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Sesquicentennial Edition 1861–2011 The Newsletter of the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation Winter, 2011/2012 Country Music Star Benjamin McCulloch Visits Battlefield By Len Eagleburger erhaps the most hardened and experienced military ountry western singing sensation Trace Adkins Pcommander at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek in 1861 Ctoured Wilson’ Creek National Battlefield and met was none other than Benjamin McCulloch. Born in Ten- with Wilson’s Creek Foundation supporters for a private nesee in 1811, he was the son of a veteran of the Creek reception Friday afternoon, June 17, before his perfor- War of 1813-14 and the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 mance at the Show-Me Music & Arts Festival that eve- during the War of 1812. ning. Mr. Adkins is well-known for such songs as “Ar- In Tennesee he was neighbors with Davy Crockett lington,” the story of a fallen soldier brought to be laid to and enlisted with his men to go to Texas (along with his rest in the national cemetery, as well as being a finalist on brother Henry) in the reality television series “Celebrity Apprentice.” 1835, but the “Tenne- Mr. Adkins became interested in Civil War history see Boys” left without through the stories of his ancestors passed down within them because of his family. His personal connection to history and the measles. They finally ardent desire to see it preserved is what motivated him reached San Antonio to become involved in the Civil War Trust, a national after the Alamo had Civil War preservation organization credited with saving fallen. In the War of 30,000 acres of threatened battlefield ground in 20 differ- Texas Independence, ent states. The Civil War Trust has been an active partner Ben McCulloch joined in preservation efforts at Wilson’s Creek Foundation, the Texas army under partnering with the Foundation to save more than 250 Sam Houston in its acres of land threatened by development adjacent to the retreat to east Texas. battlefield at Wilson’s Creek. Assigned to Captain While at the Isaac N. Moreland’s battlefield, Mr. artillery company at Adkins toured the the Battle of San Visitor Center, saw Jacinto (April 21, the historic Ray 1836), he commanded one of the “Twin Sisters” -- two House, and visited six-pounder cannon sent to aid the Texans by the citizens the Civil War of Cincinnati. He made deadly use of grapeshot against Museum. the Mexican positions and received a battlefield commis- Foundation sion as first lieutenant. McCulloch was then attached to President Steve Capt. William H. Smith’s cavalry company, but left the Ross said, “We army to revisit Tennessee. He returned a few months were pleased to later with a company of thirty volunteers under the have Mr. Adkins command of Robert Crockett, Davy’s son and served visit the battlefield gallantly in winning Texas’s independence from Mexico. and especially to After Texas entered the Union in 1845, he was appointed see the museum Major General in command of all Texas militia west of collection the Colorado River. That same year, with the outbreak of assembled by Dr. the war with Mexico, he raised a company of Rangers Tom and Karen that became Company A of Col. Hays’s 1st Regiment of Trace Adkins tours the Sweeney.” Texas Mounted Volunteers, who were known for their Civil War museum See McCulloch on page 3 Dedicated to the Support of Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Words from the President by Steve Ross of the cannons and the galloping horses were better than the best 3-D, surround-sound, movie theatre. I want to express my apologies We had hoped the reenactment would help us raise to our Foundation members for the money for our effort to add a museum wing to the vis- lateness of this newsletter. What itor center, but due to some of the setbacks I mentioned was meant to be a summer news- earlier, the 150th Anniversary Reenactment wasn’t a letter has become the summer/ big money maker for the foundation. Thankfully we fall/winter newsletter. The plan- made a small profit but, more importantly, we met ning, hosting and follow-up work our major goal—to get the next generation interested related to the 150th anniversary of in history. To make them appreciate all that has gone the battle of Wilson’s Creek kept before so that they will have a better vision for the fu- us so busy that the newsletter had ture, and a greater respect for the hallowed ground of to be put on a back burner. Now that a very busy year places like Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. I heard has come to an end we hope to make it up to you with a a lot of visitors say that they had never visited Wilson’s bigger issue to recap an extraordinary year. Creek, or any Civil War battlefield before our reenact- Foundation members and many other volunteers ment. Hopefully this new audience will be the caretak- worked tirelessly for a year and a half to prepare for ers of these places when the bicentennial of the Civil the Battle of Wilson’s Creek 150th Anniversary Reenact- War is commemorated in 2061 and we can rest assured ment this past August 11–14. It was an outstanding that places like Wilson’s Creek will be protected for event! A few unexpected setbacks including a devas- many generations to come. tating EF-5 tornado in Joplin and flooding in north- I recently visited the Civil War Museum after it ern Missouri justifiably diverted some funding and closed its doors for the last time on December 1. I got resources (such as bridges) to these hard hit areas. a lump in my throat as I watched park service employ- Resourceful members of our reenactment committees ees packing artifacts in boxes for storage or transfer found other sources for bridge materials and secured to Harpers Ferry for conservation. It was sad to see contributions of time, materials and money from many the empty display cases that once told the story of the generous companies and individuals. We had to get by conflict west of the Mississippi, but I am relieved that with one less bridge than we planned, and tempera- efforts by our Foundation will keep the vast majority tures in the 100’s during July and early August made of these artifacts here at Wilson’s Creek. Much of the miserable work for the crews preparing the site. But collection will be back for the public to view in 2013 in the necessary work was completed and the tempera- cases squeezed into the existing Visitor Center. We will tures dropped into the 80’s just in time for the event. continue to work in the coming year to build a larger, Almost 3,000 reenactors recreated different battle permanent home for this outstanding collection. With scenes from August 10, 1861, accompanied by dozens your continued support I know we can get it done. of horses, and at least as many cannons as were pres- Best wishes for the new year! ent during the original battle. It was a truly unforget- table experience that surrounded the spectators with the sights, sounds, smells and feel of history. The spec- tacle of thousands of soldiers, vibrations from the roar Steve Ross, President Have any stories of local or historical interest The Mission of the Wilson’s Creek relating to the Civil War? We’re always on the National Battlefield Foundation lookout for new stories and unique images for To work in cooperation with and to support the Wilson’s Creek The Bugle Call. Please send your newsletter National Battlefield, a unit of the National Park Service and contributions to: its staff. To further, by all proper and legitimate agencies and Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation means, the acquisition of Civil War historical properties and Attn: Bugle Call Editor materials especially those related to the Battle of Wilson’ Creek, P.O. Box 8163 or usable in the interpretation of the Wilson’s Creek battle. To be Springfield, MO 65801 a friend of the park whose primary purpose is to support Wil- FAX to: 417-864-7428 son’s Creek National Battlefield in a partnership through activi- ties which may include fund-raising, volunteerism, education, E-mail: [email protected] advocacy, and research. 2 Civil War Museum Closes or the past six years, since shortly new wing with exhibits that can Fafter the National Park Service pur- accommodate the majority of the chased the General Sweeny’s Museum artifacts, incorporate modern museum trans-Mississippi Civil War collection design elements, and serve as an in August 2005, the Wilson’s Creek educational resource for casual visi- Foundation has been working on a tors and researchers alike, the preser- project to move the priceless artifacts vation and protection of the collection to the battlefield Visitor Center, where is an important consideration. Since it will be safer and more accessible funding a new wing is not possible at to the public. Many battlefield visitors just didn’t have this time, we will continue to cooperate with NPS and time to go up the road to the museum, and the Founda- Wilson’s Creek personnel in the best interests of the tion Board felt it was important to make this wonderful battlefield and its visitors. For more information about the resource available to more people. Through conversa- current museum project, contact the Foundation office at tions with NPS Midwest Region and Wilson’s Creek staff, 417-864-3041. an understanding was reached that the ultimate goal for collection was to build a museum wing attached to the McCulloch continued from page 1 Visitor Center with new, state-of-the-art exhibits.

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