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Sigel's Crossing

Tour Stop

Location: The ford [ Waypoint = N37 04.854 W93 24.074 ] over Wilson's Creek that Sigel used to cross is now a paved ford that you will find to be impassable during high water conditions.

The following directions start from the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Visitor Center.

To approach Sigel's Crossing from the east, leave the north entrance to Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and turn right (east) on W Farm Road 182. Travel for about 1.7 miles and turn right (south) on S Haseltine Road (State Farm Road 115). Travel for about 2.5 miles and turn right (west) on W Old Limey Road ( County Road ZZ-4). The ford over Wilson's Creek is about 0.7 miles west of this intersection.

To approach Sigel's Crossing from the west, leave the north entrance to Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and turn left (west) on W Farm Road 182. Travel for 0.1 miles and turn left (south) on Missouri Highway ZZ. Travel about 2.7 miles and turn left (east) on County Road ZZ-4 (W Old Limey Road). It's about 0.9 miles to the ford over Wilson's Creek.

View looking east of Wilson's Creek ford used by Sigel's BrigadeDescription: As you may recall, Colonel Franz Sigel had convinced Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon to detach Sigel's Second Brigade to march around and attack the Confederates from the south. Sigel's Brigade of about 1,200 men left Springfield around 6:30 P.M. on August 9th. Sigel's Brigade contained two Infantry Regiments (3rd Missouri ad 5th Missouri) and two Cavalry Companies (1st US Cavalry and 2nd US Cavalry). Backof's Battery of six artillery pieces was also attached to Sigel's Second Brigade.

Sigel's Brigade reached the ford over Wilson's Creek around 5:00 A.M. on the morning of August 10th. Sigel deployed four of the guns from Backof's Battery on the hill just to the northeast of the crossing where they would be able to support the attack. Sigel sent the infantry regiments along with a section of two guns from Backof's Battery and the 2nd US Cavalry across Wilson's Creek. They marched north past Dixon's Farm and across Terrell Creek to deploy for the attack the Confederates camped in the Sharp's corn fields. To protect his right flank, Sigel sent the 1st US Cavalry commanded by Captain Eugene Carr north on the east side of Wilson Creek.

Map showing Sigel crossing over Wilson and Terrell Creek



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