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Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
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Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
Virtual Tour Stop 3
 
Pulaski Battery site
Sarah Cunningham
Original 6-pounder field gun marking the position of Captain William Woodruff's Pulaski Battery 
 
Site of Edwards Cabin
NPS Photo
1850s cabin (moved to the battlefield in the 1970s) marking the location of the original Edwards Cabin
The Pulaski Light Battery from Little Rock, Arkansas was in position atop a low ridge along Wilson's Creek on the morning of August 10, 1861. The battery quickly went into action and began firing on Lyon’s Federals as they advanced across Bloody Hill. The Arkansans helped slow the Union advance, buying valuable time for Sterling Price and the other Southern commanders to form their men and press forward up Bloody Hill to meet Lyon.
 
General Sterling “Old Pap” Price, the commander of the Missouri State Guard, established his headquarters next to the cabin of farmer William B. Edwards. Some 1,600 State Guard soldiers camped in this area. It was here that General Price and General Benjamin McCulloch were informed of Lyon’s surprise attack on the Southern camps.
 
Ben McCulloch  

Did You Know?
Benjamin McCulloch, the overall Southern commander at Wilson's Creek, did not wear a uniform. He preferred to wear a suit of black velvet instead.

Last Updated: February 07, 2007 at 09:51 EST