1. For what reasons did the Rebel army camp at Wilson's Creek?

2. When did the Civil War begin and when was the Battle of Wilson's Creek fought?

3. What was the weather like on the day of the Battle of Wilson's Creek?

4. What was the Confederate name for the Battle of Wilson's Creek?

5. Where did the Telegraph, or Wire, Road come from and go to?

6. What was the uniform of the Missouri State Guard?

7. At what time did the Battle of Wilson's Creek start and how long did it last?

8. Who won the Battle of Wilson's Creek?

9. Who buried the dead and took care of the wounded when the fighting was over at Wilson's Creek?

10. Name the four commanding generals who led the troops at the Battle of Wilson's Creek.

11. After the Battle of Wilson's Creek was Missouri a Union or Confederate state?

12. Abraham Lincoln was a member of what political party?

13. List four reasons why Missouri was an important state to control for both the Confederacy and the Union? (List several reasons).

14. Was Wilson's Creek the biggest Civil War battle in Missouri?

15. Name three "border" states during the Civil War.

BONUS QUESTION: Name one of the three Wilson's Creek participants who also led troops at the Battle of Pea Ridge.

1. The Rebel army had marched up the Telegraph Road from Cassville, and by camping at Wilson Creek they had easy access to water, food (from the Ray, Sharp and other farms) as well as an easier march on the Wire Road to attack Springfield.

2. Officially, the war began April 12, 1861, with the Rebel attack on Fort Sumter, Charleston, South Carolina. Wilson's Creek was fought nearly four months later on August 10, 1861.

3. Very humid with a temperature near 100 degrees Fahrenheit by noon.

4. The Union named battles after nearby bodies of water, while the Confederacy named battles after nearby geographical features or towns. The Southern name for this battle was "Oak Hills."

5. The Telegraph Road ran south from Jefferson City throughFayetteville to Fort Smith, Arkansas. It was the only major road in southwest Missouri in 1861.

6. A trick question--the Missouri State Guard had no uniforms. Due to a lack of money and time, the state did not furnish its soldiers with uniforms.

7. The fighting began at 5:00 A.M. (first light) and continued for about six hours.

8. Technically, the Southern troops won, since the Union forces retreated and left the field of battle to the Southerners.

9. Both sides cared for the wounded while burying the dead normally fell on whoever won a battle. The Confederates spent six days burying most of the dead at Wilson's Creek.

10. Nathaniel Lyon, Sterling Price, Ben McCulloch and Nicholas Pearce.

11. Both. Missouri had two state legislatures as well as state representatives and senators in both Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia.

12. Lincoln was a member of the Republican Party.

13. Missouri was strategically located along the vital waterways of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and at the mouth of the Ohio River. It shared common borders with the Union states of Iowa, Kansas, and Illinois, and the Confederate states of Tennessee and Arkansas. The state was also a rich source of agricultural products, minerals, and manpower.

14. No. The largest was the Battle of Westport, fought in late 1864 near Kansas City, involving over 29,000 troops.

15. Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland and Delaware.

BONUS: Ben McCulloch, Franz Sigel or Sterling Price.

OBJECTIVE: Upon completing all or part of this activity, the student will be able to: 1. demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to analyze the social, political, economic, and military repercussions and results of the Battle of Wilson's Creek, in either oral or written form.

INSTRUCTIONS: Depending on the time available to you, as well as the grade level, interests, and academic abilities of your students, you may want to pick and choose from the following list of discussion areas and then devote as much time to each as you feel is appropriate. These areas might be covered in classroom discussion or assigned as research projects for individual or group research.

DISCUSSION/RESEARCH AREAS:

1. In what ways might the Battle of Wilson's Creek have affected the inhabitants in the area of Wilson's Creek either before, during, or after the battle? (Focus: Economic, social and political results)

2. Would the inhabitants of Springfield and/or southwest Missouri have been affected any differently than those of the battle area? Why or why not? (Focus: Same as #1 above)

3. Why were so many officers wounded or killed at the Battle of Wilson's Creek and throughout the Civil War? What might have been the possible results of such tremendous losses? (Focus: Military results)

4. Why was the Battle of Wilson's Creek so important during the early part of the Civil War? What might have happened if the Confederate forces would have followed up their victory at Wilson's Creek in larger numbers? Focus: Military and political results)

5. Why do civil wars tend to be even more bitter and agonizing than other wars? Draw on examples from the Battle of Wilson's Creek, as well as the balance of the Civil War. (Focus: Social, political, economic, and military aspects and results)

6. Was General Lyon’s militant actions to preserve the Union in Missouri during the period of time before the Battle of Wilson's Creek justifiable? How might things have been different if General Lyon had been more diplomatic and willing to compromise? (Focus: Political and military aspects)

7. What can we gain from studying our own Civil War? Could the United States have another civil war? What might be some possible causes and results for another American civil war? (Focus: Political, economic, social and military aspects)