CHAPTER VII.
THE RETREAT FROM SPRINGFIELD.
A Council of War .-- The Journalists' Council .-- Preparations for Retreat .-- Preceding the Advance-Guard .-- Alarm and Anxiety of the People .-- Magnificent Distances .-- A Novel Odometer .-- The Unreliable Countryman .-- Neutrality .-- A Night at Lebanon .-- A Disagreeable Lodging-place .-- Active Secessionists .-- The Man who Sought and Found his Rights .-- Approaching Civilization .-- Rebel Couriers on the Route .-- Arrival at Rolla.
On the night after the battle, the army was quartered at Springfield.
The Rebels had returned to the battle-ground, and were holding it in possession.

The court-house and a large hotel were taken for hospitals, and received such of our wounded as were brought in.

At a council of war, it was decided to fall back to Rolla, a hundred and twenty miles distant, and orders were given to move at daylight.
The journalists held a council of war, and decided to commence their retreat at half-past two o'clock in the morning, in order to be in advance of the army.

The probabilities were in favor of the enemy's cavalry being at the junction of certain roads, five miles east of the town.

We, therefore, divested ourselves of every thing of a compromising character.