THE FIRST YEAR OF THE WAR IN MISSOURI.

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haste of their retreat, the Federals left Lyon’s dead body on the field. Idelivered it myself an hour or two later to a flag-of-truce party that had beensent to ask for it. I saw it again the next day in Springfield , where it hadbeen again abandoned by his men. [See foot-note, page 297.]

Rarely have I met so extraordinary a man as Lyon, or one that hasinterested me so deeply. Coming to St. Louis from Kansas on the 6th ofFebruary, this mere captain of infantry, this little, rough-visaged, red-bearded,weather-beaten Connecticut captain, by his intelligence, his ability, his energy,and his zeal, had at once acquired the confidence of all the Union men ofMissouri , and had made himself respected, if not feared, by his enemies. Inless than five months he had risen to the command of the Union armies inMissouri , had dispersed the State government, had driven the Governor andhis adherents into the extremest corner of the State, had almost conqueredthe State, and would have completely conquered it had he been supportedby his Government; and now he had given his life willingly for the Unionwhich he revered, and to the cause of Human Freedom to which he wasfanatically devoted.

The Federal force in the battle amounted to about 5400 officers and men.The Confederates had over 10,000 armed men on the ground, but 3000 ofthem took little or no part in the fight. The Confederates lost 279 killedand 951 wounded. The Federal loss was 258 killed, 873 wounded, and 186captured or missing.

McCulloch refused to pursue, and Price resumed command of the Missouri troops. The next day he took possession of Springfield , and sent Rains witha mounted force to clear the western counties of the State of the maraudingbands that had come into them from Kansas . On the 25th of August hemoved northward with his army. On the 2d of September he met a part ofLane’s Kansas Brigade under Colonel Montgomery on the banks of the BigDry Wood. Montgomery had about 500 men and gave battle, but was forcedto retreat before Price ’s superior force. The loss on either side was trifling.

Price now hastened toward Lexington, joined at every step by recruits.Reaching the city on the 12th of September with his mounted men, he droveColonel Mulligan within his intrenchments, and as soon as his main bodycame up, completed the investment of the place. On the 20th he caused anumber of hemp-bales saturated with water to be rolled to the front andconverted them into movable breastworks, behind which his men advancedunharmed against the enemy. Colonel Mulligan was forced to surrender thenext day. Price ’s loss was 25 killed and 72 wounded. Fremont reported tothe War Department that the Union loss was 39 killed and 120 wounded.The Missourians captured about 3500 prisoners, five pieces of artillery, twomortars, 3000 stand of small-arms, a large number of sabers, about 750horses, many sets of cavalry equipments, ammunition, many wagons andteams, more than $100,000 worth of commissary stores, and a large amountof other property. Price also recovered $900,000 that had been taken by theenemy from the Bank at Lexington, and restored it to the Bank . His forceamounted to about 18,000 men, Mulligan’s to about 3600.

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