Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 2.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[509] moment, a heavy cannonading was heard immediately in our rear, which seemed to be directed at our line, producing a momentary confusion, and causing a suspension of the pursuit of the enemy until Gen. McCulloch came up, and detached the Louisiana regiment, which had been engaging the enemy on the extreme right, and a portion of my own forces, and employed them against the batteries in our rear.

Gen. Parsons' battery, which had been previously engaged against the enemy, now moved forward in line with our remaining column immediately on our right, upon the left of Gen. Slack. A portion of the Arkansas forces, under the command of Gen. Pearce, also came up and formed on the left of the line.

With this formation you ordered a rapid movement to be made in the direction the enemy retired, and after advancing a short distance we again found him drawn up in great force, who opened again with a brisk fire upon us. We continued to advance until reaching again the range of rifle shot, and then an incessant fire of artillery and small-arms commenced on either side, and was continued for about an hour, when the enemy disengaged, and terror-stricken by the number of his dead and wounded heaped around him, together with the fall of his chief and other officers, fled with consternation and confusion in small detachments, many of them abandoning their arms and ammunition as they fled.

The first battalion of cavalry, at the moment of receiving my orders, were attacked by a detachment of the enemy which had come in upon the rear, and was so hotly pressed that Lieut.-Col. Major was driven to the necessity of having to retire under cover of the wood to form his line. After forming his forces, he marched in the direction he had been ordered, when, I regret to say, large bodies of horsemen, who had been cut off from their companies, rushed through his line, dividing his forces, and leaving the colonel with but one company. I am glad, however, to be able to state that the gallant colonel, aided by Col. C. W. Bell, assistant adjutant-general, and Captain Joseph Finks, one of my assistant aids, succeeded in gathering up some 300 mounted men, who, under his command, attacked the forces in our rear, commanded by Gen. Siegel, capturing 157 prisoners, and killing 64 men; the balance of his forces, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Hyde and Major A. H. Chalmers, succeeded in reaching the line of battle in time to form upon the right of Gen. Slack, where they rendered most prompt and efficient service. For full particulars of the operations of this battalion, I refer you to the report of Lieut.-Col. Major.

In the several engagements referred to, I regret the necessity of enumerating so large a list of killed and wounded, hereinafter stated.

Before closing this report of the sanguinary battle of the 10th, I beg leave to make my acknowledgments to my staff; also Cols. Robert Walker and Woodson, my assistant aids; especially 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.

Throughout the entire engagement, these officers were distinguished for their bravery and dauntless valor. I desire, also, to make my acknowledgments to Col. J. Q. Burbridge, who was severely wounded while gallantly urging forward his men. I desire, also, to commend to your favorable notice Major John B. Clark, upon whom was devolved the command of the regiment in the latter part of the engagement, and who ably and gallantly led his forces, continuously exposed to the greatest peril, but providentially escaped with a slight wound to himself and horse. I desire, also, to bring before your favorable notice Lieut.-Cols. James P. Major and Hyde, and Major A. H. Chalmers, who, at the head of their respective forces, rendered valuable service under many disadvantages. I desire, especially, to bring to your notice J. P. Orr, of Paris, Mo., who bore our 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,

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.

General: I have the honor to make the following official report of the battle of the Oak Hills on the 10th inst. Having taken position about ten miles from Springfield, I endeavored to gain the necessary information of