The Battle of Oak Hills
August 10, 1861
In early August, 1861 the Missouri State Guard under the command of Major General Sterling Price was camped along Wilson's Creek preparing to march into Springfield, Missouri ten miles northeast of their encampment. Shortly after 5:00 A.M. they were attacked by Federal forces under the command of Major General Nathaniel Lyon who commenced firing upon Price's army and Confederate forces under the command of Brigadier General Benjamin McCulloch. For 6 hours the Missouri State Guard Assaulted the high ground now known as Bloody Hill where Lyon was killed and Federal forces had to withdraw back to Springfield leaving the field of battle in the hands of the guard and Confederate troops. More victories were to follow for the guard -- the citizen soldiers of Missouri -- who wished only to be left along and live in peace.
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The Missouri State Guard
This monument is respectfully dedicated to the men of the Missouri State Guard, the legally established militia of the state who first took up arms in 1861, and marching and fighting under the blue battle flag of their beloved Missouri did their duty as God gave them light to see that duty, and sacrificed everything but honor, in the defense of their state's sovereignty and the cause of Constitutional Rights.Deo Vindice
Marker is on State Highway ZZ, on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
