they, as be-
fore stated, were assisted and supported by
citizens and convalescents from general hospital
some of the latter having participated in the
battle of Prairie Grove one month previous.
This prOmscuOus force, variously estimated
at from 1900 to 5000, held their assailants at
bay. and resisted their charges from about noon
until sometime after nightfall, when the enemy
withdrew, leaving part at least, of their dead
and wounded on the field and in adjacent
houses. Gen. Brown received wound in the
shoulder, from musket ball at short range, of
such character as to necessitate excision of
the joint. If l mistake not, much credit was
due Surg. s. H. Melcher for his activity in
mastering the convalescents into service, as
their combined strength proved an efficient
auxiliary to our regular fighting force. Surg
Whitney was far more conspicuous as sharp
shooter or skirmisher than as nOn-cOmbatant
A citizen who, as was reported, had lost leg
in former battle, (Wilson's Creek, perhaps,) at
one stage of the engagement rode up and down
our lines calling for volunteers to charge, under
his leadership, certain battery or piece of
artillery, assuring his hearers that a small num-
Der of determined men could capture it, owing
to its exposed position and the weakness of the
force supporting it, While this man displayed
commendable courage and his appeal was made
in seeming good faith, his appearance was not
such as to impress others with his fitness to lead
in such hazardous undertaking; as, unfor-
tunately, in the amputatiOn of his limb
scarcely enough of the member had been spared
to enable him to sit astride his horse. These
examples, however, illustrate in some measure
the morale of the Western army, as well as the
pluck aud spirit that characterized the friends
of the Union generally west of the Mississippi
Rivera. F. BARTLETT, Surg, Sd Cav, NJ.
s. NJ, and 33d Mo-, Verden, Ills.