As fast as we proceeded the people became more earnest, and would insist upon delaying us.

Soon after mid-day we commenced denying we had been at the battle, or even in Springfield.

This was our only course if we would avoid detention.

Several residents of Springfield, and with them a runaway captain from a Kansas regiment, had preceded us a few hours and told much more than the truth.

Some of them had advised the people to abandon their homes and go to Rolla or St.Louis, assuring them they would all be murdered if they remained at home.
In pursuance of this advice many were loading a portion of their household goods upon wagons and preparing to precede or follow the army in its retreat.