Battle of Dug Springs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Dug Springs |
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| Part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War |
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 Splendid Charge of Union Cavalry at the Battle of Dug Springs |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States |
 Missouri (Confederate) Confederate States |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Capt. Frederick Steele Capt. David S. Stanley Capt. James Totten Lt. Lathrop |
Brig. Gen. James S. Rains Capt. Americus V. Reiff |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 38
(8 killed
30 wounded) |
84
(40 killed
44 wounded) |
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The Battle of Dug Springs was a fight during the American Civil War. It took place on August 2, 1861. This battle was part of the Trans-Mississippi Theater. That means it happened west of the Mississippi River. The battle happened near a town called Clever, Missouri.
This battle was also known as the Rains Scare. It involved soldiers from the Union side. They fought against the Missouri State Guard and some Confederate soldiers. The Union forces were led by Captains Frederick Steele, David S. Stanley, and James Totten. Lieutenant Lathrop also commanded some Union artillery. On the other side, Brigadier General James S. Rains led the Missouri forces. Captain Americus V. Reiff led the Confederate soldiers.
The Battle Begins
On August 1, 1861, Union General Nathaniel Lyon got some news. He heard that Confederate forces were moving towards his army. The report said there were 12,000 Confederate soldiers. General Lyon had about 5,800 soldiers. He quickly led them out of Springfield, Missouri. They had been staying there.
Lyon's army marched to Dug Springs. They arrived on August 2nd. Union advance troops met some Confederate lookouts. These lookouts quickly ran away. They left before the Union artillery could fire. The lookouts joined a group of 120 men. This group was led by Captain Americus V. Reiff.
First Skirmishes
Captain Reiff's men started a small fight with the Union soldiers. This kind of small fight is called a skirmish. Meanwhile, Brigadier General Rains was camped nearby. He was just south of Dug Springs. Rains had 400 soldiers with him. Around 5:00 PM, Rains began moving his troops forward. They started fighting on the other side of the road from Captain Reiff's men.
The Union soldiers held their ground. They did not retreat. Captain Reiff sent a message to General Rains. He wanted to plan an attack together. Reiff then moved his men forward. The Union soldiers began to fall back.
Union Cavalry Charge
At the same time, something exciting happened. A part of the 1st U.S. Cavalry charged forward. They were from Company C. This cavalry unit crashed through Captain Reiff's soldiers. Reiff later called this charge "the most gallant act I saw during the war."
After the cavalry charge, Union artillery started firing again. The loud cannons made the Missouri State Guardsmen and Confederate soldiers run away. This made the Union forces the winners of the battle.
Aftermath
The Battle of Dug Springs was an important event. It led up to a much bigger fight. That bigger fight was the Battle of Wilson's Creek.
