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

[516] the opposing force, who had already been started upon a full retreat by the thick raining bullets of Colonel Blair's boys. Lieut. Dubois' battery, four pieces, had also opened on the eastern slope, firing upon a force which was retreating toward the southeast, on a road leading up the hill, which juts into the southwestern angle of the creek, and upon a battery placed near by to cover their retreat. Observing the danger of Capt. Plummer and his gallant men, Lieut. Dubois skilfully threw a few shells among their pursuers, which, bursting just as they reached the dense mass of humanity, scattered them wounded and lifeless upon the ground by scores, while the balance ran for dear life in every direction.

Having driven a regiment of the enemy from one hill, the Missouri Volunteers encountered in the valley beyond another fresh and finely-equipped regiment of Louisianians, whom, after a bitter fight of forty-five minutes, they drove back and scattered, assisted by Capt. Lothrop and his regular rifle recruits. Totten and Dubois were, meanwhile, firing upon the enemies forming in the southwest angle of the valley, and upon their batteries on the opposite hill. The brave and undaunted First, with ranks already thinned by death, again moved forward up the second hill, just on the brow of which they met still another fresh regiment, which poured a terrible volley of musketry into their diminished numbers. Never yielding an inch, they gradually crowded their opposers backward, still backward, losing many of their own men, killed and wounded, but covering the ground thick with delegates from the ranks of the retreating foe. Lieut.-Col. Andrews, already wounded, still kept his position, urging the men onward by every argument in his power. Lieut. Murphy, when they once halted, wavering, stepped several paces forward, waving his sword in the air, and called successfully upon his men to follow him. Every captain and lieutenant did his duty nobly, and when they were recalled and replaced by the fresh Iowa and Kansas troops, many were the faces covered with powder, and dripping with blood. Capt. Gratz, gallantly urging his men forward against tremendous odds, fell mortally wounded and died soon after. Lieut. Brown, calling upon his men to “come forward,” fell with a severe scalp wound on the side of his head. Being carried to the rear, faint and bloody, he cheered on those brave defenders of the country whom he met, declaring that the enemy would yet be routed. Gen. Lyon meeting him pointed to him as a proper example for his comrades.

Just then Gen. Greene's Tennessee regiment of cavalry, bearing a secession flag, charged down the western slope near the rear upon a few companies of the Kansas Second, who were guarding the ambulance wagons and wounded, and had nearly overpowered them, when one of Totten's howitzers was turned in that direction, and a few rounds of canister effectually dispersed them. The roar of the distant and near artillery now grew terrific; On all sides it was one continuous boom, while the music of the musket and rifle balls, flying like an aggravated swarm of bees around one's ears, was actually pleasant compared with the tremendous whiz of a cannon ball or the bursting of a shell in close proximity to one's dignity.

Capt. Cole of the Missouri First had his lower jaw shattered by a bullet, but kept his place until the regiment was ordered to retire to give place to the First Iowas and some Kansas troops.

Up to this time Gen. Lyon had received two wounds, and had his fine dappled gray shot dead under him, which is sufficient evidence that he had sought no place of safety for himself while he placed his men in danger. Indeed, he had already unwisely exposed himself. Seeing blood upon his hat, I inquired, “General, are you badly hurt?” to which he replied, “I think not seriously.” He had mounted another horse and was as busily engaged as ever. The Iowa First, under Lieutenant-Colonel Merrritt, and part of the Kansas troops were now ordered forward to take the place of the Missouris. The former had all along the march been “gay and happy,” passing the time with songs which were frequently joined in by the entire regiment, making together a chorus which could be heard for miles, and Gen. Lyon had often remarked that they had too much levity to do good fighting. Mutual friends suggested that they ought at least to have an opportunity to show themselves in case of an engagement, and many argued that they would fight the better from keeping in good spirits. Gen. Lyon at one time replied, “Yes, I will give them an opportunity, but very much fear they will disgrace themselves.” When they now came up to the front it was in splendid order and with a firm tread. The Missouri First had been almost overpowered, were almost exhausted from the severe fighting in which they had been engaged for over two hours, and had they not been relieved, must soon have fallen before the fourth body of fresh troops brought against them. The Iowas and Kansans now came upon the stage of action, and right well did they fight. The former fought like tigers, stood firm as trees, and saved us from utter and overwhelming defeat. Gen. Lyon saw their indomitable perseverance and bravery, and with almost his last breath praised their behavior in glowing terms. Major Porter was all along the line, cheering his men forward, even when bullets fell like hail, and scores were dropping all around him. Companies B, under Lieut. Graham, C, Capt. Mason, who was killed soon after entering into action, F, Capt. Wise, H, Capt. Gottschalk, I, Capt. Herron, and K, Capt. Cook, were in the very thickest of the fight. The three latter were afterward placed in ambush by Capt. Granger of the regulars. Lying down close to the brow of the hill, they waited for another attempt of the enemy to retake their