West Central in Springfield in Greene County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Battle of Springfield
Photographed by Jason Voigt, April 5, 2021
1. Battle of Springfield Marker
Inscription.
Battle of Springfield. . Near this point the 250 men of the 72nd Enrolled Missouri Militia met the Confederates' afternoon attack. These local militiamen were from all walks of life. They had some military training but little experience, as they were only called to serve in emergencies. Shortly after 3 p.m. they and the 14th Missouri State Militia Cavalry retreated suddenly in the face of Confederate fire, creating a gap in the Union line. Both sides quickly shifted troops to this critical point of the battle, where fighting was house to house, behind fences, along alleys, and through backyards. Lt. Richard A. Collins brought up a piece of artillery to fire canister rounds down the streets at the Union defenders. The 72nd suffered 20 percent casualties during the fight and was forced to withdraw toward Walnut Street. Meanwhile, the attacks on Fort No. 4 continued.
Near this point the 250 men of the 72nd Enrolled Missouri Militia met the Confederates' afternoon attack. These local militiamen were from all walks of life. They had some military training but little experience, as they were only called to serve in emergencies. Shortly after 3 p.m. they and the 14th Missouri State Militia Cavalry retreated suddenly in the face of Confederate fire, creating a gap in the Union line. Both sides quickly shifted troops to this critical point of the battle, where fighting was house to house, behind fences, along alleys, and through backyards. Lt. Richard A. Collins brought up a piece of artillery to fire canister rounds down the streets at the Union defenders. The 72nd suffered 20 percent casualties during the fight and was forced to withdraw toward Walnut Street. Meanwhile, the attacks on Fort No. 4 continued.
Erected by Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation, marker donated by James R. Cox. (Marker Number 9.)
Location. 37° 12.234′ N, 93° 17.82′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Missouri, in Greene
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County. It is in West Central. It is on South Main Avenue south of West Mt Vernon Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 607 S Main Ave, Springfield MO 65806, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Ozarks, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 457 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 12, 2021, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
