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Battle of Wilson's Creek

1861 in Missouri1861 in the American Civil WarAugust 1861 eventsBattles of the American Civil War in MissouriBattles of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War
Christian County, MissouriConfederate victories of the American Civil WarHistory of Greene County, MissouriOperations to control Missouri (American Civil War)Use American English from April 2018Use mdy dates from November 2013
The soldier in our Civil War a pictorial history of the conflict, 1861 1865, illustrating the valor of the soldier as displayed on the battle field, from sketches drawn by Forbes, Waud, Taylor, (14762463272)
The soldier in our Civil War a pictorial history of the conflict, 1861 1865, illustrating the valor of the soldier as displayed on the battle field, from sketches drawn by Forbes, Waud, Taylor, (14762463272)

The Battle of Wilson's Creek, also known as the Battle of Oak Hills, was the first major battle of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War. It was fought on August 10, 1861, near Springfield, Missouri. In August, Confederates under Brigadier General Benjamin McCulloch and Missouri State Guard troops under Maj. Gen. Sterling Price approached Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon's Army of the West, camped at Springfield. On August 10, Lyon, in two columns commanded by himself and Col. Franz Sigel, attacked the Confederates on Wilson's Creek about 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Springfield. Confederate cavalry received the first blow and retreated from the high ground. Confederate infantry attacked the Union forces three times during the day but failed to break through. Eventually, Sigel's column was driven back to Springfield, allowing the Confederates to consolidate their forces against Lyon's main column. When Lyon was killed and General Thomas William Sweeny wounded, Major Samuel D. Sturgis assumed command of the Union forces. When Sturgis realized that his men were exhausted and lacking ammunition, he ordered a retreat to Springfield. The battle was reckoned as a Confederate victory, but the Confederates were too disorganized and ill-equipped to pursue the retreating Union forces. Although the state remained in the Union for the remainder of the war, the battle effectively gave the Confederates control of southwestern Missouri. The victory at Wilson's Creek also allowed Price to lead the Missouri State Guard north in a campaign culminating at the siege of Lexington, Missouri.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Battle of Wilson's Creek (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Battle of Wilson's Creek
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N 37.101 ° E -93.4078 °
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Historic route of Wire Road

Historic route of Wire Road
65619
Missouri, United States
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The soldier in our Civil War a pictorial history of the conflict, 1861 1865, illustrating the valor of the soldier as displayed on the battle field, from sketches drawn by Forbes, Waud, Taylor, (14762463272)
The soldier in our Civil War a pictorial history of the conflict, 1861 1865, illustrating the valor of the soldier as displayed on the battle field, from sketches drawn by Forbes, Waud, Taylor, (14762463272)
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Nearby Places

Terrell Creek

Terrell Creek or Terril Creek is a stream in the "western panhandle" of Christian County in the Ozarks of southwest Missouri.The stream headwaters arise northeast of Missouri Route 14 and southeast of Billings at 37°02′54″N 93°32′10″W and the stream flows north then east passing under Route P south of Republic. It continues east passing under Route ZZ just south of the community of Terrell and the southern border of Wilson's Creek National Battlefield to its confluence with Wilsons Creek at 37°05′01″N 93°24′16″W.Terrell Creek has the name of the local Terril family.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, located near Republic, Missouri, preserves the site of the Battle of Wilson's Creek. Fought on August 10, 1861, the battle was the first major American Civil War engagement west of the Mississippi River. In the battle, a Confederate army commanded by Benjamin McCulloch and Sterling Price defeated a smaller Union army commanded by Nathaniel Lyon. However, the Confederates were unable to hold much of Missouri, and a Confederate defeat at the Battle of Pea Ridge effectively solidified Union control of the state. Major features include a five-mile automobile tour loop, the restored 1852 Ray House, and "Bloody Hill", the site of the final stage of the battle. The site is located near Republic in southwestern Missouri just southwest of the city of Springfield. It has been a unit of the National Park Service since 1960, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

Griffin, Missouri

Griffin is an unincorporated community in Christian County, in the U.S. state of Missouri.

Battlefield, Missouri
Battlefield, Missouri

Battlefield is a city in Greene County, Missouri, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 5,990. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town has no post office and shares the ZIP code (65619) with Brookline.

Brookline Township, Greene County, Missouri

Brookline Township is an inactive township in Greene County, in the U.S. state of Missouri.Brookline Township took its name from the community of Brookline, Missouri.

East Republic Township, Greene County, Missouri

East Republic Township is a township in Greene County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. East Republic Township is named after the city within its boundaries.

Union Chapel Township, Christian County, Missouri

Union Chapel Township is a township in northern Christian County, Missouri. The organization date and origin of the name of Union Chapel Township is unknown.

Lincoln Township, Christian County, Missouri

Lincoln Township is an inactive township in Christian County, Missouri. The township was named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.

Wilson Township, Greene County, Missouri

Wilson Township is an inactive township in Greene County, in the U.S. state of Missouri.Wilson Township was named after Wilsons Creek.

Riverbluff Cave

The Riverbluff Cave is a paleontological site discovered in the United States, near Springfield, Missouri. The entrance is filled with stalactites, stalagmites and columns. The cave is about 830,000 years old (making it the oldest known fossil cave site in the US) and 610 m long, featuring Pleistocene fossils, notably of the short-faced bear (Artcodus simus) the largest bear species on the Earth (around 5–6 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing in the area of 2,000 pounds).The cave Is located in the widespread karst landscape of the Springfield Plateau of the western Missouri Ozarks and developed within the soluble Mississippian limestones of the region. It was unveiled accidentally on September 11, 2001, when engineers were blasting for a new road.The cave is not open to the public, but is the world's second cave to be wired for virtual tours. The Riverbluff Cave Field House opened in 2009 with exhibits of fossils from Riverbluff Cave and from around the world.Just about 50 feet away from the cave is a museum which holds multiple rocks and fossils.

Brookline, Missouri
Brookline, Missouri

Brookline is a former village in Greene County, Missouri, United States. The population was 326 at the 2000 census.

Boaz, Missouri

Boaz is an unincorporated community in Christian County, Missouri, United States. Boaz is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. The community is located approximately seven miles southwest of Nixa and is about five miles east of Clever. A post office called Boaz was established in 1893, and remained in operation until 1914. The community derives its name from Boaz, a figure in the Hebrew Bible.