Wilson’s Creek: The West’s First Fight, August 10, 1861

About this board game

Wilson’s Creek: The West’s First Fight, August 10, 1861 is a two-player, grand tactical, regimental-level simulation of the Civil War battle fought near Springfield, Missouri. With an approximate playing time of 300 minutes, the game recreates the pivotal engagement that helped keep Missouri in the Union.

The battle begins with the surprise Union attack led by Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon against an allied force. Confederate regulars under Brigadier General Benjamin McCulloch face Missouri State Guards commanded by Major General Sterling Price, bringing the opposing leaders and formations of Wilson’s Creek to the tabletop.

Each game-turn represents 20 minutes of real time, while every hex spans approximately 125 yards from hexside to hexside. Military scale is represented through Strength Points, with each point equaling 100 men or one gun.

• A 22″ × 34″ battle map
• 200 counters for military units, leaders, and informational markers
• Rules booklets and dice
• A box, except in subscription editions

These components provide a focused framework for examining the battle at regimental scale, combining historical forces, battlefield space, leaders, and time into one detailed simulation. The map and counters place the action of 10 August 1861 at the center of play.

Released in 1980, Wilson’s Creek is Volume 3 of the original SPI / TSR Great Battles of the American Civil War series. It offers two players a substantial historical game centered on one of the conflict’s important early battles in the American West.