Confederates Take Springfield! - August 12, 1861

Springfield is a town built on a hill on the north bank of the South Branch River. As Confederates approached on August 12, they found only the beleaguered 2nd Illinois defending the town. The 2nd had deployed at the highest point in town, near the Springfield College. The Confederate commander established his headquarters at the Fisk house and then deployed his battery in a corn field near the ford, with infantry deploying in column nearby to wait for the order to attack.

The Confederate battery opened on Colonel Larson's Illinois men on the heights, inflicting some loss, and then the infantry advanced. The 2nd Illinois' prime nemesis over the last few days, the 1st Arkansas, moved along Ford Street onto College Street and advanced along a path that negated some of the Union's advantage of elevation. The rest of the Confederate infantry moved along Main Street and then wheeled right to attack up the hill.

The 2nd Illinois fired down on the 2nd Arkansas at the base of the hill to good effect, but in doing so was exposed to flanking fire from the 1st Arkansas on their left. Another regiment or battalion pushed into line and yet another was moving through the town out to Larson's left. After absorbing some losses and doing their best, the 2nd Illinois retreated to the northeast, heading to Feasterville.

The Confederates now control Springfield, a rail terminus and major objective in the campaign. This could have significant implications for Federal units south of Springfield, who may have lost their supply lines.