Today is the 149th anniversary of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, less commonly known as the Battle of Oak Hills. Fought near Springfield, Missouri, it was the first major conflict in the Western Theater of the Civil War. In an effort to rid Missouri of the Confederate Missouri State Guard, commanded by CSA Major General Sterling Price, US Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon determined to strike first. Splitting his army, Lyon would send Colonel Franz Sigel’s Second Brigade on a long march to get behind Price while he attacked from the north with the rest of the Army of the West. It would be a bitter defeat that would cost Lyon his life. At the end of the day’s contest, over 2,300 soldiers would become casualties.
I wrote a detailed battle narrative for last year’s anniversary of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek. You can read it by clicking on the following link.
Wilson’s Creek: The Civil War Breaks out in the West
Click HERE to view my photo essay on the Battle of Wilson’s Creek
About Michael Noirot
I grew up in the Central Illinois farming community, of Dunlap. Growing up, I played sports, tinkered with cars and enjoyed photography. While I did well in school, I did not become passionate about history until my early 30's.
I have built a large library, of books on early America, politics and the Civil War. I am an avid reader. Fortunately, I have had plenty of opportunities to travel, over the years, and have been to most of the Civil War battlefields. I work while I travel, so more often than not, I am up, in the middle of the night, to get sunrise pictures, or I will be out until well after dark, exploring Civil War battlefields.
I have other hobbies, and passions, that I really enjoy. Number one on the list would be guitar. I play my guitars on a regular basis, and enjoy the Bluegrass, and Contemporary Christian (CCM) genres. I play a style of guitar, called FLATPICKING, where using a flat pick, you play lead solos, similar to the way a fiddle would have been played during the 19th and early 20th Centuries.
Laura, my wife, and I also enjoy scuba diving, travel and spending time at our property, in the country. Lastly, we spend as much time with our families, as possible. Thanks for stopping by.
Pingback: Tweets that mention This Mighty Scourge » The Battle of Wilson’s Creek and the Struggle for Missouri -- Topsy.com