On August 9, 1861 Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon’s Union Troops were camped at Springfield, Missouri while a large Confederate force, under the command of Brigadier General Ben McCulloch, were quickly approaching, making camp at Wilson’s Creek about 12 miles southwest of Springfield.

Both sides spent the evening formulating plans to attack the other on the following day.

The Battle of Wilson's Creek, called Oak Hills by Confederates, was fought August 10, 1861, was a bitter struggle for control of Missouri in the Civil War's first year. In fact it was only the second battle of the war.

About 5:00 am on the 10th, Lyon, in two columns commanded by himself and Colonel  Franz Sigel, attacked the Confederates on Wilson’s Creek and the Rebel cavalry fell back away from what would become known a Bloody Hill. However, the Confederate forces soon rushed up and stabilized their positions, attacking the Union forces three different times, but failing to break through the Union line.

Lyon was killed during the battle and Major Samuel D. Sturgis replaced him.

Following the third Confederate attack, which ended about 11:00 am, the Confederates withdrew. However, Sturgis realized that his men were exhausted and his ammunition was low, so he ordered a retreat to Springfield. The Confederates were too disorganized and ill-equipped to pursue. This Confederate victory buoyed southern sympathizers in Missouri and served as a springboard for a bold thrust north that carried the Missouri State Guard as far as Lexington. Wilson’s Creek, the most significant 1861 battle in Missouri, gave the Confederates control of southwestern Missouri. However, the loss was substantial with a total estimated casualties at 2,330, of which 1,235 were Union and 1,095 were Confederate.