December 30, 1861 (Sunday): The Thanks of Congress

General Nathaniel Lyon

Thanks of U. S. Congress to General Lyon’s command.

GENERAL ORDERS}            HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,

        No. 111          }                   ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE,

                                                            Washington, December 30, 1861.

   The following acts-of Congress are published for the information of the Army:

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JOINT RESOLUTION expressive of the recognition by Congress of the gallant and patriot services of the late Brigadier-General Nathaniel Lyon, and the officers and soldiers under his command, at the battle of Springfield, Missouri.

   Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 1.  That Congress deems it just and proper to enter upon its records a recognition of the eminent and patriotic services of the late Brigadier-General Nathaniel Lyon.  The country to whose service he devoted his life will guard and preserve his fame as a part of its own glory.

2.     That the thanks of Congress are hereby given to the brave officers and soldiers who, under the command of the late General Lyon, sustained the honor of the flag, and achieved victory against overwhelming numbers at the battle of Springfield, in Missouri: and that, in order to commemorate an event so honorable to the country and to themselves, it is ordered that each regiment engaged shall be authorized to bear upon its colors the word “Springfield” embroidered in letters of gold.  And the President of the United States is hereby requested to cause these resolutions to be read at the head of every regiment in the Army of the United States.

Approved December 24, 1861.

3.     The President of the United States directs that the foregoing joint resolution be read at the head of every regiment in the Army of the United States.

By command of Major-General McClellan:

L.THOMAS, Adjutant-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 3, Part 1, Page 93.

The battle referred to here is more commonly known as “Wilson’s Creek”.  Outnumbered two to one, the Union force under Lyon blunted Confederate attacks before withdrawing from the field.  The battle did not have a lasting effect in Missouri, but Lyons himself certainly merited the thanks of Congress for his strong action at the war’s start to secure Saint Louis and its arsenal for the Union.  Had he not moved decisively it is possible the ultimate outcome in Missouri could have been very different.