Near Battlefield in Greene County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Action, Front!
| | Wilson's Creek National Battlefield | |
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 29, 2024
1. Action, Front! Marker
I ordered Lieutenant Sokalski to move forward with his section saving the Kansas regiments from being overthrown.... James Totten, captain, Second Artillery, Company FOn this high ground the men of Sokalski's section found their view enhanced and their cannons' range increased. Removed from the rest of Captain Totten's battery, the two cannons of the section bolstered the infantry's position protecting the Union's right flank.
This type of cannon is a howitzer. It is designed to lob exploding projectiles at the enemy. Firing shell and case shot (shrapnel), the range is a little over 1,000 yards. Canister would be blasted at close range against charging infantry or cavalry.
(captions)
Sokalski's gunners used three types of ammunition to drive the enemy back. In all, the section fired 240 rounds in less than 5 hours of fighting.
Lt. George Sokalski was the first Polish-American graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Within four months of his graduation he fought here at the Battle of Wilson's Creek. He was highly commended for his conduct, for coolness and bravery throughout the day. He went on to fight another 55 Civil War engagements.
Erected by National Park Service,
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is August 10, 1861.
Location. 37° 6.362′ N, 93° 24.938′ W. Marker is near Battlefield, Missouri, in Greene County. It can be reached from Tour Road 0.9 miles south of West Farm Road 182, on the right when traveling north. Marker is at Stop #7 on the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield tour route. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brookline MO 65619, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Springfield. It is also 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bloody Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Taking a Stand for Missouri (within shouting distance of this marker); The Anchor of the Union Line (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Missourians, Never Run (about 600 feet away); "We drove them back with great slaughter..." (approx. 0.2 miles away); U.S. Model 1841 12 Pounder Gun (approx. 0.2 miles away); I will gladly give up my life for victory. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Laid to Rest In Mass Graves (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Battlefield.
Also see . . . Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. National Park Service (Submitted on September 4, 2024.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 29, 2024
2. Action, Front! Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 283 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on September 2, 2024, by Jason Armstrong of Talihina, Oklahoma. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
