USA > Missouri > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County Missouri, early and recent history and genealogical records of many of the representative citizens, Volume I > Part 28
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"GRIM VISAGED WAR."
The people of Greene county had been told of the horrors of civil war by Benton. Phelps, Orr, Rollins, Richardson, Boyd and Hendricks, but could
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not fully grasp its significance. Finally they were brought to a full realiza- tion. A marked change had taken place. The peaceful citizens and neigh -- bors of yesterday were at last arrayed against each other, with arms in their hands. Military camps dotted the quiet fields, dwelling houses were turned into hospitals, plow horses were drawing cannon carriages, wagons of ammu- nition or bearing cavalrymen on their backs. Bands of badly disciplined volunteers in both armies were overrunning the country, committing all kinds of depredations, plundering granaries, smoke-houses, killing live stock, de- vastating gardens, terrifying the inhabitants and appropriating whatever property they desired. And everybody realized that a great and bloody battle was soon to be fought on Greene county soil. The conduct of those earnest but misguided men who would do nothing to prevent civil war but everything to precipitate it, was bearing bitter fruits, and the end no one could see.
Major Sturgis' force of two thousand and five hundred men, compris- ing about one-third of Lyon's army, which he had stationed on the Fayette- ville road, a few miles out of Springfield, on August 5, was ordered to be ready to move at a moment's notice and late the following afternoon they were in the ranks, everything in readiness to march and attack the advancing enemy. Soon thereafter General Lyon received a number of messages to the effect that Captain Stockton, of the First Kansas, and two companies of Home Guards had clashed with Price's cavalry on the prairie west of town. The two companies were ordered to the relief of Captain Stockton. Eight com- panies of the First Kansas Infantry, a part of the Second Kansas and Major Osterhaus' battalion of the Second Missouri were ordered to a certain point in town to await the arrival of General Lyon, who was too deeply engrossed to leave his headquarters until midnight and he proceeded to Camp Hunter, having already ordered Major Sturgis to drive in the enemy's pickets, if within two miles of his own. A company of cavalry under Captain Fred Steele, who afterwards became major-general in charge of Federal troops in Arkansas, was dispatched on this errand shortly after midnight and General Lyon with the troops above mentioned arrived at three o'clock in the morn- ing. Until now he had failed to consult his watch and found the time to be two hours later than he had supposed. He at once called his principal officers together and advised them of his embarrassing position and taking their ad- vice, withdrew the entire force to Springfield. It had been his intention after his retreat from Dug Springs to suddenly turn upon reaching Spring- field and march back and face the Confederates, who, he felt sure, would, follow him up. It was his plan to fall upon them when they least expected, it, believing his chances to defeat them would be fairly good. On arriving at Springfield there was evidence that the enemy was approaching from the west and this caused him to wait a few hours. He obtained information on:
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the night of the 6th that Price and McCulloch were only seven miles away from Sturgis' camp, and he advised to attack them at daylight. Upon his return to town. General Lyon remarked to Major Schofield, of Colonel Blair's regiment, the First Missouri, that he had a premonition that a night attack would prove disastrous and yet he had felt impelled to try it once and perhaps should do so again, "for my only hope of success is in a surprise," he added. It was daylight before the Federals reached Springfield. An ambush was formed in the timber southwest of town in case of pursuit. All during Wednesday continued alarms were afloat in Springfield, many of the citizens being panic stricken, some packing up their household belongings and preparing to flee to places of supposed safety. The troops were under arms in every quarter, and several times it was reported that fighting had actually commenced. However, toward night the panic in a measure sub- sided, but many of the people who had remained did not retire and make any attempt to sleep. Col. Marcus Boyd, commanding Phelps' regiment of Home Guards, kept his men in readiness all night. A council of war was held by the leading Union officers at Lyon's headquarters which lasted until midnight. One of the principal matters discussed was the evacuation of Springfield and the abandonment of southwest Missouri to the Confederates. Looking at the situation from a military point of view, there was no doubt of the propriety and even the necessity of such a step, and General Lyon and the majority of his officers counselled such a movement. Some favored a retreat to Ft. Scott. Kansas, while others advocated going to Rolla, a point easier reached, notwithstanding the rugged country intervening. However, General Sweeney was strongly opposed to a retreat without a fight. With his naturally florid face flushed to a livid red, and excitedly waving his one arm, he vehemently protested, pointing out the disastrous results which must ensue from a retreat without a battle : how the "rebels" would boast of an easy conquest, how they would harass. terrorize and persecute the unpro- tected Unionists if given undisputed possession of the country, how the Union sympathizers themselves would become discouraged, and declared himself of holding on to the last minute, and of giving battle to Price and McCulloch as soon as they would offer it. "Let us eat the last bit of mule flesh and fire the last cartridge before we think of retreating," he said. Some of the other officers, including General Lyon, finally shared the views of General Sweeney and it was decided to remain, save the reputation of the little army, hope against hope for re-inforcements, and not evacuate Springfield and Greene county until compelled to. The following day when Colonel Sigel's brigade quartermaster. Maj. Alexis Mudd, inquired of General Lyon when the army would leave Springfield, the latter replied: "Not until we are whipped out."
A false alarm on Thursday morning had it that the Confederates were actually advancing on Springfield and Lyon quickly drew up his troops in
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line of battle, the baggage wagons were all sent to the center of the town and in this position they remained. during nearly the entire day. Price and McCulloch had advanced, but only about two miles and gone into camp in the southern part of the county, just this side the Christian county line, their tents being on either side of Wilson's creek, in sections 25 and 26, township 28, range 23. The camp extended a mile or two east and south of the Fayetteville road. That evening the Federals were ready for marching orders, but a portion of the Kansas troops had been on duty all night of Wednesday and were unfit for service, so the night attack was again de- ferred, all the troops, except those on guard being ordered to retire to rest. The Home Guards were on duty at this time in the city. To scores of Lyon's army this proved to be the last night's sleep they were to take on earth, and soon all was quiet, only the sound of the pickets' challenges, as they hailed the chief guard or arrested the steps of some belated wanderer. Side by side slept the sturdy farmer boys from Greene and adjoining counties, the men who had left peaceful homes in Kansas and Iowa, and Germans from St. Louis. And only a few miles away were they who had come from their homes in the Ozarks, from the rolling plains of Texas, the mountains of Arkansas and the savannahs of Louisiana, under a new banner, to do battle for the cause they believed was right, to drive out those they considered in- vaders of their country and the despoilers of their homes.
The profound quiet that prevailed in Springfield on Friday 9th was only the calm that preceded the storm. The alarmists had practically all slunk away, enlistments in the Union army continued rapidly and a feeling of security prevailed among the residents. During the afternoon Captain Wood's company of Kansas cavalry and Captain Stanley's company of regulars had a skirmish with a scouting party of Price's cavalry on the prairie about five miles west of town, defeating them, wounding two and capturing six or eight prisoners. From the latter it was learned that the Confederates were badly provisioned and that it was necessary for them to forage extensively in the surrounding country. About noon General Lyon received another message from Gen. John C. Fremont from St. Louis inform- ing the former that his situation was not considered critical; that he had doubtless overestimated the force in his front ; that he ought not to fall back without good cause and again assured him that no re-inforcements would be sent, but that he must report his future movements as promptly as possible and do the best he could. Lyon was an able general and he knew the situa- tion perfectly. He had to face a force three times larger than his own and much more efficient, in a country especially adapted to the use of the move- ments of cavalry, with the terms of enlistment of half of his best men ex- pired and with but a few thousand of experienced troops under his com- mand at the best-there was little hope for him. But he was a man of cour-
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age, honor forbade him to retreat ; if he fought a defensive battle there was danger of utter annihilation, and if he attacked he invited defeat and destruc- tion. lle did not know why Fremont refused him aid. for he knew that there were thousands of soldiers at St. Louis, Ironton and other places eager to aid him, and who were apparently not needed for other purposes. But he quietly accepted the situation, like the brave, trained soldier that he was, and set about obeying the orders of his superior officer. With Fremont's mes- sage before him on the little table in his headquarters he penned the follow- ing reply with his own hand, the last letter he ever wrote :
Springfield, Mo., Aug. 9, 1861.
General-1 have just received your note of the 6th inst., by special mes- senger. 1 retired to this place, as I have before informed you, reaching here on the 5th. The enemy followed to within ten miles of here. He has taken a strong position and is recruiting his supplies of horses, mules and pro- visions by forages into the surrounding country. His large force of mounted men enables him to do this without much annoyance from me.
I find my position extremely embarrassing, and am at present unable to determine whether I shall be able to maintain my ground or be forced to retire. I shall hold my ground as long as possible, though I may without knowing how far. endanger the safety of my entire force with its valuable material. being induced, by the important considerations involved, to take this step. The enemy yesterday made a show of force about five miles distant and has doubtless a full purpose of making an attack on me. Very respect- fully, your obedient servant, N. LYON.
Brig .- Gen. Vols., Commanding.
To Major-Gen. J. C. Fremont, Commanding Western Department, St. Louis, Mo.
It will be observed that he made no word of complaint and no murmur, but with the expressed knowledge that he was to be attacked, and with a premonition of being defeated, he courageously announced his determination to hold his ground as "long as possible."
MOVEMENTS OF THE CONFEDERATES.
After spending a night at Moody's Spring, Generals Price and Mc- Culloch moved their troops forward on Tuesday to the site on Wilson's creek, on the line between Greene and Christian counties, going into camp there on the 6th. They at once sent out scouting parties, principally for the purpose of discovering the Federal position, but with little success, while foraging parties scoured the country in every direction and also failed to
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obtain any information of value. The combined forces were at once put in position to advance on Springfield, and only waited the decision of General McCulloch to begin the move, Price being impatient for a forward march. The former was irresolute and undecided for several days. From the in- formation he possessed as to the strength and character of Lyon's forces and his knowledge of his own, he was fearful of the result of an engagement at that time. As before stated he had but little confidence in Price and his Missourians, these being somewhat undisciplined and inexperienced and at one time he characterized them as "Splendid roasting-ear foragers, but poor soldiers." He at one time decided to retreat to Arkansas ; but General Price, who knew that Lyon's force was inferior, and that the Southerners had little to risk in offering battle, urged an attack at once; for he believed that Lyon would in all probability be reinforced and it were best to attack him before he could be joined by additional regiments. Lyon's force was called by . Price's men "the Yankee Dutch," and he believed the pluck of his men in fighting a detested foe on Missouri soil would more than make up for the fact that his soldiers were none too well armed and equipped and for their lack of discipline and experience. In his report to the Confederate secretary of war, General McCulloch said :
"I asked of the Missourians, owing to their knowledge of the country, some reliable information of the strength and position of the enemy. This they repeatedly promised, but totally failed to furnish, though to urge them to it I then and at subsequent periods declared I would order the whole army back to Cassville rather than bring on an engagement with an unknown enemy. It had no effect, as we remained four days within ten miles of Springfield and never learned whether the streets were barricaded, or if any kind of works of defense had been erected by the enemy. He even slung a rifle over his shoulder and mounting his horse, reconnoitered in person, but all to no purpose. He could not even ascertain whether the Federals had thrown up breastworks in front of their position. According to Gen. N. B. Pearce, the first information concerning General Lyon's condition was given by two women who secured a pass through Lyon's lines and came to Pond Spring, where they told the Southern leaders the desired information. At last General Price lost all patience and at sunrise on Friday, August 9th, sent Colonel Snead over to McCulloch to say to him that if he did not give orders for an immediate advance that he (Price) would resume command of the Missouri State Guard and advance alone, be the consequences what they might. This led to a conference of the general officers at Price's headquarters that afternoon, which resulted in an order for an advance on Springfield that very night. the movement to begin at nine o'clock.
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GENERAL LYON MARCHES OUT TO GIVE BATTLE.
General Lyon after being finally assured by Fremont that no troops would be sent him, determined to attack the Confederates, surprising them while in camp on Wilson's creek and trust to the fierce fighting of his troops together with the confusion a surprise would cause in the enemy's ranks to gain the day for him. He knew that his situation would not improve with time, and also being informed of the intended attack upon him, within four Itours after it had been decided upon, receiving his information from one of Itis spies who was actually a commissioned officer in the Missouri State Guards. He did not like the idea of fighting a defensive battle at Spring- field, with a town full of women and children behind him and an open country in front, well adapted to the movements of cavalry of which he had but a handful and of which his enemy's force largely consisted. Accordingly late on Friday afternoon, the 9th, word was sent to the subordinate com- manders that after nightfall another movement against the Confederates would be made. Generals Lyon and Sweeney, Colonel Sigel and Major Sturgis soon agreed upon a plan of attack. The army was to be divided into two columns. The first column, under Lyon, was to consist of three small brigades: the second, under Sigel, was to consist of one small brigade composed of two regiments. two companies of cavalry and six pieces of artillery. The First Brigade of Lyon's column was composed of three com- panies of the First United States Regular Infantry, as follows: Company B, Captain Gilbert : Company C, Captain Plummer ; Company D, Captain Huston ; a company of regular rifle recruits under Lieutenant Wood, the four companies being commanded by Captain Plummer of Company C. Then there were two companies of the Second Missouri Volunteers under Maj. P. J. Osterhaus: Captain Wood's mounted company of the Second Kansas Volunteers : Company B, First United States Regular Cavalry, under Lieu- tenant Canfield, and a light battery of six pieces, commanded by Capt. James Totten. The First Brigade was commanded by Major Sturgis. The Sec- ond Brigade was commanded by Lieut .- Col. George L. Andrews, of Blair's regiment of the First Missouri Volunteers and was composed of the First Missouri Infantry Companies B and E, Second United States Regular In- fantry, under Capt. Fred Steele: one company of regular recruits under Lieutenant Lothrop; one company or squad of mounted troops under Sergeant Moraine and Lieutenant Dubois' light battery of four pieces, one a twelve- pounder. The Third Brigade was commanded by General Sweeney and was composed of the First Iowa Volunteers under Lieutenant-colonel Merritt, the colonel. J. F. Bates, being sick in Springfield: the First Kansas, under Col. George W. Deitzler: the Second Kansas, under Colonel Mitchell, and about two hundred mounted Dade county Home Guards, under Capt. Clark Wright
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and Capt. T. A. Switzler. Colonel Sigel's command consisted of eight com- panies of the Third Missouri Volunteers (his own regiment), which during the battle was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Albert ; nine companies of the Fifth Missouri, under"Colonel Salomon; one company, First Regular Cavalry, under Captain Carr ; one company, C, of the Second United States Dragoons, under Lieutenant Farrand, and six pieces of light artillery, manned by details from the infantry recruits under Lieutenants Schaeffer and Schuetzenbach.
THE LINE OF MARCH.
General Lyon set his troops in motion about six o'clock Friday evening, the 9th. the column moving westward on the Mt. Vernon road, Captain Gilbert's company of regular infantry in the van. Night came on but the column did not halt. There was a great deal of noise made on this march, although it was expected to be a silent one and the enemy was to be sur- prised. The Kansas and Iowa troops were especially hilarious, singing camp. songs and giving vent to boisterous laughter all the way. Lyon, however, succeeded in somewhat quieting his army toward midnight. The army con- tinued westward about five miles, then turned south near Little York, and the next six miles over rough roads was somewhat difficult, but Federals came in due course of time within striking distance of Price's command, the center of whose camp was about six miles west and seven miles south of the public square of Springfield. Among Lyon's guides were Pleasant Hart and Par- ker Cox. The advance first discovered the camp-fires of the enemy about one o'clock in the morning. The marching troops were halted and the ground reconnoitered as well as possible in the darkness; when daybreak came Lyon again moved forward and formed in line of battle, moving a little southeast so as to strike the extreme northern point of the enemy's camp.
It was after six o'clock the previous evening when Colonel Sigel broke camp just south of Springfield and took the old "wire trail," the road lead- ing toward Cassville and Fayetteville, along which the telegraph wire ran. About four miles west of town the command left the road which led directly through McCulloch's camp, and bore south, and then along a road parallel with the Cassville road, and in the same general direction, until below the Christian county line. Colonel Sigel's guides were John Steele, Andrew Adams, C. B. Owen, Sam Carthal, and L. A. D. Crenshaw. Sigel's column marched about fifteen miles, passing entirely around the extreme southeast- ern camp of the enemy, and arriving at daylight within a mile of the main camp. Taking forward the two cavalry companies of Carr and Farrand, Colonel Sigel contrived to cut off about forty men of McCulloch's army, who had gone out early for forage and were engaged in digging potatoes, picking , roasting-ears, gathering tomatoes and procuring other supplies for their in-
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
dividual commissary departments. The prisoners were taken quietly and no news of the Federal advance from this quarter reached the camp of the Southerners. Still observing the utmost caution, Sigel planted four pieces of artillery on a hill, in plain view of the enemy's tents, which spread out to his front and right. The two companies of infantry advanced so as to com- mand the Fayetteville road at the point where it crosses Wilson's creek, while the two companies of cavalry guarded the flanks. In this position the command rested, awaiting the sound of Lyons' guns as a signal to open a general engagement. The prisoners were left in charge of Captain Flagg, who commanded Company K. of the Fifth Missouri Infantry. It had been agreed by the Federals that Sigel should block the Fayetteville road, pre- venting the Confederates from retreating by that highway. Later officers of both armies claimed that Sigel carried out his part of the plan too well, that if an avenue of retreat had been left open the results of the battle might have been different. Lyon had left in Springfield the Home Guards of Greene and Christian counties, with instructions that the Fayetteville road should be watched below where Sigel turned off, and send word to him immediately if any troops of the enemy should be seen approaching from that quarter, as he believed the enemy planned a night attack upon him. The citizens of Springfield were fully ready for a retreat, wagons were loaded, the funds of the bank were secured for transfer and were being guarded by the reserve troops.
THE BATTLE IN DETAIL.
In view of the fact that the battle of Wilson's Creek was the second greatest battle during the first year of the Civil war, was the greatest event in all the history of Greene county, that such a large number of citizens of this locality participated in the engagement, that it was of such momentous importance and is still a frequent topic of conversation with our people, it is deemed advisable to here give an account of the battle in detail, every effort having been made to secure accuracy. The most reliable Federal accounts are those which were furnished by Major Sturgis, who assumed command of Iyon's column after the battle; Maj. J. M. Schofield, then of the First Missouri : Lieutenant-Colonel Blair and Major Cloud, of the Second Kan- sas; Lieutenant-Colonel Merritt, of the First Iowa; Captain Totten and Lieutenant Dubois, of the artillery, and Captain Steele, of the regulars, Cap- tain Wright, of the Home Guards, all of Lyon's column ; and General Sigel, Dr. S. H. Melcher. the guides, and Captain Carr, of Sigel's column. The most reliable Confederate accounts are the official reports of Generals Price, McCulloch, Pearce, Clark, Rains, McBride and Parsons; reports of Col. John R. Graves, of Rains' division, and Col. John T. Hughes, of Slack's division : Col. Thomas I .. Snead, assistant adjutant general of Price, and
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Lieut. W. P. Barlow, of Guibor's battery ; Col. T. J. Churchill, First Arkan- sas Mounted Riflemen; Col. James McIntosh and Lieut .- Col. B. T. Embry, Second Arkansas Mounted Riflemen; Lieut .- Col. D. McRae, of Rae's Bat- talion, Arkansas Volunteers; Col. Lewis Hebert, Lieut .- Col. S. M. Hyams and Maj. W. F. Tunnard, Third Louisiana Volunteers : Col. E. Greer, South Kansas-Texas Regiment Cavalry; Capt. J. G. Reid, of Reid's Arkansas Bat- tery; Col. John R. Gratiot, Third Arkansas Infantry; Col. De Rosey Car- roll, First Arkansas Cavalry ; Col. J. D. Walker, Fourth Arkansas Infantry ; and Col. T. P. Dockery, Fifth Arkansas Infantry. There have been a great many sensational, improbable and overdrawn accounts of this memorable contest, but these have been discarded as of no value to the historian. who aims at telling the uncolored and unbiased truth.
General Lyon formed his battle line at daylight. Saturday, August 10th, the infantry in front, closely followed by Totten's battery, which was sup- ported by a reserve. In this order the line advanced a few hundred yards, but found no outposts, the Southern pickets having been called in. Firing was begun immediately on the advance of Rains' division. The Confederate camp extended in a general direction from north to south along Wilson's creek, and Lyon attacked the extreme southern end from the west and north- west, while Sigel was stationed at the southern end, over a mile away. When Rains' troops were encountered the Federal column halted, and Captain Plummer's battalion of regulars, with the Dade County Home Guards on his left, was sent to the rear across the creek, and ordered to move toward the front, keeping pace with the Federal advance on the left. The main line then swept forward, and after crossing a ravine and ascending a high ridge, a full view of Rains' skirmish line was obtained. Major Osterhaus' two companies of the Second Missouri, and two companies of the First Missouri, under Captains Yates and John S. Cavender, were deployed to the left, all as skirmishers. A severe fire was soon going on between the two skirmish lines. and Totten's battery, which had just taken a good position on the ridge, soon made the hills and ravines roar in the stillness of the early morn- ing with shrieking bombs and bursting shells, causing much excitement in the Confederate camp, where preparations were being made for breakfast, none dreaming that they were to be thrown into battle before sunrise. Sup- ported by Totten's battery, the First Missouri, under Colonel Andrews, and the First Kansas, under Colonel Dietzler, hurried to the front, the Second Kansas, under Colonel Mitchell, Steele's Battalion and Dubois' Battery being held in reserve. The First Missouri took its position in front, upon the crest of a low plateau, the Second Kansas taking position just to the left, while Totten's battery was placed opposite the interval between the two regi- ments. Osterhaus' two companies occupied the extreme right, with their right resting on a ravine, which turned abruptly to the right and rear. Du-
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