CONFEDERATE STRENGTH 63 THE FEDERAL LOSS 64 CONFEDERATE LOSS—PRICE’S ARMY 64 DISPOSITION OF THE DEAD 66 THE HOME GUARDS AT SPRINGFIELD 67 THE RETREAT FROM SPRINGFIELD 68 CARE OF THE UNION WOUNDED 69 THE ARMY SETS OUT 69 THE CONFEDERATES ENTER SPRINGFIELD 70 PROCLAMATION OF GEN. M’CULLOCH 71 GEN. M’CULLOCH’S ORDER 72 GEN. PRICE’S PROCLAMATION 73 JOY AND CONGRATULATIONS 74 CHAPTER IV. PROMINENT REGIMENTS AND OTHER SUBORDINATE COMMANDS ENGAGED IN THE BATTLE 76 CONFEDERATE COMMANDS 76 FEDERAL COMMANDS 84 DISPOSITION OF THE BODY OF GEN. LYON 96 BATTLE OF WILSON’S CREEK. CHAPTER I. PRELIMINARY MOVEMENTS TO THE BATTLE. The Situation in Southwest Missouri After the Firing on Ft. Sumpter—The First Federal Troops in the Country—“Sigel is Coming!”—Gen. Sweeney Comes to Springfield—Sigel Departs for Carthage—Gen. Lyon Enters the Country—Sweeney’s Expedition to Forsyth—Confederate Military Operations—The Fight at Dug Springs—Gen. Lyon Falls back—Gens. Price and McCulloch Follow up—A Great Battle Imminent—Controversy Between Price and McCulloch. In giving an account of the battle of Wilson’s Creek, or Oak Hills, which though not the largest, has passed into history, as one of the hardest and best fought battles of the American Civil War, it is necessary to describe certain military movements and operations which took place previously, in order that a better understanding of all of the circumstances may be had. This must be done here briefly and in a somewhat desultory way.