Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield: Civil War Collection

The Civil War claimed over 620,000 lives from April 1861 until the last major battle in June 1865. Neighbor fought neighbor, while families were divided over the issues of states’ rights, secession, and slavery. Few people realize that Missouri was the war’s third most violent state with over 1,500 battles and skirmishes. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, southwest of Springfield, commemorates the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, which was the first Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River, the second major battle of the war, and where the first Union general was killed in combat. The Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Civil War collection is an outstanding compilation of artifacts, documents, and photographs primarily related to the Trans-Mississippi theater. Items include Arkansas Confederate general Patrick Cleburne’s sword belt and sash, abolitionist John Brown’s telescope, a Confederate Cherokee Braves flag, and an original print of General Order No. 11, which forced evacuation of several western Missouri counties in an attempt to eliminate safe havens for guerrillas.