Battle of Wilson's Creek Facts

August 10, 1861

Battle of Wilson's Creek facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

General Nathaniel Lyon, USA, Civil War, NPS

Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon (USA) was killed at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek. Image Source: National Park Service.

Date

  • August 10, 1861

Location

  • Wilson’s Creek, near Springfield, Missouri

Campaign

  • Operations to Control Missouri

Principal Confederate Commanders

  • Major General Sterling Price
  • Brigadier General Ben McCulloch
  • Brigadier General Nicholas Pearce

Principal Union Commanders

  • Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon
  • Colonel Franz Sigel
  • Major Samuel D. Sturgis

Union Forces Engaged

  • Army of the West

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • Missouri State Guard
  • Western Army

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 5,430

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 11,000

Union Casualties

Confederate Casualties

  • Estimated 1,232 (277 killed, 945 wounded, 10 missing)

Result

  • Confederate victory

Significance

  • The Confederate victory at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek buoyed secessionist sympathies in Missouri and emboldened the Confederates to launch an offensive to regain control of northern Missouri.