Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, Wilson's Creek Foundation, and Springfield-Greene County Library Acquire and Digitize Rare Civil War Manuscript
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield recently received a donation of previously unpublished Mary Whitney Phelps papers through a purchase made by the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation at a nationally advertised auction. These papers have been added to the museum collection at Wilson’s Creek, and the battlefield has partnered with the Springfield-Greene County Library District to place the items online in the Community & Conflict digital collection at ozarkscivilwar.org.
Mary Whitney Phelps (1812-1878) is one of Missouri's Union heroines of the Civil War. The Battle of Wilson’s Creek, fought on August 10, 1861, was the first major battle west of the Mississippi. It was a defeat for the Union and resulted in the death of Union commander Nathaniel Lyon. Rather than flee with other prominent Unionists, Mrs. Phelps remained behind in Springfield to see to the burial of the fallen General Lyon and to care for wounded soldiers who had been left during the retreat.
The Mary Whitney Phelps papers include a significant unpublished memoir. Although extensive, it is missing at least three leaves that discuss the Battle of Wilson's Creek. It does, however, include Mary Phelps’ discussion of the burial of General Lyon. The collection also includes a letter written by Mary’s husband John Smith Phelps to their daughter Mary Phelps Montgomery, as well as a letter written by Mary Montgomery. John Smith Phelps (1814-1886) of Springfield represented Missouri in the United States Congress but returned home to fight for the Union and later served as governor of Missouri from 1877-1881.
“The Library District is excited to work with Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield to place this historically significant collection online,” said Brian Grubbs, Local History and Genealogy Manager at the Springfield-Greene County Library District. Grubbs led the development of the Community & Conflict digital collection, which explores the impact of the Civil War in the Ozarks. The digital collection consists of Civil War documents, photographs, and artifacts from across the United States. “Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield has multiple collections already online at ozarkscivilwar.org,” said Grubbs, “and we look forward to adding even more content to this rich digital collection.”
“This rare eyewitness account from an important figure in southwest Missouri will help us tell the story of the war’s impact on the civilian population,” said Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Superintendent Sarah Cunningham. “It’s important for us to share these priceless primary sources with the public.”
“An important mission of Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation is to help preserve historical resources like the Mary Whitney Phelps papers,” said Garin Ferguson, Foundation President. “We are very pleased that we were able to acquire these papers and partner with Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield and the Springfield-Greene County Library District to make them available to the public.”
Established in 1950, the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation is one of the oldest private non-profit support groups associated with the National Park Service. Administered by the National Park Service, Wilson's Creek National Battlefield preserves the site of the first major battle of the Civil War in the West. The Confederate victory on August 10, 1861, focused greater national attention on the war in Missouri, leading to greater federal military action.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
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