Brookline near Battlefield in Greene County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Rout of Sigel's Column

Wilson's Creek

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 29, 2010

1. Rout of Sigel's Column Marker

Inscription. 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.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 37° 5.735′ N, 93° 24.605′ W. Marker is near Battlefield, Missouri, in Greene County. It is in Brookline. Marker is on Tour Road, on the left when traveling west. Located at stop 5, the Sigel's Final Position, of the Wilson's Creek battlefield driving tour. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Republic MO 65738, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sigel's Attack (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Eye of the Storm (approx. 0.4 miles away); Price's Headquarters (approx. half a mile away); Pulaski Arkansas Battery

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(approx. half a mile away); Guibor's Battery (approx. half a mile away); A Union Plan / The Broken Pincer (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Pulaski Arkansas Battery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Death of Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Battlefield.

Also see . . . Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Park. (Submitted on September 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 29, 2010

2. Battle Map

The map depicts the situation at around 8:30 A.M. on August 10, 1861. Note the north seeking arrow pointed to the bottom of the map.

Movement from Second to Final Position image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 29, 2010

3. Movement from Second to Final Position

Sigel moved from the position in Sharp's cornfield to a position astride the Wire Road. The tour road parallels the axis of Sigel's advance across the valley.

Misidentified Troops image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 29, 2010

4. Misidentified Troops

Looking from one of the guns on display along the Wire Road. The tour road intersects the Wire Road at this point. When a Confederate force advanced up the Wire Road, Sigel's men held fire, assuming them to be Federals. At close range, the Confederates were able to overrun Sigel's position.

Sigel's Retreat image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 29, 2010

5. Sigel's Retreat

Two guns, representing Backof's Battery, sit astride the Wire Road. After the Confederate attack, Sigel's command fell back down the Wire Road. The road's trace continues into the woods in the distance. From there, Sigel moved back to the north to regain contact with Lyon's main force.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,007 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.