BACKGROUND

The Battle of Wilson's Creek occurred August 10, l 861 along Wilson's Creek, about ten miles southwest of Springfield MO. This six-hour battle is considered to be the second major battle of the Civil War and the first major battle west of the Mississippi River. Brigadier General Nathanial Lyon commanded the Union forces, numbering about 5,400 men. They consisted of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and U.S. Regular soldiers.

On the Confederate side there were about 10,000 men, commanded by Brigadier General Ben McCulloch. They consisted of men from Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas The Misouri contingent was the Missouri State Guard (MSG) under the command of Major General Sterling Price The battle was waged over who would control the state of Missouri - the U. S. government or the state of Missouri.

The Confederate forces, having massed almost double the effective force of the Union army in the region, were moving north to attack Lyon's forces in Springfield. General McCulloch's plan was to march north on August 10th and attack. A heavy rainfall on the 9th caused him to reconsider the march. His forces were armed with poor quality weapons and ammunition that were sensitive to moisture General McCulloch was concerned dud much of his force could become ineffective if forced to advance in the rain. He called off the advance for the 10th and ordered the troops to remain bivouacked along Wilson's Creek. His inexperienced commanders failed to redeploy camp pickets after the march orders were countermanded.

General Lyon, commanding the Union force, was aware that the Confederates had likely assembled a superior force to oppose him. Lyon decided to pursue a bold strategy. Leaving a token force in Springfield, he marched the majority of his soldiers to the south to preemptively strike the unsuspecting Rebels. Advancing on August 9th, he discovered the Confederates' location in their camp along Wlson's Creek. In a further bold move, Lyon split his force. A brigade under the command of Col. Franz Sigel was sent east and south, around the Rebel camp. The remaining force under Lyon's personal command advanced due south. Both wings attacked simultaneously at dawn against a completely surprised Confederate force.

The battle lasted from dawn until noon with the Confederates as the victors. It was at this battle that Nathanial Lyon, the first Union general to be killed in the Civil War, me his death. The vicory was not a decisive one because the Confederate forces did not pursue the retreating Union army, and thus the Yankees lived to fight again seven months later in Arkansas at the Baffle of Pea Ridge, which would be a victory for the Federals.

Casualties for the Union were 258 killed, 873 wounded and 186 missing for a total of 1,317 or 24.5%. The Confederates reported 277 killed, and 945 wounded for a total of 1,222 or 12%.

Source: Greene County Historical Society

Battle of Wilson's Creek August 10, 1861

Historical Background
The Wargame
Order of Battle: Union
Order of Battle: Confederate
Map (slow: 127K)
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