Wilson's
Creek National
Battlefield
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Wilson's Creek was a "first battle"
for most of the soldiers who fought there.
First battles often provide armies with
special insights into the application of
military art and science, and Wilson's Creek
is no exception. Union General Nathaniel
Lyon divided his outnumbered army into two
parts, sending Colonel Franz Sigel's brigade
of Volunteers on a night march to flank
the south end of the Southern camps, while
Lyon himself led the main force on a night
march to attack the north end of the Southern
camp.
Lyon's outnumbered attackers gained the
element of surprise and tactical initiative
that temporarily made up for their lack
in numbers. In fact, Lyon came close to
winning the battle. |
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Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon (1818 -
1861). While leading his army at the Battle
of Wilson's Creek ( August 10, 1861), he
became the first Union general killed in
action during the Civil War.
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After
the Southerners were initially surprised,
several units, particularly the cavalry,
lost their effectiveness for the remainder
of the battle. Soon, however, Confederate
General Ben McCulloch and Missouri
State Guard General Sterling Price
began to get the situation under control.
Southern infantry reacted quickly
to Lyon's presence on Bloody Hill.
Meanwhile, two regiments of Southerners
led by Colonel McIntosh moved decisively
against a Union flanking attack and
soundly defeated it. McCulloch himself
led the attack that routed Sigel's
brigade. McCulloch then moved to reinforce
Price in the battle against Lyon on
Bloody Hill. Lyon was killed leading
a regiment, the first Union general
officer to die in combat during the
Civil War, and his command was taken
over by Major Samuel Sturgis. Sturgis
saw that the attack had failed, regrouped
the command and withdrew from the
field, leaving the Southern forces
a significant victory. NEXT
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Brigadier General Franz Sigel (1824-
1902). A German immigrant officer
who fought for the Union at Wilson's
Creek August 10, 1861, and at Pea
Ridge March 6-8, 1862.
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Brigadier General
Ben McCulloch (1811-1862), Texas Ranger
and Scout. Credited with Confederate
victory at Wilson's Creek. He was
killed at Pea Ridge March 7, 1862.
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Major General Sterling
Price (1809-1867), Commander Confederate
Missouri State Guard at Wilson's Creek
August 10, 1861, and Pea Ridge March
7-8, 1862. |
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The
John Ray House, built in 1852,
was used as a Southern field
hospital following the Battle
of Wilson's Creek, August 10,
1861. The only surviving dwelling
from the time of the battle,
it has been restored by the
National Park Service and is
open for tours. Wilson's Creek
National Battlefield, Republic,
Missouri. |
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