e lieutenant-colonel of volunteers
remaining on the field, but neither he nor any one else thought of
questioning the propriety of Major Sturgis's taking the command.
Soon after Lyon's death the enemy was repulsed, but then seemed to
gather up all his remaining strength for a last effort. His final
attack was heavier than any of the preceding, but it was more firmly
met by our troops and completely repulsed. There is probably no
room for doubt that the enemy was beaten if we had but known it;
but the battle-field was covered with timber and underbrush, so
that nothing could be seen beyond a few hundred yards. Our troops
were nearly out of ammunition, and exhausted by a night march and
by six hours' hard fighting without breakfast.

It did not seem possible to resist another such attack as the last,
and there was no apparent assurance that another would not be made.
Hence Major Sturgis decided to withdraw from the field while he
was free to do so. The movement was effected without opposition,
the wounded were brought off, and the command returned to Springfield
in the afternoon. This retreat was undoubtedly an error, and the
battle of Wilson's Creek must be classed as a defeat for the Union
army. The error was a failure to estimate the effect that must
have been produced upon the enemy as well as upon ourselves by so
much hard fighting. It was only necessary to hold our ground,
trusting to the pluck and endurance of our men, and the victory
would have been ours. Had Lyon, who was in the front of the line
of battle when wounded as well as when killed, appreciated this
fact and acted upon it, instead of throwing his life away, it is
safe to say he would have won a brilliant victory.

A QUESTION OF COMMAND DURING THE RETREAT

On the march from the battle-field the main body was joined by the
remnant of Sigel's brigade, which had made a complete circuit in
rear of the enemy's position. They were without brigade or regimental
commanders, and were escorted by a troop of regular cavalry. On
our arrival in Springfield it was found that Colonel Sigel and
Colonel Salomon, commanding the 5th Missouri Regiment, of Sigel's
brigade, had arrived in town some hours before. Major Sturgis then
relinquished the command to Colonel Sigel, and it was determined
to retreat toward Rolla next morning. Sigel's brigade was placed
in advance, and Sturgis's brigade of regulars was assigned the
impor