Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-10-05
September 9th, 1882.

September l0o6s
The battle of Pilot Knob, fought on Sept.
18th, 1864, was good battle to be remem
bered. Neither party can accuse the other
Of either cowardice or inefficiency.'
''Greek met Greek, then came the tug of war"
Brave men, availing themselves Of an adj
mirably located and skillfuly constructed
work, held their own against greatly supe-
rior numbers of well differed soldiers, as
brave as themselves, who strove with useless
valor to overpower them, and left the earth
gray with the proofs of their terrific assault.
The evacuation of the fort, which followed
the battle, involved two of the most danger
Gus incidents of the war. They had to cut
their way out through greatly superior
force, and fall back, after night, through the
enemy's country, when the enemy was strong
in cavalry. The successful retreat was, I'M
der the circumstances, still more honorable
than the battle.
1t could not be wondered at, then, If, when
arrangements were made to commemorate
the battle, the people of Southeast Missouri,
without pausing to enquire where any one
stood eighteen years ago, knew no feeling
save the honest, lofty pride of American
soldiers and citizens, and turned out en- nlosse
to honor the day, the heroes, and the place.
The day was all that could be desired. A
clear, blue sky, like that which spanned that
field of death eighteen years ago, was famed
by a cool, bracing wind, which kept away any
feeling of WEAKNESS. A neat stand was
erected within the works. The Stars and
| Stripes abOunded.
At O'Clock p. NJ. an excursion train Of six
cars came from st. Louis, loaded down with
an earnest crowd, which was met at the de-
pot by the Ironton Cornet Band and escort
ed to the fort, within and around which
about three thousand people were gathered.
Judge Emerson, as Chairman of the Com
mittee of Reception, called the meeting to
order and introduced Rev. A. W. Wright,
who offered the opening prayer, in which
thanks were given for peace, fraternal rela-
lions and abundance all over the land, a
thankful acknowledgment of the prosperity
of our country and a supplication for Divine
guidance for our rulers and our people, es-
pecially in respect to the vast influx from
foreign nations, that our institutions in
Church and State may be preserved and
maintained for Gods glory and our national
welfare.
After the prayer, Judge Emerson gave the
address of welcome. CHANGING back to the
events commemorated, he touchingly con-
trasted them with the present circumstances,
and rendered hearty welcome to those
whose courage had secured our blessings
and made the day and place famous. He
then introduced eXGov. L. c. Fletcher, who
made the principal speech of the occasion,
describing the preliminary skirmishing, the
terrific assault, the evacuation and the re-
treat in night of horrible darkness, and all
the leading incidents, until they reached
Rolla. He was followed by Col. David Muir
ply, who spoke of the principle illustrated
in the fight, and reasoned that the vigor and
courage of the attack and defence arose from
the intelligence of the soldiers and from the
fact that each one was fully pursuaded that
he was in the right, and urged the develop
ment of intelligence and patriotism in the
people with view to their being good SOL
diers.
Capt. Fl. B. Milks followed, giving an ac-
count of the firing of the magazine at the
evacuation. Gov. Fletcher had given him
the honor of that perilous work, but he
modestly laid the laurels on the brow of
Sergeant VIM. H. Moore. In so doing Capt.
Milks proved himself brave soldier and a
true man.
Gen. j. r. Mccormick, Col. j. W. Fletch-
er, Capt. w. L. Leeper and Gen. John Nc
Neil followed with short speeches, referring
to various incidents connected with the
fight.
fhn 60 4I,o Lost o1-or
bore honorable testimony to the soldierly
qualities of their opponents; and regret was
expressed on all hands that there were no
Confederate officers present to tell how things
went on their side. This idea was best set
on foot by remark by Col. Murphy, that
Missouri did not have a fair show in the his
tory of the war, and that the only way to
remedy the oversight was by common ora
tons like the present.
The speeches We're interspersed with ma