he columns came in sight of McCulloch's camp-fires after
midnight, and rested in place till day. At six o'clock on the morning of
the 10th, attack was made almost simultaneously by the two columns at
the points designated. Sigel advanced to the attack with great
gallantry, but soon suffered a disastrous repulse; five of his six guns
were taken and his command scattered.

McCulloch's entire force, with artillery increased by the five pieces
taken from Sigel, turned upon Lyon's little command. Lyon's men were
well posted and fought with extraordinary steadiness. Infantry and
artillery face to face fired at each other, with occasional
intermissions, nearly six hours. General Lyon, after being twice
wounded, was killed. The opposing lines at times came almost in contact.
Each side at times recoiled. When the conflict reached the hottest, and
McCulloch pushed his men, about eleven o'clock, up almost to the muzzles
of the national line, Captain Granger rushed to the rear, brought up the
supports of Dubois' battery, eight companies in all, being portions of
the First Kansas, First Missouri, and the First Iowa, fell suddenly upon
McCulloch's right flank, and opened a fire that shot away a portion of
McCulloch's line. This cross-fire cleared that portion of the field;
McCulloch's whole line gave way and retired out of view. It was now for
the first time safe for Major Sturgis, who had assumed command on the
death of Lyon, to retreat. Sturgis withdrew in order and fell back to
Springfield unmolested. The entire national loss, according to the
official report, was 223 killed, 721 wounded, and 292 missing. The
missing were nearly all from Sigel's column. Two regiments in General
Lyon's column, the First Missouri and the First Kansas, lost together
153 killed and 395 wounded. General Price reported the loss of his
Missouri troops, 156 killed, 517 wounded, and 30 missing. General
McCulloch reported his entire loss as 265 killed, 800 wounded, and 30
missing. The death of General Lyon was a severe loss. He was zealous in
the national cause and enterprising in maintaining it; he was ready to
assume responsibility, and prompt in taking initiative; sagacious in
comprehending his antagonist, quick in decision, fertile in resource,
and was as cool as he was bold. On the night of the 10th, the army
stores in Springfield were put into the wagons, and next morning the
national force set out for Rolla, the end of the railroad, where it
arrived