Battle of Dug Springs

The Battle of Dug Springs, also known as the Rains Scare, was a battle that was a part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War. It was fought on August 2, 1861, near Clever, Missouri.[1]

Battle of Dug Springs
Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the
American Civil War

Splendid Charge of Union Cavalry at the Battle of Dug Springs
DateAugust 2, 1861 (1861-08-02)
Location
Dug Springs, near Clever, Missouri
Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States United States Missouri Missouri (Confederate)
Confederate States of America Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
United States Capt. Frederick Steele
United States Capt. David S. Stanley
United States Capt. James Totten
United States Lt. Lathrop		 Missouri Brig. Gen. James S. Rains
Confederate States of America Capt. Americus V. Reiff
Casualties and losses
38
(8 killed
30 wounded)
 84
(40 killed
44 wounded)

The battle was fought between several Union companies under the command of Nathaniel Lyon and Missouri State Guardsman supported by Confederate Regulars. The Union forces were led by Capt. Frederick Steele, the Fourth artillery under Lieutenant Lathrop, and a company of cavalry under Captain Stanley, and finally Totten's battery, with two pieces from Sigel's brigade. The Missouri Forces were led by Brig. Gen. James S. Rains and the Confederate support was made up of men from the 17th Arkansas Infantry Regiment commanded by Capt. Americus V. Reiff. Future Congressman Jordan E. Cravens, fought with Capt. Reiff's company.[2]

Battle

News reached the Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon on August 1 that the Confederates were advancing on his force, in 3 columns, numbering 12,000 men. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon immediately led his 5,800 soldiers out of Springfield where they had been encamped. Lyon's force reached Dug Springs August 2nd. Confederate pickets encountered Lyon's advance force made up of four companies. The Southerners quickly retreated before Union artillery could be fired at them and rejoined an advance force led by Capt. Americus V. Reiff. Capt. Reiff's force of 120 men began to skirmish with Federal forces. Brigadier General Rains was encamped just South of Dug Springs with a 400 man advanced guard. Around 5 P.M. Rains started advancing his troops toward Dug Springs and starting fighting on the opposite side of the road from Reiff. The Federal troops held firm so Reiff sent an aide to Rains to coordinate an assault on the Federals. Reiff advanced his men and the Federals began to retreat but at the same time a portion of Company C, 1st U.S. Cavalry charged Reiff. The cavalry broke through Reiffs command. Reiff later recalled "the most gallant act I saw during the war." about the charge. Federal artillery began again causing the Missouri State Guardsman and Confederate Regulars to flee which resulted in a Union victory.[3]

The battle served as an important milestone in what culminated in the Battle of Wilson's Creek.

See also

References
  1. "The Battle of Dug Spring". thelibrary.org. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  2. "Col. John M. Harrell, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 10.2, Arkansas, Chapter 1". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  3. "Community and Conflict » Archive » Battle of Dug Springs". Retrieved 2020-09-16.
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