Battles of the Civil War - The Battle of Wilson's Creek
INTRODUCTION
Armies of the North and South fought the Battle of Wilson's Creek about ten miles southwest of Springfield, Missouri, on Saturday, 10 August 1861. The battle had the effect of securing the state for the Union. The Union defeat in battle, so closely following the disaster at First Bull Run, caused the North to adopt a more serious attitude about the war and to realize that victory would come only with detailed planning and proper resourcing. Thus, the Union reinforced Missouri with soldiers and weapons during the fall and winter of 1861-62, while the Confederacy applied its scanty resources elsewhere.
Casualty percentages in the fighting were among the highest recorded for any battles of the Civil War. Although the men lost on both sides were almost equal in number, losses were not proportional; nearly one of every four Federals was either killed, wounded, captured, or missing in the battle, but only one of every eight Confederates. These figures exceeded those of the Mexican-American War and foreshadowed the stupendous totals that emerged as the Civil War evolved. While casualty figures do not always serve well as a measure of valour or expertise, clearly at Wilson's Creek, generally inexperienced soldiers led by equally inexperienced officers fought determinedly for six bloody hours.
The battle was fought between the Union Army of the West and the Confederate Western Army. These armies totalled 5431 and 10175 men respectively. The complete Order of Battle (OOB) can be seen below. This Battle puts you in charge of the Union Army of the West, as seen from the point of view of Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon. You will also be called on to fight from the points of view of inferior officers, usually in command of a Brigade. You will be given Multiple Choice options for most things, however you will be allowed at any point to give another option and use that if you wish. At the end of three days, after me posting the chapter, I will tally the most popular result, and that will be what is taken. Everyone gets a vote.
I am hoping this can become a regular thing in the future, and that I can fight larger battles this way.
Union Order of Battle
[B]
Confederate Order of Battle
So, any questions? The first chapter will be posted tomorrow. Perhaps today if I am feeling up to it.
Maps
Topographic and Aerial Map:
http://terraserver-usa.com/image.asp...59&Y=10265&W=2
(Click the tab at the top for the other Map)
Map of the battle:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...sons_Creek.jpg
This is a bit of the way into the battle, you will start before the deployment, so ignore where the soldiers are at this time.
Satellite Images:
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.10....015,0.025&t=h
http://local.live.com/default.aspx?c...e=h&lvl=15&v=1
Good Map of the Battlefield:
http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/resour...ages/img32.gif
Index
Chapter 1 - Pre-Battle Manoeuvres
Chapter 2 - Pre-Battle Manoeuvres II
Chapter 3 - Location of Command
Chapter 4 - Nearing Dawn
Chapter 5 - Dawn's First Light
Chapter 6 - The Artillery Rang Forth!
Chapter 7 - The Tension Rises, The Battle Comes Yonder
Chapter 8 - The Battle Arrives
Originally Posted by Leon Blum - For All Mankind
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