A vigilant guard was at once set upon all roads and avenues of approach to Springfield. No one was allowed to _go out_, except physicians, although everybody was admitted. Never, perhaps, in the history of war was a camp so well guarded, and all knowledge of its character kept so well from the enemy as was Gen. Lyon’s at Springfield. Col. Thos. L. Snead, now of New York City, and Gen. Price’s assistant adjutant general in 1861, has kindly furnished much very valuable information to the writer hereof, and through this volume to the world at large. The colonel’s means of knowledge are very superior, and he has manifested the utmost willingness to impart what he knows concerning the memorable days of July and August, 1861. Col. Snead says that on Sunday morning, August 4th (1861), Gen. Price and he rode over to Gen. McCulloch’s headquarters, at McCulloch’s farm, and in the presence of Snead and Col. James McIntosh, who was McCulloch’s adjutant general, Gen. Price urged McCulloch to co-operate with him in an attack on Lyon, who was supposed to be in the immediate front,—it not then being known to the Confederates that he had retreated. McCulloch had no faith in Price’s skill as an officer, and a profound contempt for the Missouri officers generally,—and for Gen. Rains particularly.[1] Gen. Price was a major-general of Missouri militia, McCulloch only a Confederate brigadier. Price had a loud voice and a positive address, and always spoke to McCulloch as if the latter were his inferior. “Do you mean to march on and attack Lyon, Gen. McCulloch?” he demanded. “I have not received orders yet to do so, sir,” answered McCulloch; “my instructions leave me in doubt whether I will be justified in doing so.” “Now, sir,” said Price, still in his loud, imperious tone, “I have commanded in more battles than you ever saw, Gen. McCulloch. I have three times as many troops as you. I am of higher rank than you are, and I am twenty years your senior in age and general experience. I waive all these considerations, Gen. McCulloch, and if you will march upon the enemy I will obey your orders, and give you the whole command and all the glory to be won there!” McCulloch said he was then expecting a dispatch from President Davis, and would take Gen. Price at his word if it should be favorable, and if after consultation with Gen. Pearce the latter should agree also to co-operate, Gen. Pearce having an independent command of Arkansas State troops.