The Battle of Wilson's Creek was fought on August 10, 1861, near Springfield, Missouri, during the American Civil War. It was a significant early battle between Union forces, led by Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon, and Confederate troops under the command of Major General Sterling Price. The battle marked the first major engagement in the western theater of the war. The Union aimed to secure Missouri for the North, while the Confederates sought to gain control of the state. Despite initial successes, Lyon was killed, and the Union forces ultimately retreated, allowing the Confederates to claim victory. This battle highlighted the intense struggle for control over Missouri.