William Riley Brooksher, Bloody Hill: The Civil War Battle of Wilson’s Creek. 1st ed.War in Missouri!

Description

William Riley Brooksher wrote Bloody Hill to give a concise and reliable overview of the campaign and battle briefly opened the door to Confederate success in Missouri and the west and cost the Union the life of one of its first martyrs.

When Federal Brigadier Nathaniel S. Lyon launched a surprise attack against pro-Confederacy militia in Missouri, the ensuing battle became-in terms of casualty rate-the bloodiest major engagement fought in North America to that time. The Federal forces retreated, leaving southwestern Missouri to the Confederates. Although Wilson’s Creek was a tactical victory for the South and cost Lyon his life, his daring initiatives kept Missouri from joining the South early in the war. Noted Civil War author William Riley Brooksher argues that the battle was more critical for the North than anyone realized at the time. The loss of Missouri then, coupled with the debacle at Bull Run, might have proved catastrophic for the Union. A welcome addition to the recent trend of books on “neglected” battles.

Light sunning; else very good in very good dust jacket.

Brooksher, William Riley. Bloody Hill: The Civil War Battle of Wilson’s Creek. Washington: Brassey’s, 1995. 1st edition, 256p., illustrations, maps.