In the early morning hours of August 10, 1861, the rolling hillsides of southwest Missouri echoed with the sounds of fierce combat. When the smoke cleared, almost 2,500 men were killed, wounded or missing.  Among the slain lay Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general to die in the American Civil War.

The Battle of Wilson’s Creek was the second major battle of the war and the first major battle fought west of the Mississippi River. Missouri’s strategic location, abundant man power and natural resources made it vitally important to the North, but its population remained deeply divided with a volatile mix of social, ethnic and political differences. Wilson’s Creek marked the beginning of four years of invading armies and ruthless guerilla warfare in Missouri, and helped to determine the future of the state. As a result, Missouri ranks third among all states for the greatest number of Civil War battles and engagements.

Today, with the exception of the vegetation, the battlefield has changed little, and remains in near pristine condition. Visitors can walk the battle lines where only fifty yards separated the opposing sides, or stand where five men earned the Medal of Honor. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, a National Park Service facility, welcomes nearly 200,000 visitors a year. The park’s visitors’ center features a 27-minute version of August Light: Wilson's Creek and the Battle for Missouri.