some twenty-five of the gallant regulars rushed forward upon the enemy’s lines, and, dashing aside the threatening bayonets of the sturdy rebels, hewed down the ranks with fearful slaughter. Captain Stanley, who was amazed at the temerity of the little band, was obliged to sustain the order, but before he could reach his company they had broken the ranks of the enemy, who outnumbered them as twenty to one. Some of the rebels who were wounded asked, in utter astonishment, “whether these were men or devils—they fight so?” The ground was left in possession of the Unionists, strewed with arms, and the men were seizing the horses and mules that had been left, when a large force of the enemy’s cavalry were seen approaching—some three hundred or more. At the instant when they had formed, in an angle, Captain Totten, who had mounted a six and twelve-pounder upon the overlooking hill, sent a shell directly over them; in another minute, the second, a twelve-pound shell, landed at their feet, exploding, and scattering the whole body in disorder. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth were sent into their midst. The horsemen could not control their horses, and in a minute not an enemy was to be seen anywhere. The Union loss was four killed and five wounded, one of whom subsequently died, while that of the enemy was very heavy, fully forty killed and an hundred wounded. Having routed the enemy, General Lyon continued his march until he arrived at Curran, in Stone county, twenty-six miles from Springfield, where he encamped in order to avail himself of a choice of position. Here, from information that had been obtained of the opposing force and movements, a consultation was held with Generals Sweeney and Sigel, and Majors Schofield, Shepherd, Conant and Sturgis, and Captains Totten and Schaeffer, when it was determined to retire towards Springfield. The enemy was threatening a flank movement, and the necessity of keeping a communication open with Springfield was apparent to all the officers, and induced General Lyon to return to that point. An important consideration was, their provisions had to be transported one hundred miles—the depot being at Rolla—and the men were exhausted with the excessive heat, labors and privations of the campaign. On the 5th of August they encamped at and near Springfield, and awaited the expected encounter with firm hearts, resolute bearing, and a determination to do or die. SKIRMISH AT ATHENS, MISSOURI. AUGUST 5, 1861. While General Lyon and his noble associates were preparing to repel the anticipated attack of the forces of McCullough and Price, another event occurred that demands attention, and we turn to the town of Athens, situated on the Des Moines river, twenty-five or thirty miles from Keokuk, Iowa.