✦ History

Part of American Civil War

Battle of Wilson's Creek

August 10, 1861 · Wilson's Creek, Missouri

Result Confederate victory

First major battle of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War, fought 10 August 1861 near Springfield, Missouri. Union Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon attacked Confederate and Missouri State Guard troops under Benjamin McCulloch and Sterling Price; Lyon was killed and the Union force retreated to Springfield. A Confederate victory, it gave the Confederates control of southwestern Missouri.

On the map Contemporaries

Union

Confederacy

United States
Confederate States of America
Nathaniel Lyon Franz Sigel Brigadier General, Commander of the Second Brigade; second in command to Lyon Samuel D. Sturgis military commander
Benjamin McCulloch Brigadier General, Commander of the Confederate forces at Wilson's Creek Sterling Price Major General, Commander of the Missouri State Guard Nicholas Bartlett Pearce military commander

Strength and losses

Strength
c. 5,4315,400, 6,000
Casualties
1,235
Killed
223223
Wounded
873721, 721
Missing
291160, 291
Strength
11,60010,000
Casualties
1,095
Killed
257265
Wounded
900800
Missing
2770, 30

Related events 1 degree away • 2 degrees away

1862
 
First Battle of Bull Run
 
Battle of Wilson's Creek
 
Capture of New Orleans

Also involved 1