Wilson's Creek

Wilsonb Creek ffiffi rf ihe death of General Lyon, from a chromolithograph of the Battle of Wilson's Greek by Kurz & Allison. The Battle of Wilson's Creek (called Oak Hills by the Confederates) was fought 16 kilometers (1O miles) southwest of Springf ield, Mo., on August 1O, 1861 . Named for the stream that crosses the area where the battle took place, it was a bitter struggle between Union and Confederate forces for control of Missouri in the f irst year of the Civil War. Border State Politics When the Civil War began in 1861, Missouri's allegiance was of vital concern to the Federal Government. The State's strategic position on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and its abundant manpower and natural resources made it imperative that she remain loyal to the Union. Most Missourians desired neutrality, but many including the governor, Claiborne F. Jackson, held strong Southern sympathies and planned to cooperate with the Confederacy in its bid for independence. When President Lincoln called for troops to put down the rebellion, Missouri was asked to supply four regiments. Governor Jackson refused the request and ordered units of the State Guard to muster at Camp Jackson outside St' Louis and prepare to seize the huge stockpile of arms at the U.S. arsenal in that city. They had not, however, counted on the resourcefulness of the arsenal's commander, Capt. Nathaniel Lyon. Learning of the governor's intentions, Lyon had most of the weapons moved to lllinois. On May 10, he marched 7,000 men out to Camp Jackson and forced its surrender. ln June, after a futile meeting with Jackson to resolve their differences, Lyon (now a brigadier general) led an army up the Missouri River and captured the State Capitol at Jefferson City. After an unsuccessful stand at Boonville a few miles upstream, the governor, with elements of the State Guard, retreated to southwest Missouri. Why Wilson's Creek? After installing a pro-Union State governrnenl and pibkihg up reinforcements, Lyon moved toward southwest Missouri. By July 13, 1861, he was encamped at Springfield with about 6,000 soldiers, consisting of the 1st,2d,3rd, and sth Missouri lnfantry, the 1st lowa lnfantry, the 1st and 2d Kansas lnfantry, several companies of regular Army troops, and three batteries of artillery. General Lyon spent the rest of the month drilling these units and procuring supplies. Meanwhile, 12O kilometers (75 miles) southwest of Springfield, Maj. Gen. Sterling Price, commanding the Missouri State Guard, had been busy drilling the 5,000 soldiers in his charge. By the end of July, when troops under Gens. Ben McCulloch and N. Bart Pearce rendezvoused with Price, the total Confederate force exceeded 12,0O0 men. On July 31, after formulating plans to capture Lyons' army and regain control of the State, Price, McCulloch, and Pearce marched northeast to attack the Federals. Lyon, hoping to surprise the Confederates, marched from Springfield on August 1. The next day the Union troops mauled the Southern van- guard at Dug Springs. Lyon, discovering that he was outnumbered, ordered a withdrawal to Springfield. The Confederates followed and by August 6 were encamped in the fields near and on the bluffs overlooking Wilson's Creek. The Battle Despite inferior numbers, Lyon decided to attack the Confederate encampments. Leaving about 1,000 men behind to guard his supplies, the Federal commander led 5,40O soldiers out of Springfield on the night of August 9. Lyon's plan called for 1,2OO men under Col. Franz Sigel to About midmorning on the day ol the battle, as he was leading a charge of the 2d Kansas lnfanlry against Col. Richard Weightman's Missourians, Gen. Nathaniel Lyon was struck by a musket ball that passed through his chest. Slowly dismounting, the mortally wounded Lyon collapsed into the arms of orderly Pvt. Ed Lehmann. A granite marker (!eft), placed there in 1928 by the University CIub of Springfield, Mo., marks the approximate spot where Lyon was killed, commemorating the death of one of the Union's outstanding officers. swing wide to the south, flanking the Confederate right, while the main body of troops struck from the north. Success hinged on the element of surprise. lronically, the Confederate leaders had also planned a surprise attack on the Federals, but rain on the night of the 9th caused McCulloch (who was now in overall command) to cancel the operation. On the morning of the 1Oth, Lyon's attack caught the Southerners off guard, driving them back. Forging rapidly ahead, the Federals overran several Confederate camps and occupied the crest of a ridge subsequently called "Bloody Hill." There the Pulaski Arkansas Battery opened fire, checking the advance. This gave Price's infantry time to form a battlel.ine on the hill'5 South slope. For more than 5 hours the battle raged on Bloody Hill. Fighting was often at close quarters, and the tide turned with each charge and countercharge. Sigel's flanking maneuver, initially successful, lost momentum in the fields of the Sharp farm as some soldiers stopped to plunder and came under Confederate artillery f ire. Sigel's attack collapsed altogether when McCulloch's men counterattacked. Defeated, Sigel and his troops fled, abandoning f ive cannon. About 9:30 a.m., General Lyon, who had been wounded twice already, was killed while leading a countercharge. Maj. Samuel Sturgis assumed command of the Federal forces and, with ammunition nearly exhausted, ordered a withdrawal to Springf ield. The Battle of Wilson's Creek was over. Losses were heavy and about equal on both sides-1,317 for the Federals, 1 ,222 tor the Confederates. The Southerners, though victorious on the field, were not able to pursue the Northerners. Lyon lost the battle and his life, but he achieved his goal: Missouri remained under Union control. The Men Who Commanded the Armies Union Leaders Gonfederate Leaders W "WMW fi',ffiru 1 Benjamin fuicCuiioch commancieci lire eoniecierate lorces at Wilson's Creek. Though possessing no formal military training, he was a veteran lndian lighter, participated in the Texas War of Independence, and commanded a company ol Texas HanEers in the Mexican War. After serving as sherifl ol Sacramento during the California gold rush, he was appointed U,S. marshal lor the eastern district ol Texas. McCulloch rose from a colonel of State troops in February 1861 to a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army in May that same year. $even months after the Confederate victory at Wilson's Creek, he died while leading a division o{ troops at the Battle of Pea Hidge, Brig. Gen. Nathaniei Lyon, whs sommanded the Federal forces at Wilson's Creek, was an 1841 graduate of the U.$. Military Academy and a veteran of the Seminole and Mexican Wars. He had also served at various posts on the frontier before being assigned to command the U.S. arsenal in St. Louis in 1861. An ardent Unionist and a strong supporter ot Lincoln and the Hopublican party, Lyon worked closely with Missouri Congressman Francis P. Blair, Jr,, to prevent the $tate lrom seceding from the Union. His death at Wilson's Creek at the age of 43 made him the first Union general to die in battte during the Civil War. Ark., March 7.1862. Maj. Gen. Sterling Price commanded the Missouri State Guard at Wilson's Creek. He had served in the Mexican War, the U.S. Congress, and as governor ol Missouri. He accepted the command ol the State Guard when the war began. At age 51, he was the oldest of the six principal commanders at Wilson's Creek and was well-liked by his troops, who aflectionately nicknamed him "Old Pap." el;qg1,$h"ttte11 pgarce graduated lrom West .fi,i. point in 1850 and served on the frontier for I years belore resigning from the Army. When Arkansas W German-born Franz Sigel was director of public schools in St. Louis at the onset of the Civil War. As colonel of the 3rd Missouri lnfantry, he took part in the capture ol Camp Jackson in May 1861 and fought in the Battle of Carihage two months later. The defeat of his 2d Missouri Brigade at Wilson's Creek helped forge the Southern victory' Mai. Samuel Sturgis, who assumed command of the Union lorces after Lyon's death, was an 1846 graduate of West Point. Like Lyon, he had served in lhe,Mexican War and on th@ frontier' When the Civil War began, Sturgis was in command of the at Fort'Smith, Ark. Cited for morito"$Obt .hatll/!s-, \\ J"q \ "\ # '&, _. \-" N \r S;NNii sS,. .\ " Sketch by Henri 'during thdBattle I Dr4 rI The DIz Il rl I !7 \ I I 5r. Tour The visitor center at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield has been designed with a concern for the luture and a respect for the processes of nature. As such, it is one ol the first to utilize active and passive sotar heating. The southern exposure of the building, situated on a southeast slope, receives full sun, while the northwest side. recessed into the hill, makes use of underground cooling and insulation. The olfices on the south side take advantage of natural light and passive solar heating in winter, while other less-used areas occupy the north and west walls. By Way of lntroduction The park, located 5 kilometers (3 miles) east ol Republic, Mo., and 16 kilometers (10 miles) south' west ol Springfield, Mo., is accessible from all maior highways. From l-44 take Exit 70 (MM) to US 60 and lollow Mo. M and ZZ. From US 60, lollow Mo. M andZZ. From US 65, take Business 65 and follow Mo. M and ZZ. Picnicking is available, but not overnight camPing. self-guided auto tour (see below), with parking pullouts and wayside exhibits, takes you to the major battle sites. Bloody Hill, the scene ol the most intense fighting, is marked by an interpretive shelter with an audio-visual program, and a walking trail through the battlelines. Living history programs are presented during the summer and fall seasons. Contact the park headquarters lor details concerning lacilities and use. The visitor center and park headquarters provide introductory inlormation about the park, the battle, and its relevance to the total Civil War story. A and the plant and animal life are protected by Federal law and must be left undisturbed. Metal detectors are prohibited, and pets should be leashed at all times. All accidents and any suggestions or complaints should be reported to park headquarters. Wilson's Creek National Battlefield is administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the lnterior. A superintendent, whose address is Postal Drawer C, Republic, MO 65738, is in charge. Buildings, historical artifacts, geologic specimens, Stops Along the Tour Route Onoute of Union Advance At 5 a.m., August 10, 1861, the main body of Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon's army passed by here headed toward the camps of Mai. Gen. Sterling Price's Missourians. Union troops overran Confederate outposts and moved up to the crest oI Bloody Hill overlooking the awakening Southerners. From across the creek, Capt. W. E. Woodruff, Jr., observed the movement and ordered his artillery to fire at the Federals, allowing Price time to deploy his men. Bloody Hill, Lt. John V. DuBois' battery fired on the Confederates, driving them from the cornfield to the rear of the Ray House. Exploding shells fell around the house, but it wasn't struck. lnside, Confederate surgeons, using the home as a field the east. hospital, tended the wounded. After the battle, the house continued to serve as a hospital for wounded @Sigel's Final Action Col. Franz Sigel's flanking march around the Confederate position had gone of both sides, as well as a temporary resting place undetected, and by 5 a.m. his troops were estabfor the body of General Lyon, which had been left lished on the ridge east of Wilson's Creek and on the field by retreating Federals. se gth e4st qt IhSJi eld_s- "w h s re th e $-o u! he r o _eqyalrrwas encamped, lt was from this ridge that his artillery opened fire and surprised the Confeder- ates at the same time Lyon's main column advanced against the encampments of the Missouri State Guard. Subsequently, Sigel's column moved west across the creek and north to this hillside. Constructed about 1852, the Hay House (right) is the only surviving structure in the park associated with the battle. lt served as a local post office from January 1856 until September 1866, with John A. Ray as postmaster. The house also served from Here his men were attacked and mauled by McCulloch's troops, whom Sigel mistook for a November 1858 until March 30, 1860, as a llag stop on the Butterlield Overland Stage route. On August 10, 1861, the Battle of Wilson's Creek placed the CivilWar squarely on the Ray doorstep. From here throughout the next four years the Rays watched soldiers and the tools ol war march past on the Old Wire Road belore peace linally returned to their lives and the Nation. Federal regiment and allowed to advance. His error and defeat turned the tide of battle in the Confederates' favor. @ Bloody Hilt Though this was one of the first battles of the Civil War and many troops had little training, on few other fields was there a greater display of courage and bravery. lt was later reU:'t. ' l., (Dnrv House and Cornlield While his family sought @Pulaski Arkansas Battery From the high ground refuge in the cellar, John A. Ray stood on the front - to the east, this battery opened fire, halting the porch of this house and watched the battle unfold Union line of battle on Bloody Hill. Responding on Bloody Hiil, 1 kilometer (.7 mile) to the west. Remaining on the porch throughout the battle, he observed a line of Union troops enter his cornfield. These men were Capt. Joseph P. Plummer's U.S. Regular Battalion and two Home Guard compa- breakfasting when the battle began. The cabin dates from this period and is similar to the one situated here in 1861. General Pearce and the Arkansas State Guard camped across the creek to Federal artillery forced the Arkansans to change position several times, but the battery was not silenced. The rapid and accurate fire delivered by Captain Woodruff 's four bronze guns played a vital role in the Confederate victory. nies. Sent across Wilson's Creek to guard the Federal left flank, Plummer saw the telling effect @erice's Headquarters/Edwards Cabin The major part of the Missouri State Guard bivouacked here the Pulaski Arkansas Battery was having on Lyon's men and determined to silence these guns. As his on the bottom land along Wilson's Creek. Price line advanced, it was assailed and forced back himself camped in the yard of the Edwards cabin. It was here that the Confederate generals were across the creek by two Southern units. From ported that "some of the best blood in the land was being spilled as recklessly as if it were ditch water." On this prominence the fighting was the most intense near the sinkhole. Following the battle, the victorious Southerners had the gruesome task of burying the dead. The bodies of 30 Union soldiers were buried in the sinkhole. Six years later these bodies, along with others, were removed and became the nucleus of the National Cemetery in Springfield, Mo. A 1-kilometer (.7-mile) walking trail winds across the rocky crest of the hill where the climactic action of the battle took place and where Nathaniel Lyon was killed. GPO: 1982-361'578/'152 Springlield and US 60 and l-44 ^-- 6- +d =\s ^c .s- (r' To Republic o 0 0.1 Kilometer 0.5 0.1 Mile O rorrrtop 0.5 T--l I parkrand I Trait Historic fence line