Bloody Hill

Fierce charges and countercharges on Bloody Hill caused heavy casualties and made it one of the bloodiest fights in the war for the numbers of troops engaged. Union artillery batteries on the hill dueled with opposing batteries in the valley and across the creek. General Lyon was struck in the chest by a musket ball not far from here, and his death dampened Union hopes. The Union soldiers were outnumbered two to one, and by 11:00 A.M. their ammunition was nearly exhausted. After six hours of attacks and counterattacks, both sides were weary, and during a lull in the fighting, the Union forces withdrew to Springfield.

Missouri · United States