In the afternoon of the 9th, General Lyon decided to assault the Rebel camp at daylight of the following morning.

A council of war had determined that a defeat would be less injurious than a retreat without a battle, provided the defeat were not too serious.

"To abandon the Southwest without a struggle," said General Lyon, "would be a sad blow to our cause, and would greatly encourage the Rebels.

We will fight, and hope for the best." In arranging a plan of battle, Colonel Sigel suggested that the forces should be divided, so that a simultaneous attack would be made upon either extremity of the enemy's camp.

The two columns were to move from Springfield at sunset, bivouac within four miles of the proposed battle-field, and begin their march early enough to fall upon the enemy's camp a little past daylight.