The Union forces decisively won the Battle of Pilot Knob, which was fought on September 26-27, 1864, during the American Civil War. This pivotal engagement saw Confederate troops attempting to seize an earthen fort, Fort Davidson, in southeastern Missouri.
Overview of the Battle of Pilot Knob
The Battle of Pilot Knob was a crucial defensive victory for the Union, despite a strategic withdrawal by the Union forces after the main engagement. The primary objective of the Confederate forces, led by Major General Sterling Price, was to capture St. Louis as part of Price's Missouri Expedition. The Union defense at Pilot Knob effectively thwarted this larger objective by inflicting heavy casualties and significantly delaying Price's advance.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | September 26-27, 1864 |
| Location | Pilot Knob, Missouri |
| Combatants | United States (Union) vs. Confederate States (Confederacy) |
| Union Commander | Brigadier General Thomas Ewing Jr. |
| Confederate Cmdr. | Major General Sterling Price |
| Outcome | Decisive Union victory |
| Casualties | Over 1,000 men killed or wounded (both sides combined) |
The Engagement and Its Aftermath
On September 26, 1864, Confederate troops launched a series of fierce attacks against the Union-held Fort Davidson, an earthen fortification. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Union garrison, under the command of Brigadier General Thomas Ewing Jr., mounted a stubborn defense. The fighting was intense, resulting in significant casualties for both sides.
By the evening of September 27, realizing their position was becoming untenable and having achieved their primary objective of delaying Price's army, the Union forces successfully evacuated the fort under the cover of darkness. They then destroyed the fort's magazine to prevent its use by the Confederates.
While the Union forces ultimately retreated from the specific position, the battle is considered a Union victory because:
- Heavy Confederate Losses: The Confederates suffered disproportionately high casualties in their failed attempts to take the fort.
- Strategic Delay: The two-day stand at Pilot Knob severely delayed Price's overall advance into Missouri, giving Union forces time to prepare stronger defenses further north. This delay was critical in preventing Price from achieving his goal of capturing St. Louis and other strategic objectives in Missouri.
- Failed Confederate Objective: The Confederates failed to capture the fort and its garrison intact, which was their immediate tactical goal.
The tenacity of the Union defense at Pilot Knob is often highlighted as a testament to their resolve in the face of overwhelming odds. The defeat suffered by the Confederate forces here played a significant role in the ultimate failure of Price's Missouri Expedition. For more details on the battle, you can explore resources from the American Battlefield Trust.
