Thinking that the remains had been brought on, Mr. Danford Knowlton, of New York, a cousin, and Mr. John B. Hasler, of Webster, Mass., a brother-in-law of Gen. Lyon, came on at the instance of the Connecticut relatives to obtain the remains. Not finding them at St. Louis, they went forward to Rolla, where Col. Wyman furnished them with an ambulance, with which they proceeded to Springfield under a flag of truce. They were kindly received by Gen. Price, and also by Gen. Parsons, whose brigade was encamped on the ground where the body was buried, and exhuming it, brought it to St. Louis. The city went into mourning, and the remains were conducted by a military and civic procession to the depot, where they were delivered to the Adams Express Company to be conveyed East under an escort of officers and enlisted men.
At every station on the road crowds gathered to pay their tribute of respect to the deceased hero and distinguished honors were paid at Cincinnati, Pittsburg, New York, and Hartford. The body was taken to Eastford, Conn., where the General was born, and in the presence of a large assemblage was interred in a grave beside his parents, in accordance with the desire the General expressed while in life.
Upon opening Lyons' will it was found that he had bequeathed all his savings, prudent investments and property, amounting to about $50,000, to the Government to aid it in the prosecution of the war for its existence.
Aug. 25, Gen. Fremont issued congratulatory orders, in which he said:
The General Commanding laments, in sympathy with the
country, the loss of the indomitable Gen. Nathaniel Lyon.
His fame cannot be better eulogized than in these words in
the official report of his gallant successor, Maj. Sturgis,
U. S. Cavalry: "Thus gallantly fell as true a soldier as
ever drew a sword; a man whose honesty of purpose was
proverbial; a noble patriot, and one who held his life as
nothing where his country demanded it of him. Let us emulate
his prowess and undying devotion to his duty!"
The order also permitted the regiments and other
organizations engaged to put "Springfield" on their colors,
and directed that the order should be read at the head of
every company in the Department of Missouri.
Dec. 30, 1861, Congress passed a joint resolution, in which it said:
That Congress deems it just and proper to enter upon its
records a recognition of the eminent and patriotic services
of the late Brig-Gen. Nathaniel Lyon. The country to whose
service he devoted his life will guard and preserve his fame
as a part of its own glory.
2. That the thanks of Congress are hereby given to the brave
officers and soldiers who, under the command of the late
Gen. Lyon, sustained the honor of the flag, and achieved
victory against overwhelming numbers at the battle of
Springfield, in Missouri, and that, in order to commemorate
an event so honorable to the country and to themselves, it
is ordered that each regiment engaged shall be authorized to
bear upon its colors the word "Springfield," embroidered in
letters of gold. And the President of the United States is
hereby requested to cause these resolutions to be read at
the head of every regiment in the Army of the United States.