The loss of the enemy, as nearly as could be ascertained, was one hundred and six killed, wounded not known; that of the Federals but fifteen killed, twenty-seven wounded and ten missing.
THE DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI.
The death of General Lyon and the defeat of the Federal army at Wilson’s Creek, on the 10th of August, and the disastrous consequences—followed on the 20th of September by the loss of Lexington and its noble band of defenders, filled the whole land with discontent. The commanding officer of the Department at this time was Major-General Fremont. The public, asking for success, and confident that it could be achieved, were impatient of the delays and heavy expenditure of money that seemed at least to fetter the Missouri Department. From General Fremont the public had expected the most vigorous and brilliant campaign. The difficulties and obstacles with which a commander must contend in organizing a military force sufficient to encounter a large army of dashing and lawless insurgents, are not always properly understood and considered by the public; and their expectations, no doubt, led far in advance of the possibilities of the situation. Occupying a field which had just been made the scene of open hostilities, and where the Governor and the Legislature, as a body, were hostile to the General Government, the entire work was to be done after General Fremont had entered upon it. The difficulty of supplying reinforcements where needed, with no reserves upon which he could draw, left no alternative to Lyon and Mulligan but that of retreat or collision with an overpowering enemy. In these reverses they suffered a cruel defeat, but won imperishable fame.
SECTION OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
SHOWING THE DISTANCES FROM NEW ORLEANS.
The loss of General Lyon, and the reverses to the national army, afforded cause for great exultation to the secessionists of St. Louis and its vicinity, and their demonstrations of hostility became so marked that General Fremont, on the 14th of August, was compelled to resort to the extreme measure of declaring martial law in that city. This had the effect of restraining the rebel sympathizers in immediate proximity with the headquarters of the Commander, but was not regarded in the State at large. Under these circumstances General Fremont followed this proclamation with another on the 30th of August, establishing martial law in the State, and fixing the lines of the army of occupation as extending from Leavenworth by way of the posts of Jefferson City, Rolla and Ironton, to Cape Girardeau, on the Mississippi river. All persons taken with arms in their hands were to be tried by courts-martial, and if found guilty, shot. The property of persons taking up arms against the United States was declared confiscated to public use, “and their slaves, if any they have, are hereby declared free men.”
This proclamation produced a profound excitement throughout the country, and was received by the people with varied emotions—enthusiastically applauded by some, and bitterly condemned by others.
The President, on the 2d of September, addressed a letter to General Fremont, recommending him to modify his proclamation. General Fremont desired the President to make an order for the modification in his own name, a request with which the Chief Magistrate complied, and under date of September 11th, communicated to General Fremont, that the proclamation in question should be made to conform to the act of Congress of August 6th, which confiscated only property used in rebellion; and referred the question regarding slaves to the determination of the courts, or to subsequent legislation.
While in St. Louis, General Fremont was actively engaged in the organization of his forces, and making preparations for his approaching campaign. To protect the city he had extensive fortifications constructed. He also projected and ordered the building of the gunboats, which have since rendered such signal service. The necessity of massing a large army near Washington, after the defeat at Bull Run, compelled the withdrawal of many regiments which had been assigned to the Missouri Department. It was not until the 27th of September that Fremont was prepared to enter upon an offensive campaign. Accordingly on that day he left St. Louis, and with fifteen steamers and fifteen thousand men, sailed up the Missouri to Jefferson City. Here he halted several days to collect additional material necessary for his march into the interior.
On the 29th, two days after General Fremont’s departure from St. Louis, General Price commenced the evacuation of Lexington, leaving a small force as a guard. On the 7th of October, General Fremont left Jefferson City, marching in the direction of Sedalia, for the purpose of attacking the rebel commander at the earliest opportunity.