Sigel's Retreat
Tour Stop
Location: To see some of the route that Sigel took on his retreat to Springfield, you will need to leave Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and drive in your car. Leaving the north entrance to Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and turn left (west) on W Farm Road 182. Travel for 0.1 miles and turn left (south) on Missouri Highway ZZ. Travel for about 3.7 miles and turn left (east) on County Road 14-27 (Holder Road). Travel about 1.4 miles and on your left you will see the low ground across which Sigel approached the James River ford [ Waypoint = N37 03.311 W93 24.286 ]. This spot is just south of a concrete ford that may be impassable during high water.
Continue south on Holder Road until you reach Missouri State Route 14. Turn left (east) on MO SR 14 and travel for about 0.9 miles, crossing over the James River. Take the first left turning north on County Road 14-31 (N Delaware Town Road). Go about 0.2 miles and turn left (west) onto Delaware Access Road. About 0.3 miles ahead will be an access point for the James River [ Waypoint = N37 02.995 W93 23.511 ]. Although the ford where Sigel's force was ambushed was actually about 0.5 miles downstream of this point, you can get an idea of the obstacle posed by the river on Sigel's retreat back to Springfield.
Description: After their defeat along the Wire Road near Skegg's Branch, Sigel's Brigade retreated in complete disarray. 
Sigel accompanied part of the Third Missouri Regiment and one piece of artillery. They headed south toward the Dixon Farm. Other Federal units fled south down the Wire Road. Both Federal Calvary companies also headed down the Wire Road. During the withdrawal, Sigel's group joined up with the retreating Company I of the First US Cavalry commanded by Captain Eugene A. Carr that was coming down the Wire Road. Sigel now turned this group east and headed for Springfield. They were headed for a ford across the James River just south of where Wilson's Creek entered into the river. Carr's Cavalry took the advance position and quickly began to out pace the infantry and leave them behind. Carr reached the ford ahead of the infantry but decided not to wait for them.
McCulloch was still concerned with the fighting on Bloody Hill and so was not inclined to order a pursuit of the fleeing Federals. However, he had a wagon train that was on its way with supplies. So he ordered Colonel Greer to send two companies of cavalry under the command of Lt. Colonel James Major to make sure the retreating Federals would not harass the Confederate wagon train. Independently, a group of Missouri State Guard Cavalry under the command of a Captain Staples had been pursuing the retreating Federals. Correctly assessing the situation, Staples was able to reach a ford across the James River just after Carr had crossed but before Sigel and the remnants of the Third Missouri did. Staples set up an ambush. Although even in numbers, the Federals were caught completely by surprise. The Federals scattered and only a few escaped capture. Sigel fled into a corn field and was only able to escape because he was on a good horse. Sigel fled to Springfield.
Sigel was one of the first members of the Union Army of the West to return to Springfield. Sigel never sent a messenger to tell Lyon what had happened to his brigade.
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Next: The Federal Withdrawal