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

Laid to Rest In Mass Graves

— Wilson's Creek National Battlefield —

Photographed by Jason Armstrong, July 30, 2023

1. Laid to Rest In Mass Graves Marker

Inscription. Commanders from both sides were not prepared to properly bury the 535 soldiers who lost their lives. As the Union troops retreated to Rolla, the Southern soldiers were left to do the grueling work of digging graves for the dead. William Watson of Louisiana recalled, "...the sun got so intensely hot, and some of the bodies began to show signs of decomposition, and the flies became intolerable, and the men could stand it no longer." They found this sink hole to be a convenient place to bury about 30 unidentified Union soldiers.

In 1867 the military re-interred the bodies buried here and elsewhere on the battlefield in Springfield National Cemetery

(caption) In 1867, Springfield was one of the first national cemeteries to be established after the war. Since identification tags had not been issued, thousands of soldiers went to their final resting place as "unknown." Here that included all the Union soldiers and a handful of Confederates.

Erected by National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites •

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War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is August 10, 1861.

Location. 37° 6.315′ N, 93° 24.742′ 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. Located about 1400 feet east of the Bloody Hill Parking Area on the walking trail. 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: No Man's Land (within shouting distance of this marker); I will gladly give up my life for victory. (within shouting distance of this marker); What Would You Do? (within shouting distance of this marker);

Marker and Sink Hole image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Armstrong, July 30, 2023

2. Marker and Sink Hole

Death of Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon (within shouting distance of this marker); Come on my brave boys, I will lead you forward! (within shouting distance of this marker); Paying Respects (within shouting distance of this marker); The Oak Hills (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Missourians, Never Run (about 400 feet 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 18, 2024.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2024, by Jason Armstrong of Talihina, Oklahoma. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 17, 2024, by Jason Armstrong of Talihina, Oklahoma. 2. submitted on September 18, 2024, by Jason Armstrong of Talihina, Oklahoma. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.