The Battle of Wilson's Creek occurred on August 10, 1861. The Union forces were commanded by Brig. General Nathaniel Lyon and Brig. General Ben McCulloch led the Confederate forces.

The six-hour battle is considered to be the second major contest of the Civil War and it was the first one fought west of the Mississippi. It was a fight to gain control of the state of Missouri and the victory belonged to the rebels. Further disappointment for the North was the loss of Lyon à the first Union General to be killed in the war.