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1860 Henry Rifle

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield will take possession of an important Civil War artifact thanks to efforts of the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation and its supporters. The Foundation was presented with the opportunity to purchase a very rare .44 caliber Model 1860 Henry rifle recently sold at auction and purchased by the Foundation to be added to the park’s permanent collection. The Foundation will present the rifle to Wilson’s Creek Acting Superintendent Russ Runge at 1 PM on Tuesday, June 23, at Stop 5 on the battlefield’s tour road, overlooking the open fields of Colonel Franz Sigel’s position the morning of the battle, August 10, 1861.

Foundation friends and supporters will be on hand to view the presentation and see the beautifully embellished weapon for themselves. The public is also invited to attend.

While this Henry rifle was not used at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, the weapon does have a Missouri connection. The rifle was owned by Major George W. Fulton of the 21 st Missouri Infantry, a Union regiment that saw extensive service during the war and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Tupelo and other actions. Fulton, a resident of Edina (Knox County), Missouri, served with the regiment from July 1861 until his resignation in December 1864. He died in Edwards County, Kansas, in 1890.

The Henry, which was first produced in 1860, was the most technologically advanced small arm of the Civil War period. A lever-action repeating rifle, the Henry utilized a 15-round magazine containing self-contained metallic cartridges, allowing a soldier to fire anywhere from 15-30 shots per minute at a time when a soldier carrying a single-shot muzzle-loading rifle-musket could fire only 2-3 shots per minute.

This artifact will be displayed in the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield’s newly-renovated Visitor Center set to open in October 2020. The planned exhibit will highlight the history of Civil War weapons technology. Displaying a Henry will allow visitors to gain a greater appreciation of the rapid advance in arms technology that took place during this period, drawing a clear distinction between the single-shot weapon of the pre-war era and the repeating rifle that was destined to spell the end of muzzle-loading weapons and dominate the arms market for decades after the war.

The Wilson’s Creek NB Foundation also recently contributed an additional $40,000 to the visitor center renovation project to provide content for electronic displays highlighting several aspects of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek and the Civil War.

Wilson’s Creek Foundation is the support and fund-raising partner for Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, with the mission of encouraging awareness, appreciation, educational utilization, and development of the park, as well as raising funds for various projects not covered by the National Park Service.

rifle-photo

Bass Pro Shops’ $25,000 Lead Gift Launches Renovation Campaign at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Visitor Center

Bass Pro Shops officials on Friday, March 15, announced a $25,000 gift that will kick off a $300,000 fundraising campaign to help renovate the Visitor Center at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.

The Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation is conducting the campaign to raise its share of the $4.5 million overall renovation cost. Remaining project funding will come from the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation.

The renovation design calls for adding 1,873 square feet of exhibit space, providing a total of 3,396 square feet for the park’s collection of artifacts. It includes an upgrade of the Visitor Center’s heating and air conditioning systems to protect fragile artifacts and provide a positive experience for the more than 200,000 people who visit the park at 6424 W. Farm Road 182 in Republic. Updates will also provide for interactive displays and “virtual displays,” allowing fragile artifacts and other items in storage to be viewed in 3D.

“Under the visionary leadership of its founder, Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops proudly supports community initiatives focused on connecting people to nature,” said Sarah Hough, Bass Pro Shops Manager of Community Affairs. “We recognize that not only does this park commemorate the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, but it is an example of sound conservation in action and a community resource that enriches the fabric of the Ozarks,” Hough added.

“Our Foundation is excited to be assisting the National Park Service with an extensive remodel of the Wilson’s Creek Visitor Center that will make numerous changes, the most important of which is creating more space for exhibits, artifacts and curatorial space,” stated President Mike Ussery of  the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation. “This is a tremendous opportunity to improve the visitor experience and give a much more comprehensive look at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek and its importance through increased displays and other enhancements.”

The Wilson’s Creek Visitor Center exhibits are critical in telling the story, in human and military terms, of the battle in which more than 17,000 soldiers from North and South fought on Aug. 10, 1861. It was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, as well as the first battle in which a Union general was killed. 

Project funding is a partnership of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation and the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation. The local foundation will seek funds for the exhibit space expansion through grants and individual and business contributions. 

The renovation will also include

  • More curatorial space to provide adequate and updated compact storage for the collection’s artifacts, many of which are irreplaceable.
  • Relocated restrooms for better visitor access and to meet ADA requirements.
  • HVAC with updated energy-efficient systems to protect the more than 8,500 artifacts and create a comfortable visitor atmosphere.

For more information or to support this campaign, call 417-849-4057.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Trails

History Preserved Through Land Purchase

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield has recently been able to acquire 6.2 acres of historic land
on the west side of the park from a willing seller. This land preservation effort was completed
through partnerships with the American Battlefield Trust, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
Foundation, and the National Park Service. The authority for the addition of this property is the
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Boundary Expansion Bill that was approved by Congress in
June 2003.

This historically significant parcel of land was where Brigadier General Benjamin McCulloch
ordered Colonel Greer to deploy his men to turn the Union right flank on Bloody Hill. Greer’s
battalion, consisting of about 400 men of the South Kansas Texas Cavalry Regiment, moved
along the north side of Skegg’s Branch. In addition, surgeons of Mayor General Price’s Missouri
State Guard established a field hospital at Skegg’s Spring, which is visible from the property.
According to authors Dr. Thomas Sweeney and Kip Lindberg, the site offered large trees with
shade along with the fine natural spring.

The purpose of this land acquisition is to preserve history as it relates to the Battle of Wilson’s
Creek for future generations of visitors who come to the battlefield to learn about the Civil War
and the events that took place on August 10, 1861.

Mike Ussery, President of the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation, stated, “Our
Foundation is pleased to be able to assist with important land preservation efforts like this one.
One of our goals is to protect the viewshed and the pristine nature of the more than 2,000 acres
that make up this park.”

According to Superintendent Hillmer, “This particular section of land will help park staff to
educate more than 200,000 visitors each year, providing a better understanding of the Battle of
Wilson’s Creek. The park is very grateful for partnerships and willing sellers who assist the
National Park Service and Wilson’s Creek NB with purchases of important historic property like
this.”

Junior Ranger Day

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield will be holding its annual “Junior Ranger Day” this Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Several activities are planned to assist youth in completing the Wilson’s Creek Junior Ranger Activity Book. “Park Volunteers will provide tours of the historic Ray House and show how Civil
War muskets worked”, remarked Chief Ranger John Sutton. A Junior Ranger badge and a packet of free items are awarded to the participant upon completion of the program. There is no charge for the Junior Ranger program. Entrance fees are waived for all visitors on April 21.

Come and bring the kids, so they can enjoy becoming a Junior Ranger and visit a unit of the National Park Service, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. Remember, all fees are waived this Saturday.

Battlefield Land Expansion

Recently a piece of historic land was added to the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield through the efforts of the Civil War Trust and Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation. The CW Trust is a national organization with the mission of preserving historic Civil War and Revolutionary War battlefields. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield’s Boundary Expansion document, dated June 2003, states that additional land may be purchased from willing sellers. The 60-acre parcel was purchased and subsequently transferred to the National Park Service.

The significance of this property, located on the southeast boundary of the battlefield, is that it was the first position of Colonel Franz Sigel’s troops during the Battle of Wilson’s Creek. The Union forces divided their troops as they left Springfield around 6:00 pm on August 9th. The plan was to take 1,200 men under Col. Sigel and swing wide to the south, flanking the Confederates on the right as General Lyon’s force struck from the north.
The sixty acres acquired on January 22, 2018, allows the park to interpret a very significant segment of the battle under the command of Col. Sigel. This property was conveyed to the U.S. Department of the Interior and will be managed by Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.

“In donating this property to the National Park Service, we continue to preserve a piece of our history for generations to come,” stated Jim Lighthizer, President of the Civil War Trust. Furthermore, Wilson’s Creek NB Foundation President Mike Ussery stated that, “Part of the mission of the Foundation is to preserve land directly related to the battle. We are very proud to assist in this land preservation donation.”

Free Park Entrance on Veteran’s Day

In honor of the service and sacrifices of veterans, Director of the National Park Service Jon Jarvis has announced that all national park units will waive entrance fees on Veteran’s Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2015, including Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.

Wilson’s Creek NB has always encouraged our active duty and veteran military personnel to visit the battlefield.  According to Supt Hillmer, “Military staff rides have occurred at the battlefield for decades. They study the topography, the weapons and command decisions on their visits.  Their next deployment is usually overseas to defend our country.”

Active duty military personnel are also encouraged to obtain a free Military Pass to the national parks and public lands.  The pass is available at the Wilson’s Creek visitor center and is valid for one year.  Military personnel must show their military identification to receive the pass.

American Solar Challenge

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield and Republic High School are proud to support science innovation and celebrate the National Park Service Centennial by hosting a stop on the American Solar Challenge.  University teams from around the world will design and build solar-powered cars, and then drive them 1,800 miles on the open road during an 8-day rally.

This National Park Service Centennial event will take place from July 30 to August 6, 2016.  Over the course of the rally, the cars will stop at nine different National Park Service sites in seven states, including Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield in Missouri.  Visitors are invited to see the cars and enjoy the other activities offered the day of the rally stop, including a traveling exhibit.  You can find more special experiences in the national parks at FindYourPark.com.

As part of the 2016 Centennial, the National Park Service has challenged itself to provide more research and education around the effects of climate change on national park resources.  Among other things, the Green Parks Program encourages walking, biking, ride-sharing, and use of fuel-efficient or alternative-fuel vehicles.  The American Solar Challenge highlights these efforts by bringing solar-powered cars to parks.

Every two years, the Innovators Educational Foundation organizes the American Solar Challenge, which is a collegiate student design competition to design, build, and drive solar-powered vehicles in a cross-country time/distance rally event.  “We’re looking forward to the American Solar Challenge 2016 being part of the National Park Service Centennial and bringing the solar cars to 9 national park locations across the Midwest.  We hope visitors will take this opportunity to see the solar cars, meet the teams, and find their park,” says Event Organizer, Gail Lueck.

The American Solar Challenge will begin at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio on July 30, 2016 and end in Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota on August 6, 2016.  Midway stops include Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park, George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, Homestead National Monument of America, and Scotts Bluff National Monument.  More information is available on the American Solar Challenge website.

Civil War Veteran Burial

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield staff and volunteers will be participating in the internment of a Major Raphael Guido Rombauer on Saturday April 11, at Park Cemetery in Carthage, Missouri. The ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. with graveside service at 1:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

“If you have a love of history, especially the Civil War, you need to attend this ceremony, or at least pause at 1:30 p.m., to give honor to this father, husband, and Civil War Soldier, who will finally be laid to rest on Saturday”, according to Supt Hillmer. He continued, “This may be the last Civil War soldier buried in your lifetime.”

A native of Austria-Hungary, Rombauer immigrated to St. Louis, Missouri in the late 1840s. With tensions rising in the spring of 1861, he enlisted in Company A, 1st Missouri Infantry. A ninety-day unit, Rombauer was discharged before that unit’s participation at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek. Rombauer subsequently enlisted in an Illinois artillery unit and ended the war with the rank of major. Following the war, he settled in the Carthage area and became involved in coal mining and railroads. He eventually lived in Kirksville where he died in 1912 at the age of 75. His remains were sent to St. Louis for cremation, where they remained unclaimed for 102 years. His remains were brought to the attention of Elizabeth Young, his great granddaughter who claimed them. Rombauer will be interned in his family’s plot at Park Cemetery with full honors.

“A number of organizations have working together over the past few months to ensure that Major Rombauer’s remains are finally interned with dignity”, remarked Chief Park Ranger John Sutton. “The Carthage Community Band will provide music, the Holmes’ Brigade, a federal Civil War reenactment unit, will escort the remains. The Sons of Union Veterans and the Daughters of Union Veterans, the U.S. Army and the staff of Park Cemetery will all have a role. The National Park Service has been requested to fire an artillery salute, representing his artillery service during the Civil War.” Major Rombauer will be interned almost 150 years to the day after the surrender of Confederate forces at Appomattox, Virginia which essentially ended the Civil War.

2014 Moonlight Tour Tickets Available

Superintendent T. John Hillmer Jr. announced today that tickets for the battlefield’s popular “Moonlight Tour” are still available. The tour will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2014 between 7:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m.  Tickets are $7.00 per person and proceeds are used to cover the cost of the program. This year’s tour will be located at the John Ray House and will incorporate several scenes associated with the Civil War in 1864—150 years ago.

Tickets may be obtained in person at the battlefield visitor center or by mail (for a limited time).  The mailing address is: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, 6424 W. FR 182, Republic, Missouri 65738, attention:  “Moonlight Tour.”  Please make checks payable to:  “Eastern National.”  Mailed ticket requests must be received by Friday, September 5, 2014 in order to be processed and returned via USPS mail service prior to the tour.

The tour road will be closed to the public beginning at 5 p.m. on September 13 in order to prepare for the tour.

All visitors will be transported via buses from the visitor center to and from the tour sites.  In addition, those taking the tour should be prepared to walk a total of ½ mile and dress appropriately.  Due to the terrain strollers will not be allowed. No flash photography is allowed.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Ray House

2014 Fall Hours Announced

Fall hours of operation for Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield were announced today by Superintendent T. John Hillmer, Jr.  Tour Road hours will change to 8 a.m.-7 p.m. effective Tuesday, September 2, 2014.  The Visitor Center hours will remain at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

An entry permit of $5.00 per adult or $10.00 per family is required for all persons using the battlefield including walkers, joggers and bicyclists.  Entering or remaining in the battlefield during other than the posted times is not permitted. Additional information can be found on the internet at www.nps.gov\wicr.

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