On this high ground, the men of Lieutenant George Sokalski's section found their view enhanced and their cannons' range increased. Separated from the rest of Captain James Totten's battery, the section's two howitzers strengthened the infantry position protecting the Union's right flank and helped save the Kansas regiments from being overthrown. Designed to lob exploding projectiles at the enemy, the howitzers fired shell and case shot at a range of a little over 1,000 yards, while canister was used at close range against charging infantry or cavalry. Sokalski's gunners used three types of ammunition to drive the enemy back, firing 240 rounds in less than 5 hours of fighting. Sokalski, the first Polish-American graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, fought here at the Battle of Wilson's Creek within four months of graduating, was highly commended for his coolness and bravery throughout the day, and went on to fight in another 55 Civil War engagements.