Thomas L. Snead, a politician and soldier who served with General Sterling Price, wrote The Fight for Missouri, a comprehensive history covering the events in Missouri from the election of 1860 to the Battle of Wilson’s Creek. In his 1886 work, Snead described Colonel Franz Sigel’s escape from the battlefield of Wilson’s Creek and his journey back to Springfield. In response, Sigel wrote to Snead on April 5, 1888 to explain his actions at Wilson’s Creek and defend himself from accusations that he abandoned his brigade. The following is an excerpt from that letter:
“It is true that I reached Springfield, with one man only, but not by deserting from the troops, which I tried to save and not before they were either killed, wounded, made prisoner or driven from the field and not without making such resistance as was possible at the time of attack. Even my Staff Officer, present with me, was captured. I was not killed or captured on account of the fortunate or perhaps unfortunate, circumstance of wearing a rough blue blanket with my uniform and a slouch hat giving me the appearance of the Texas Rangers, many of whom were similarly dressed up and must have taken me as one of their men.”
Sigel went on to explain that he hid in a cornfield until he was able to mount his horse and ride to town, being pursued part of the way.
