Iron County register., 1882-09-07
A MEMORIALS BATTLE.
The Story of the Engagement at
Pilot Knob Retold.

The Story of the Engagement a
Pilot Knob Retold.
Many who participated in the battle of Pilo
Knob, fought on September 1927, 1854, will
this year take passage for the old battle
ground, and, in wine and song, celebrate th'
eighteenth anniversary of an event which will
ever be part and parcel of Missouri's history
Many stories have been told of the fight a
Pilot Knob, and more than one claimed thai
it was grand Victory for the Confederates
for at the end of the second day the Federal.
withdrew from their position. Some have
| seen fit to call the retreat route, but it was
l the very wisest move the Federals could
| make, as they had finished the task cut ou,
for them, obeyed all orders and did all they
had to do nobly and well. That their move
| ments satisfied those in authority was proven
4 few days later when Gen. ROsecrans, with
headquarters at st. Louis, issued the follow
ing order:
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE
MIssoUKI, ST. LOUIS, NO., October &, 1864.
|-General Order, No. 1S9.-With pride and
pleasure the commanding General notices the
gallant conduct of Brigadier- -General Thomas
Ewing, Jr., and his command, in the defense
VI NUb hUoD anu Ill tEic SUBSEQUENT FplTCdI
to ROlla. With scarcely 1000 effective men
they repulsed the attacks of Prices invading
army, and successfully retreated with their
battery Il distance of 100 miles in the face of a
pursuing and assailing cavalry force Of five
times their number. Such conduct deserves
imitation, particularly when contrasted with
the cowardly conduct of tho troops at Usage
Bridge. The General commanding presents
his hearty thanks and congratulations to the
commading officers of troops and the staff
,1,,, Il
troops should always march to victory.
By command of Ma. j.-Gen. Rosecrans.
FRANK Emo, \. a. G.
THE STORY OF THE BATTLE.
Last night veteran who took part in the
fight and whose memory covers every material
point, told the story of the battle in corrobor-
alton of the statement made by Rosecrans,
and the bravery of those who took part in the
engagement. The Confcderates had three
divisions, or $4,000 men in arms, and these
were commanded by Gen. Price and Major
Generals Cabell, Pagan and Marmaduke.
The Federals had one company Of infantry
of the Missouri State militia, numbering 60
men; one company of I'd Missouri volunteer
artillery; two companies of the 14th Iowa
volunteers; two companies Of the Sd regiment
NJ. s. NJ; one company of the I'd cavalry NJ.
s. NJ, all numbering about forty to the COM
pany; five companies Of the 47th, Regiment,
Missouri Volunteer Infantry, sixty men to
souri, Volunteers, and some few citizens.
All told, the Federals numbered less than
/ 600 to their opponents 1900. The Feder-
ais camped in the valley at the foot of Pilot
Knob and near the fort erected there. Gen.
Ewing was in command. Col. Thos. Flctch-
er commanded the 47th Regiment; Maj. Jas.
Wilson, the Sd Cavalry; First-Lieutenant
David Murphy, the 50th Missouri; Capt. w.
J. Campbell, the 14th Iowa; Capt. w. c.
one company Of the I'd Missouri
Artillery; Capt. A. NJ. Wright, the I'd Caval-
ry NJ. s. NJ, and Lieut.. John Fesler, the 1st
Infantry NJ. s. NJ, acting as heavy artillery.
The cavalry, commanded by Capt. Wilson,
took their position at the foot of the Knob.
Capt. Campbel's command was located across
Mountain, with instructions to re-
tire before any force that the outset appeared
too heavy for them. The 47th Regiment and
one company of the 50th Missouri were sta
toned in the ditch connecting to fort with the
town Of Pilot Knob, while the 1st Regiment
of the Missouri State militia manned the 81
and 4-pound garrison guns. The Cd Mis-
souri, artillery also took up their station within
the fort, mounting their four guns on a tenn
porary platform. Two additional pieces of
artillery were placed in charge of Lieutenant
Smiley. These were on the extreme flank of
the infantry in the ditch at the edge Of
THE TOWN OF PILOT KNOB.
For the COnfederates, Shelby was sent
around by way of Pennington with instruc-
tons to hold the road ut POlosi and from
that point in to st. Louis. Cabell and Pagan
were placed in charge of the assaulting col
umns. Mar,naduke held Shepherd Mountain
with his artillery and supporting forces.
Price stationed himself at Arcadia, two miles
from the battle ground. There had been
skirmishing from the morning of September
,6 until night, in the vicinity OF Shut-in Gap,
below Arcadia. At night Ewing resolved to
make stand and thus compel Price to de- |
refop his entire force. The fort was placed In |
condition to receive four light pieces. These |
we're erected on platforms. On the morning |
If the 9th the troops were in position and |
he battle was commenced by Marmaduke's |
fivision taking possession Of Shepherd Noun
ain and driving before 1t the two companies /
If the I4th Iowa who returned by the noun
ain slope and centered the fort by means Of
he ditch connecting it with the foot OF the
mountain. Late in the morning Marmaduke
in planting four guns on the east
rn slope of the mountain, directly opposite
he fort. Lieut.. Murphy saw this move, but
efused to open fire, desiringto give the Con-
ederate General all the time he needed in
which to plant his guns. Gen. Ewing, on the
'ther hand, kept insisting that they should
pen on Nlarmatl,lke with the garrison guns,
'ut mot q shot was fired until the Confeder-
tie force sent b.ll into the Federal camp.
This was the opering signal. Lieut.. Murphy
umped upon the platform and training the
2 2-pounder gave orders to fire, which were
obeyed. The shot struck on the
lope and disabled one of Marmaduke's guns.
his satisfied the Confederatcs for the first
lme that there was to be fight, and, rejoiced I