Fought on August 10, 1861, the battle was the first major American Civil War engagement west of the Mississippi River.

Major features include a five-mile automobile tour loop, the restored 1852 Ray House, and "Bloody Hill", the site of the final stage of the battle.

In response, Union general Nathaniel Lyon moved aggressively against the pro-Confederate Guard, driving the force away from St. Louis and removing Jackson from official government leadership.

On August 10, Lyon decided to attack Price and McCulloch's combined forces while the Confederate were encamped along the banks of Wilson's Creek.

Lyon split his outnumbered forces into wings commanded by himself and Col. Franz Sigel in order to attack the Confederate camp from both the front and the rear.

[5] It was the first major military engagement in the American Civil War to take place west of the Mississippi river.

However, news that Union troops were marching to intercept his army led Price to retreat back towards Springfield.

[18]The Ray House, which is still preserved on the battlefield, dates to before the Civil War, and was used as a field hospital following the battle.

General Lyon's body was brought to the Ray House by Confederate soldiers after the Union army retreated from the field.