Rout of Sigel's Column
Wilson's Creek
The Union strategy at Wilson's Creek called for a two-pronged surprise attack. General Lyon's main column with about 4,000 men would strike the Confederate camps from the north, while Col. Franz Sigel's brigade of about 1,200 men would attack from the south. The Confederate army would be crushed between the converging columns.
The plan seemed effective at first, but the Union forces were outnumbered, and poor communications between Lyon and Sigel made it difficult to coordinate the attack. Moving up the hill behind you, a line of advancing Rebels that the Federals mistook for reinforcements (the gray-clad 1st Iowa) charged and overran Sigel's position.
Marker is on Tour Road, on the left when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
