The National tribune., 1886-09-16


Good morning, Captain" said j, as he
came mp. What was the trouble last
night?"
ave were attacked by the rebels, and j
deployed my men as skirmishers."
"Ah! that accounts for their being scat
tered around in the grass"
"Yes.n
] then told him he was relieved, and that
he might return 20 camp and report 10 his
commanding officer.
The situation of the Union troops now
encamped at Springfield was extremely
critical. They numbered about 5000 men,
nearly 1000 of whom We're Kansas, Missouri
and Iowa volunteers, about 200 mounted
Missouri home guards, and the balance
Regulars. A large portion of the volunteers
were raw, inexperienced recruits, many of
whom had never smelt powder The Kansas
boys, however, in the short space of three
months they had been in the field, had given
specimens of their fighting qualifications
ON two OF three occasions, by which they
had gained the confidence of their command
ing officer, Gen. Lyon.
The enemy-23. 600 strong from the most
reliable nlormatiOn-was being massed at
Wilson's Creek, under the rebel Gen. Price
and the red0ubtable Texan Ranger, Ben Nc
Culloch To risk a battle under the circum-
stances with our small force, without the
hope of reinforcements or supplies, was
deemed extremely hazardous. But the
brave aud patriotic Lyon was the man for the
occasion He had cody and calmly reviewed
the. situation and cOnnted the cost He
called q council of his officers, stated 10 them
the great disparity Of the contending forces
and the probabilities of success, either IN at
tacking OF being attacked. de was in favor
ATTACKING TIRE ENEMY
in his stronghold, taking him by surprise,
and so crippling and demoraliZing him that
we might be able to retire with safety.
The question of attacking the enemy or in-
gloriously retreating or abandoning Springfield
was seriously debated by the council. A ma
iOrity of the officers were in favor of retreat,
hut the warm stand taken by Coils. Detzler
and Mitchell and Gen. Sweeney turned the
tide in favor of meeting the enemy at all haz-
ards. Gen. Lyon was well pleased with the
decision of the council, it coincided with
his own views. IL we had retreated the moral
advantage 10 the enemy would have been
greater than the material. The Union cause
would have been destroyed in a large portion
of the State. The west and southwest would
have been in the hands of the foe, and the cen
tral portion of the State left open.
Gen Lyon having matured his plans, issued
orders on Friday, Aug. 8, TO be in readiness TO
ranged TO move IN two columns, the main
column under Col. Sigel, who was TO attack the
enemy right. That evening at O'Clock We
marched from Springfield with feelings difficult
20 aHalyze, and which none can realize but
those who have been upon the eve of a battle
where the chances were heavily against them.
Before the wane of another day how many OF
those now moving forward in all the strength
and pride OF manhood would have passed from
earth or lie mangled and bleeding on the cold
battlefield. The movements of the Union
forces were concealed by the approaching night.
No martial music was heard. 1T was necessary
that our march should be as silent rs the grave
an order that the enemy should not be warned.
Our command took only the hospital and
ammunition wagons. The train was left behind
with guard of 200 Missouri home guards and
two pieces of artillery. We arrived in sight of
.she enemys camphres about j o'clock in the
morning. Here halt was ordered and we lay
s0n our arms and slept until morning We
were then aroused without the
SOUND OF DRUM OR BUGLE,
and quietly resumed our forward movement in
the same manner as the day before, except that
skirmishers were advanced, supported by a
battery. Our course was now changed 10 the
southeast, in order 10 strike the upper end of
the enemy's camp Our pathway was very
FoHgh aud broken, covered with loose and de-
tached portions Of rock, which made the march
ing very labOriOus.
Y AS we entered the head OF the valley we
acame Immediately in sight of the enemy's
camp. Our advance bad been cautious and
stealthy that the first iutmation the enemy
had of our proximity was the attack on his
camp guard by our skirmishers and few shells
from T0tten's battery. They were taken COM
pletey by surprise. aud their camp was thrown
into utter confusion. Before they could recover
We were upon them.
Gen Lyon speedily made disposition Of his
forces. A portion of the Third Brigade, under
Col. Detzer consisting of the LIST Kan, LIST No
and lst Iowa. was ordered to the front, sup
ported by IOtten's battery-the lst Mo- on the
right, LIST Iowa on the left and LIST Kan. in the
center. These three regiments received the
frst shock OF the battle, and gallantly stood
their ground under a most CALLING fire, in
which the lst Kan. suffered severely. The
left of the line, occupied by the LIST Iowa. was
forced back by overwhelming numbers, and
finally broke IN disorder aud did not rally
lsgain during the battle. The "a Kan. with
iSteeles battalion OF Regular infantry, and
Lieut.. Dubos's battery, was held in reserve.
1.-The enemy was now pressing the LIST No. on
the extreme right, very heavily, with the evi
dent intention OF turning that flank. AT thii
moment the I'd Kan. was ordered 10 the from
30 support the LIST Mo. Promptly Obeying Tn,
order, we assembled the hill by flank move
ment IN column of fours, left in front aud jus
as our left had reached the brow of the hill
Gen. Lyon, who on foot, mounted hi,
horse, and swinging his hat in the air calle,
Out 10 rs: Follow mel"
Our regiment, led by its brave Colonel
promptly responded TO the call OF It's beloved
chief. The next moment a heavy volley from
the enemy had laid him low. Two balls hat
pierced his breast, and he fell into the arms o
lieut ShIyer, OF Co. N, aud was
BORNE PROM THE FIELD
a corpse Col. Mitchell also received thre
wounds, and was carried TO the rear. The ?,
Kan then came up the d0ublequick an,
poured CALLING FIRE directly Ia the faces Of tl.
rebels and drove them back in confusion
They soon rallied, however; only TO be re
pulsed again and again until unable 10 sfant
the mnrder0us fire Of the Kansas rifles they
sulenly retired and left the field.
The firing now ceased along our entire lin
for the space Of l5 or 20 minutes. In the mean
time Capt Plummcr, with a battalion Of Regu
laf iuiamtry. moved forward on our left ON th
opposite side OF the valley; but meeting a larg
force OF ihe enemy IN c0niield, a sprite,
enlargement took place in which he was com
pelled 10 tall back. Capt. Totten, whose hat
Ierg was planted AT the head OF the slope &
Dur left aud rear came 10 his assistance an
,tpened up0n the enemy fire of shells tina
soon drove them with great slaughter from th
field.
The enemy now, having formed new comb
nations, ad ganced in heavy columns until the,
xeachcd the foot of the ridge where we wer
Posted, and at once commenced along our en-
tire line the bloodiost engagement of the day