Saving History Saturday: New Artifacts at Wilson Creek Battlefield

Earlier this week, the Wilson Creek Battlefield Foundation announced the transfer of two Civil War artifacts to the care of Wilson Creek National Battlefield for further preservation and interpretation.

The Civil War manuscript memoirs of Mary Whitney Phelps had been purchased and contain significant primary source information about the 1861 Battle of Wilson’s Creek in Missouri, including the care of wounded soldiers and the burial of Union General Nathaniel Lyon. Phelps actually over the preparations and burial of the Federal commander and her writings help researchers to better understand that part of Wilson Creek’s aftermath.

The other artifact is a Wilson’s Creek Civil War reunion ribbon, recently purchased from descendants of George Matkov. The reunion took place in 1897 and brought between 6,000 to 10,000 visitors to the battlefield for commemorative activities.

For more information and photos of these historic artifacts and their preservation, please visit: https://www.ktts.com/2021/11/08/wilsons-creek-national-battlefield-gets-two-artifacts/