At the time our retreat was ordered our ammunition was nearly exhausted and the ranks fearfully thinned.  The Rebels had made a furious attack, in which they were repulsed.  General Sweeney insisted that it was their last effort, and if we remained on the ground we would not be molested again.  Major Sturgis, upon whom the command devolved after General Lyon’s death, reasoned otherwise, and considered it best to fall back to Springfield.  The Rebels afterward admitted that General McCulloch had actually given the order for retreat a few moments before they learned of our withdrawal.  Of course he countermanded his order at once.  There were several battles in the late Rebellion in which the circumstances were similar.  In repeated instances the victorious party thought itself defeated, and was much astonished at finding its antagonist had abandoned the struggle.

In our retreat we brought away many of our wounded, but left many others on the field.  When the Rebels took possession they cared for their own men as well as the circumstances would permit, but gave no assistance to ours.  There were reports, well authenticated, that some who lay helpless were shot or bayoneted.  Two days after the battle a surgeon who remained at Springfield was allowed to send out wagons for the wounded.  Some were not found until after four days’ exposure.  They crawled about as best they could, and, by searching the haversacks of dead men, saved themselves from starvation.  One party of four built a shelter of branches of trees as a protection against the sun.  Another party crawled to the bank of the creek, and lay day and night at the water’s edge.  Several men sought shelter in the fence corners, or by the side of fallen trees.

Two days before the battle, ten dollars were paid to each man of the First Kansas Infantry.  The money was in twenty-dollar pieces, and the payment was made by drawing up the regiment in the customary two ranks, and giving a twenty-dollar piece to each man in the front rank.  Three-fourths of those killed or wounded in that regiment were of the front rank.  The Rebels learned of this payment, and made rigid search of all whom they found on the field.  Nearly a year after the battle a visitor to the ground picked up one of these gold coins.

During the battle several soldiers from St. Louis and its vicinity recognized acquaintances on the opposite side.  These recognitions were generally the occasion of many derisive and abusive epithets.  In the Border States each party had a feeling of bitter hostility toward the other.  Probably the animosity was greater in Missouri than elsewhere.

A lieutenant of the First Missouri Infantry reported that he saw one of the men of his regiment sitting under a tree during the battle, busily engaged in whittling a bullet.

“What are you doing there?” said the officer.

“My ammunition is gone, and I’m cutting down this bullet to fit my gun.” (The soldier’s musket was a “54-caliber,” and the bullet was a “59.”)