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

The Oak Hills

— Wilson's Creek National Battlefield —

Photographed by Jason Armstrong, July 30, 2023

1. The Oak Hills Marker

Inscription. Battlefield accounts of the Wilson's Creek landscape describe a varied terrain—here ridges of exposed rock and oak savannah were open enough to move artillery through. Nearby ravines were hidden beneath scrub oak and thick undergrowth. Due to large numbers of scrubby oaks here the Southerners named the battle Oak Hills.

Elsewhere on Bloody Hill rocky soils discouraged the growth of trees and shrubs but allowed the grasses to grow waist high by August. Third Arkansas Private Ras Stirman reported that Union troops "were lying down in brush and grass until we were within a hundred yards of them, they opened up on us...we had to shoot by guess as they were upon the hill lying in the grass."

The battle seemed to have extended along this barren ridge for a distance of perhaps over half a mile and is a most desolate and lonely looking place where nature has lavished but few beauties. Diary of Benjamin F. McIntyre

(captions)
The National Park Service works to restore this landscape to its early 1860s appearance. Prescribed fire is used to keep shrub growth in check and exotic vegetation at bay.

Today this rocky habitat is home to federally threatened Missouri bladderpod.

Erected by National

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Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is August 10, 1861.

Location. 37° 6.295′ N, 93° 24.694′ 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 1800 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: Come on my brave boys, I will lead you forward!

Looking out at the landscape. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Armstrong, July 30, 2023

2. Looking out at the landscape.

(here, next to this marker); Death of Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon (here, next to this marker); Paying Respects (a few steps from this marker); What Would You Do? (within shouting distance of this marker); No Man's Land (within shouting distance of this marker); Laid to Rest In Mass Graves (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); I will gladly give up my life for victory. (about 400 feet away); Missourians, Never Run (about 700 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 25, 2024.)

Marker area at end of trail. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Armstrong, July 30, 2023

3. Marker area at end of trail.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2024, by Jason Armstrong of Talihina, Oklahoma. This page has been viewed 180 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 24, 2024, by Jason Armstrong of Talihina, Oklahoma. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.