The Battle of Wilson’s Creek was fought ten miles southwest of Springfield on August 10, 1861. Wilson’s Creek (called Oak Hills by the Confederates) was the second major battle of the Civil War and the first major engagement to take place west of the Mississippi River.

Named for the stream that crosses the area where the battle occurred, it was a bitter struggle between Union and Confederate forces for control of Missouri in the first year of the Civil War. ... (more)