An account of the battle of Wilson's Creek, or Oak Hills, fought between the Union troops, commanded by Gen. N. Lyon and the Southern, or Confederate troops, under command of Gens. McCulloch and Price, on Saturday, August 10, 1861, in Greene county, Missouri

by R. I. Holcombe; Thomas W. Adams

After the fight in Ray’s cornfield, Col. McIntosh was sent for by Gen. McCulloch, and Lieut. Col. Embry took command of the 2d Arkansas. The regiment moved across the creek to the west and became engaged with Lyon’s men on Bloody Hill. At one time it repulsed a desperate charge, losing heavily in so doing, however. After this, under Col. Embry, the regiment fell back to the creek and rested a short time, preparing to receive a cavalry charge, which it was expected would be made. It then moved up the hill again, but did not become engaged, and soon after the Federals retreated.

The loss of the 2d Arkansas was, in killed, one non-commissioned officer and 9 privates; total, 10. Wounded, one captain, two second lieutenants, eight non-commissioned officers, and 33 privates; total 44. Total casualties, 54.

M’RAE’S ARKANSAS BATTALION.

Upon the opening of the battle in good earnest, or about 6 A. M., this battalion, led by its commander, Lieut. Col. D. H. McRae, moved up the wire road toward Springfield, and formed to the left of the 3d Louisiana, and in front of Woodruff’s battery. In a short time, by Gen. McCulloch’s orders, it countermarched and moved off across the valley toward the southwest to take and hold an eminence in that quarter threatened by Sigel’s men. While on its way the battalion was broken up by a large body of mounted Missourians, who, panic-stricken and demoralized, were riding rapidly away from Totten’s battery and the Federals on Bloody Hill. These mounted warriors rode wildly through the battalion, threatening to trample down the men and forcing them to scatter to save themselves. Col. McRae was able to take but one entire company and a few files of another into the fight proper.

On arriving at the summit of the hill the battalion was fired on by a battery reported as being Bledsoe’s, of the Missouri troops, but in reality was Sigel’s. Thick brush intervening, Col. McRae was unable to distinguish for himself, but at last charged at a “trail arms.” Within twenty paces of the Fayetteville road a body of men were observed moving rapidly away, and these were fired on. Here Col. McRae halted and formed his men so as to sweep the road. In a short time another body came up, and being dressed like the Confederates, and some of them calling out, “We are from the South,” deceived Col. McRae until nearly all of them had passed, when he opened fire on their rear. He then led his men to the hill where Sigel’s battery had been captured, and here he found the three companies of the battalion that had been cut off by the Missouri horsemen. The united battalion then marched to the Fayetteville road to the north, it having been reported that the Federals were reforming there, but this report was found to be untrue, and Col. McRae returned to camp.

The loss of the battalion was two men killed, one mortally wounded, one severely wounded, and five slightly wounded.

THIRD ARKANSAS INFANTRY.

This regiment was commanded by Col. John R. Gratiot, and belonged to the Arkansas State troops, Gen. Pearce’s division. Its lieutenant-colonel, David Provence, and its major, Ward, were present at the battle.

In the first part of the action the regiment was moved to the support of Woodruff’s battery, and here it remained for some hours under a heavy fire of shot and shell. At about 11 o’clock Gen. Pearce ordered the regiment to cross the creek and move to the help of Price’s division. Col. Gratiot marched the men over the stream and up the ridge by a flank movement and in column of fours. When near the Federal position the line was fronted and faced the enemy, and moved forward, but just then a heavy fire was opened in front, two guns of Totten’s battery turned loose on the regiment with grape, and canister and shell, and so terrific was the ordeal, that the regiment was obliged to lie down and return the fire in that position. This was the last fight of Lyon’s men, and they kept it up only about thirty minutes, when they retreated. The 3d Arkansas remained on the field in position long after the firing had ceased.

After Maj. Sturgis had retreated with the remnant of Lyon’s division from Bloody Hill, it was feared that he would cross the creek, move round to the east and come upon Woodruff’s battery, still in position on the ground it had occupied during the day. Col. Gratiot’s regiment was again ordered to the support of this battery, and here it remained until ordered into camp by Gen. McCulloch.