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On August 10, 1861, the Battle of Wilson's Creek, was fought near Springfield, Missouri. From the article:was
"Battle of Wilson's Creek Facts & Summary
Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon’s Army of the West was camped at Springfield, Missouri, with Confederate troops from Arkansas under the command of Brig. Gen. Ben McCulloch approaching. McCulloch's men had reinforced Missouri State Guard forces under Maj. Gen. Sterling Price. On August 9th, both sides formulated plans to attack the other. At about 5:00 am on the 10th, Lyon, in two columns commanded by himself and Col. Franz Sigel, attacked the Confederates on Wilson’s Creek about 12 miles southwest of Springfield. Rebel cavalry received the first blow and fell back away from Bloody Hill. Confederate forces soon rushed up and stabilized their positions. The Confederates counterattacked the Union forces three times that morning but failed to break through the Union line. Lyon was killed during the battle and was replaced by Maj. Samuel D. Sturgis. Meanwhile, the Confederates had routed Sigel’s column, south of Skegg’s Branch. Following the third Confederate attack, which ended at 11:00 am, Price and McCulloch pulled back. Sturgis realized, however, that his men were exhausted and his ammunition was low, so he ordered a retreat to Springfield. The Confederates were too disorganized and ill-equipped to pursue. The Confederate victory buoyed southern sympathizers in Missouri and sustained Price's Missouri State Guard activities in the state. Wilson’s Creek, the most significant 1861 west of the Mississippi River, gave the Confederates control of southwestern Missouri."
"Battle of Wilson's Creek Facts & Summary
Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon’s Army of the West was camped at Springfield, Missouri, with Confederate troops from Arkansas under the command of Brig. Gen. Ben McCulloch approaching. McCulloch's men had reinforced Missouri State Guard forces under Maj. Gen. Sterling Price. On August 9th, both sides formulated plans to attack the other. At about 5:00 am on the 10th, Lyon, in two columns commanded by himself and Col. Franz Sigel, attacked the Confederates on Wilson’s Creek about 12 miles southwest of Springfield. Rebel cavalry received the first blow and fell back away from Bloody Hill. Confederate forces soon rushed up and stabilized their positions. The Confederates counterattacked the Union forces three times that morning but failed to break through the Union line. Lyon was killed during the battle and was replaced by Maj. Samuel D. Sturgis. Meanwhile, the Confederates had routed Sigel’s column, south of Skegg’s Branch. Following the third Confederate attack, which ended at 11:00 am, Price and McCulloch pulled back. Sturgis realized, however, that his men were exhausted and his ammunition was low, so he ordered a retreat to Springfield. The Confederates were too disorganized and ill-equipped to pursue. The Confederate victory buoyed southern sympathizers in Missouri and sustained Price's Missouri State Guard activities in the state. Wilson’s Creek, the most significant 1861 west of the Mississippi River, gave the Confederates control of southwestern Missouri."
Battle of Wilson's Creek Facts & Summary
Posted from battlefields.org
Civil War
American History
Military History
Warfare
Combat
Posted >1 y ago
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As my wife has relatives living in Springfield we have visited the battle field site many times. We are Civil war re-enactors. Initially I was a member of the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles under Gen Stand Watie. When our commander passed away that group folded. Then I joined the Federal Signal Corps in Oklahoma City. Yes I fought on both sides and enjoyed the history of both organizations. Nothing like the smell of black powder burning in the morning.
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