Pilot Knob, Missouri came alive this past weekend as residents and visitors witnessed the recreation of the Battle of Fort Davidson, also known as the Battle of Pilot Knob.
The 150th anniversary celebration drew thousands of spectators. According to park officials, the crowd was estimated to be between 15,000 and 20,000. The battle occurred Sept. 27, 1864 and was the last major battle of the civil war in Missouri. Approximately 1,600 Reenactors from 20 states came to participate in what was the opening engagement of General Sterling Price's raid on Missouri.
The Union held Fort Davidson which was repeatedly attacked by forces led by Price. Union forces in the fort, commanded by Union General Thomas Ewing, were outnumbered 10 to 1. Both sides bombarded the other repeatedly (3 times) while Confederate troops unsuccessfully attempted to breach the fort's walls. The Union suffered 28 casualties while the confederates suffered approximately 300 killed and a thousand wounded.
After conferring with his officers, Ewing decided to evacuate by the cover of night. The Union forces had only a half day in ammunition left. They moved all the equipment they could not take with them to the fort's powder magazine. Union soldiers lit a slow burning fuse in the magazine and blew up the fort. The Union troops withdrew undetected to the northwest directly between two Confederate encampments full of exhausted troops.
Scott House is a Southeast Missouri State University Alumnus, a member of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity and an author. House graduated from Southeast in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and taught in St. Louis for 26 years. House co-authored "The Battle of Pilot Knob, Thunder in Arcadia Valley".
"A short version was written 30 years ago", said House. "We rewrote it adding countless photos and 29 maps. It is published by the Southeast university press," said House.
He and his wife, Kathie, have attended battle reenactments in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Georgia.
"I studied the civil war for years but didn't really know anything until I got into the wool uniform and realized what the reality of everything is, it's a lot of work but a lot of fun," House said.
Stan Prater is a Southeast Alumnus who graduated in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in science. Prater, who portrays Union General Thomas Ewing, stood with his horse to have a photo taken using wet plate photograph technology that was state of the art in 1861.
Prater's 1500 pound horse, which is part Tennessee Walker and Friesian, was among one of the largest horses at the event.
"What I like about him is that the combination of Tennessee Walker and Friesian makes him a very comfortable ride even at full gallop. He doesn't beat you to death", Prater said.
Todd Jacobs and Rick Ries both of St. Louis were participating in the battle on the Union side. Carrying replica Enfield rifles and wearing period correct wool uniforms, they were representing the 8th Missouri Volunteer Infantry out of St. Louis.
"We've been re-enacting for three or four years, but this is the first time we've participated in this event", Ries said.
Douglas W. Roussin of Desoto, Missouri graduated from Southeast in 1970 and was a teacher for 34 years, retiring ten years ago. Roussin began metal detecting in 1968 and has collected hundreds of artifacts that he displays at reenactment events. The collection includes Minnie balls, cannon ball fragments, buttons and other artifacts from the Pilot Knob battlefield.
"This was fired 150 years ago tomorrow [Sunday]," Roussin said. as he displayed a Minnie ball from the original Pilot Knob battle. His collection also includes bullets fired during the historic Battle of Gettysburg. He has also authored two books "Canteens and Horseshoes Relics of the Grand Army of the Republic" and "Plates, Belts, and Swords of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War." Both publications focus on the relics left behind by the armies that fought.
Visitors at the event could purchase reproduction clothing, leather goods, tents, camp supplies and reproduction rifles. One of the most visited exhibits was a hand-built Conestoga wagon. These wagons were built between 1750-1860 and could carry up to five tons of cargo. The 24 foot long "Schooner of the plains" was rebuilt using the original iron hardware that was found in a field.
When the reenactment of the battle was completed, both Union and Confederate armies formed up, marched towards each other and shook hands.
To see video from the re-enactment click to link http://www.southeastarrow.com/files/union-cannon-volley-video.mov and to find out more information about upcoming reenactments can be found online at reenactments.visitmo.com or missouricivilwar.net.
