The Aftermath

After the southern victory at Wilson's Creek, Major General Sterling Price led his Missourians north to Lexington, Missouri, and another victory. But by March 1862, a defeat at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, had turned the tide against the Confederacy's hope of holding Missouri. Thousands of Federal soldiers moved into Missouri and held it for the Union. Although Lyon’s forces were defeated at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, historians believe that he saved Missouri for the Union. Along with the battle of Pea Ridge, this was one of the two most important Civil War battles fought west of the Mississippi.

The Battle of Wilson’s Creek marked the beginning of the Civil War in Missouri. For the next three and a half years, the state was embroiled in guerrilla warfare conducted by marauding raiders who looted and destroyed any military or civilian resources that could aid the enemy. By the end of the war in 1865, Missouri had proved to be one of the most fought over states, ranking third in the number of Civil War battles and skirmishes.