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August 10, 1861
Battle of Wilson's Creek, by Kurz and Allison, 1893 - Courtesy of Wikipedia. :http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/67/125367-004-6616F0EB.jpg
Battle of Wilson's Creek
"The Battle of Wilson's Creek." Civil War Trust: Saving America's Civil War Battlefields. 25 Apr. 2011. Mon. 25 Apr. 2011. .
Nathaniel Lyon was the first Union general to be killed in the American Civil War. He will be remembered for his quick actions during the start of the battle. He initially lead his 6,000 union troops against the Confederate forces. He formulated an attack consisting of two columns , the two forces met at Wilson's Creek. The Union troops took the first blow and fell back under orders from Lyon. Nathaniel Lyon was killed in battle while ordering his troops to re-group.
Nathaniel Lyon, July 14, 1818 – August 10, 1861
"Community and Conflict." Ozarks Civil War | Life in Missouri. Nathaniel Lyon Papers. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. .General Nathaniel Lyon Image courtesy of Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
Sterling Price saw Confederate military operations solely in terms of liberating his home state of Missouri. The governor of the Missouri General Assembly made Price Major General to defend against attacks from north or south troops. His Strategic plans during Wilson's Creek made him victorious. His joined force with Ben McCulloch and his relentless attacks made the Union forces retreat from their first wave. He ordered Ben McCulloch to go stop the flank by Franz Sigel and because of that successful counterattack, he gained the momentum in the battle. This successful counterattack made the Union forces lose contact with the other half. After three large waves of troops, Sterling Price made the last of the Union forces retreat.
Sterling Price, September 20, 1809 – September 29, 1867
Kansas State Historical Society - Kansapedia. (1969). Mine Creek Battlefield history. Retrieved from http://kshs.org/kansapedia/mine-creek-battlefield-history/11876
Wilson's Creek Battle
The Battle of Wilson’s Creek took place in Springfield, Missouri on August 10, 1861. This battle was against the United Stated Union forces and the Missouri State Guard Confederacy forces. At the beginning of the war, Missouri declared that it would be an "armed neutral" in the conflict and not send materials or men to either side. On the Confederates side there was Sterling Price and Ben McCulloch who lead strategic and relentless attacks on the Union forces. They consisted of Nathaniel Lyon, Thomas S. Sweeny, Samuel D. Sturgis and Franz Sigel. The Union forces were the first to attack with 6,000 troops but lost their momentum when their flank by Franz Sigel was countered by Ben McCulloch. Sterling Price gained the upper hand and pushed the main attack by Nathaniel Lion back to the north. This was also when the main Union forces lost their ground on Bloody Hill, an advantage point in overseeing the Confederate’s camp and the forest terrain. Upon Nathaniel Lyon’s death Samuel D. Sturgis assumed command and issued the final order, all troops retreat back to Springfield. Samuel D. Sturgis could not hold against the fourth attack by the Confederates. Neither could the Confederates pursue them because of their exhausted men. The Confederates won with 1,232 casualties and the Union lost with 1,217 casualties.
Momument - Against the Odds
My monument symbolizes the 6,000 Union force troops against the 12,000 Confederate force army. In this picture the "underdog" won because he was mistaken for his size and skill, just like the Union forces. They used their small size and skill just like when they surprise attacked the Confederates' camp and lead the flank attack. Exept the Union forces could not hold out and lost, but in this picture they seem to "win" becasue of their perseverance.
Lucarelli, Luigi. "Against All Odds." Load Universe Into Cannon. Aim At Brain. Fire. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. .
