Park Establishment

April 22, 1960, as Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Park
Redesignated December 16, 1970 as Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

Historical Background: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

Prelude

The Union commander, Nathaniel Lyon, had already proven a thorn in the side of Southern loyalists in the border state by refusing to surrender the US Armory in St Louis.  He also had most of arms moved to Illinois when he learned that the governor, Claiborne Fox Jackson (a Confederate sympathizer who desired to cooperate with the South and refused Lincoln’s request for four regiments of troops for the war effort) intended to seize the armory. 

Lyon attempted to meet with Jackson to resolve differences. However, the effort proved futile.  Promoted to brigadier general, Lyon led an army up the Missouri River and captured Jefferson City, the state capital.  Governor Jackson and his Missouri State Guard made an unsuccessful stand at Boonville and then retreated to southwest Missouri.  Lyon installed a pro-Union government and moved with reinforcements to Springfield.  The Southern force to the southwest grew. 

Lyon, hoping to surprise the Southern forces, left Springfield and attacked the Southern vanguard – itself advancing toward Springfield – at Dug Springs.  Lyon discovered he was outnumbered and retreated to Springfield, but he was not one to retreat from a fight overall.  He decided to order another surprise attack.  (Ironically, the Southern forces also planned a surprise attack, but, rain thwarted it, allowing Lyon the chance to launch his the following morning). 

Wilson’s Creek

The forces of Lyon and Col. Frank Sigel divided. Lyon seized Oak Ridge to the west of the creek while Sigel’s artillery drove cavalry from their encampment in the Sharp cornfield, then moved across the creek and advanced until they mistook an attacking Confederate regiment for a Union one providing reinforcements.  His troops were routed from the field. 

Meanwhile, General Lyon’s troops stubbornly held the crest of what became known as Bloody Hill for five hours.  Then, at 9:30, he was killed organizing a counterattack.  He was the first Union general to be killed in battle in the American Civil War.  By 11, his second-in-command ordered a retreat to Springfield.  The battle was a tactical win for the South, but they could not come to an agreement on how to take advantage of it. Eventually the Southern force would be defeated at Pea Ridge; Lyon had achieved his goal, at the cost of the battle and his life – Missouri remained under Union army control. 

Lyon’s body was carried to the Ray farmhouse, which still stands on the battlefield today, and then taken by train to his native Connecticut. 

Park Planner: Visiting Wilson’s Creek

Recommended Time

2-4 hours; 1-2 hours for the visitor center & park film and 2-3 hours for the driving tour with short hikes to the tour stops.  If longer hikes are desired, add additional time.  

Activities at Wilson’s Creek

* Driving Tour
* Hiking
* Museum
* Park film

Park Film, part 1
WIlson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
Park FIlm, part 2
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
The ”Lyon bed” from the Ray Farmhouse, on which General Lyon was pronounced dead, the first Union commander to die in the war.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
Orchard at the Ray Farmhouse
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
Ray Farmhouse, only remaining historic structure on the battlefield
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
Interior of the Ray Farmhouse, site where General Lyon was pronounced dead
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
Ray Cornfield
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri

Suggested Visit Itinerary for Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield


Start at the visitor center, which was recently renovated and includes the original bed that Gen Lyon was laid on at the Ray house.  View the park film and exhibits, and then proceed on the park tour road.  Several stops, concentrated primarily at the start and end of the route, require hikes.  Most notable of these is the Lyon marker on Bloody Hill.  

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Park Basics

Summer Hours: 7 AM-9 PM for walkers and bicycles; 8 AM-9 PM for vehicles
Spring/Fall Hours: 7 AM-7 PM for walkers and bicycles; 8 AM-7 PM for vehicles
Winter Hours: 7 AM-5 PM for walkers and bicycles; 8 AM-5 PM for vehicles
Visitor Center hours: 8 AM-5 PM daily
Exceptions: Closed New Year’s, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day

Entrance Fees

$10 for individual entry (walking or cycling)
$20 for non-commercial vehicle
$15 for motorcycles
Fee is good for 7 days of entry

America The Beautiful Pass Accepted? YES
America The Beautiful Passes Available?  YES, Annual, Military, Senior, Veteran, Access

Directions & Contact Info


Directions from I-44 (Springfield, Tulsa OK):
Exit at Exit 70 (Missouri Highway MM). Continue south to U.S. Highway 60. Proceed through the intersection. Continue 1/2 mile to Missouri Highway ZZ. Turn right on ZZ. Continue south to Farm Road 182 (Elm Street). Turn left; the entrance to the battlefield is on the right. From U.S. Highway 65 (south of Springfield): turn left (west) on Missouri Highway 14 at Ozark. Continue on Highway 14 to Missouri Highway ZZ. Follow ZZ north to Farm Road 182. Turn right; the entrance is on the right.

Park Website: https://nps.gov/wicr
Park Address and Contact Info:
5242 S. State Hwy ZZ 
Republic , MO 65738
417 732-2662 X 227

Pro tip: If you forget or lose a stamp or map from a park, you can get another by writing, physically or by email, to the above address and requesting one.

Historic Wire Road
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri

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General Sterling Price Headquarters
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
Wilson’s Creek, downstream view
Wilson’s Creek, upstream view
Wilson’s Creek
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
Pulaski’s Arkansas Battery
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
Sharp Stubblefield & Sigel’s Second Position
Colonel Franz Sigel advanced to this point after using artillery from the ridge to the left to attack Confederate cavalry encamped in the field
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
Sigel’s Final Position
Here, troops under the command of Colonel Sigel mistook a Confederate regiment advancing up the Wire Road from the creek behind for a Union one. Holding their fire, they were routed from the field in the potential determining moment of the battle.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
Guibor’s Battery, aimed at Union forces on Bloody Hill
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
View toward WIlson’s Creek from Bloody Hill
Oak trees on Bloody Hill
View toward Wilson’s Creek from Bloody Hill
Views from Bloody Hill in the western portion of the battlefield
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
Totten’s Battery on Bloody Hill, at the center of the Union line
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
Sinkholes used as burial pits, Bloody Hill
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
Lyon Memorial, Bloody Hill
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
Dubois Battery, Bloody Hill
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
1800 lb cannon in Dubois Battery, Union Army, Bloody Hill
This was the largest cannon on the battlefield, weighing 1300 lbs and capable of reaching targets in the vicinity of the Ray Farmhouse.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri
West battlefield overlook, near where the battle both began and ended
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri

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