ring, where we were compelled to halt our | conducted with the greatest gallantry and vigor rces, who were already nearly exhausted by on both sides, for more than five hours, when e intense heat of the weather and the dusti- the enemy retreated in great confusion, leaving ess of the roads. their commander-in-chief, General Lyon, dead upon the battle-field, over five hundred killed, and a great number wounded.

Early the next morning we moved forward O Wilson's Creek, ten miles southwest of ringfield, where we encamped. Our forces ere here put in readiness to meet the enemy, ho were posted at Springfield, to the number about ten thousand. It was finally decided to arch against them; and on Friday afternoon ders were issued to march in four separate olumns, at nine o'clock that night, so as to rround the city and begin a simultaneous atck at daybreak. The darkness of the night nd a threatened storm caused General McCulch, just as the army was about to march, to ountermand this order, and to direct that the oops should hold themselves in readiness to Love whenever ordered. Our men were conquently kept under arins till toward dayreak, expecting, momentarily, an order to archi. The morning of Saturday, the 10th of ugust, found them still encamped at Wilson's reek, fatigued by a night's watching and loss E rest.

About six o'clock, I received a messenger om Gen. Rains that the enemy were advancg in great force from the direction of Springeld, and were already within 200 or 300 yards f the position where he was encamped with he Second Brigade of his division, consisting f about 1,200 mounted men under Col. Cawhorn. A second messenger came immediately fterward from Gen. Rains to announce that he main body of the enemy was upon him, but hat he would endeavor to hold him in check ntil he could receive reinforcements. Gen. [cCulloch was with me when these messengers une, and left at once for his own head-quarers to make the necessary disposition of our

orces.

The forces under my command have possession of three 12-pounder howitzers, two brass 6-pounders, and a great quantity of small-arms and ammunition, taken from the enemy; also, the standard of Siegel's regiment, captured by Captain Staples. They have also a large number of prisoners.

The brilliant victory thus achieved upon this hard-fought field, was won only by the most determined bravery, and distinguished gallantry of the combined armies, which fought nobly side by side, in defence of their common rights and liberties, with as much courage and constancy as were ever exhibited upon any battle| field.

Where all behaved so well, it is invidious to make any distinction, but I cannot refrain from expressing my sense of the splendid services rendered, under my own eyes, by the Arkansas infantry, under Gen. Pearce, the Louisiana regiment of Col. Hebert, and Col. Churchill's regiment of mounted riflemen. These gallant officers and their brave soldiers won upon that day the gratitude of every true Missourian.

This great victory was dearly bought, by the loss of many a skilful officer and brave man. Others will report the losses sustained by the Confederate forces; I shall willingly confine myself to the losses within my own army.

Among those who fell mortally wounded upon the battle-field, none deserve a dearer place in the memory of Missourians than Richard Hanson Weightman, Colonel commanding the First brigade of the second division of the army. Taking up arms at the very beginning of this unhappy contest, he had already done I rode forward instantly toward Gen. Rains' distinguished services at the battle of Rock osition, at the same time ordering Gens. Slack, Creek, where he commanded the State forces fcBride, Clark, and Parsons to move their in- after the death of the lamented Holloway, and intry and artillery rapidly forward. I had at Carthage, where he won unfading laurels by idden but a few hundred yards when I came the display of extraordinary coolness, courage, uddenly upon the main body of the enemy, and skill. He fell at the head of his brigade, ommanded by Gen. Lyon in person. The in-wounded in three places, and died just as the antry and artillery which I had ordered to fol- victorious shout of our army began to rise upon ow me came up immediately to the number of the air. ,036 men, and engaged the enemy. A severe nd bloody conflict ensued, my officers and men ehaving with the greatest bravery, and, with he assistance of a portion of the Confederate orces, successfully holding the enemy in check. Leanwhile, and almost simultaneously with the pening of the enemy's batteries in this quarer, a heavy cannonading was opened upon the ear of our position, where a large body of the nemy, under Col. Siegel, had taken position, n close proximity to Colonel Churchill's reginent, Colonel Greer's Texan Rangers, and 679 nounted Missourians, under command of Coloel Brown and Lieutenant-Colonel Major. The action now became general, and was

Here, too, died in the discharge of his duty, Col. Ben. Brown, of Ray County, President of the Senate, a good man and true.

Brig.-Gen. Slack's division suffered severely. He himself fell dangerously wounded at the head of his column. Of his regiment of infantry, under Col. John T. Hughes, consisting of about 650 men, 36 were killed, 76 wounded, many of them mortally, and 30 are missing. Among the killed were C. H. Bennet, adjutant of the regiment, Capt. Blackwell, and Lieut. Hughes. Col. Rives' squadron of cavalry, (dismounted,) numbering some 234 men, lost 4 killed and 8 wounded. Among the former were Lieut.-Col. Austin and Capt. Engart.

His I have the honor to be, with the gree
respect, your Excellency's obedient servant,
STERLING PE
Major-General, Commanding Missouri State G

Brig.-Gen. Clark was also wounded. infantry (200 men) lost, in killed, 17, and wounded, 71. Col. Burbridge was severely wounded. Capts. Farris and Halleck, and Lieut. Haskins, were killed. Gen. Clark's cavalry, together with the Windsor Guards, were under the command of Lieut.-Col. Major, who did good service. They lost 6 killed and 5 wounded.

Brig.-Gen. McBride's division (605 men) lost 22 killed, 67 severely wounded, and 57 slightly wounded. Col. Foster and Capts. Nichols, Dougherty, Armstrong, and Mings were wounded while gallantly leading their respective commands.

Gen. Parson's brigade, 256 infantry and artillery, under command respectively of Col. Kelly and Capt. Guibor, and 406 cavalry, Col. Brown, lost-the artillery three killed and seven wounded, the infantry nine killed and thirty-eight wounded, the cavalry three killed and two wounded. Col. Kelly was wounded in the hand. Capt. Coleman was mortally wounded, and has since died.

Gen. Rains' division was composed of two brigades—the first under Col. Weightman, enbracing infantry, and artillery, 1,306 strong, lost not only their commander, but thirty-four others killed and 111 wounded. The Second brigade, mounted men, Col. Cawthorn commanding, about 1,200 strong, lost twenty-one killed and seventy-five wounded. Col. Cawthorn was himself wounded. Major Charles Rogers, of St. Louis, adjutant of the brigade, was mortally wounded, and died the day after the battle. He was a gallant officer, and at all times vigilant and attentive to his duties, and fearless upon the field of battle.

Your Excellency will perceive that our State forces consisted of only 5,221 officers and men; that of these no less than 156 died upon the field, while 517 were wounded. These facts attest more powerfully than any words can, the severity of the conflict, and the dauntless courage of our brave soldiers.

It is also my painful duty to announce the death of one of my aids, Lieut.-Col. George W. Allen, of Saline County. He was shot down while communicating an order, and we left him buried on the field. I have appointed to the position thus sadly vacated, Capt. James T. Cearnal, in recognition of his gallant conduct and valuable services throughout the battle as a volunteer aid. Another of my staff, Col. Horace II. Brand, was made prisoner by the enemy, but has since been released.

My thanks are due to three of your staffCol. Wm. M. Cook, Col. Richard Gaines, and Col. Thos. L. Snead, for the services which they rendered me as volunteer aids, and also to my aide-de-camp, Col. A. W. Jones.

In conclusion, I beg leave to say to your Excellency, that the army under my command, both officers and men, did their duty nobly, as became men fighting in defence of their homes and their honor, and that they deserve well of

the State.

J. B. CLARK'S REPORT
HEAD-QUARTERS, THIRD DISTRICT, M. R. G.,
August 12, 15.
Commanding Is

Maj.-Gen. Sterling Price,

souri State Guard :GENERAL: I have the honor to submit to the following detailed report of the part ta by the forces under my command in the act with the enemy on the 10th inst., near Spri field, Mo. :

At about 15 or 20 minutes before 6 cost A. M., and while at breakfast, one of your ma Col. Richard Gaines, brought me the gence that the enemy were upon us, and cus from you to form my command upon the s of the hill under which I was encamped upon the line that I might then find formed other forces, ordered to the same point:5 forces consisted of one regiment of infat commended by Col. J. Q. Burbridge, and a : John B. Clark, jr., with 376 men, rank ap and one battalion of cavalry, commanded Lieut.-Col. James P. Major, with two hundr and fifty men, rank and file. I immedise despatched one of my staff, Col. R. H. Munst with orders to Lieut.-Col. Major, (then camped one mile and a half from me,) to r his command to me as early as possible head-quarters. I also ordered Col. Burbrit with whom I was encamped, to form his a mand instantly into line, which was promp executed; and hearing cannonading at time, I determined to move forward with regiment of infantry to the position design by your orders, leaving Capt. Jos. Finks, one f my assistant aids, with directions to ord Col. Major, when he came up, to follow with his command.

When I had moved forward about three be dred yards from my encampment, I discovere the enemy strongly posted in our front, pet the heights, engaging the command of Bri Gen. W. Y. Slack, upon whose left my forces of infantry were formed. In a few mine after Col. Kelly, of Gen. Parsons' comman formed upon my left, and rapidly following came the command of Gen. J. H. McBri who formed upon the left of Col. Kelly, commanded a flank movement upon the righ of the enemy.

In this position, by your orders, and led in person by yourself, the entire line advanced a the direction of the enemy, under a continuous and heavy fire of artillery and musketry, we approached within range of our rifle g when we returned the fire with such terrife effect as to drive the enemy from his position and cause him to make a rapid retrograde movement, after having borne up and resiste the steady advance and deadly aim of our rite men for some thirty or forty minutes. At this

oment, a heavy cannonading was heard imediately in our rear, which seemed to be dicted at our line, producing a momentary consion, and causing a suspension of the pursuit the enemy until Gen. McCulloch came up, and tached the Louisiana regiment, which had en engaging the enemy on the extreme right, d a portion of my own forces, and employed Throughout the entire engagement, these em against the batteries in our rear. officers were distinguished for their bravery Gen. Parsons' battery, which had been pre- and dauntless valor. I desire, also, to make my ously engaged against the enemy, now moved acknowledgments to Col. J. Q. Burbridge, who rward in line with our remaining column im- was severely wounded while gallantly urging ediately on our right, upon the left of Gen. forward his men. I desire, also, to commend ack. A portion of the Arkansas forces, un- to your favorable notice Major John B. Clark, r the command of Gen. Pearce, also came up upon whom was devolved the command of the d formed on the left of the line. regiment in the latter part of the engagement, With this formation you ordered a rapid and who ably and gallantly led his forces, conovement to be made in the direction the ene- tinuously exposed to the greatest peril, but y retired, and after advancing a short distance providentially escaped with a slight wound to e again found him drawn up in great force, himself and horse. I desire, also, to bring beho opened again with a brisk fire upon us. fore your favorable notice Lieut.-Cols. James P. e continued to advance until reaching again Major and Hyde, and Major A. H. Chalmers, e range of rifle shot, and then an incessant who, at the head of their respective forces, rene of artillery and small-arms commenced on dered valuable service under many disadvanher side, and was continued for about an tages. I desire, especially, to bring to your ur, when the enemy disengaged, and terror-notice J. P. Orr, of Paris, Mo., who bore our icken by the number of his dead and woundheaped around him, together with the fall his chief and other officers, fled with conernation and confusion in sinall detachments, any of them abandoning their arms and am unition as they fled.

pecially do I desire to bring before your particular notice the gallant and intrepid manner in which my orders were conveyed by Lieut.Cols. Wm. O. Burton and Samuel Farmington, the former of whom had two, and the latter one horse shot under them, while delivering orders.

standard through the heat of the conflict,
though badly wounded, and having his colors
torn into shreds by the bullets of the enemy.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
JOHN B. CLARK,
Brigadier-General, Third District M. S. G.

BEN. McCULLOCHI'S DESPATCH.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., >

The first battalion of cavalry, at the moment receiving my orders, were attacked by a dechment of the enemy which had come in on the rear, and was so hotly pressed that eut.-Col. Major was driven to the necessity having to retire under cover of the wood to m his line. After forming his forces, he arched in the direction he had been ordered, men, I regret to say, large bodies of horsemen, o had been cut off from their companies, shed through his line, dividing his forces, and aving the colonel with but one company. I glad, however, to be able to state that the llant colonel, aided by Col. C. W. Bell, asstant adjutant-general, and Captain Joseph nks, one of my assistant aids, succeeded in thering up some 300 mounted men, who, un-r his command, attacked the forces in our ar, commanded by Gen. Siegel, capturing 157 isoners, and killing 64 men; the balance of his rees, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Hyde d Major A. H. Chalmers, succeeded in reachthe line of battle in time to form upon the ght of Gen. Slack, where they rendered most ompt and efficient service. For full particurs of the operations of this battalion, I refer ou to the report of Lieut.-Col. Major. In the several engagements referred to, I reet the necessity of enumerating so large a list killed and wounded, hereinafter stated. GENERAL: I have the honor to make the Before closing this report of the sanguinary following official report of the battle of the attle of the 10th, I beg leave to make my ac- Oak Hills on the 10th inst. Having taken ponowledgments to my staff; also Cols. Robert sition about ten miles from Springfield, I enalker and Woodson, my assistant aids; es-deavored to gain the necessary information of

VIA LITTLE ROCK, ARK., Aug. 12. HON. L. P. WALKER: The battle of Oakhill has been fought, and we have gained a great victory over the enemy, commanded by Gen. N. Lyon. The battle was fought ten miles from Springfield. The enemy were nine or ten thousand strong; our force was about the same. The battle lasted six and a half hours. The enemy were repulsed and driven from the field, with the loss of six pieces of artillery, several hundred stands of small-arms, eight hundred killed, one thousand wounded, and three hundred prisoners. Gen. Lyon was killed, and many of their prominent officers. Our loss was two hundred and sixty-five killed, eight hundred wounded, and thirty missing. We have possession of Springfield, and the enemy are in full retreat toward Rolla.

BENJ. MCCULLOCH, Brigadier-General Commanding.

BEN. McCULLOCHT'S REPORT.

HEAD-QUARTERS MCCULLOCH'S BRIGADE, CAMP WEIGHTMAN, near Springfield, Mo., August 12, 1861. Brigadier-General J. Cooper, Adjutant-General, C. S. A. :

the strength and position of the enemy, stationed in and about the town. The information was very conflicting and unsatisfactory. I however made up my mind to attack the enemy in their position, and issued orders on the 9th inst. to my force to start at nine o'clock at night to attack at four different points at daylight. A few days before, General Price, in command of the Missouri forces, turned over his command to me, and I assumed command of the entire force, comprising my own brigade, the brigade of Arkansas State forces, under General Pearce, and General Price's command of Missourians. My effective force was five thousand three hundred infantry, fifteen pieces of artillery, and six thousand horsemen, armed with flint-lock muskets, rifles, and shot-guns. There were other horsemen with the army, who were entirely unarmed, and instead of being a help were continually in the way. When the time arrived for the night march it began to rain slightly, and fearing, from the want of cartridge boxes, that my ammunition would be ruined, I ordered the movement to be stopped, hoping to move the next morning. My men had but twenty-five rounds of cartridge apiece, and there was no more to be had. While still hesitating in the morning the enemy was reported advancing, and I made arrangements to meet him. The attack was made simultaneously at half-past 5 A. M., on our right and left flanks, and the enemy had gained the positions they desired.

were posted. Far on the right, Siegel Lad
ed his battery upon Churchill's and G
regiments, and had gradually made his v
the Springfield road, upon each side of v
the army was encamped, and in a promin
position he established his battery. I
took two companies of the Louisiana reg
who were nearest me, and marched thems
idly from the front and right to the rev
order to Col. McIntosh to bring up the
When we arrived near the enemy's battery
found that Reid's battery had opened upa:
and it was already in confusion. Adr
was taken of it, and soon the Louisianists re
gallantly charging among the guns, and m
the cannoneers away. Five guns wee
taken, and Siegel's command, completely n
were in rapid retreat, with a single g
lowed by some companies of the Tex
ment and a portion of Colonel Major's M
cavalry. In the pursuit many of the e
were killed and taken prisoners, and their
gun captured.

Having cleared our right and rear, necessary to turn all our attention to the tre, under Gen. Lyon, who was pressing the Missourians, having driven them back this point McIntosh's regiment, under L Col. Embry, and Churchill's regiment on 1. Gratiot's regiment and McRae's battalica ve sent to their aid.

The terrible fire of musketry was now le up along the whole side and top of the hi on which the enemy was posted. Masses. infantry fell back and again rushed fores. The summit of the hill was covered with dead and wounded-both sides were with desperation for the day, Carroll's " Greer's regiments, led gallantly by Capt. fute, charged the battery, but the whole str of the enemy was immediately in rear, as a deadly fire was opened upon them. A critical moment, when the fortune of the seemed to be at the turning point, two ments of Gen. Pearce's brigade were orde to march from their position (as reserves)?) support the centre. The order was ober with alacrity, and Gen. Pearce gallantly rea with his brigade to the rescue.

General Lyon attacked us on our left and General Siegel on cur right and rear. From these points batteries opened upon us. My command was soon ready. The Missourians under Generals Slack, Clark, McBride, Parsons and Rains, were nearest the position taken by General Lyon with his main force; they were instantly turned to the left and opened the battle with an incessant fire of small-arms. Woodruff opposed his battery to the battery of the enemy under Capt. Totten, and a constant cannonading was kept up between these batteries during the engagement. Hebert's regiment of Louisiana Volunteers, and McIntosh's regiment of Arkansas Mounted Riflemen, were ordered to the front, and after passing the battery, (Totten's,) turned to the left and soon engaged the enemy with the regiments deployed. Col. McIntosh dismounted his regiment and the two marched up abreast to a fence around a large corn-field, where they met the left of the enemy already posted. A terrible conflict of small-inch by inch the enemy gave way, and we arms took place here. The opposing force was a body of regular United States infantry, commanded by Capts. Plummer and Gilbert.

Notwithstanding the galling fire poured on these two regiments, they leaped over the fence, and gallantly led by their colonels, drove the enemy before them, back upon the main body. During this time, the Missourians under General Price were nobly attempting to sustain themselves in the centre, and were hotly engaged on the sides of the height upon which the enemy

Reed's battery was also ordered to move fr ward, and the Louisiana regiment was again c ed into action on the left of it. The battle the became general, and probably no two o ing forces ever fought with greater desperatio

driven from their position; Totten's battery f back; Missourians, Arkansians, Louisianas and Texans pushed forward. The inces roll of musketry was deafening, and the bas fell as thick as hail stones; but still our gal Southerners pushed onward, and with one yell broke upon the enemy, pushing them back and strewing the ground with their dead. Not ing could withstand the impetuosity of final charge; the enemy fled and could again be rallied, and they were seen, at 13 L,

ast retreating among the hills in the distance. | ticular attention to my volunteer aids, Capt. Thus ended the battle. It lasted six hours and Bledsoe, Messrs. Armstrong, Ben Johnston, half. (whose horse was killed under him,) Hamilton Pike, and Major King. To Major Montgomery, quartermaster, I am also indebted for much service as an aid during the battle; he was of nuch use to me. To Col. McIntosh, at one time at the head of his regiment, and at other times in his capacity of adjutant-general, I cannot give too much praise. Wherever the balls flew thickest he was gallantly leading different regiments into action, and his presence gave confidence everywhere. I have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servant,

The force of the enemy, between nine and en thousand, was composed of well-disciplined roops, well armed, and a large part of them belonging to the old army of the United States. With every advantage on their side, they have met with a signal repulse. The loss of he enemy is at least eight hundred killed, one housand wounded, and three hundred prisonrs. We captured six pieces of artillery and everal hundred stand of small-arms and sevral of their standards.

BEN MCCULLOCH, Brigadier-General Commanding.

Major-General Lyon, chief in command, was illed. Many of the officers, high in rank, were wounded. Our loss was also severe, and ve mourn the death of many a gallant officer nd soldier. Our killed amount to two hunMISSOURI "DEMOCRAT" NARRATIVE. red and sixty-five, eight hundred wounded, SPRINGFIELD, GREEN COUNTY, Mo., nd thirty missing. Col. Weightman fell at the SUNDAY, August 11, 1861. ead of his brigade of Missourians, while gal- Night before last, a little army of fifty-two antly charging upon the enemy. His place hundred men moved in two columns on a ill not be easily filled. Generals Slack and march of twelve or fifteen miles, to attack a lark of Missouri were severely wounded-body of rebels twenty-two thousand strong. ten. Price slightly. Capt. Hinson of the In a military point of view the move was one ouisiana regiment, Capt. McAlexander of of doubtful propriety, not to say absolute rashhurchill's regiment, Captains Bell and Brown ness. The larger force were, with the exception f Pearce's brigade, Lieuts. Walton and Weaver of three thousand men, well armed and equip-all fell while nobly and gallantly doing their ped, and they had a very large body of cavalry. uty. Col. McIntosh was slightly wounded by But the question of evacuating Springfield, the grape-shot, while charging with the Louisi-key of the entire Southwest, had already been na regiment-Lieut.-Col. Neal, Major H. Ward,_ Captains King, Pearson, Gibbs, Ramur, Porter, Lieutenants Dawson, Chambers, hnson, King, Adams, Hardista, McIvor, and ddler, were wounded while at the head of eir companies. Where all were doing their ity so gallantly, it is almost unfair to discrim

ate.

discussed and settled in the negative. It was decided that the loyal citizens of Green and the surrounding counties should not have cause to say we had left them without a struggle, abandoned themselves, their families, their all, to a heartless and desperate foe, until the enemy had felt our steel and tried the mettle of our troops. The mettle proved itself worthy of the great cause in which it was engaged. The Union troops who fought and won the battle of yesterday need no higher mark, no brighter name, than the laurels earned justly entitle them to. They fought like brave men, long and well.

General Siegel, with six pieces of cannon, his own regiment, and that of Colonel Salomon's, moved in a southerly direction, marching about fifteen miles, passing around the extreme southeastern camp of the enemy, and halted until daylight, or for the sound of artillery from the northwest to announce the opening of the battle.

I must, however, bring to your notice, the llant conduct of the Missouri Generals-Mcride, Parsons, Clark, Black, and their officers. o Gen. Price, I am under many obligations r assistance on the battle-field. He was at e head of his force leading them on and susining them by his gallant bearing. Gen. Pearce with his Arkansas brigade, Gratiot's, Walker's, and Dockery's regiments infantry) came gallantly to the rescue when nt for; leading his men into the thickest of e fight, he contributed much to the success the day. The commanders of regiments of y own brigade, Cols. Churchill, Greer, Emy, McIntosh, Hebert, and McRae led their General Lyon, with the volunteers composing fferent regiments into action with great cool-the Missouri First, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews, 38 and bravery, and were always in front of Iowa First, Lieutenant-Colonel Merritt, Kansas eir men cheering them on. Woodruff and First, Colonel Dietzler, and Second, Colonel eid managed their batteries with great ability, Mitchell, part of the Missouri Second, under d did much execution. For those officers Major Osterhaus, and a detachment of twenty d men who were particularly conspicuous, I men from Colonel Wyman's Illinois regiment, Ill refer the Department to the reports of the three or four companies of mounted Home fferent commanders. Guards, a force of regulars about eight hundred strong, and two batteries of four and six pieces respectively, left Springfield about eight o'clock P. M., marching slowly along until two A. M.,

To my personal staff I am much indebted for e coolness and rapidity with which they cared orders about the field, and would call par