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 The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. It was fought on August 2, 1861, near

Clever, Missouri Clever is a city in Christian County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,139 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. Clever, like the rest of Christian County, saw a significant increas ...

. The battle was fought between several

Union Union commonly refers to: * Trade union, an organization of workers * Union (set theory), in mathematics, a fundamental operation on sets Union may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * Union (band), an American rock group ** ''Un ...

companies under the command of

Nathaniel Lyon Nathaniel Lyon (July 14, 1818 – August 10, 1861) was the first Union general to be killed in the American Civil War. He is noted for his actions in Missouri in 1861, at the beginning of the conflict, to forestall secret secessionist plans of th ...

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.

Battle

News reached the Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon on August 1st 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. The battle served as an important milestone in what culminated in the

Battle of Wilson's Creek The Battle of Wilson's Creek, also known as the Battle of Oak Hills, was the first major battle of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War. It was fought on August 10, 1861, near Springfield, Missouri, Springfield, Missou ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dug Springs, Battle of Battles of the American Civil War in Missouri 1861 in Missouri

Battle

See also

References