GENERAL: Owing to the illness of General Brown, and by his request, I have the honor to submit the following report of an engagement at this place, on the 8th instant, between the Federal forces, commanded by Brigadier-General Brown, and a rebel force, under the command of General Marmaduke:
     On Wednesday, the 7th instant, about 3 p.m., General Brown received the first information that the enemy, estimated from 4,000 to 6,000 strong, had forced our troops to abandon Lawrence's Mill; that they had burned the mill and block-house there, and were rapidly approaching this place by the way of Ozark.
     Not having a force sufficient at that place to contend with the enemy, they were ordered to fall back on this place, with instructions to destroy what Government property they could not carry with them, which order was promptly executed.
     The enemy entered Ozark a few minutes after our forces had evacuated it. They destroyed the block-house, and then continued their march on this place. Messengers were dispatched to the various stations around Springfield to send in re-enforcements, and the Enrolled Missouri Militia was ordered into service.
     The night of the 7th was spent in making preparations to meet the enemy. Under the supervision of Lieutenant [J.] Hoffman, of Backof's First Missouri Light Artillery, two 12-pounder iron howitzers and one 6-pounder piece were mounted on wheels, as temporary carriages, taken to the blacksmith shop, repaired, and rolled into the fort, No. 4, by daylight of the 8th instant.
     Dr. S. H. Melcher mustered some 300 convalescents from the various hospitals, who were armed and equipped; also near 100 soldiers, who had recently been discharged from the same, under command of Captain McAfee, were armed, and many loyal citizens turned out willingly, and were armed, to fight in the defense of their homes.
     At an early hour on the morning of the 8th, about 200 or 300 of the Enrolled Missouri Militia reported for duty. Scouting parties were sent to the south and southeast, for the purpose of ascertaining the whereabouts of the enemy and report their movements. At 10 a.m. of the 8th, the scouts and pickets on the south of the town were fired upon, and driven in by the advance of the enemy. They were soon discovered, some 2 or 3 miles off, formed in line of battle, and advancing slowly across the prairie from the direction of Ozark. About one-half of their command was dismounted, acted as infantry, supporting a battery of some three pieces of artillery (one piece rifled), which formed their center, while their right and left wings were formed of heavy bodies of cavalry.
     In this manner, with skirmishers and sharpshooters thrown forward, they advanced steadily and slowly, occasionally halting and firing shot from their rifled piece, apparently trying the range and feeling their way. The cavalry, under the command of Colonel [W.] King, Third Missouri State Militia, and Colonel [G. H.J Hall, Fourth Missouri State Militia, were ordered forward to meet the advancing foe. By order, several houses were burned south of the fort, to prevent the enemy from occupying them, and that the artillerymen and riflemen in the fort could have an unobstructed view of their approach. As the enemy continued to advance, the firing became more frequent. Our artillery opened fire upon them as soon as they came within range of our guns. Our cavalry gradually retired within supporting distance of the fort. The artillery and riflemen in the fort drove back the enemy's sharpshooters. The firing gradually increased until about 1 p.m., when the forces on both sides were fiercely engaged.
     Colonel King was ordered to charge with his regiment the enemy's right. He drove them back, when they turned their artillery and sharpshooters upon him. At this time Colonel Hall, with the Fourth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, by order, moved forward and engaged their center, fighting with coolness and bravery, entitling them to high honor.
     The cavalry being exposed in the open field to the fire of the enemy's artillery and infantry, and fearful they would be cut to pieces, they were ordered to retire under protection of the fort, which order was executed promptly and in good order, bringing with them their wounded. The enemy threw forward a regiment of cavalry on our left, which was promptly checked by the Second Battalion Fourteenth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Pound. Meantime the enemy were busy with their artillery throwing shot and shell at the fort and into the houses occupied by our troops. Our artillery, before mentioned, under command of Lieutenant Hoffman, and one field piece, under command of Captain Landis, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, were driving back the enemy's center; but the firing from the guns inside the fort, though well aimed, was not sufficiently rapid, owing to their being manned by volunteers, with only 5 artillery soldiers at the three pieces.
     The enemy about 2 p.m. massed their forces and advanced on our center and right. Captain [J. A.] Landis, with his piece of artillery, was ordered to advance to the front and right of the fort, which order he promptly executed. He was supported by parts of three companies of the Eighteenth Iowa, under their respective commanders, Captains [W. R.] Blue, [J.] Van Meter, and [W.] Stonaker. This piece of artillery, owing to some mistake in the delivery of the order, was placed in a very exposed position. The enemy, perceiving this, made a desperate charge upon it with overwhelming numbers, killing the horses and driving back the support; captured it after a hard and bloody contest. Captains Blue and Van Meter fell, mortally wounded, and Captain Landis and many of their brave comrades fell, severely wounded, while some were killed.
     It was now between 2 and 3 p.m. The enemy had captured one piece of artillery; at the same time had taken possession of an unfinished stockade fort that had been used as a prison, and were pressing hard on our center and right. The "Quinine Brigade," which was placed under my command, and which up to this time was stationed in various brick buildings in and around the center of town, was ordered to move to the front and attack the enemy. I had the honor to lead them in person, assisted by Lieutenants JaRhid Root, of the Nineteenth Iowa; [S. A.] Wilson, Eighteenth Iowa, [W. F.] Bodenhammer, Twenty-fourth Missouri Volunteers.
     We advanced to the front and west of the fort, and took a position behind a fence and about 50 to 75 yards from the rebels, who were likewise posted behind fences and in and around a house to our front. After fighting for nearly one hour, the enemy gave way and fled precipitately from this part of the field.
     In the mean time they were making strong efforts to turn our right, and, after being driven from our center, threw their main force forward for that purpose, when they were met by the Seventy-second Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia, under the command of Colonel Sheppard; the "Quinine Brigade," under the command of' Lieutenants Root, Wilson, and Bodenhammer and Captain [C. B.] McAfee, who repulsed them. There were also engaged at this time the Third and Fourth Missouri State Militia Cavalry and the Second Battalion Fourteenth Missouri State Militia, and five companies of the Eighteenth Iowa, two of which had recently come to our support, under the command of Captain [W. H.] Evans. The enemy had gained possession of several houses, and were pouring into our ranks volley after volley of musketry while they were endeavoring to dislodge them. The cause became desperate; the enemy were pressing hard upon our brave men, and they were yielding before the overwhelming numbers brought against them, when General Brown and staff rode forward to encourage them, when he was treacherously shot from a house by some hidden foe, and fell from his horse. He immediately remounted, but was unable to remain in his saddle, and was carried off the field.
     This was about 4 p.m., when I received all order from the general to take command, which I immediately complied with. The fighting at this time was hard. It was one continual roar of musketry and artillery. The enemy had advanced to a point beyond the range of the small-arms of the fort; but the artillery continued to pour a heavy fire of shot and shell into their midst, which would cause them to falter, but they would again and again rally. The stockade fort, which they had previously taken possession of, gave them great protection, and in and around which they would mass their forces, and from which they would make their charges. They would drive our men, and then in turn be driven back.
     A little after 5 o'clock they made the most desperate effort that they had made during the day to drive back our forces by throwing their whole force upon our center and right wing, but mainly upon the center. A part of the Seventy-second Enrolled Missouri Militia, Fourth Missouri State Militia Cavalry (dismounted), the Second Battalion Fourteenth Missouri State Militia Cavalry (dismounted), part of five companies of the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, and the "Quinine Brigade," amounting, in all, to about 800 men, had to oppose the major part of the rebel army, amounting to three or four times their own number; but our troops met them promptly, and fought them most gallantly for nearly one-half hour, when a part of our lines began to give back.
     At this critical time, an officer commanding a company in the Second Battalion Fourteenth Missouri State Militia, ordered his men to horse (as I was afterward informed, and the whole battalion came running in great confusion to the rear, and took to home. I tried in vain to rally them; they seemed panic-stricken. This caused a partial giving way among the other troops. I had no difficulty in rallying them, and they went again into the fight.
     It was now near dark, and the enemy were making an additional demonstration on our left. By this time Lieutenant-Colonel Pound, commanding, had succeeded in reforming the Second Battalion Fourteenth Missouri State Militia. I ordered him to advance on the enemy's right, which order he promptly executed. The enemy fired but a few rounds, and again retired, leaving us in full possession of this part of the field.
     Five additional companies of the Eighteenth Iowa, under the command of Lieut. Col. Thomas Z. Cook, came to the rescue, whooping and cheering, which gave fresh courage to our brave men, who immediately drove the enemy before them and back into the stockade fort. Colonel Cook's troops arrived too late to take an active l)art in the engagement. Darkness coming on, the firing gradually ceased, after which all was quiet, save an occasional firing from the artillery. The enemy, under cover of the darkness, withdrew from the field, carrying away part of their dead and wounded. I expected them to renew the attack on the following morning.
     On the morning of the 9th, they appeared in full force to the east, and about 1 mile from town. Preparations were made to receive them. A cavalry force was sent forward to engage them and check their advance; but they declined another engagement and retired in haste. We did not have a sufficient force to pursue them. We did not have at any one time during the day more than 900 to 1,000 men engaged. The enemy had some 4,000 men, under the command of General Marmaduke, [Colonels] Shelby, Gordon, Gilkey, Elliott, MacDonald, and others, with three pieces of artillery, who came with the full expectation of an easy conquest. They had invited their friends in the country to come and bring their wagons, promising them all the booty they could carry; but, thanks to a kind Providence, brave hearts, and strong arms, they were most signally defeated in their designs of plunder.
     The Seventy-second Regiment, Enrolled Missouri Militia, under the command of Col. Henry Sheppard, fought well and faithfully during the entire contest. Companies A, C, F, G, and H, of the Eighteenth Iowa, numbering 156 men, fought as Iowa boys know how to tight. Their heavy loss and b1oody record is proof of their valor. The "Quinine Brigade," made up of men from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and other States, fought like heroes, Spartans, and veterans, as their respective commanders report. All the troops, with but few exceptions, did their duty.
     I cannot forbear to say that to the vigilance of General Brown, his promptness in preparing to meet the enemy, and to his coolness, courage, and personal supervision of the troops in battle, while under his command, we are in a great measure indebted for our success. He has by his conduct endeared himself to those under his command.
     Lieut. Richard Root, Company K, Nineteenth Iowa, who arrived during the fight; Lieut. S. A. Wilson, Company I, Eighteenth Iowa; Captain McAfee and Lieutenant Bodenhammer, who were in command of the "Quinine Brigade ;" Capt. W. H. Evans, of Company F, Eighteenth Iowa; Dr. Whitney, of the Fourth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, who took a gun and fought and the Rev. Mr. Wynes, post chaplain, who, in the face of the enemy, assisted in removing the wounded from the hattie-field, deserve great praise for their gallant conduct during the engagement.
     I am under many obligations, to Major Steger and Lieutenants Campion and Blodgett, members of General Brown's staff, for the efficient service they rendered me. There are many other officers and men deserving of honorable mention.
     We lost 14 killed, 144 wounded, and 4 missing, making a total of killed, wounded, and missing of 162. The enemy's loss cannot be definitely ascertained. Their own estimates of their losses range from 200 to 300 killed and wounded. Among their slain is a major.
     We captured several prisoners, and among them are 2 commissioned officers. We buried a part of their dead, and have some 60 to 80 of their wounded to take care of.
     I send herewith attached a detailed report of the killed, &c.
         I have the honor to remain, your most obedient servant,

   Page 182 - 183
Report of Brig. Gen. Colly B. Holland, Missouri Militia

     COLONEL : I have the honor to submit the following report:
     On the evening of the 7th instant, Brig. Gen. E. B. Brown, commanding Southwestern District of Missouri, received intelligence from a scouting party, composed of detachments of the Fourteenth Missouri State Militia and Seventy-third Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia, under command of Captain [M.] Burch, that a large force of the enemy, said to be 6,000 strong, under command of General Marmaduke, were moving on Lawrence's Mill, Taney County, from Dubuque, Ark., with the intention of attacking this place, to capture the depot of arms and stores, and to destroy all communication with the Army of the Frontier and Saint Louis.
     Immediately orders were dispatched by me to Colonel [J. W.] Johnson, Twenty-sixth Regiment; Colonel [Henry] Shoppard, Seventy-second Regiment; Colonel [Marcus] Boyd, Seventy-fourth Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia, to call in all their furloughed men and concentrate them immediately at this post; also to detached companies in Dade and Lawrence Counties.
     In the course of the night information was received confirming the report of the enemy's advance. At daylight on the 8th, the troops stationed at Ozark arrived, reporting the enemy had arrived and burned their post, and by 10 a.m. our pickets were attacked, and he appeared on the edge of the prairie southeast of town.
     The enemy at once planted his battery and commenced firing upon the town and Fort No. 4, commanding the approach from the south, while the cavalry, consisting of detachments of the Third, Fourth, and Fourteenth Missouri State Militia, were formed on the left of the fort, and charged on the enemy's right.
     General Brown formed his line of battle, with detachments of cavalry on the left, southeast of town, a detachment of the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry on their right, Fort No. 4, mounting two guns, garrisoned with Company C, Colonel Boyd's Seventy-fourth Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia, Captain [G. B.] Phillips, and convalescent soldiers, commanded by Lieutenant [J.] Hoffman, of the First Missouri Artillery, connected with the Army of the Frontier, and a brick college, inclosed on three sides with palisades, used for a military prison, being the center; Colonel Sheppard's regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia Infantry to the right of the college, flanked on his right by detachments of car-airy, with Fort No. 1 about one.half mile to the rear, being the extreme right, which was garrisoned by the Eighteenth Iowa and citizens.
     The skirmishing with cavalry on our left, with artillery firing, continued with but trifling loss until 2 p.m., when the enemy extended his left, and advanced his right and whole line toward Fort No. 4. After some sharp fighting, he was repulsed from the fort, but succeeded in capturing one piece of artillery, which, in charge of a small detachment of the Eighteenth Iowa, was advanced too far to the front, the horses being killed and the men compelled to retire with heavy loss. Upon the repulse from Fort No. 4, the enemy combined his attack upon our right wing, composed of Colonel Sheppard's regiment, when the hardest and most decisive fighting of the day took place. This regiment maintained its ground for more than an hour against overwhelming numbers of the enemy's whole infantry, assisted by three pieces of artillery. The two guns from Fort No. 4 played upon the enemy during the latter part of the time with considerable effect.
   Colonel Sheppard was compelled to fall back in the direction of Fort No. 1, taking advantage of the scattered houses to continue the fight as they retired After falling back some 300 yards, they were rallied, and made a spirited charge upon the enemy, driving them back south of the Fayetteville road, being assisted on their left by a detachment of Iowa troops, under Col. B. Crabb.
     The enemy succeeded in gaining possession of the college building, a strong position, enabling their sharpshooters to check our farther advance until night closed the contest.
     Late in the day, Maj. A. C. Graves, of my staff, brigade commissary, who was acting as aide-de-camp, was mortally wounded, shot by a musket ball in left breast; Lieut. D. J. McCrosky, Company A, Seventy second Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia, killed; Maj. John Hornbeak wounded in arm; Lieut. W. F. Lane, Company E, Seventy-second Regiment, leg broken; Sergeants Burling and Campbell killed, and Sergeant Rainey mortally wounded.
     Annexed in hand is a statement of killed, wounded, and missing of my command.
     I take pleasure in reporting the valuable aid afforded me by members of my staff on the field, Majors Sheppard, Bishop, Graves, and Clarke; also volunteer aide, Lieutenant Matthews, of Eighth Missouri Cavalry Volunteers.
     I am proud to report the bravery of my command, being raw troops, who have been greatly maligned by enemies of the Union and some politicians of the State, and can assure the Commander-in-Chief of their readiness to defend the Constitution and support the Government of the United States and this State, not only with words, but by the sacrifice of their lives, as they have so abundantly proved by their conduct on the now still more memorable day--the 8th of January.
         Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. B. HOLLAND,
Brig. Gen., Comdg. Fourth Dist., Enrolled Missouri Militia.

Col. WILLIAM D. WOOD,
Acting Adjutant-General, Missouri.

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   Page 62 - 63, Part 2
Report of Colonel, James O Gower

CAMP OPPOSITE FORSYTH, MO.,
January 19, 1863.

General SCHOFIELD.
Commanding Army of the Frontier:

     GENERAL: We arrived here at 12 o'clock this day. I met Captain Julian, Fourteenth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, at Forsyth, with dispatches for you; the bearer also has dispatches for you; and I have directed them to proceed toward Cassville, thinking that they would reach you. The river is 2 feet past fording. The ferry-boat is still here, and I will have it put in order and cross the division as soon as possible. Shall await your orders at Forsyth. Will suffer for breadstuffs in a few days unless we get some; also beef. Forage is scarce, yet we will be able to subsist the animals for a few days.
         Very respectfully, your obedient servant.

JAMES O. GOWER,
Colonel, Commanding Third Division.

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