Creating Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site: Stories from Some Veterans Reunions

Transcription

1 Creating Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site: Stories from Some Veterans Reunions The recent book by Walter E. Busch Fort Davidson and the Battle of Pilot Knob: Missouri s Alamo (ISBN: ) contains the core story of the veterans of the battle of Pilot Knob and their efforts to create a memorial park (preferably at the time a national battlefield) at the site of old Fort Davidson. Some of that story is tied into the creation of a soldier s monument to U.S. Grant on the spot in Ironton where he received notice that he was a brigadier general. The following are newspaper article transcriptions are part of the veterans story that are not in the above mentioned book. Several failed attempts were made in the 1880s and 1890s, the death of the Pilot Knob Memorial Association occurred rapidly as the old soldiers passed in the early teens. By 1914, few people showed any concern over the battlefield. The Cape Girardeau Sons of Union Veterans Camp organized a very successful reunion in 1929, but interest quickly waned over the next few years. The work to create a state historic site finally began in earnest after the 1964 centennial celebrations. Now in the wake of the 150 th 1

2 celebration remembering the battle, Friends of Fort Davidson offers more articles about the veterans reunions. The citations for articles are above them. If more than one article is in a column, it is separated from the other by 10 hyphen marks. The formatting of the text is to recreate the flow of the newspaper articles and booklets. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., Thursday, 7 September 1882, page 5 column 3. Battle of Pilot Knob. We learn that the old soldiers of St. Louis intend coming down on the anniversary of the battle of Pilot Knob, on 27 th of September, to celebrate that famous event. A grand time may be expected, and it is hoped that our citizens, especially all those who participated in that event, will take proper steps to welcome the visitors and give them a hearty reception. If proper steps were taken by our people to make the most of the anniversary of that battle, it could be made a big thing for our Valley, by attracting to it hundreds and thousands of people every year ; and these reunions could be made the occasion of bringing here leading and noted men from all parts of the country who fought on both sides during the war. But now, on the this [sic] occasion, the best we can do, on so short a notice, will be to get up a hearty and enthusiastic reception, and do what we can to entertain the visitors, and make the occasion as enjoyable as possible. Soon as we learn the programme we will discuss the subject further. E.M.M.: We append the following INVITATION. To the Officers and Men of the 47 th Regiment Mo. Vols. and the 68 th Regiment 2

3 As the commanding officer of the above named regiments at the time they were mustered out and disbanded, and as Chairman of the Executive Committee, I beg to extend to officers and men of the above named regiments who participated in the memorable Battle of Pilot Knob, fought on the 27 th day of September 1864, a cordial invitation to join in the celebration of the 18 th anniversary, on the battlefield, on the 27 th of September, The committee also extend an invitation to all citizens to join in the celebration, and assist in giving a warm welcome to the old veterans from St. Louis, and eminent men who will visit the old fort on that day. It is expected that Gov. Crittenden, Gen. Ewing, Ex-Gov. Fletcher, Col. Murphy, Gov. Johnson, and others will be present. Addresses will be delivered. J.W. EMERSON. As the members of these old regiments are scattered in all the counties of the Southeast, it is hoped the papers generally will copy. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., Thursday, 14 September 1882, page 5 column 2. The 27 th of September. The celebration on the 27 th -- the anniversary of the Battle of Pilot Knob -- will be this year, a grand basket picnic, in which all our citizens, and all our old soldiers, no matter which politics, are requested to join, so as to give the visitors from St. Louis who will come down on that day a warm repception [sic] and a good impression of our life and public spirit here in the Valley. Fill your baskets so that you will have plenty to divide with those who may have none with them. 3

4 The special train will arrive at a little before 12 o'clock and will return at 5 or 6 P.M., so that our citizens, with baskets, should be at the fort by 11:30 A.M. Of course, there will be room for women and children, and the Committee hope they will turn out in full force. They will hear good music and some of the most eminent speakers in the State. Turn out, one and all, and let us show what our Valley can do by way of a rousing picnic. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., Thursday 5 October 1882, page 1 columns 3, 4 & 5. BLUE AND GRAY. Reunion of Those Who Fought the Battle of Pilot Knob. Over Two Thousand People Gathered at the Old Fort on the 27 th Ult. Addresses by Some of the Heroes of the Memorable Struggle. Judge Emerson, Gov. Fletcher and Col. Murphy Among the Speakers. 4

5 Letter Read From Gen. Thomas Ewing.--Personal, Etc. [St. Louis Republican, Sept. 28 th.] The special train with the excursionists for Pilot Knob left the new depot on the Iron Mountain road, corner of Fourth street and Chouteau avenue, yesterday morning for Pilot Knob shortly after 9 o'clock. Mr. J.J. Frey, Assistant General Superintendent of the Iron Mountain road, accompanied the party, in order to see that it had proper attention. At DeSoto about forty more excursionists got aboard and joined the St. Louis party. The run to Pilot Knob was made on time. The weather was cool and crispish, the scenery noble in fields green and brown, with here and there a blush of red, and a few somber hay stacks occasionally gave tone to the fields. PERSONNEL. The following officers, who held the fort on the great historical occasion, were on board the train, their names and titles being given as they stood in the fort eighteen years ago : Col. Thomas C. Fletcher, in command of the Forty-seventh Missouri infantry. Capt. P.F. Lonergan, Assistant Provost-Marshal in command of the enrolled militia organized for the fight, four companies of whites and one of slaves. Capt. Lonergan, it may be added, enlisted as a fifer in Gen. John B. Henderson's brigade at Louisiana in 1861 and gradually rose to the rank of Colonel. Lieut.-Gov. Campbell said of him, that he could either play a fife or command a brigade. Capt. H.B. Milks, of Company H, Third M.S.M., detailed as chief of cavalry on Gen. Ewing's staff during the battle and retreat. He was the last officer to leave the fort. He was ordered at 12 M. to remain in the fort one hour after the command left, and at 1 P.M. [A.M.] he fired the magazine and 5

6 blew up the fort. He laid the "train" 150 feet long over the draw-bridge. Capt. Milks ordered Sergt. Wm. H. Moore, now of Clarkton, Dunklin county, Mo., to touch the candle that he had lit to the end of the powder train. When the Captain gave Moore the order he said, "There is no use in that, Captain, for there is plenty of fire back of us," pointing over his shoulder. The Captain cast his eyes back and saw a blaze coming out of the magazine seven feet high. Every man then set spur to his horse, the animals flying away helter skelter. They had not got away more than 200 yards from the fort before the magazine exploded, filling the air to a great height with flame and bursted shells. Among the other officers on the train were Col. David Murphy, Adjutant of the Forty-seventh Missouri (Col. Fletcher's regiment), who, by Capt. Lonergan's orders, took command of the artillery in the fort. For his bravery and gallant conduct in the fight he was ordered the highest meed of praise by Gen. Ewing and all that officer's command. Capt. H.D. Wood was Lieutenant and Assistant Commissary of Subsistence on the first day's fight. He kept the stores as long as possible. Fred Fichte was a soldier in one of Lonergan's companies and helped defend the fort. Among other prominent officers who met in the fight at Pilot Knob was Col. Nelson Cole, who had one of the batteries in the fight. Col. Cole afterwards commanded a brigade in the Powder river expedition against the Sioux Indians, where his command suffered incredible hardships, having to subsist on the frozen carcasses of their horses. Gen. John McNeil, who was one of the first men to enter the Federal service, also took an active part, having been in command at Rolla during the Pilot Knob fight and having taken part in the pursuit of Price after the retreat. 6

7 Maj. C.C. Gardner, who was in the Twenty-seventh New York Volunteers, Sixth corps, Army of the Potomac, in the first battle of Bull run, and in all the battles of the Peninsula under McClellan, and who was wounded at Gaines' Mill, was on board the train. He is now a resident of St. Louis. OTHER ST. LOUISANS on board were as follows: Maj. H.D. Wood, Major and Commissary of Subsistence ; Col. J. O. Churchill, Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Quartermaster ; Capt. John S. Knapp, late Captain Seventeenth U.S. Infantry ; Dr. J. McClure, Col. Jno. W. Fletcher, Lieutenant-Colonel Forty-seventh Missouri Infantry ; E.A. Rozier, A.W. McGregor, John E. McKinney, Third Missouri Cavalry ; R. Hornberger, Lieutenant Fourth Missouri Cavalry ; T.J. Delamere, Fortieth Missouri Infantry; G.M. Barre, Fifteenth Missouri Infantry ; Capt. J.B. Paschall, Captain Thirty-fourth New York Infantry ; Arthur Dreyfus, Ninth Ohio Infantry ; Adam Fisher, Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteers; Charles F. Walther, Seventh Missouri Infantry ; Thos. Tijou, Illinois Militia ; John H. Conrades, Missouri Militia ; August F. Donk, Edmond C. Donk, Ulrich Schwendener, Captain Fifteenth Missouri Infantry ; M.S. Barnet, Third New Jersey Cavalry ; John Schmid, Ninth Ohio Infantry ; E.J. Zwart, James A. Harris, A. Schnelle, S. Kehrman, Captain Fourth Missouri Cavalry; John H. Baker, Dr. W.H. Grayson, Henry McNichols, Mr. Turley, Col. L.J. Rankin, Dr. Deadrick, Chas, T. Rankin, Judge A. Hammel, Baker Evans, Chris. Koenig, First Missouri Artillery ; Wm. J. Powell, Fortieth Missouri Volunteers ; Dill Buckman, First Missouri Artillery ; J.J. Scharr, First Missouri Artillery ; Dr. W.H. Farrar, J.W. Maxwell, Wm. Bailey, J.G. Plukerton and E.A. McNair. 7

8 THE LADIES. The following were prominent among the ladies accompanying the party : Misses Anna Tijou, Blanche Tijou, Kate Jijou [sic], Mrs. Jno. H. Conrades, Miss Josie Conrades, Mrs. M.S. Barnett, Mrs. J.B. Paschal, Mrs. A.W. McGregor, Misses Addie Hinchman, Luella Cunningham and Lanche Cole, Mrs. Kate McNutt, Mrs. J.A. Harris, Mrs. Geo. H. McConnel, Mrs. Maggie Dexter, Mrs. Sarah McWilliams, Mrs. Jno. H. Berker, Mrs. Jennie Brown, Mrs. Dr. Grayson, Mrs. Turley, Mrs. L. Rankin, Mrs. Deadrick, Mrs. T.C. Fletcher, Miss Honey, Mrs. M.M. Wood, Mrs. Bartholow, Misses Annie Sands and Annie Rankin, Mrs. Chris. Koenig, Mrs. Wm. J. Powell, Mrs. Dill Buckman, Mrs. J.H. French, Misses L.A. Fassell and Minnie Dixon, Mrs. W.H. Farrar and Mrs. J.W. Maxwell. A large number of excursionists boarded the train at DeSoto. THE ARRIVAL. On arriving at Pilot Knob the excursionists were greeted by a large crowd which had been in waiting numbering from 2,000 to 3,000 people from the town and surrounding country. The fort, which lies between the depot and the foot of the mountain, was gaily decorated with flags, which had been planted on the ramparts, and which flourished lightly in the breezes. The embankments remain the same as when constructed for defence 18-years ago. The excursionists met at the fort Judge Emerson and the committee of reception, by whom they were escorted to the interior, accompanied by the crowd of citizens. It has been fitted up with seats and a speaker's stand, the young trees that had sprung up since the war having been removed for that purpose. All was peaceful, and contrasted wonderfully with the past scenes of strife: "No sound of artillery smiteth the ear. 8

9 So calm you can catch e'en the fall of a tear." Here, in this quiet place, after the assemblage had been seated, prayer was offered up to the throne of grace by Rev. Mr. Wright, followed with music by the Ironton silver cornet band. The Judge J.W. Emerson, of Ironton, delivered the following WELCOME ADDRESS: Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen-- I am thankful to the committee who assigned me the duty of presiding to-day that they impose the other duty of making all the addresses and speeches on our eminent visitors and guests. The more pleasant privilege is mine on behalf of our committees, on behalf of all our citizens of every political party and every creed, of extending to our visitors and our guests a welcome most warm, most earnest, and most unqualified. We welcome you to these historic grounds, to these charming hills and valleys of ours. We do not assemble here, on this eighteenth anniversary of the memorable battle of Pilot Knob, in any spirit of sectionalism, in any spirit of partisanship, in any spirit of boasting over a victory won or a battle lost ; we meet here as members of all political parties, men who fought here eighteen years ago this very hour ; some under the old starry banner, others under the stars and bars, after 18 years of separation, to look at the old fort, to view the battle-field which was then the scene of as heroic a struggle as graces the pages of Greek or Roman history ; a battle in which the participants on both sides behaved so bravely and so heroically that the memory of brave deeds, of an understood duty, so well performed, must be a cause of gratulation to them and their posterity forever. We meet for the nobler and higher purposes, too, of showing how it is that peace hath her victories no less than war ; how brethren can dwell together in unity ; how brave men can be enemies in war, in peace 9

10 friends ; to exhibit to the world one of the evidences of the grandest triumphs of modern civilization, a spectacle that can be seen in no other country save in this free America of ours -- a people who have fought through and fought out the GRANDEST WAR OF ALL TIME, suddenly lay down their arms, return to peaceful pursuits, greet and embrace each other as brothers and live together as the warmest of friends, all alike earnest workers for the good of society, the advancement of our common country ; all alike loving the grand old flag of freedom, the Constitution of our fathers and that matchless American liberty which these typify, welcome that spirit of fraternity, welcome to our guests. All hail to the flag ; to Gen. A.J. Smith, the hero of a hundred fights, the commander of the fighting division; to Col. Thos. C. Fletcher, commander of the brave Forty-seventh Missouri Infantry, eighteen year age to-day ; to Col. David Murphy, commandant of the artillery; to the brave Capt. Lucas, commander of the Iowa infantry, who comes to us as a member of the State Government of Iowa ; to the officers of the old Twenty-first Illinois -- Gen. Grant's old regiment -- who come to us from the state of Illinois ; to the officers and men of the Sixty-eighth E.M.M., who were here on the occasion ; to you all. We bid a syecial [special] welcome to the citizens who were then here, to our friends who were then engaged on the Confederate side of the late unpleasantness ; to our visiting friends of every degree, and to the ladies, GOD BLESS THEM, to the ladies most especially of all we extend a welcome, thrice welcome. We have to apologize to you for the tameness of your reception. We cannot duplicate the enthusiasm, the glorious pomp and circumstance of war of eighteen years ago ; we cannot reproduce the thunder of artillery, the crash of musketry, the explosion of shells, 10

11 the burning furnaces and buildings, the cheers of charging legions --nay, but we do the best we can. If it is less animated to-day, let me assure you it is decidedly more comfortable. We do better than then -- we exhibit to you the triumph of peace, the miners' blast, the glow of the furnace, the steady clank of the engine, the electric light, the whistle of the locomotive and the swift cars of commerce. All is peace, all is plenty, all is happiness. Instead of marching armies and blazing guns we exhibit to you the loving smiles and the flashing eyes of our wives and our sweethearts, and these we know by experience are more grateful to an old soldier than all the pomp and circumstance of war. And now with assurances that there will not be a missile fired to-day by any speaker which will hurt you in mind or body, I beg you will join in the further festivities of the day. During the delivery the Judge was followed by his hearers with the closest attention, his remarks being interrupted frequently by hearty applause. GOV. FLETCHER. was then introduced and made the following address: "In behalf of the survivors of the battle of Pilot Knob and their friends from distant localities, I am directed to return hearty thanks for the kind and cordial reception and greeting extended to us by the people of this valley. "We come to-day to stand amid this the grandest scenery in all Missouri, and with the gentle autumn breezes cheering and exhilarating us to renew old acquaintances and form new ones ; to look over the ground once the scene of fearful and deadly strife, and to contrast the scene of eighteen years ago to-day with the present surroundings of beauty and peace and prosperity. We fought here to determine the principles in our government as to the supremacy of authority of the States and of the national Government. The fight 11

12 at this place was only one of many battles of the war by which we settled forever the question that the national authority is the supreme authority ; but it was an important battle to the national cause, because of the fact that it delayed the march of the Confederates and gave time for the preparations for the defence of St. Louis and of Jefferson City. It was a fight in which there was displayed AS MUCH DARING on the part of both forces as was witnessed anywhere in all the war. "I had witnessed assaults and repulses at Vicksburg, Lookout, Mission Ridge, Ringold, Resaca, Dallas, and other memorable battles, but had always been of the assaulting party. Here, for the first time, I was of the assaulted. I had always wanted to be in a fort on the defensive, and here I had that wish gratified. The assault made here by the Confederate forces was characterized by a bravery unparalleled. Up to within forty feet of the moat, which you see there surrounding the fort, they came with a daring so grand that I felt that they were too brave to be shot by our forces. "The history of the battle has been written, but the whole story has never been given. It will be the duty of the survivors of that battle to prepare and give to history this whole story. We have been lunching together and talking over the scenes and incidents of that day. The battle was fought against the orders of Gen. Rosecrans. We were ordered to evacuate the fort and fall back on A.J. Smith's command at Mineral Point and DeSoto, but decided to fight a little before we left. Before we had gotten through the day I believe it was pretty generally felt, though not expressed, that we had better obeyed orders. Gen. Tom Ewing was ranking officer ; I was next in rank." Here the speaker referred in high terms of praise to Col. Murphy, then Adjutant, who took charge of the artillery, and to Lieut.-Col. Maupin, Maj. Emerson, Quartermaster 12

13 J.W. Fletcher, Capt. Lonergan, Maj. Wilson, Capts. McMurtry, Powers, Montgomery, Lucas, Foster and others, constantly referring to incidents of the battle. He had the rapt attention of the audience for some time. Then turning to the surrounding mountains and pointing to Pilot Knob as the largest deposit of solid iron in the world, drew an inspiring picture of the view from its topmost peak, and in a strain of lofty eloquence made a beautiful picture of the coming time when the industrial resources of that region should be utilized, and hoped that annually the men who had fought there and their descendants after them might meet and tell the story of the fight, and then and there form new hopes of the victories of peace. They would thus annually together re-enlist in the services of God, of humanity and of our common county, rejoicing together in the fact that we were made a nation, and were marching on together to win the victories of peace, rapidly hastening on to be one of the great nations of the earth. Tremendous applause rewarded the speaker at the conclusion of his remarks. COL. DAVID MURPHY was then called for and in response said: Comrades, Ladies and Friends -- We have met here in the time of peace and prosperity, not for the purpose of casting a dark shadow over the beautiful picture of today, or to rekindle the passions and enmities of eighteen years ago. If there is any purpose in this commemoration it is to renew and foster the associations begun and maintained in an era of war and danger and from the experience had in those days be prepared to so conduct our deliberations and actions as to avoid every necessity for a repetition of the trying scenes and hardships so inseparable from a disturbed condition of society. Surrounded, as we are now, by your wives and children there is every incentive offered and presented to impress these lessons upon you. But these days of peace may 13

14 not last forever. Every nation and land is in a constant dread of assault from other inimical nations and powers, and we must not feel too secure in our strength and powers of resistance. Our large cities have been made the theatre of strife and bloodshed, caused by a disregard of the lessons, one of which was taught on this very spot, and it devolves upon every citizen to keep his armor bright. We are here with our hearts filled with patriotism and love for the dear old flag that has so long withstood the battle and the storm, and which the good people of Pilot Knob and Ironton have once more, after eighteen years, thrown to the breeze. My friends, the office of citizenship has its responsibilities as well as its privileges, and if the office is to be preserved and handed down to posterity, it must be guarded with great jealousy and care. Let us not by any neglect or indifference to the responsibilities of this life become another Egypt, to become the PREY OF ANY GRASPING POWER desirous of extending its territory and absorbing the wealth of the world. There is every difference between this grand nation and the insignificant principality just mentioned, not on account of numbers, because the battle is not always to the strong, but to the vigilant and the brave. The lesson of Pilot Knob teaches that a few in numerical strength may bravely defend themselves against invasion and assault. The strength of the nation is in the love and affection of the people not only for the country and the flag, but for one another; as fervently and as well. Patriotism is the strongest arm of the nation, therefore I can realize why it is that under the call of patriotism you my dear friends, have abandoned your fields, our workshops and other places of business and study to commemorate this romantic spot where the people of this State assembled under the call of duty and patriotism and successfully defended this fort for two whole days against a 14

15 force equal in numbers to the army which England has just utilized and mobilized for the conquest of Egypt. May we not then compare the events of to-day with the records of the past, and retire to our homes with full confidence in the ability of our people to protect our country, our State and people from all assaults, come from where they may? CAPT. WILLIAM T. LEEPER, of Wayne county, was the next speaker, and was followed by Capt. Mills and Gen. John McNeil, who were all favorably received. A letter from Gen. Thos. Ewing was read by the Chairman: New York, Sept. 21, Dear Colonel -- I have delayed answering your letter of the 30 th ult. in the hope that I might see my way clear to say that I would attend a celebration at Pilot Knob, should one come off on the 27 th inst. I find now that I could not go under any demand, however imperative, and hasten to advise you of the fact. I have no papers here from which I could rewrite the story of the campaign. My official report, gives it somewhat in detail, but omits much that would be interesting to hear at such a celebration as that proposed. If the suggestion should be carried out this year please explain my absence and silence and promise for me that on some like occasion hereafter I will make it a point to be present and say what I may think worth saying, face to face with my comrades in that memorable fight. Sincerely yours, Thomas Ewing. The meeting then adjourned, but many lingered on the place renewing old acquaintances. The excursion was in every sense a most successful and satisfactory one to all concerned, and was marked from beginning to end by the utmost harmony and good feeling. Although there were over two thousand persons, many of whom were women 15

16 and children, within the fort, of different political sentiments, yet the blue and gray affiliated in the most cordial manner. The excursionists then dispersed ; many of them climbed Pilot Knob, and in the evening the St. Louis people took the train for Arcadia, where they took supper, followed by a grand ball at the Academy of Music in Ironton, where the festivities continued until train time, nearly 3 o'clock this morning. From here the entire party were conveyed in carriages, furnished by the Committee of Arrangements, to the Arcadia station, thence on the train the rest of the way to St. Louis. From Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., Thursday 5 October 1882, page 5 columns 3 & 4. September 27 th, The battle of Pilot Knob, fought on Sept. 27 th, 1864, was a good battle to be remembered. 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 admirably located and skillfully constructed work, held their own against greatly superior numbers of well officered 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 dangerous incidents of the war. They had to cut their way out through a greatly superior force, and fall back, after night, through the enemy's country, when the enemy was strong in cavalry. The successful retreat was under the circumstances, still more honorable than the battle. 16

17 It 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 masse 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 fanned by a cool, bracing wind, which kept away any feeling of weariness. A neat stand was erected within the works. The Stars and Stripes abounded. At 1 o'clock P.M. an excursion train of six cars came from St. Louis, loaded down with an earnest crowd, which was met at the depot by the Ironton Cornet Band and escorted to the fort, within and around which about three thousand people were gathered. Judge Emerson, as Chairman of the Committee 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 relations and abundance all over the land, a thankful acknowledgement of the prosperity of our country and a supplication for Divine guidance for our rulers and our people, especially in respect to the vast influx from foreign nations, that our institutions in Church and State may be preserved and maintained for God's glory and our national welfare. After the prayer, Judge Emerson gave the address of welcome. Glancing back to the events commemorated, he touchingly contrasted them with the present circumstances, and tendered a hearty welcome to those whose courage had secured our blessings and made the day and place famous. He then introduced ex-gov. T.C. Fletcher, who made the principal speech of the occasion, describing the preliminary skirmishing, the terrible 17

18 assault, the evacuation and the retreat in a night of horrible darkness, and all the leading incidents, until they reached Rolla. He was followed by Col. David Murphy, 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 persuaded that he was in the right, and urged the development of intelligence and patriotism in the people with a view to their being good soldiers. Capt. H.B. Milks followed, giving an account 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 Wm. H. Moore. In so doing Capt. Milks proved himself a brave soldier and a true man. Gen. J.R. McCormick, Col. J.W. Fletcher, Capt. W.T. Leeper and Gen. John McNeil followed with short speeches, referring to various incidents connected with the fight. From the first to the last every speaker 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 a remark by Col. Murphy, that Missouri did not have a fair show in the history of the war, and that the only way to remedy the oversight was by common orations like the present. The speeches were interspersed with national airs well given by the Ironton Cornet Band. The very best of order prevailed all day, and the most kindly feeling was manifested on all sides. our visitors were shown around the Valley. A very pleasant ball was given at night at the Academy of Music, and the exercises were closed with a 18

19 sumptuous banquet furnished to about 300 by the enterprise, public spirit and skill of the ladies of the Valley and the neighborhood. To give point to the idea expressed by Col. Murphy an Annual Reunion Association, was formed of which the following gentlemen were appointed the Executive Committee: J.W. Emerson, Chairman ; W.T. Leeper, David Murphy, P.F. Lonergan, R.S. Gordon, C.R. Peck, Franz Dinger, Joseph A. Hughes, Thos. C. Fletcher, J.R. McCormick and H.B. Milks. The annual meeting will be connected with the unveiling of a memorial erected by the 21 st Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry under an oak tree on the premises of Judge Emerson where Col. U.S. Grant received his commission as Brigadier-General. From first to last the commemoration exercises were an honor to the patriotism and intelligence of the people of Southeast Missouri without respect to political party. T.C At a meeting held on the evening of Sept. 27 th, at Judge Dinger's office in Ironton, it was "resolved that, believing an annual reunion of the survivors of the battle of Pilot Knob and of others who agree with them that such reunion is calculated to promote patriotism and unity among men as well as social good feeling and fellowship, we do agree among ourselves to form an association for the repetition so happily held this day, and to this end we appoint as an Executive Committee, with full power to act in the premises, the following named persons, to wit: "J.W. Emerson, Chairman, Ironton, Mo. "W.T. Leeper, Mill Spring, Wayne Co., Mo.; "David Murphy, St. Louis, Mo.; 19

20 "P.F. Lonergan, Louisiana, Mo.; "R.S. Gordon, Mt. Carmel, Ill.; "Franz Dinger, Ironton, Mo.; "Jos. a. Hughes, Ironton, Mo.; "Thos. C. Fletcher, St. Louis, Mo.; "C.R. Peck, Ironton, Mo.: "J.R. McCormick, Farmington, Mo.; "H.B. Milks, Nasby, St. Louis Co. Mo." After those present had signed the roll, the meeting adjourned. C.R. Peck, Secretary Among the visitors to our Valley at the celebration were Messrs. R.S. Gordon, of Mount Carmel, Ill., and L.L. Hollister, of Kinmundy, Ill. The former of these gentlemen, with his wife and son, had been in our Valley for some time. Messrs. Gordon and Hollister came as a committee in behalf of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Volunteers to arrange for a reunion of the regiment here on September 27, 1883, and to make arrangements to erect a memorial at the place where Colonel Grant received his commission as Brigadier-General. His tent was under an oak tree on the premises of Judge Emerson, who has kindly given permission for the erection of the memorial. Messrs. Gordon and Hollister expressed themselves greatly pleased with our country and people, and promise themselves still greater pleasure in another visit a year hence. An interesting item in the celebration was the exhibition of some fragments of the old flag that floated over the fort at the time of the explosion of the magazine. These relics were picked up in the fort by Mrs. Herman Davis the day after the battle and 20

21 sacredly kept. The old relics were vigorously cheered when the Chairman waved them to the breeze after eighteen years of repose. We are glad to know that our visitors were delighted with their reception : and they gave many kind expressions complimentary to our citizens. It was common to hear remarks such as these by persons from St. Louis and from other States : "Why I had no idea you had such a beautiful country and such a wide-awake population!" "Really, this is a happy surprise ; It is like getting back to New York or Ohio." "I believe in my soul you folks are up to any other town in America." "I would really like to live here amongst such a live people." "I tell you what I'm going to do : Well, I'm going to sell out and come here to live ; I had no idea that there was such people here and such a beautiful country." Our citizens deserve great credit for the manner in which they entered into the spirit of the occasion, and enlivened the celebration by their enthusiasm and brilliant decorations. To General Manager Simpson and Mr. Craine, his assistant, of the Ore and Steel Co., thanks are due for their efficient aid, and their kindness will not be forgotten. To the committees that did their work so well, to the musicians both day and evening, to the ladies who got up the collation for the ball in the evening, and to the Academy of Music Company -- to all of them many thanks also are due. The surviving members of Gen. Grant's old regiment, as before stated, contemplate holding their next reunion in 1883 in our Valley. Their committee was present on the 27 th. We publish the following: Terre Haute, Ind., Sept. 20, To Whom It May Concern: 21

22 This certifies that at the annual reunion of the 21 st Reg't Ills. Vols. in this city today, a committee consisting of R.S. Gordon, L.L. Hollister and Geo. H. Dunning, was appointed to confer with the citizens of Ironton and Pilot Knob, Mo., with reference to holding a reunion at the old campground of the old 21 st at Ironton, Mo., in J.M. Sheest, Secretary Society of 21 st Ills. Vols. We have no doubt this can be accomplished if the matter is taken hold of with spirit by our citizens. There is nothing that we can do that will attract so much attention to our Valley, and Southeast Missouri generally, as these reunions, if properly managed. Thousands of people will come and see the country who never would otherwise come, and many will return to stay. In honor of the excursionists, the Ursuline Sisters of the Arcadia College illuminated their institution throughout, on the evening of the 27 th, producing a beautiful effect. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., Thursday 12 October 1882, page 5, column 2. The Arcadia House proprietors did themselves great credit on the 27 th ult., by their general kindness and hospitality, and especially by getting up a most elegant supper for nearly one hundred persons, on about an hour's notice. We have no more enterprising persons than Mr. and Mrs. Roberson, and they spare no pains to give all visitors a good impression of our beautiful Valley The anniversary of the battle of Pilot Knob celebrated at Ironton last week, called forth a large crowd of visitors from St. Louis and points along the line ; and, we are 22

23 informed by some who were present that it was one of the jolliest and pleasantest occasions ever enjoyed. The citizens of Ironton started in to entertain all the visitors in royal style, and they did it in a superb manner. Carriages were furnished to convey the entire party around, and a magnificent banquet was spread. Everybody was wined and dined to the full extent of the capacity for such things. The speeches made were were [sic] of a nature to make everybody feel in a good humor with everybody else, and the visitors came away entertaining very high opinions of the character of the people of Ironton for intelligence, hospitality, and all the higher and nobler virtues. We wanted very much to attend, but as we were just then enjoying the luxury of being on our absconding Sheriff's bond, we felt that we could not prudently afford many other expense that could in any proper way be avoided. -- Hillsboro Jefferson Democrat. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., Thursday 12 October 1882, page 5, column 3& 4. The Pilot Knob Celebration. The excursionists who visited our Valley on the 27 th of September do not tire of expressions of pleasure and admiration of our Valley and our people. The expressions come in from all sides, and the kind and hearty manner in which all our people received and treated the visitors will do a great deal to make our Valley a resort for the enterprising and thrifty. Amongst many others received, we are permitted to print the following from Gov. Fletcher, written to the Secretary of the Executive Committee: St. Louis, Oct. 7,

24 My Dear Capt.-- In the hurry of business since our return from Pilot Knob reunion, I have not had time to write you a line to say how much we all enjoyed the occasion and how much we were indebted to Maj. Emerson and yourself and your committee and all your people for the kindness, generosity and hospitality extended to us. We returned in safety and all feeling well and highly delighted with the occasion and with everybody and everything in general. The unanimous vote of every man and woman of the entire excursion was that the people of Ironton and the Valley had done everything that people could do to give them a good time and that they were heartily gratified. Hundreds of people have said to us since : "Why didn't you let me know -- I wanted to go." The report of all who did go, that they had a good time, serves to heighten the regrets of those who did not go. Be assured that we all appreciate the kind reception and hearty entertainment which we received, and I merely write this for yourself and Emerson and your committee to thank you again for the right royal-good time you gave us. The ladies of the excursion party, en masse, demanded of me, before we separated, to write or say something to the committee by way of an expression of their appreciation of the good time afforded them. Hoping we may all meet again under as pleasant auspices and enjoy as pleasant a reunion, I am Truly yours, Thos. C. Fletcher. Capt. C.R. Peck. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., Thursday 19 October 1882, page 5, column 1. [One paragraph excerpted from an article of miscellanea.] 24

25 The railroad crossing at Pilot Knob is dangerous at best ; but the employees of the railroad company make it extra-hazardous by switching cars and leaving them standing so as to obstruct the view of trains approaching from the north. Several narrow escapes of teams at this crossing are recorded, and on the day of the Pilot Knob celebration the writer of this barely prevented a disaster. Is there no law for the protection of the public against criminal carelessness on the part of corporations? Must life be sacrificed before action can be taken? From Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., Thursday 19 October 1882, page 5, column 2. The Battle of Pilot Knob. At a meeting of the Executive Committee, held on Octtober [sic] 11 th, 1882, at Capt. Dinger's office in Ironton, a resolution was unanimously adopted directing the undersigned Secretary to "express, through the columns of the Register, the warmest thanks of the Committee to the citizens generally for their liberal contributions ; to the financial committees, of which Capt. H.M. Bradley and Daniel O'Donnell were respectively chairmen ; to the Committee on Ground, of which G.W. Craine, Esq., was Chairman ; to the Committee on Transportation, of which S.T. Gay, Esq., was Chairman ; to the Committee on Music, of which E.D. Ake, Esq., was Chairman ; to the Committee on Decorations, of which J. Grandhomme, Esq., was Chairman ; to W.A. Fletcher, Esq., Chief Marshal, and his assistants of Ironton and Pilot Knob ; to the St. Louis Ore and Steel Company, of which J.C. Simpson is General Manager, for the use of the grounds and other valuable aid given ; to the Ironton Academy of Music Company ; to the ladies who so energetically got up the supper ; to the Committee on Reception ; to all who, by 25

26 their good will, liberality and enterprise, aided in making the celebration so grand a success -- to all warmest thanks are repeated. By order of the Committee. C.R. Peck, Secretary. From Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., 16 September 1886, page 5, column 4. Anniversary Notes. Col. Emerson requests us to ask the old soldier who has the fragments of the flag that was blown up at the Fort, to please loan it to the Committee to use at the celebration. If any persons in this vicinity have any old army camp-kettle and fry-pans fit to make coffee or fry bacon in, the Committee would like to borrow them for camp-fire by the old veterans. The Executive Committee has appointed Capt. Rapp, Captain of Artillery, and he will organize a company that will make up the mountains on the 27 th, and fire salutes at the unveiling ceremonies. Capt. Dinger wants 100 muskets on that day. Will everybody within ten miles, who has an old musket, please report to Capt. Dinger, and bring it for that day, to be used in firing infantry salutes? Please report right off, and see about caps and powder. Confederates as well as Union soldiers -- all the same -- who can raise a musket, report to Capt. Dinger and aid in this matter. We want a lively time, YOU BET! Don't delay ; the 27 th is right upon us! It will require about $300 to pay expenses for supplies, &c., and the executive committee wish to ask the financial committee to rustle and raise the money. Our 26

27 business men, merchants, hotels, saloons, restaurants, livery men, and others will all be benefited, and will, of course, help liberally. Our people in town and in the county should have at least fifty conveyances fitted up to carry passengers between Pilot Knob, Ironton and Arcadia that day ; and charge 10 cents between Ironton and the Knob, and, say, 20 cents from Arcadia to the Knob. Here is a chance for rigs to make something and still accommodate the people. The executive committee think our citizens in the Valley should have at least 2,500 flags up that day. Why don't the Committee on Decorations bring on the flags so the people can buy them cheap. Hurry up! The Committee on Refreshments ask the ladies in all parts of the adjacent country, as well as those at Iron Mountain, Middlebrook, Pilot Knob, Ironton and Arcadia, and the men also, to go to work vigorously and prepare and bring everything, no matter what. It takes a good deal to feed five to ten thousand hungry men and women all day. Don't wait to be specially invited and asked, but let each act as a committee of one to act and talk it up. The barbecue will be a big feature. Who will give a lamb, a sheep, a calf, an ox? Everything helps. Chickens? Of course chickens. Anything that can be eaten. Knives and forks -- now, don't wait and expect someone else to act. The reunion of the veterans of Grant's old regiment will continue a day or two longer than the day of celebration -- that night and next day at least. There will be 100 to 150 of them, and a few ladies with them. The Committee on Entertainment wants to find room for them and wish us to ask the citizens of Arcadia, Ironton and Pilot Knob to be as liberal as they can in taking care of as many as possible. They may not stop more than one night -- anyway the burden will be light, and the committee wants to give those strangers a good impression of social quality and hospitality of Arcadia Valley. 27

28 It is not known yet who all the speakers will be at the celebration on the 27 th. Gen. Ewing, of New York, who was in command during the battle, Senator Cockrell, Gov. Fletcher, Hon. M.L. Clardy, Col. Murphy, Col. Leeper, Mr. Cahoon, and others have been invited. At the unveiling of the statute, the Illinois Veterans have invited Gov. Sherman, of Iowa, Gov. Oglesby, of Illinois, Capt. Harlan, also, their old chaplain and one or two others, so that visitors are likely to be well entertained intellectually. It is expected the celebration will begin in earnest on the arrival of the train at Pilot Knob, about 11 o'clock -- salutes, music, &c. Then probably about one o'clock, dinner at the barbecue grounds near by. Then music, addresses, salutes, inspection of battleground, &c. Then about four, grand salute by artillery and infantry at the fort. Then the Illinois Veterans and other old soldiers will move down to Ironton and unveil the monument, with orations by Oglesby and others, salutes, music, glee club, &c. In the evening, old soldiers, camp-fire, and mess on hard-tack, bacon and coffee, and songs and on. The items published last week to the effect that Judge Emerson was going to erect a monument to Gen. Grant were an entire mistake. No statute of Gen. Grant is to be erected. No artist has yet made a model, and it would cost at least ten to fifteen thousand dollars if an original cast or pattern had to be made. It is simply a monument being erected by the veterans of Grant's old Regiment to be unveiled by them at their reunion here on the 27 th, to mark the spot where he received his commission as General and where he parted from them as Colonel in Judge Emerson dedicates the ground for the monument to stand on, but the old soldiers will unveil it with their own ceremonies --, firing salutes, orations, songs, music, &c. It is not a statue of Grant. It is a spelter-bronze 28

29 statute of an Infantry soldier, standing at rest arms, cast in New York, after a pattern there already in existence. The New York people say it is one of the finest models ever produced in this country. It will stand on a granite base and will be in position by the 27 th, but not visible until after the old veterans unveil it that afternoon. The ceremony will only be a sort of side-show to the general celebration. We hear hints of an intended surprise to our citizens, however, in the probable form of Hettig's celebrated bronze statue of an Angel in the attitude of blessing the water, to be placed over the old rock archway at the spring under the "Grant Oak," but we can get no information about this from Judge Emerson and shall have to wait and see. At a meeting of the Committee on Refreshments, the following were selected as Table Committee for 27 th inst., including Iron Mountain ; Belleview table -- J.W. Lashley. Pilot Knob " -- F. Kaths. Ironton " -- N.P. Guffy. Big Creek and Marble Creek tables -- J.R. Boswell. Madison (including Flatwood cove, &c.) -- J.H. Bowman. Graniteville table (including Middlebrook, St. Francois county) -- Wm. O'Brien. G.W. Scoggins purchaser of meats. N.P. Guffy as purchaser of bread. W.W. Heywood, Chairman. LEMONADE STANDS! All who want the privilege apply at once to Wm. Steffens, Pilot Knob, or Herman Davis, Ironton. None allowed unless privilege is rented. 29

30 Parties desiring flags for the celebration, on the 27 th, will please inform the undersigned, who will furnish same at actual costs on or before Saturday next. W.H. Byers, Chairman Committee on Decoration. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., 23 September 1886, page 5, column 2. THE BATTLE OF PILOT KNOB. The Celebration Revoked. In consequence of the refusal of the railroad company to provide an excursion train as promised, or to make satisfactory rates from St. Louis and elsewhere, and in consequence of some of the local committees having failed to act in time, the executive committee has ordered the celebration deferred to another year ; hence there will be no celebration this year Excursion Declared off. From a special to the Globe-Democrat from Paris, Ill., we see that "the member of Grant's old regiment, the 21 st Illinois are greatly disappointed. For many weeks they have been advertising an excursion to Ironton, Mo., to the dedication of a monument to the memory of Gen. Grant on September 27, the anniversary of the battle of Ironton. Their annual reunion occurs at Mattoon, September 27. The Vandalia made them a rate of $5 and return. To-day they were nofied [sic] that the Vandalia had withdrawn the rate, 30

31 as the Iron Mountain insisted on $3.55 from St. Louis. The men and officers are greatly disappointed, and have declared the excursion off, as they cannot go without the favorable rate first made." Committee on Decoration. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., 30 September 1886, page 5, column 2. IN MEMORY OF GRANT. A Monument of Bronze to Mark the Date and Spot of His Promotion. The Veterans of the Old 21 st Illinois Honor the Occasion with Their Presence. Ironton, Mo., September The most significant event in the early history of the war for the preservation of the Union was celebrated here to-day by survivors of the 21 st Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, who were the first to pitch tents here at the breaking out of the rebellion, and they were royally entertained by the people of the Arcadia Valley, many of whom lived here in 1861 and who entered heartily into the spirit of the occasion which brought the boys in blue again to their vicinity. There were not as many old soldiers as it was anticipated there would be two weeks ago, when it was intended to make the celebration of the battle of Pilot Knob a feature of the day. Various causes combined to make it necessary to omit that from the original programme, but the 31

32 principal feature, that of unveiling a statute in commemoration of the time and place where Gen. Grant received his promotion from Colonel to the rank of Brigadier General was patriotically and successfully carried out. Gen. Grant was Colonel of the 21 st Illinois Volunteers at the commencement of the war and camped at this place several weeks, his headquarters being in a small dwelling close to a beautiful spring of crystal water shaded by a giant white oak tree, on Col. James Lindsay's farm, on the south edge of the town. The tree has since been known as the Grant Oak, and is a grand ornament to the handsome grounds and beautiful little lake in front of Col. Emerson's palatial residence, which has been erected in place of the humble abode that the old commander occupied when he was authorized to take charge of the Union army. A MONUMENT FOR THE SPOT. The idea of erecting a monument to commemorate the important event originated in the mind of Col. Emerson some three years ago, and has been fully perfected by him in the proceedings of to-day, when he and his wife, Sarah M. Emerson, solemnly and irrevocably dedicated the ground and statue bearing the inscription:.... Erected 1886, by the Sur-.. viving Veterans of the.. 21st Regiment Ills. Vol... Infantry, to commemorate.. the spot where Col. Ulysses.. S. Grant received his first.. commission as General, Au-.. gust 8, 1861, and, parting.. from his regiment, entered.. on his career of victory

33 . "Let us have peace.".. The statue is that of a life-size private Union soldier standing with musket at parade rest. It is of bronze, and rests on a pedestal of Missouri granite, three feet square and three and one-half feet high, supported on a base of masonry in the center of a sodded mound, making the total height of the monument 12 feet above the level. The deed of dedication gives to the 21 st, and them alone, access to the monument forever, and is duly executed as of date of to-day. It is for this reason mainly that only members of the 21 st were invited to take part in the ceremony. There are only 150 survivors of that command, and it was arranged for nearly all of them to have been present, but owing to a wreck on the Vandalia line in Indiana the train by which they were to have made connection with the Iron Mountain in St. Louis for this point was four hours late, consequently the principal number of them failed to arrive. The monument of bronze cost $1,200. CANNON AND MARTIAL MUSIC. Considering the wet day many more came, however, than the people expected, and when they alighted from the train they were greeted with a booming cannon and martial music by the Pilot Knob Brass Band. After dinner the old veterans were escorted to the Court House, where a large audience were assembled, where Comrade A. [Aaron] Elliott, Sergeant of Company B, and resident member of the illustrious 21 st Regiment, called the meeting to order, whereupon Capt. P. Welsheimer [Philip Wolshimer], of the same company, was made Chairman, and Thomas B. Miller, Secretary. A procession was then formed, the band leading the veterans, who were followed on the march by citizens, to witness the unveiling of the statue. Business houses and residences on the way were handsomely, some of them profusely, decorated with the stars and stripes, and Col. Emerson's picturesque lawn was beautiful with a great number of flags. By 33

34 command of Capt. Welsheimer, the starts and stripes that enveloped the statue was removed and the cannon sent forth an approval of the act. Then the veterans of the 21 st were drawn up in line and photographed with the monument. Following this Rev. E.D. Wilkin, chaplain of the regiment, delivered an oration that was well received by the assemblage, and then they adjourned to hold a camp-fire at night. In the evening the Academy of Music was crowded to hear what the old soldiers would have to say, and were entertained by army songs and reminiscences of camp life related by Capt. Welsheimer, Chaplain Wilkin, Capt. Peck and Col. Emerson. The latter belonging to the 47 th Missouri Voluntees [sic]. Each member of the 21 st Illinois spoke enthusiastically of the pleasant time and kind treatment they enjoyed when camping with Col. Grant at Ironton. A resolution of thanks was also tendered to the citizens of Ironton for their hearty welcome and hospitable treatment, made more emphatic by three rousing cheers from the veterans, who then retired with the audience from the hall. --- Special to G-.D. [Globe Democrat]. From the Missouri Historical Society, Cyrus Peterson Collection, Box 10, Folder 4. A Meeting of Old Veterans of the Battle of Pilot Knob, St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 6 th, The survivors of the Battle of Pilot Knob, Mo. met in the office of Dr. C.A. Peterson, Room 715 Century Building, St. Louis, Mo., at 10 o'clock A.M. Oct. 6, Maj. H.B. Milks of Leon, Kansas, Chairman. H.C. Wilkinson of Piedmont, Mo. Secretary. The following proceedings were made. 34

35 1 st Organization of the Pilot Knob Memorial Association. Purpose and Object. To organize all of the surviving participants in the defense of Pilot Knob into an association for the commemoration of the Battle of Pilot Knob, Iron Co., Mo., fought on Sept. 26 th and 27 th, To collect historical data [being] on this remarkable engagement, and including all of the engagements, skirmishes, incidents, events, scout reports &c. connected there with, from Doniphan Ripley County to Leasburg Crawford County, Mo., beginning at Doniphan Sept. 19 th and ending at Rolla, Mo., Oct 2 nd, 1864, including all intermediate dates. 2 nd Title of the Organization. The Pilot Knob Memorial Association. 3 rd Regulations of the Association. The officers of The Pilot Knob Memorial Association shall consist of: 1 President. 2. A Vice President from each military organization engaged in the defense of Pilot Knob, and one Vice President from the citizen-volunteers who aided in the defense. 3. A Treasurer. 4 A Secretary. 5. A Corresponding Secretary. Also as many assistant secretaries to both offices as may be found necessary to consummate the purpose of the association. 4 th Membership 1. The regular members of the Pilot Knob Memorial Association shall consist of all persons, both military, and civil who aided in repelling the "Price Raid into Missouri in 1864" between Doniphan Ripley County Missouri, and Leasburg Crawford County Missouri. 2. All other persons who may be interested in the purpose of this association may become honorary members of this association by the unanimous consent of the 35

36 regular members in assembly. All honorary members may hold office as Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, or assistant Secretary, and enjoy all of the privileges and courtesies of regular members except voting on measures proposed at the meetings of the association. 5 th Meetings and Elections of Officers of the Association. The regular meetings or reunions of the association shall be held on Sept. 27 th of each year, except when this date falls on Sunday ; and then they may be held on Saturday Sept. 26 th at the option of the association, or its officers calling the association together. 6 th Place of Meetings of the Association. The place of meetings of the association may be at Pilot Knob, or any point in Missouri from Patterson or Greenville, Wayne County, to Leasburg, Crawford County, or at St. Louis which will be the headquarters of the association, until otherwise deemed by action of the association. 7 th Finance, or Ways and Means. There shall be no fees or dues exacted of any member of the association, but each, and all may contribute such amount or amounts as they may feel inclined to give in aid of the purpose of the association. 8 th Officers Selected for the First Year Beginning on Sept. 27 th 1903, and ending on Sept. 27 th 1904 are as follows: President, Col. David Murphy, Adjutant 47 th Mo. Vols. Vice President Capt. Wm. J. Campbell, Captain 14 th Iowa Inft. Vols. " " Maj. Henry B. Milks, Captain 3 rd M.S.M. Cav. Vols. " " Dr. Sam B. Rowe, Q/M, 47 th Mo. Vols. " " Lieut. T.M. Montgomery, 2 nd Mo. Art. Vols. 36

37 " " Lieut. Wm. H. Smith, 2 nd M.S.M. Cav. Vols. " " Capt. P.F. Lonergan, 1 st M.S.M. Inft. Vols. " " Lieut. Joseph A. Hughes, Citizen Volunteers Treasurer Secretary Lieut. Henry S. Carroll, 33 rd Mo. Inft. Vols. Sergt. H.C. Wilkinson, 47 th Mo. Vols. Corresponding Secretary Asst. Secretary Dr. C.A. Peterson, Hon. Member Capt. Hugo Hoffman [Hofbauer], 14 th Iowa Inft. Vols. " " Lieut. John A. Rice, 2 nd M.S.M. Cav. Vols. " " Lieut. John H. Delano, 47 th Mo. Vols. Asst. Secretary Lieut. Jas. C. Steakley, 3 rd M.S.M. Cav. Vols. " " Maj. Chas. Biehle, 1 st M.S.M. Inft. Vols. " " Private Joseph F. Lindsay, 50 th Mo. Inft. Vols. " " Sergt. Jas. M. Travis, 2 nd Mo. Art. Vols. 9 th Resolution. Whereas, Dr. C.A. Peterson having very kindly tendered the use of his office Room 715 Century Bld'g, St. Louis, Mo. as a place of this our first meeting: Therefore we tender the following: Resolved: that, the Pilot Knob Memorial Association tenders Dr. C.A. Peterson a vote of thanks for his interest, courtesy and kindness in tendering the use of his office for this our first meeting, and, also for his deep unselfish interest in the association. Signed, H.B. Milks, Chairman H.C. Wilkinson, Secretary. 37

38 A Request. The officers of the Pilot Knob Memorial Association kindly request that all citizens now living who took part in the Battle of Pilot Knob, Mo., fought on Sept. 26 th and 27 th, 1864, will send their names, and lists of names of others who they know took part in the defense of Pilot Knob, both of those now dead, and also living, to the Secretary, H.C. Wilkinson, Piedmont, Mo., of Corresponding Sect. Dr. C.A. Peterson Room 715 Century Bld'g. St. Louis, Mo. that their names may be recorded in the roll of honor. H.C. Wilkinson, Sect. Piedmont, Mo. From the Arcadia Valley Enterprise, Ironton, Mo., 20 September 1906, page 5, col. 3. Word has been received that twelve of the Pilot Knob Battle survivors, now residing in California intend attending the re-union next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the Fort at Pilot Knob. At least one hundred, sixty five invitations have been sent out the members of the Memorial Association Pilot Knob Memorial Association. St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 18, Comrades and Friends: For our third annual meeting the 26 th, to 28 th inst., most of the railroads operating in Missouri have granted a rate of one fare, plus 50 for the round trip from all points in the state, and a large attendance is expected. While at the meeting comrades will take 38

39 steps to fix positions occupied on the field during the battle for future location of markers and monuments. D. Murphy, President. C.A. Peterson, Cor. Secretary. From the Arcadia Valley Enterprise, Ironton, Mo., 20 September 1906, page 8, col. 4. From Col. Murphy August 27, Comrades:-- The survivors of the Battle of Pilot Knob and their friends will meet in third annual reunion on September 26 th, 27 th and 28 th, 1906, the forty-second anniversary of the engagement. Reasonable excursion rates have been arranged on nearly all railroad lines west of the Mississippi river for this meeting. Tickets to Ironton, Mo. will be on sale, good going September 24 th to 27 th, and good returning until September 29 th, or "Summer Excursion Rates" may be used as far as St. Louis to advantage, and repurchase to Ironton, Mo. All are cordially and fraternally invited to be present, and are respectfully requested to communicate this notice to friends and to give it widest possible publicity through local newspapers. Ample accommodation for all visitors, at reasonable prices, will be found near the battlefield in the towns of Ironton, Arcadia and Pilot Knob. David Murphy. 39

40 From the Arcadia Valley Enterprise, Ironton, Mo., 26 September 1906, page 1, col. 1 through 4 and page 8, column 3. GRANT OAK IN ARCADIA VALLEY, MISSOURI. WHERE GRANT BECAME A GENERAL. By ROBERTUS LOVE. Three trees in the United States have significantly as landmarks for blazing the trail to human liberty. First was the Charter Oak at Hartford, Conn., then the Washington Elm at Cambridge, Mass., and complete the trio of illustrious trees the Grant Oak in Arcadia Valley, Missouri, was blazed by Liberty's axe as the tortuous trail was hewed from sea to sea. Possibly you have not heard of the Grant Oak. That is because the Middle West is still comparatively new and its people pay less attention to things historical than do the denizens of the elder East. The Grant Oak is the tree under whose shade sat Ulysses S. Grant on an August day in 1861, when he received his first commission as a general. There, "sitting at an old pine table," we are told, the humble and unknown colonel of the Twenty-first Illinois regiment of volunteers opened a letter from the War Department containing his 40

41 commission as a brigadier-general, signed by Abraham Lincoln. It was dated August 9, The receipt of this promotion made no preceptible [sic] change in the calm demeanor of the silent soldier. He accepted it as he accepted later and vastly greater honors, even to the Presidency itself, with no apparent intensity of elation. That promotion gave Grant his opportunity, and he made the best of it. In history he will be known always as General Grant, not as President, and it was beneath the shade of that giant white oak in Southeast Missouri that he was first addressed as "General Grant." Is not this fact sufficient to render the Grant Oak immortal as one of our historic trees? It was beneath this tree sitting at the old pine table, that Grant, drew up his plans for the opening of the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers, which he carried out so brilliantly a few months later ; and from that spot he sent his plans to Washington for approval. These plans were formulated even before the arrival of his commission. Colonel Grant, at the head of his regiment, arrived in Arcadia Valley on the 8th of August, after engaging in some unimportant operations in Northeast Missouri, with no fighting. The afternoon train from St. Louis that same day brought newspapers which announced that the name of Col. Uysses [sic] S. Grant had been sent to the Senate the day before, by the President, for promotion to brigadier general, to rank from May 17, The Senate confirmed the appointment on the 9th, and Grant received his commission by mail on the 14th. But General Grant lost no time in taking advantage of his promotion for the advantage of the service. His "General orders, No. 1," dated "Headquarters, Ironton, Mo., August 9, 1861," stated that "In pursuance of instructions from department headquarters the undersigned hereby assumes command of the Military District of Ironton." The district at that time included the whole of Southeast Missori [sic]. Grant 41

42 relieved Col. B. Gratz Brown, afterwards Governor of Missouri, United States Senator and Vice Presidential candidate on the ticket with Horace Greely [sic] in Col. Brown was ordered to report to Major-General John C. Fremont, in St. Louis, for orders. By the time his commission arrived General Grant had drawn his plans for the Mississippi Valley campaign, and the Confederate forces at Belmont, in Forts Henry and Donelson and elsewhere along the line to Vicksburg, though they knew it not, were doomed to disastrous defeat, through the splendid military tactics of this quiet mannered man a little past 39 years of age, who sat under the oak tree at Ironton smoking strong cigars and thinking -- meditating -- determining, as the smoke curled upward through the sheltering oak leaves. While history gives scant mention of the operations in Missouri, those early days of the war were big with events in that border State. On the day that Grant assumed command at Ironton, Gen. Nathaniel Lyon was giving orders at Springfield, in southwestern section of the State, for his forces to march that night and fall upon the enemy encamped in overwhelming numbers at Wilson Creek, ten miles southwest; and the next day, August 10th, Gen. Lyon fell while heroically leading his troops against 42

43 The Late Judge J.W. Emerson, Preserver of the "Grant Oak," in his study writing "Grant's Life in the West.' superior odds, in the greatest battle that was fought west of the Mississippi river. Leonidas Polk, the Episcopal bishop who, as a major-general in the Confederacy, gave his life for the cause in which he fought, was in command at Memphis, pushing his forces up the Mississippi with the intention of sending two armies into Missouri. One of these armies was that of 25,000 men under Gen. Ben McCullogh [sic], which Lyon attacked near Springfield and practically defeated; while the other was a column of 18,000 men under Generals Pillow and Hardee which was to move against Ironton, with directions "to proceed to St. Louis, sieze [sic] it, and taking possession of the boats at that point, to proceed up the River Missouri, raising the Missourians as they go; and at such point as may appear most suitable, to detach a force to cut off Lyon's return from the west. 43

44 If, as I think, I can drive the enemy from Missouri," concluded General Polk's declaration, "with the force indicated, I will then enter Illinois and take Cairo, in the rear on my return." Grant's watchful eye prevented the carrying out of Polk's plan so far as they related to the forces under Pillow and Hardee. He devoted his immediate energies to the proper disciplining of the forces under him, which he found in quite unmilitary shape. In his first report to General Fremont, his department commander, dated August 9, he said that it was fortunate that the place had not been attacked, many of the officers having so little command over their men and military duty being done so loosely that he feared that "at present our resistance would be in inverse ratio of the number of troops to resist with." Grant added, "In two days, however, I expect to have a very different state of affairs, and to improve it continuously." This very different state of affairs was brought about within the two days as indicated, because the new commander was a trained soldier. "Grant had stepped into a sort of military chaos, "wrote the late Judge John Wesley Emerson of Ironton, the historian of Grants [sic] life in the West and his Mississippi Valley campaigns, "but instantly as by magic, the master hand again brought order and discipline out of confusion." When Grant was just on the point of moving southward to drive the advanced forces of the enemy out of Missouri, he was relieved of his command by an order from Gen. Fremont placing General Prentiss in command of district. Judge Emerson asked the Hon. Samuel T. Glover, in St. Louis, at the time why this change was made[.] Glover replied: "This fellow Grant is a soldier. He didn't make any fuss about what he was 44

45 doing. He went to work at once making actual war, and didn't talk. Fremont at St. Louis, and Prentiss at Cairo, have been making war on paper." Proceeding to St. Louis much chagrined and disappointed, Grant procured leave of absence to visit Galena, Ill. where his family lived. Although a devoted family man, his object in going to Galena was not to see his wife and children; it was to interview Congressman Elihu B. Wathburne, who lived there and who knew Grant. To Washburne he unfolded his plans for the river campaign. Washburne, who was influential at Washington, secured Grant's reinstatement in command at Ironton. The matter was called up in cabinet meeting by President Lincoln himself. The President said to the secretary af [sic] war, "Did we not receive a communication from a man by the name of Grant, laying out a plan of campaign down the Mississippi?" Secretary Cameron replied affirmatively, the paper was brought into the cabinet room, and Lincoln remarked that it had impressed him favorably at the time it was received. The President stated that Congressman Washburne in a communication just received, had called attention to this plan and suggested that Grant be permitted to carry it out, and forthwith he instructed the secretary of war to send an order to General Fremont to put Grant in command of the district from which he had been removed a few day s before. Highly elated, though outwardly as calm as ever, Grant returned to his headquarters at Ironton, and on August 45

46 Erected by Twenty-First Illinois Regiment to Mark Spot where Grant Received His Commission as General. 30 he departed, to resume his career of military glory and pass into imperishable renown. "The rest is history." The Grant Oak for many years has been an object of interest to persons who visit the beautiful Arcadia Valley which is known as a place of summer resort for St. Louisans. The Valley is one of the most picturesque spots in the Middle West. It is described as "an emerald gem set in a circlet of the Ozarks." The valley is about three miles wide and six miles long, and is completely rimmed by hills and peaks clothed in 46

47 varied foliage. Aside, from the possession of the Grant Oak it is historic as a battlefield. The battle of Pilot Knob was fought in the valley, September 27, This was the most romarkable [sic] engagements during the Civil War. Less than a thousand men under command of General Thos. Ewing occupied an earthwork known as Fort Davidson, in the valley between the peak of Pilot Knob and the long slope of Shepherd Mountain. General Sterling Price's Confederate army of from 25,000 to 30,000 men marched into the valley from the north, drove in the Federal outposts after two days of fierce fighting, and assaulted the little fort. Artillery mounted on the adjacent hill and mountains poured terrific fire against the fort, while a column of 12,000 infantry repeatedly charged the earthwork, being repulsed with heavy slaughter. During the night General Ewing evacuated the fort, blew up the magazine, and retreated toward the north, escaping with his entire command, though pursued hotly by Price's army. Dr. Cyrus A. Peterson of St. Louis, president of the Missouri Historical Society, pronounced this the most astounding and successful retreat in history. Recently a bill was introduced in Congress to make Pilot Knob battlefield a military [park], and in the event of the passage of this bill there is a probability that the premises occupied by General Grant in August of 1861, a mile south of the old fort, may be added to the national park. The earthwork of Fort Davidson still stands, in an excellent state of preservation, and each September 27 a reunion of the survivors who fought there is held. The Grant headquarters premises have been known for many years as "Emerson Park," having been owned, occupied and improved by the late Judge Emerson. At the time of Grant's encampment there, the property was owned by Colonel James Lindsay, who had known Grant since his boyhood. Colonel Lindsay living in an old log house 47

48 near the famous tree. This has been replaced by a big brick mansion, started by Colonel Lindsay and com- (Continued on last page). [Start of Page 8] pleted by Judge Emerson. The Judge who also knew Grant intimately for several years before the war, when the future general was an humble farmer and real estate agent in St. Louis county and city, was always a devoted admirer of the hero of Appomattox. He wrote, during the closing years of his life, a history of "Grant's Life in the West and His Mississippi Campaigns," which is a valuable a contribution to the record of a notable career. Judge Emerson brought out many points of interest which have been overlooked by other historians. According to the evidence adduced by him at first hand Grant never was a hard drinker and was not "broke" when he resigned from the United States army in 1853, and returned to his family near St. Louis. The stories to the effect that Grant was a failure as a farmer and business man are indignantly denied by Judge Emerson, who offers proof to show that Grant was at least a man of average success in all his undertakings prior to the war. It was the chills and fever, and not a lack of success, which caused Grant to abandon farming in St. Louis County, declares his historian. Judge Emerson spent many thousands of dollars in improving the premises occupied by the famous soldier. He planted many shade trees on the six-acre tract, dug a picturesque lake near the historical tree, and otherwise beautified the grounds. Near the foot of the tree bubbles one of those splendid springs of pure, cold water for which the Ozark mountains are noted. From this spring Grant drank during his short encampment in Arcadia Valley. According to a son of Colonel Lindsey, "General Grant got his commission as brigadier general when sitting under the tree and by the spring. He was 48

49 resting in a chair smoking a cigar, and my father was talking to him when the orderly came up and handed him the package of official papers, in which his commission was contained. In 1886, the survivors of the Twenty-first Illinois, Grant's old regiment, erected and unveiled near the tree a statue of a Federal soldier. General Frederick D. Grant was present at the unveiling exercises. Judge Emerson caused to be placed on each side of the statue a cannon of Civil War interest. Teese [sic] connon [sic] were first in action at the battle of Shiloh, where they were captured by the Confederates. Grant recaptured them at Vicksburg. They were in the Chattanooga and Atlanta campaigns and went with Sherman to on [sic] the march to the sea. Thence they were taken to Washington, and finally found a permanent setting near the Grant Oak in Missouri. "Emerson Park" was sold recently by order of the circuit court of Iron County, Mo., for the benefit of the collateral heirs of Judge Emerson. The present owners have made further improvement, with a view of disposing of the property either to the United States government or to some private citizen who will preserve the place for its historic interest. For information regarding this property apply to Iron County Realty Co., Ironton, Mo. From the Arcadia Valley Enterprise, Ironton, Mo., 26 September 1906, page 8, col. 1. This is reunion week! We hope everyone will have a good time, and don't forget the speaking by M.E. Rhodes, and W.P. Elmer at Pilot Knob, Wednesday night and at the courthouse, Ironton, Thursday night. From the Arcadia Valley Enterprise, Ironton, Mo., 4 October 1906, page 5, column 2. 49

50 We have heard the query often: "Why were none of the county officials at the reunion, Thursday?" J.E. Scoggs [sic] a Pilot Knob Battle survivor enjoyed the re-union last week. He now lives at Greenfield, Mo Abraham Arnold, one of Grant's old soldiers died at Greenville, September 21, He served three years with Grant Col. David Murphy of St. Louis was a welcome member of the Memorial Association who attended the re-union last week. From the Arcadia Valley Enterprise, Ironton, Mo., 4 October 1906, page 5, column 3. Judge Thomas of Hillsboro, Mo., well known in the Valley was one of the speakers at Pilot Knob Thursday. He delivered an interesting and much appreciated address and seemed to be enjoy meeting old friends once more The reunion of the Pilot Knob Memorial Association began last Wednesday, with an attendance of over one hundred Union, and several Confederate veterans. Col. David Murphy and Dr. C.A. Peterson had charge of the business meeting Thursday. During this meeting Fred Kaths of Pilot Knob, was elected in Eli D. Ake's place on the official board of the association. After this meeting Judge Thomas gave a very much enjoyed address, followed by a short talk from Mr. Rhodes. Although it rained almost incessantly, this part of the exercise was greatly appreciated. The association has purchased Fort Davidson 50

51 and twenty acres of the surrounding meadow, and will now solicit the Confederate veterans and the Daughters of the Confederacy to assist them in erecting suitable monuments to the Confederate dead, buried in this historic field. It is estimated that there were more than a thousand people here at this meeting and had the weather been propitious the celebration would have been beyond the expectations of even the most sanguine. Let us all keep this yearly meeting in view and have the next celebration better than any. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., 12 September 1907, page 5, column 1. The Ironton schools will take a holiday September 27 th, in order that the children and teachers may attend the Pilot Knob celebration. From the Arcadia Valley Enterprise, Ironton, Mo., 26 September 1907, page 1, cols. 1 and 2. [Original has photograph captioned: "Interior of Fort Davidson, with some of the survivors of the battle of Pilot Knob who attended the reunion last year."] Forty Three Years Ago Today. Forty three years ago today, Gathered together, in battle array, Not in a manner as we today, But struggling for life; the Blue and the Gray. Forty three years ago today Many a soldier passed away, Fathers and brothers in battle array. One wore the Blue, the other the Gray. Forty three years ago today Were not these meadows sweet with hay; But scattered about in a gruesome way 51

52 Were soldiers of Blue and soldiers of Gray. Forty three years ago today! Few are left of the Blue and Gray; But arm in arm they are walking around Viewing together the battleground. Showing each other where comrades fell Many a tale to each other tell; All is forgotten of war's grimy past And firmly in greeting we see their hands clasp. Forty three years ago today Floated the flags of the Blue and the Gray; Not side by side as we see today But 'mongst the bullets they seemed to play. Forty three years ago today Young were they whose hair's now gray. Fighting, yes, brave in a noble way, Both the Blue and both the Gray. Three cheers let's give for the Blue and the Gray, Whose hair is now of silvery gray, Three cheers let's give -- Hip! Hip! Hooray! One and all, for the Blue and the Gray. Gus C. Kaesemacher Reunion Program. Thursday, Sept. 26. Arrival of veterans during the day. Reception and registration at old Fort Davidson by Master of Ceremonies J.S. Luthy, of Grant Post, Pilot Knob. Balloon Ascension. Camp Fire at night. 52

53 Friday, Sept. 27. March -- Veterans, from Post Hall Pilot Knob, Mo., to Fort Davidson, Pilot Knob, 9 a.m. Music-- Istrumental, [sic] Messrs. Kanouse and Luthy. Chorus-- " America," school children, instrumental accompaniment. Poem -- "Forty-three years ago today," G. Kaesemacher. Chorus-- "Dixie." Address-- Hon. M.R. Smith. Music-- Instrumental. Invocation-- Father Adrian. Solo-- "Star Spangled Banner," Miss L. Frauenthal. Address-- Welcome, A. Steel. Quartette-- "Tenting on the old campground," Mesdames. Gay and Francis; Messrs. Newman and Steel. Address-- Dr. Williamson. Chorus-- "Red, White and Blue." Music -- Instrumental. Afternoon. Business meeting of Pilot Knob Memorial Association. Saturday, Sept. 28. Morning-- Organization of Old Warriors composed of Union and Confederate veterans effected. Afternoon-- Balloon ascension, etc Attend the reunion tomorrow. 53

54 From the Arcadia Valley Enterprise, Ironton, Mo., 3 October, 1907, page 1, column 1. The parties are known, who took a tent from the encampment at the Fort, Friday night. If returned and left at the fort, nothing more will be said. From the Arcadia Valley Enterprise, Ironton, Mo., 3 October, 1907, page 1, column 2. Among the business houses decorated for the reunion, we noticed the buildings occupied by B.N. Brown, Schultz saloon, Green's restaurant, Commercial Hotel, Drug Store, Enterprise Bldg., G.W. Fairchild's store, F.O. Codding's Meat Market, Post Office, Jno. Albert's hardware store and the millinery shop of Mrs. Woodside at Ironton and the Catholic school and several private dwellings at Pilot Knob. From the Arcadia Valley Enterprise, Ironton, Mo., 3 October, 1907, page 1, columns 2 through 4. Reunion of the Blue. and the Gray. Last Friday, September 27, was the forty-third anniversary of the battle of Pilot Knob. This day was celebrated by a reunion -- not only of the "Boys of the Blue," but of the "Boys of the Gray," as well. The glad and sincere hand-clasp of welcome was extended to the Southern veterans, just as warm-heartedly and gladly as to the veterans of the North. These survivors of War's grim terrors, began to arrive Wednesday, some of them coming all the way from Oklahoma and Kentucky. 54

55 All Thursday afternoon things were busy at old Fort Davidson, with renewing former acquaintances and reciting incidents of the war. Thursday night was the camp fire at the fort, given by the local G.A.R. post at Pilot Knob to the visitors. Here were read letters from absent comrades, and from the far-away South, especially Lieut. Mickle of New Orleans, La., Cunningham of the Confederate Veterans, Adj. Kiernan of Mobile, Ala., and Col. Ramsey of Atlanta, Ga. Friday, the big day of the celebration, began with a procession of the Pilot Knob, Ironton and Arcadia schools, headed by the veterans and drum corps. 'Twas a thrilling picture! Under the guidance of the Misses N. Ringo, A. Gay, N. Brown and B. Fairchild, and Messrs. B.P. Burnham and W.R. Adams. They gave a splendid rendition of "America," "Dixie," and lastly, "Red, White and Blue." The invocation by Father Adrian was beautiful. His appropriate remarks delivered later were much appreciated. Attorney Adrian Steel likewise called forth only words of commendation for his well chosen and fitting words of welcome to the many veterans assembled for this reunion. Both the quartette, "Tenting on the old camp ground," and the poem "Forty-three years ago today," by G.C. Kaesemacher, touched the tenderest chords in many an old soldier's breast. The address delivered by T.C. Huntingdon of Kansas City was very feelingly given and appreciated, and it bound the ties of comradeship stronger. Little Miss Lucille Frauenthal was very pleasing captivating in her solo, "Star Spangled Banner," and added much to the enjoyment of her immense audience, by her rendition of our national hymn. Last, but not least enjoyed or appreciated, was the drum corps composed of Misses P. Hills and R. Kanouse, and Messrs. G.W. Kanouse, J.S. Luthy and L. Mund. After the arrival of Col. Murphy, of St. Louis, and Dr. S. Rowe, of Rolla, the business meeting and election of officers of the Pilot Knob Memorial Association was 55

56 held. The former officers were re-elected. This being concluded, Congressman M.R. Smith delighted his interested audience with a splendid and eloquent address in which he not only strengthened former friendships but won sincere admiration from many who had never known him, and all felt the attraction of his personality. The veterans especially appreciated his interest in the bill before Congress to make of this historic spot a national park. Short addresses were also made by Dr. Rowe and by Col. Murphy who is, as every one knows, the idol of the Union Veterans of this battle. Many regrets were expressed at the unavoidable absence of Dr. C.A. Peterson, necessitated by his illness. On Saturday morning, an organization known as "The United Brethren of the Civil War" was effected, with the following officers -- Col. T.P. Fitz, of Des Arc, Lieut. Col. C.B.L. Rowland, of Greenville ; Major, Wm. Boyce of Plattin; Q.M., S. Vance of Farmington; Adjt. J.S. Luthy of Pilot Knob and John Crowley of Des Arc. Messrs. Everhart and Saunders of the First Reg. of United Veterans, headquarters Poplar Bluff were present and assisted in the work of organizing. Hon. M.R. Smith was elected an honorary member of the new society. It is said that the scope of the organization will be national in character. It is conceded by all that this was the most successful reunion ever held here. It was successful from several standpoints; the weather was ideal; the immense crowd, one of the largest ever assembled in Iron Co., was perfectly harmonious and orderly; more of the Veterans were present, and a larger number of Southern "Boys" were here than ever before; the decorations were beautiful and highly artistic in effect; and not to be forgotten was the facility with which meals were served to visitors under the supervision of Theo. Attebury. 56

57 Through the Enterprise the "Boys" wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to E.C. Clark, L. Cook, F. Mullin; B.B. Reagan, propietor [sic] of the Enterprise, the Atlanta Constitution and other papers that aided by copying the Enterprise notices, the finance committee and all others who contributed either financially or otherwise, and committees of arrangement, decoration and entertainment for their efforts in their behalf. Never before has the old fort presented so attractive and animated appearance as it did all day Friday, and those in whose honor this meeting was held fully appreciated and enjoyed the occasion. May there be many more gatherings of this nature, and may the "Boys of the Gray" feel as welcome here as the "Boys of Blue." Remember, when next September 27 arrives to bring your comrades, whether of North or South, to enjoy the covering up of animosity and welding firmer the ties of brotherly love as designed in this reunion, whose motto may well be: "Fraternity, charity and loyalty ; one flag, one country, forever undivided and indivisible." We are indebted to Lieut. Col. Ramsey of Atlanta, Ga., for a sketch of the battlefield at that place; also for the personnel of the Harmony Bell Com. which is as follows, -- Confederate Camps, W.C. Sheaver Chairman, J.G. Ramsey, Secretary, R.L. Rogers Historian, D.W. Ligon, Dr. C.R. King, Joseph Cobb; Grand Army Posts, W.M. Scott, P.J. Hogan, C.F. Fairbanks, D.L. Carson, C.R. Haskin. Through Lieut. Col. J.G. Ramsey, of Camp W.H.F. Walker, U.C.V. No. 925, greeting was received from the following members of that Camp.-- J.G. Ramsey, Sect'y of Blue and Gray and Harmony Bell Com., M.C. Martin M.D., J.M. Spurlin, G.H. Shelnutt, G.H. Henning, G.E. Maddox, R.E. Charles, W.F. Bowden, J.J. Miles, J.T. Word, and G.A.J. Davis. 57

58 To the Blue and the Gray We wish to express to you our deep appreciated [sic] of the signal honor paid us by you in passing unanimously the vote of thanks proposed by Col. Murphy. This honor so unexpected and so undeserved has touched us beyond words, and will add one more precious memory to the many we already cherish of this happy occasion. M. Utica Reagan. Grace Reagan. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., 10 October 1907, page 1, column 6. [Paragraph 6 of] Munger Items. Messrs. Sawyer and Conway spent a couple of days at the reunion at Pilot Knob. From unknown newspaper, courtesy of Jack Mayes, Fort Davidson State Historic Site archive file. The Pilot Knob Memorial Association. St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 22, Comrades and Friends: The fifth annual reunion of the Pilot Knob Memorial Association will be held in old Fort. Davidson at Pilot Knob, Mo., on Sept. 26 th, 27 th and 28 th, 1908, the 44 th 58

59 anniversary of the battle of Pilot Knob. Railroad tickets should be purchased to Ironton, Mo., as trains do not stop at Pilot Knob. All survivors of the battle, and friends, are cordially invited to attend. Attention is respectfully invited to the following call for a regimental reunion of the 3d M.S.M. Cavalry by a number of survivors of that gallant organization. C.A. Peterson, Corresponding Secretary. David Murphy, President. [The section after this is torn off and pertains to the association as it calls on members of the 3rd M.S.M. Cavalry to meet at the same time to discuss their own reunion.] From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., 1 October 1908, page 5, column 2. The forty-fourth anniversary of the battle of Pilot Knob was celebrated at Pilot Knob last Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Saturday was a pleasant day and there was an immense crowd in attendance. Speeches were made by Col. Murphy and ex-[lt.] Gov. R.A. Campbell, of St. Louis, and others. The rain interfered with the programme Sunday and a fair number participated in the proceedings Monday. There were visitors present from all parts of the country. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., 1 October 1908, page 5, column 3. Military Band Gives Concert at Arcadia College. 59

60 On Monday afternoon, after the memorial services at Fort Davidson and Pilot Knob were concluded, the Military Band from Jefferson Barracks, under the leadership of the gifted Mr. Weber, gave an excellent concert to the Sisters and students of Arcadia College. For more than an hour the beautiful park re-echoed with music, rendered with such exactness and expression that reflected the greatest credit on every member of the band, and especially on their kind and able leader, Mr. Weber. This rare treat was appreciated with an ardor that lovers of music only are able to comprehend. Among the selections were "Harrigan," followed by an entrancing waltz, "The Whistler and His Dog," "Reminiscences of the South," "Sextette" from Lucia de Lammermoor, comique -- "I'm afraid to go home in the Dark," "The Rosary Song," "Schubert's Serenade." The excellent program was fittingly closed with the "Star Spangled Banner" and the "Te Deum," "Holy God, We Praise They Name." After the concert a vote of thanks was rendered to Col. Murphy, through whose kindness the concert had been arranged, and to Mr. Weber and his band. Luncheon was then served in the dining hall, and the band wended their way homeward, well pleased with their visit to the College. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., 22 September 1910, page 5, column 5. No Celebration At Pilot Knob. St. Louis, Mo., Sept., Comrades and Friends --The Pilot Knob Memorial Association will not be called in annual assembly this year. We hope that the open discrimination against veterans by the railroads of the United States will be discontinued soon and that we may have a full 60

61 meeting in 1911 when the first steps will be undertaken to place monuments in old Fort Davidson as a promise of substantial aid has been given to us in that direction. David Murphy, President. C.A. Peterson, Cor. Sec'y. [Note: Same letter in The Arcadia Valley Enterprise, 22 September 1910, page 5 column 2, but the article starts out with the words: "The following card was received last week." ] From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., 21 September 1911, page 5, column 1. It is now stated that the Pilot Knob Memorial Association proposes to give the government the twenty acres about the Pilot Knob fort in the event the government will make a National Park of the place. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., 21 September 1911, page 5, column 4 & 5. The Pilot Knob Celebration. The scattered Missouri remnants of the Blue and the Gray will assemble at Pilot Knob, Mo., September 26, 27, and 28, to take part in the exercises to be held there by the Pilot Knob Memorial Association. The meeting will be held near the Pilot Knob battlefield in the shadow of Shepherd Mountain. There will be three days of reminiscences and the renewal of acquaintances. During the first and third days of the meeting the men who fought on the Federal and Confederate sides will wander over the battlefield and relate of their experiences and encounters there. 61

62 The battle of Pilot Knob is one which meant much in the control of Missouri by the Union. It was there that the few hundreds of Federals were driven back to the fort by Gen. Price's army. It was there the retreat was made from the "shut in gore [sic]," and batteries were placed on Shepherd Mountain. Night work on the moats and trenches and weary hours of battle ensued, ended by the escape of the Federals toward Rolla and the blowing up of the fort magazine. Following is the program for Wednesday, September 27 th : Parade -- 2 M.P. [sic], Boy Scout Band, School Children and Old Soldiers. Music -- America, Band and School Children. Invocation -- Rev. Fuller Swift, Ironton. Address of Welcome -- Rev. Father John Adrian, Arcadia. Response -- Hon. James H. Campbell, East St. Louis, Illinois. Music -- Maryland, My Maryland, Band and School. Address -- Hon. Jos. F. Davis, St. Louis. Music -- Dixie, Band Address -- John H. Curran, St. Louis. Music -- "God Be With You 'Till We Meet Again." Reception Committee -- Levi Oren, Dr. W.J. Smith, P.P. Rosentreter, Edgar Fletcher, Fuller Swift, Adrian Steel, Rev. John Adrian, Wm. Trauernicht, J.H. McHenry. Hon. Champ Clark has been urgently requested to attend, and he will be here if possible. From the Missouri Historical Society, Civil War Papers Collection: Folder B094: Incorrectly identified as a Speech before the Pilot Knob Memorial Association by an Unknown Confederate in Address of the Honorable James H. Campbell, formerly private, Company E, Wood's Battalion, Clark's Brigade, delivered 27 September 1911, to the association. 62

63 CAUSE OF THE CIVIL WAR. Mr. Chairman, Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen: We have assembled here on the 47 th anniversary of the battle fought here on the 27 th day of September 1864 by General Ewing, Commander of the Union forces on one side and General Sterling Price commanding the Confederate army on the other. Many of our comrades lie buried around and near us, who gave their lives a sacrifice for their country; there is but a small remnant left of the contending armies that were engaged in the battle fought here; time has thinned our ranks, but few of us have lived at least long enough to know that the efforts of those who were fighting for the Union have been successful and have lived to see out country's freedom, and human liberty established and to sheathe our swords from war. The Union army engaged in this battle consisted of 1201 soldiers, well armed, fighting behind these breastworks that were impregnable, with four 32 pound guns and four 24 pound guns and eight other guns of smaller caliber. You can readily see with this number of well seasoned soldiers this fort could not be taken, even by a large army, without great sacrifice of life. The Confederate forces engaged in this battle, consisted of part of Clark's brigade, Marmaduke's division Missouri troops and Cabel's brigade of Fagan's division Arkansas troops; both of these brigades was the flower of Price's army and among his best fighters. It is impossible for us to tell at this date, the exact number of men engaged in this battle, on the Confederate side, as there are no records preserved to us giving this information, but we feel positive that there was not to exceed 5,000 men engaged in the assault on the fort. 63

64 There was none of General Shelby's command with us here, but Colonel Slayback's battalion of Missouri cavalry; they were not engaged in the battle, but were posted northwest of the fort to prevent the Union soldiers escaping in case they evacuated the fort. Permit me to say here, that General Price had for more than a year, tried to get permission from his government at Richmond, to invade Missouri with his army, and in order to make the situation clear to you, I will state that at the beginning of the year 1864, the Union army west of the Mississippi River was located at New Orleans, La., and Little Rock, Ark., and Fort Smith; and early in the Spring, both armies started to invade Texas or to form a junction at Shreveport, La. The Confederate army under General Dick Taylor met and defeated the Union army under General Banks in two hard fought battles in Louisiana, while the Union army under General Steele was confronted on his march south from Little Rock and Fort Smith by General Price with his army consisting of Marmaduke's division, Shelby's brigade and Fagan's division. These two armies fought three battles where the Confederates were successful, besides a number of smaller engagements. After the defeat of these two Union armies, General Kirby Smith gave orders to General Price to invade Missouri with all the cavalry of his command consisting of three divisions numbering about 15,000 men; 10,000 of these were good soldiers, fairly well armed; and a great many of our arms were guns and pistols captured from the Union soldiers and practically all of Price's wagons and teams were thus captured from General Steele in the spring campaign of 1864, as well as most of the artillery. About August 4 th, Price's army received orders to march to invade Missouri and move directly toward St. Louis. On the night of September 26 th, Clark's brigade camped 64

65 10 miles Southeast of this place and by daylight we were on the march for Pilot Knob in a hard rain. We reached Ironton at 10 a.m. and dismounted, left our horses and marched on foot up Shepherd Mountain in line of battle, until we reached the top. There in plain view of the fort, we waited until our artillery was brought up the mountain with ten pairs of mules drawing each piece, and when all was ready, we on top of Shepherd Mountain, with our artillery in our rear, and Cabell's brigade near Pilot Knob, the signal gun was fired, and we were ordered to advance; the Union forces reserved their fire until we were at the foot of yonder mountain, and out of the timber with no protection; 1200 muskets and 16 cannon belched forth shot and shell with a hail of bullets that mowed us down, but on we came, Cabell's men, without any protection, came to this ditch across that plain yonder, facing a terrible fire all the way. At the first volley from the fort, at the foot of the mountain, my left hand man was shot through the hips and fell screaming. Just then we were ordered to lie down until their guns were empty, and just as we lay on the ground, the man on my right had his arm shot off with a shell and as he raised up with his hand held by a small piece of skin, another shell struck the ground near by my head, threw dirt in my face and on my right shoulder. If the man had not raised up when he did, the shell would have taken his head off, as it struck where he had lain. We were ordered to charge again, and as we looked to our right, we saw Cabell's men going forward with colors flying in good order on the run, when someone said "Look at Cabell's men, FORWARD!" So I went forward with my eye on the old flag, right up there where it is now, expecting every minute to see it come down and the white flag to up, but the star-spangled banner did not come down. When I got near enough to this ditch to see the width and depth, I decided I could not jump it, and as I thought all the 65

66 way across the plain, I would be the first man in the fort, and when I got near it, I lay down and looked around me to see where our army was. There were only 4 men to be seen besides myself, Captain [William T.] Payne of Palmyra, Mo., commanding Co. E., Wood's Battalion, Missouri cavalry, Lee, our bugler, and two privates of company E. All the balance of our army was lying in the bed of Stout [Knob] Creek. I have heard it said that about 100 of Jeffries' regiment, that was on our left came near the fort on the southwest corner, but I did not see them, I was too busy watching for the white flag to go up, that I failed to see whether any one else was coming near the ditch or not. Captain Payne said to us four men as we lay on the ground close to the fort, "Boys, we can't stay here, they will come out and capture us," so we all raised up at once and ran back to the stockade where the horses and mules were corralled and after going clear around the stockade, I came back to the creek, found my company all lying behind the creek bank, and as the soldiers on the fort could not see us, they decided to come out and capture us, but after they were out of this fort in the open ground here, one volley from our guns, behind the bank, sent them back into the fort quickly. After lying behind the creek bank until dark, we quietly moved out and marched back to our horses and after a very meager supper cooked over a smoky wet wood fire, we lay down to get some sleep and rest, leaving our wounded comrades on the wet cold ground all night, without any attention. Early in the morning the fort was blown up and the Union army marched out, leaving some of their dead here in this fort, that were covered up when the magazine was blown up, there to remain until the morning of the resurrection. General Ewing had made a hard fight against heavy odds, but when he started to retreat to the railroad, 65 miles distant, his army showed they were good runners as well 66

67 as fighters, as we were up early and on the march following them to Leasburg where the men made good their escape to Rolla and General Ewing to St. Louis. The losses of the Union army in this engagement were small compared to that of the Confederate army, as they fought behind breastworks, and were well protected; their total loss was not to exceed 75 killed and wounded, while 50 were captured. The Confederate loss was out of all proportion to the Union loss, as we fought on open ground without protection. As our total strength will never be definitely known, neither will our losses in killed and wounded, as there seems to have been no accurate record kept of the Confederate loss in killed and wounded, but many of the wounded died from exposure and cold by being left so long without attention. This no doubt swelled our death list, which from all information obtainable was about 350 killed and about 800 wounded. In the preparation of this address, I have tried to tell it correct to the best of my ability, and to make it instructive to you and the young. As it has been more than a generation since the close of the great conflict that caused the death of so many brave and gallant men, we thought it might not be uninteresting for the new generation, and you, for us to notice briefly some of the causes that led to the great civil strife, in which we were engaged. It is generally supposed by modern scholars, that the great civil war between the States, began about 1861 or about 50 years ago, but all great events on earth that have taken place in history, have had a foundation or beginning to bring about great results and the foundation of the Civil War of America, was laid about one hundred and eighty years ago, when there arrived from Europe, on our New England coast, a ship load of Puritans. 67

68 Our ancestors who came to this coast were endowed with a spirit of freedom and religious liberty. Many of them had sought refuge in the New World to escape religious persecutions and domination of monarchial governments which sought to control the conscience of men. These emigrants were representatives of the hardy pioneers who first settled and subdued our country and they and their descendants inherited a strong desire for both civil and religious liberty, and as time went on, and they increased rapidly in number and spread out to the west, and subdued the country, their prosperity and descendants continued to inherit a love for civil and religious liberties, that has never been surpassed in the history of nations. At about the same time, there arrived in Virginia, on the Atlantic coast, a ship loaded with African slaves. These people were brought here by the English and sold to the Cavaliers of Virginia as laborers, and were put to work as slaves. The sentiment gradually grew in the minds of the Cavaliers of Virginia, and his posterity and descendents that the negro slave was their own property and owned by them as much as their horses and any other property that they possessed and as there was a great demand for laborers in converting the forests of this country into farms and homes, the African slave became a valuable asset in the owner's property, and as the African in his natural state originally came from a warm country, the southern climate was better adapted to his nature and peculiarities and from Virginia they gradually spread to the Carolinas, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and the warm Southern states, and while the sentiment in the New England and Northern states grew rapidly in favor of free labor, the sentiment in the Southern states grew just as rapidly in favor of slavery, until the two 68

69 sentiments gradually spread and matured into convictions of the hardy pioneers of both sections. But early in the formation of our present government, the descendents of these early pioneers and emigrants naturally divided into two great political parties and it is probably right and best to have two great parties in the United States, as has been demonstrated when one great political party remains too long in power and possesses too large majority, it naturally becomes corrupt and it is necessary that it should be shorn of its power, that the other political party may have a trial in the management of our government ; consequently, as we find the representatives of the original thirteen colonies gathered together, adopting the Constitution of these states, when one of its very first paragraphs states that we believe all men are created equal ; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights ; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. All of the 13 colonies recognized slavery in the beginning of this government when our Constitution was adopted with the exception of one, and if I am not mistaken, the one exception was the State of Maine, but gradually the sentiment of the new Englanders grew so strong for civil and religious liberty, and grew so rapidly, that the Northern states voted in the legislatures to abolish human slavery, consequently they sold their slaves to the Virginia Cavalier, and to the Southern planters who had no conscientious scruples against slavery. Though it is admitted by some historians, that at the beginning of our government, the people recognized slavery as a great moral evil and some writers expected sooner or later, that slavery would be quietly and peaceably abolished in all the original slave states, but such was not the fact, and as time went on, the representatives in Virginia, 69

70 South and North Carolina and other southern states, became very jealous of the rapidly growing northern states where emigrants of Europe came by thousands into free country, and were there was free labor. The consequence was that the northern half of our American union increased much more rapidly in population than the southern half of our country, which was wedded to the idea of slave labor and the two great political parties in the beginning of the government of the United States were not so much divided on the slavery question as on financial, tariff and revenue problems ; the northern half of our country having a great number of manufacturies, naturally wanted protection for their laboring people and for their manufactures; while there was but few manufacturies in the Southern states, and they were very much opposed to a protective tariff, as they simply produced raw material. These were the leading questions of the two great political parties in the formation of our government ; but as time went on, in about 76 years after the formation of our government, the people representing the southern half of our country, the minority, decided to withdraw from the original Union, and this withdrawal was led by the descendents of the Virginia Cavalier, with all his passion aroused, claiming that his rights under the Constitution were being interfered with, and that they would withdraw from the Union. The fires of this conflict between the States had been started more than thirty years previous to the outbreak of the rebellion and in the halls of Congress of this country, the great political leaders of both parties were antagonistic to each other and the dissolution of the Union of the states was ably discussed for fully 30 years before the great flames of civil conflict and war burst out. 70

71 The seeds of secession were first sown and given their impetuous growth by Mr. Hayne, United States Senator from South Carolina, as early as We read in his speech in the United States Senate on January 21 st, these words: "Is this the spirit in which this government is to be administered? If so, let me tell you gentlemen, the seeds of dissolution are already sown, and our children will reap the bitter fruit." The fruit ripened and was harvested thirty years after this prophetic speech and the grim reaper claimed no less than 94,000 killed and about 200,000 died from wounds and disease, of the gallant sons of the South trying to maintain the principles advocated by Mr. Hayne. But one of the strongest advocates of the Union of the States against secession, was the great statesman, Henry Clay, of Kentucky, and in looking forward to the division of the Union and secession, I want to quote his prophetic views of the Civil War, given ten years before it burst forth. I quote from his speech in the United States Senate on February 5 th and 7 th, Notice, if you please, his description of what such a war should be: "Mr. President, I have said what I solemnly believe --- that the dissolution of the Union and war are identical and inseparable ; that they are convertible terms. Such a war, too, as that would be, following the dissolution of the Union ; Sir, we may search the pages of history and none so furious, so implacable, so exterminating, from the wars of Greece down, including those of the Commonwealth of England, and the Revolution of France --- none, none of them raged with such violence, or was ever conducted with such bloodshed and enormities, as will that war which shall follow that disastrous event, if that event ever happens --- of dissolution. And finally, Mr. President, I implore as the best blessing which Heaven can bestow upon me on earth, that if the direful and sad event of 71

72 the dissolution of the Union shall happen, I may not survive to behold the sad and heartrending spectacle." Will the remnant of the veterans who are here today add their testimony to the horrible realities and facts of this great statesman and his prophetic views? And we notice in the concluding paragraph of his speech, that he desired that he might not live to behold such a great catastrophe to our country. Now, let me quote to you the closing paragraph of the speech delivered in the United States Senate on March 4th, 1850, by one of the great statesmen and leaders of secession, John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, in reply to the speech of Mr. Clay and others in opposition to secession. This speech was Mr. Calhoun's last effort and so weak and feeble was he at the time, that after the speech was prepared, it was read by some other Senator, while Mr. Calhoun sat and listened to it: "It is time, Senators, that there should be an open and manly avowal on all sides as to what is intended to be done. If the question is not now settled, it is uncertain whether it ever can hereafter be ; and we, as the representatives of the states of this Union regarded as governments, should come to a distinct understanding as to our respective views, in order to ascertain whether the great questions at issue can be settled or not. If you, who represent the stronger portion, cannot agree to settle them on the broad principle of justice and duty, say so, and let the states we both represent, agree to separate and part in peace." I also want to quote from the concluding paragraph of a speech delivered by Daniel Webster, one of the greatest orators and statesmen that was ever produced from the Pilgrims that landed more than a hundred years previous on the New England coast. 72

73 Mr. Webster's speech was delivered in the United States Senate on the subject of the Union on the 26th day of January, 1930, in his reply to Haynes. "While the Union lasts, we have high, exciting, gratifying prospects spread out before us, for us and our children. Beyond that, I seek not to penetrate the veil. God grant that in may day, at least, that curtain may not rise ; God grant that on my vision, never may be opened what lies beyond ; when my eyes shall be turned to behold for the last time the sun in the heaven, may I not see him shining on the broken and dishonored fragments of a once glorious Union ; On states dissevered, discordant, belligerent, on a land rent with evil feuds, or drenched, it may be, in fraternal blood, let their last feeble and lingering glance rather behold the gorgeous ensign of the Republic, now known and honored throughout the earth, still full high advanced, its arms and trophies streaming in their original lustre, not a stripe erased or polluted, nor a single star obscured, bearing for its motto so much miserable interrogatory as "What is all this worth?" Nor those other words of delusion and folly, "Liberty first and Union afterward," but everywhere spread all over in characters of living light, blazing on all its ample folds, as they float over the sea and over the land, and in every wind under the whole heaven, that other sentiment, dear to every true American heart --- Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable." I would also like to quote from the beginning of the conclusion of Mr. Webster's speech delivered in the United States Senate on March 7th, Replying to Mr. Calhoun: "Slavery did exist in the states before the adoption of this Constitution, and at that time. Let us therefore consider for a moment what was the state of sentiment, north and south, in regard to slavery at the time this Constitution was adopted. A remarkable 73

74 change has taken place since; but what did the wise and great men of all parts of the country think of slavery then? In what estimation did they hold it at that time when this Constitution was adopted? It will be found, Sir, if we will carry ourselves by historical research, back to that day, and ascertain men's opinions by authentic records still existing among us, that there was no diversity of opinion between the North and the South upon the subject of slavery. It will be found that both parts of the country held it equally an evil, a moral and political evil. It will be found that either at the North or at the South, there was such, though there was none, invective against slavery as inhuman and cruel. " Concluding paragraph[s] of Mr. Webster's speech: "Mr. President, I should much prefer to have heard from every member on this floor, declarations of opinions that this Union could never be dissolved, than the declaration of opinions by anybody, that in any case, under the pressure of any circumstances, such a dissolution was possible. I hear with distress and anguish that word "Secession", especially when it falls from the lips of those who are patriotic, and known to the Country, and known all over the world for their political services ; Secession; Secession, Sir, your eyes and mine are never destined to see that miracle. The dismemberment of this vast country without convulsion; the breaking up of the fountains of the great deep without ruffling the surface. Who is so foolish? -- I beg everybody's pardon -- as to expect to see any such thing. "Sir, he who sees these states now revolving in harmony around a common center, and expects to seem them quit their places and fly off without convulsion, may look the next hour to see the heavenly bodies rush from their spheres and jostle each other in the realms of space, without causing the crush of the universe. There can be no such thing as 74

75 a peaceable secession. Peaceable secession is an utter impossibility. Is the great Constitution under which we live, covering this whole country, is it to be thawed and melted away by secession, as the snows on the mountain melt under the influence of a vernal sun, disappear almost unobserved and run off? No, Sir, No, Sir ; I will not state what might produce the disruption of the Union, but Sir, I see as plainly as I see the sun in heaven, what the disruption itself must produce ; I see that it must produce war, and such a war as I will not describe, in its two fold character. "And now Mr. President, instead of speaking of the possibility or utility of secession, instead of dwelling in these caverns of darkness, instead of groping with these ideas so full of all that is horrid and horrible, let us come out into the light of day ; let us enjoy the fresh air of liberty and Union ; let us cherish those hopes which belong to us ; let us devote ourselves to those great objects that are fit for our consideration and action ; let us raise our conceptions to the magnitude and the importance of the duties that devolve upon us, for the preservation of this Constitution, and the harmony and peace of all who are destined to live under it. Let us make our generation one of the strongest and brightest links in the gold chain, which is destined, I fondly believe, to grapple the people of all the States to this Constitution for ages to come. "We have a great, popular, constitutional government, guarded by law and by judicature, and defended by the whole affections of the people. "No monarchial throne presses these states together ; no iron chain of military power encircles them ; they live and stand upon a government popular in its form, representatives in its character, found on principles of equality, and so constructed, we hope, as to last forever. 75

76 "In all its history it has been beneficent ; it has trodden down no man's liberty ; it has crushed no state. Its daily respiration is liberty and patriotism ; its youthful veins are full of enterprise, courage and honorable love of glory and renown. Large before, the country has now, by recent events, become vastly larger. This republic now extends, with a vast breadth, across the whole continent. The two great seas of the world wash the one and the other shore. We realize on a mighty scale, the beautiful description of the ornamental edging of the buckler of Achilles: "Now the broad shield complete, the artist crowned, With his last hand, and poured the ocean around; In living silver seemed the waves to roll, And beat the buckler's verse, and bound the whole." It may be interesting for you to know that the great State of Missouri furnished to the United States Government, a total of 109,111 soldiers and fought in the defense of the Union. Of this number, 13,835 gave their lives in the defense of their country. Now, let us consider the part played by the United States soldiers where more than two million of the gallant sons of the northern half of these United States were engaged in preserving the Union. The god of war requires great sacrifices and to save the Union, the liberty and prosperity that you and I are enjoying and the 90 millions of inhabitants of this great country are enjoying, required the death and sacrifice of no less than 110,070 of our gallant comrades who laid down their lives on the field of battle; and it also required the death of no less than 199,720 who died from diseases and wounds contracted while serving their country. 76

77 Let the future generation never forget the great sacrifice, the toil, the suffering that the Union soldiers of the Civil War gave freely for the cause of their country. We search the pages of history in vain, where any civilized country punished prisoners of war with the severity that was practiced by the Confederate government on Union soldiers at Libby and Andersonville prisons, where more than 12,000 of the Union soldiers were sacrificed for want of proper food. No country deserves to succeed, no matter how just their cause, who resort to such inhuman and unparalleled cruelties as were experienced by the prisoners in these prisons. When at last the end came at Appomattox and the great Confederate chieftain Lee, and his army surrendered to the greatest army the world has ever known, and whose achievements had revolutionized the history of war of the past ages, the American army during its existence had taught the military chieftain of history, new formations in the battle lines. But when at last the war ended and the Great Commander of the Union forces said, "Let us have peace," these words will go down through the annals of time to the coming generation and are only exceeded in importance by the announcement made by the angels of Heaven to the shepherds who were watching their flock on the hills of Bethlehem, "Peace and good will to men." I would like for you to bear with me for a few minutes while I picture your returning armies, how in the pomp and circumstances of war they came back to you, marching with proud and victorious tread, reading their glory in a nation's eyes. The Union forces returned to their homes and to the Capital of their government after four years of arduous service, but on full pay and with good clothing, to receive the congratulations and the smiles of their waiting friends. The congratulations were 77

78 extended to the returning Union soldiers in all his grandeur, because he had performed his duty well and victory at last crowned his efforts and he retired to a quiet and peaceful home surrounded by loving ones and to wait in peace and to enjoy the liberties that he had spent so much time, and sacrificed so much for, in preserving the Union until the last great roll call, when he should answer once more to the King of Kings. Let me quote to you the description of the returning Confederate soldiers, by W.H. Grady: "But will you bear with me while I tell you of another army that sought its home at the close of the late war -- an army that marched home in defeat and not in victory -- in pathos and not in splendor, but in glory that equalled yours, and to hearts as loving as ever welcomed heroes home. Let me picture to you the footsore Confederate soldier as, buttoning up in his faded gray jacket the parole which was to bear testimony to his children, of his fidelity and faith, he turned his face southward from Appomattox in April, "Think of him as ragged, half-starved, heavy-hearted, enfeebled by want and wounds, having fought to exhaustion, he surrenders his gun, wrings the hands of his comrades in silence, and lifting his tear-stained and pallid face for the last time to the graves that dot old Virginia hills, pulls his gray cap over his brow and begins the slow and faithful journey. What does he find? -- Let me ask you who went to your homes eager to find in the welcome you had justly earned, on full payment for four years' sacrifice --- what does he find when, having followed the battle-stained cross against overwhelming odds, dreading death not half so much as surrender, he reaches the home he left so prosperous and beautiful? 78

79 "He finds his house in ruins, his farm devastated, his slaves free, his stock killed, his barns empty, his trade destroyed, his money worthless, his social system, feudal in its magnificence, swept away ; his people without law or legal status, his comrades slain, and the burdens of others heavy on his shoulders. Crushed by defeat, his very traditions are gone. Without money, credit, employment, material or training and besides all this, confronted with the gravest problem that ever met human intelligence, --- the establishing of a status for the vast body of his liberated slaves. "What does he do? -- His hero in gray with a heart of gold? Does he sit down in sullenness and despair? Not for a day. Surely, God who had stripped him of his prosperity, inspired him in his adversity. As ruin was never before so overwhelming, never was restoration swifter. The soldier stepped from the trenches into the furrow ; horses that had charged Federal guns, marched before the plow and fields that ran red with human blood in April, were green with the harvest in June; women reared in luxury cut up their dresses and made breeches for their husbands, and, with a patience and heroism that fit woman always as a garment, gave their hand to work. There was little bitterness in all this. Cheerfulness and frankness prevailed." From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., 5 October 1911, page 5, column 2. Those from here who attended the old soldiers' reunion at Pilot Knob Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week report a good crowd present and an excellent time. Addresses were made by Consul R.C. Kerens, Hon. W.D. Vandiver, Major Campbell and others. The reunion was to celebrate the 47 th anniversary of the battle of Pilot Knob. The meetings were held at old Fort Davidson, around which the battle was fought. Those from here who attended were Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Klein, Mr. and Mrs. Ed. 79

80 Helber, Mr. and Mrs. E.K. Hopkins and daughters, Mrs. Rudy Wood and Miss Stella Hopkins, Misses Lena and Emma Karsch, Eli and Jerry Hopkins, W.F. Miller, Jacob Helber, John Burnett and James Bowling. Others from this county attending were P.F. Krimminger, Alfred Skaggs, Alfred Burch, Perry Burch, Wm. Thurman, Peter Fry, John Chatman and Fred Mund, of Doe Run, and C.C. Chandler, of Sprott. -- Farmington News. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., 5 October 1911, page 5, column 5. Des Arc Items. I attended the reunion at Pilot Knob last week. Quite a crowd of young people attended, including the schools of Ironton, Arcadia and Pilot Knob, but very few soldiers. I only saw one Rebel and he looked like a lost sheep. I think the reunion was gotten up wrongly. The soldiers should have been furnished tents, rations, etc. There is not a merchant in Ironton but what would have contributed liberally. I enjoyed Mr. Campbell's speech but did not like the remark he made toward the last of his speech. He gave the Confederates great credit for their bravery and the cause for which they fought. He said one thing which I deny, that was that no nation or set of people could succeed when they treated the Union soldiers so cruel, causing thousands to die in Andersonville and Libby prisons. I was surprised to hear him make such a remark, being a Confederate soldier himself. It was all uncalled for and I deny every word of it, for the Union prisoners were fed just as well as our soldiers were on the field. The music by the scout band was fine and I enjoyed it very much. The music of two old soldier boys on the fife and drum brought back our soldier days, especially when they played "The Girl I Left Behind Me." 80

81 Our old soldiers are getting very old, the average of them being about 73 years. They will not attend many more bugle calls. May God bless and protect them is the prayer of an old soldier of Co. I, 5 th Va. Cavalry, C.S.A. Thos. Fitz. From Confederate Veteran, Nashville, TN., November 1911, Vol. XIX No. 11. page 507. Reconstruction Infamy Recalled. The St. Louis Globe-Democrat of September 28 reports a speech by James H. Campbell ("who was a Confederate soldier in the battle of Pilot Knob" and now "is a well-known Republican") before the "Pilot Knob Memorial Association." In speaking of the suffering endured by soldiers in the war, Mr. Campbell said: "Let the future generations never forget the great sacrifice, the toil, the suffering that the Union soldiers of the Civil War gave freely for the cause of their country. We search the pages of history in vain to find where any civilized country punished prisoners of war with the severity that was practiced by the Confederate government on the Union prisoners at Libby and Andersonville prisons. No country that resorts to such inhuman and unparalleled cruelties deserves to succeed, no matter how just its cause." After a pause and meditation, comment is omitted. It recalls "Reconstruction" time when such renegades were given profitable offices. That despicable rule was maintained quite generally until Roosevelt and then Taft adopted better policies. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., 2 October 1913, page 4 columns 1 & 2. The Battle of Pilot Knob. Coffeytown, Mo., Sept. 21,

82 Dear Friend Eli -- It was 49 years ago to-day -- according to the days of the week -- a long time to remember, but some things transpired on that, and a few days following, which are as fresh to my memory as if it were but 49 days past, instead of 49 years. The day was beautiful, and father drove us to church in the family hack which he had just repaired, and it looked like new in its shiny coat of black varnish, behind two fat sleek horses, clothed for the first time in a new set of silver plated harness. It was our first, as well as our last, ride in that outfit, for during the sermon the alarm was given that "The Rebels are Coming." The Rev. D.A. Wilson was our pastor, and addressed the congregation from the pulpit something like this: "Men, go to the fort and do your duty, and I advise the women to say at home and take care of the house and children." He dismissed the congregation with an earnest prayer and the benediction. On arriving at home the team was driven and hid in a thicket over on the back side of the farm, during the remainder of the day. The alarm proved to have been a false one, and by Monday morning everybody was in a normal state of mind, and we youngsters went to school, as usual, at the old Arcadia Seminary in charge of "Uncle J.C. Berryman," and I think the late Thos. Essex was one of the teachers. About 2:30 that afternoon we heard some of the real thing -- no previous alarm about it. The Feds, I shall call them for the sake of abbreviation, had a small squad of men posted as pickets on the corner in Russellville where the Fredericktown road from Ironton is joined by the road from Arcadia. I am relating this from memory, and I shall tell you of things as they come into my mind, and I will probably mention the names of some of the people who took an active part in the proceedings. Uncle William was gathering apples near the house when 82

83 he heard some one hallooing at the gate which is quite a distance from the house. On looking in that direction he saw a squad of men, the leader of which called out to him asking him if he had a "six shooter" in the house. Being informed in the negative he then asked him if he had a gun. Uncle said, "Yes;" then was ordered to go in and bring it out, "and be quick about it." He went into the house and buckled on his "seven shooter," took his gun, went to the back door, and scooted for a cane patch which was near. He was shot at several times, but was not hit. Coming on over he found father getting a load of standing corn for his milk cows of which he had about a dozen fat ones. Father drove to the barn, and put the saddle on the horse, took his old squirrel rifle, and they together started to the fort, going first to the picket post to inform them of the "doins" down the road. It was Tim Reeves, so it afterward was learned, who called at Uncle William's, and they must have made a halt, or retreated, as they had not come in sight of the pickets. The alarm was given, and Major Wilson with a detachment went to meet the Confeds, and there was a skirmish down in the region of the Shut-In. When we came from school we found the fences laid in at every other corner so that they would be less in the way than if left up. That night about dark brother Charles mounted a roan pony of ours and went to the fort, leaving me to take care of the family and the stock. The next morning I was feeding at the barn when several men came riding up and asked me what I had in the barn. I told them cows. They said "Got any horses?" and I said, "No -- yes, there is an old horse in there, but he has a bad leg and won't do you any good." I was ordered to bring him out, but they seemed to be in a great hurry and could not wait for me, so they, or one of them, went in and got him -- the last of our horses. 83

84 They stopped at the house and went through every room, taking anything that struck their fancy. One fellow had come by some store and had all his pile of bones could carry. He even had a woman's hat all decked with red ribbons and gaudy flowers. They had hardly gone when a big, grizzly -- bearded man came to the kitchen window and ordered Ma to get him some breakfast, and while he was eating he made his boast that the buzzards would have one Yankee to feast on, but he was not enlightened to the contrary. That was "Old Tim Reeves," and those who were stealing were in his gang or followers. Soon after old Tim had his breakfast a division of Gen. Fagan's army came along, and a guard was placed about the premises and remained on duty until the division was ordered to go forward. Several officers -- four I think -- came and asked Ma to get them some breakfast, but before she could prepare it they were ordered on, and they said to her, "Just save it for us. We're going over there to clean out a rat hole, and we'll be back soon." Eli, they never came back. During the night a drizzling rain had set in, and about nine o'clock we could see a constant stream of men dressed in butternut over on the road about where Sandford Russell's gate is, and that stream of humanity was kept up for hours. There are many incidences which happened to different people, some amusing as I look back upon them. Skirmishing began some time during the forenoon and was kept up until about 3 P.M., when a charge was made upon the fort, and for a time we saw and heard a genuine battle. The charge was a fierce one, and was a failure as far as "cleaning out the rat hole" went. There were only about 700 soldiers and citizens, white and colored, but every man did his duty. 84

85 The enemy claimed to have had 22,000 or 23,000 soldiers, and lost ten per cent of them in killed, wounded and missing. The sky had cleared and it was a beautiful afternoon ; but in the evening the clouds appeared, and it became so dark it could almost be felt. The furnace and those great sheds, where thousands of bushels of charcoal was stored, were burning, but it was light only a few feet from the earth, and above that seemed to be a solid wall of darkness. We thought that all the houses in the valley were being burned, and expected every minute to de disturbed, but were agreeably disappointed. That night the fort was deserted and a slow match was put to the powder magazine, and they -- the soldiers, and the citizens who did not care to remain -- were about five or six miles away before the explosion took place. The wheels of the artillery and horses' feet had been muffled, and so noiseless had their departure been that the sound of the explosion was the first intimidation of their departure. The next day was a busy one for the boys in gray, in caring for the wounded and burying their dead, and so great was their need for conveyances that they borrowed our hack. They said they wanted to borrow it, and would bring it back when they got through with it. It was good-bye, hack. I had hid the harness and father bought and [sic] old I.X.C. horse of Uncle Sam, after the Federals came back with them, and that was the nucleus of another team. Father, and a few other citizens remained that night at Pilot Knob and the Confederates complimented those who were in the fort by saying that they fought like devils. There was a trench around the fort; if I make no mistake, it was 20 feet across and ten feet in depth, and in the evening after the battle nearly every picket fence was made 85

86 into ladders for the purpose of crossing that ditch, but alas! They were too short. I understand that the purpose of that raid was to get the commissary supplies at Pilot Knob, which was the terminus of the railroad, and was the distributing point for south and south-east Missouri; but in this they were failed. The bridge over Big River was burned, but too late, as the supplies had been sent to St. Louis. I began writing this last Sunday but got side tracked, and to-day the Register came, and it says Saturday next is the anniversary. The battle took place on Tuesday. I also see in the Register that Moses Lax has died recently. I think he and some of the other old colored men were in the fort. How few of the men who were with us then are left! Claud C. Russell. P.S. -- Forgot to say that the most prominent part I took during the day of the battle was in "laying low" down in the cellar, eating Jonathan apples. [NOTE: Moses Lax was not in the fort as he was with Company D, 62nd U.S. Colored Infantry, elsewhere; however, brother Solomon Lax was in the fort.] From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., 24 September 1914, page 5 column 2. The following was received a few days ago by Mr. Levi Oren of this town: Washington, September 15, Dear Sir -- I am planning to visit Pilot Knob on Saturday and Sunday the 26th and 27th of September, the 27th being the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle. I write to ask you if any arrangement has been made for a celebration at the fort on that day, for example as was had on the Fortieth Anniversary. 86

87 I am going to bring my daughter, Alexandra Ewing. She is my father's oldest grandchild. Yours very truly, Thomas Ewing. From the Arcadia Valley Enterprise, Ironton, Mo., 25 September, 1914, page 3, col. 1. Fifty years ago last Sunday the battle of Pilot Knob was fought. Several men who were in the fight are here now, but most of them are gone to their long home. From the Arcadia Valley Enterprise, Ironton, Mo., 2 October, 1914, page 5, column 3. Thomas Ewing, son of General Ewing, who commanded the fort at Pilot Knob, on the 27th of September, 1864, was here and spent last Saturday and Sunday in Ironton. It seems that he had a deed to land on which the old fort stands, but when the deed was made to him, he was asked not to deed the property to private parties. Two of his closest friends, whose wishes and opinions he respects, are physically unable to longer assist him in caring for the property, and he is said to have told parties here that he is willing to deed the property to the City of Ironton, or to and [sic] committee that will keep the old fort as a public resort. It is a noce [sic] place and should be held sacred in memory of the brave men who defended it. Mr. Ewing resides in Washington, D.C., where he can be reached by letter. The matter is worthy of attention. We understand that there are but three members of the once prosperous G.A.R. left in Ironton. They'll soon all be gone. 87

88 From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., September 12, 1929 Page 1, and also From the Arcadia Valley Enterprise, Arcadia, MO, September 19, 1929 MEMORIAL SERVICES AT PILOT KNOB SEPTEMBER 12 (Lead Belt News.) Special memorial services for troops buried in the cemetery at Pilot Knob, will be held there, September 22d, at which time many notables have been invited to be present and participate in the ceremonies. Services will be centered around the cemetery and the old fort, which is just off Hwy 21 between Pilot knob and Ironton. Among the famous guests who have been invited to be present is Billy Sunday, nationally known evangelist. It is said that Sunday s father died at the military camp at Pilot Knob during the Civil War, and that his body lies buried in one of the unmarked graves. Hundreds of visitors from near and far are expected to attend. The old fort has been kept in its original condition, and is a real place of beauty with its grass grown breast works, water filled moat and shade trees. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., September 26, 1929 CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY OF PILOT KNOB BATTLE. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch.) Ironton, Mo., September 17. Hundreds of Southeast Missourians who each summer are attracted to Arcadia Valley by its scenic appeal, are expected to return next Sunday as 88

89 participants in a celebration at historic Fort Davidson, marking the sixty-fifth anniversary of the Battle of Pilot Knob. Special services will be held at the old cemetery, among the graves of the soldiers who died in the battle, other features of the program will take place at the fort, which is near Highway No. 21, between Ironton and the town of Pilot Knob. Prof. R.S. Douglas, dean of Southeast Teachers College and author of a History of Southeast Missouri, will deliver the address. A basket dinner will be served at noon by the members of several patriotic organizations. The celebration is being sponsored by the Sons of Veterans of Cape Girardeau, assisted by invited units of the Sons of Veterans Auxiliary, Daughters of the Revolution, Daughters of the Southern Confederacy, Grand Army of the Republic, Americna Legion and auxiliary, Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls. Music will be furnished by the public school band of Cape Girardeau. Billy Sunday, whose father is said to have died at the military camp at Pilot Knob during the Civil War, and whose body is said to lie buried in one of the unmarked graves, has been invited. Gov. Caulfield also has been extended an invitation. The Ironton district was disputed territory from the beginning of the war. Gen. U.S. Grant, the Colonel of the Twenty-first Illinois Infantry, was at one time in the command of the stronghold at Pilot Knob, and on the old Emerson homestead here is the spring over which hang the boughs of Grant Oak, the spot where Grant was handed the commission of Brigadier-General. The battle fought on September was the result of a maneuver by the Confederate General Price, whose force of 12,000 men had entered the State at three different points, under command of Gen. Shelby on the left, Marmaduke on the right and 89

90 Fagin in the center, the general plan being to drive the Federal forces before them and to unite at Fredericktown for a concentrated attack on Pilot Knob, which, as the terminus of the Iron Mountain Railroad, was the gateway to St. Louis. Major James Wilson was in command of a Federal force of 1000 men at Pilot Knob. Gen. Rosecrans, department commander in Missouri, had received reinforcements of 6000 men, who were under the command of Gen. A.J. Smith. Gen. Hugh [sic 1 ]Ewing, commander of the district of Southeast Missouri, was dispatched from Jefferson Barracks with a brigade of infantry to patrol the railroad as a protection for Smith s movements to Wilson s rescue. Prior to the battle, Marmaduke and Fagin, the latter accompanied by Price, were advancing northward between the Black and St. Francis rivers, and Shelby, who had reached Fredericktown in advance of the others and had pushed on to capture Farmington, Mineral Point and Potosi, was marching back to Ironton. Gen. Ewing, who was to command the Union forces, found Fort Davidson on a level plain, just south of the town of Pilot Knob. The stronghold was surrounded by mountains through which the Confederate army could enter only by two routes the road from Farmington, which led through the gap between Shepherd Mountain and Pilot Knob, and the road from Fredericktown, which entered Arcadia Valley about four miles southeast of Ironton, through the rift in the granite hills now known as the Shut-in; The first engagement occurred September 26, when a Federal reconnoitering party encountered Price s army coming though [sic] the Shut-in. The two forces met scarcely more than a stone s throw from where the new bridge over Stout s Creek now spans the chasm, and Price easily forced the Union detachment back into Ironton, where 1 This was a common mistake. Many Missouri history text books from the turn of the century to the 1930s name General Thomas Ewing s brother, Hugh, as the defender of Pilot Knob. 90

91 it was reinforced by Major Wilson. A rain storm put an end to the engagement, but Price s force was in movement throughout the night and encircled the town. At day-break, Tuesday, September 24, Wilson was driven back into the gap between Pilot Knob and Shepherd Mountain, and while Price was attempting to force the gap, Ewing ordered a detachment of the Fourteenth Iowa to take position on the east end of Shepherd Mountain, and directed Wilson to fall back along the side of Pilot Knob, thus opening a clear range from the fort. A long and bloody battle ensued, and the losses on both sides were heavy. Finally, Marmaduke obtained a position on the east side of Shepherd Mountain with a division of men and two pieces of field artillery, and forced Wilson from the gap. After a brief fight he gained the bed of the creek from where his men kept up an incessant fire on the fort. At the same time, Fagin marched over Pilot Knob and launched an assault from that side of the fort, but was repulsed. Night came on, and the troops of Price s command, thinking they had bagged their game, gave themselves up to a celebration of the victory, a circumstance which gave Ewing an opportunity to evade capture by a hasty evacuation. He left by the Potosi road, and it was not until 8 o clock next morning that the Confederates were apprised of his departure and started in pursuit. Maj. Wilson was captured and subsequently, with six men of his command, was shot by order of Price s officer of the day. The battle is generally recorded as a victory for the Confederates because of their capture of the objective, but measured by the loss of effectives, the Union forces, with 200 killed, wounded -- and missing, as against 1000 for the Confederates left the scene as victors. 91

92 Old Fort Davidson has been preserved intact, and with its grass-grown breastworks, water-filled moat and shade trees, is a point of interest visited each summer by thousands of tourists. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., September 25, 1929 ADDITIONAL LOCAL..One of the largest crowds that has assembled in the valley in a long time attended the celebration of the anniversary of the battle of Pilot Knob at Fort Davidson last Sunday. It is estimated that more than a thousand cars were parked on the field adjacent to the fort. A great many visitors came from St. Louis and the counties adjacent all had large delegations. They began to arrive early in the day and long before noon the highway was jammed. A state highway patrolman, with several assistants directed the traffic and their task for several hours was an arduous one. Happily there were no accidents and the day passed without mishap. A band from Cape Girardeau furnished music. Most of the visitors came with well filled baskets and partook of the mid-day lunch on the grounds. Prof. R.S. Douglas, Dean of Cape Girardeau Teachers College delivered the principal address and his talk was generously praised and complimented. Other speakers talked briefly. It is said that there were only three men present who were in the fort at the time of the battle and but twelve survivors of the Civil War in the multitude assembled. The ranks are thinning fast and will soon be but a memory. A letter was read from Billy Sunday, the evangelist, announcing his regret at being unable to attend. All in all, the occasion was pronounced a very satisfactory and pleasing one and it was decided to make the affair an annual event. 92

93 From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., October 3, 1929 THOUSANDS ATTEND BATTLE ANNIVERSARY. (Farmington News) Several thousand persons attending the 65 th anniversary of the Battle of Pilot Knob observed at Fort Davidson on last Sunday. Of this great number only about a dozen were survivors of this historic struggle. Two of them, E.K. Hopkins, aged 86, and Alex More, aged 87, were from Farmington. Mr. Hopkins was with the Union force in the fort and Mr. Moore was with the Confederate forces which unsuccessfully tried to make it. Mr. Hopkins tells us that while there was more or less firing during the afternoon on Sept. 27, 1864, the real battle began between three and four o clock and lasted only about twenty minutes. There were about 1000 person in the Fort of which about 100 were civilians who had come to the fort for protection. He said the actual number of Confederates was unknown but there were several thousand and that they covered the entire valley in front and to each side of the Fort. Gen. Ewing, who was in command of the Union Forces, orered [sic] them not to fire until the enemy had reached the trenches outside the Fort. When the shooting did start, the battle was waged with great fury. The confederates soon retreated leaving great numbers lying on the field. Later these were buried. He told us Mr. Moore said they buried 400 in two trenches. The Union loss was 12 or 14. During the night the Union forces quietly left the Fort and marched away toward Rolla. They were pursued by the Confederate Cavalry and were overtaken they second day out. Three skirmishes occurred with no losses to either side so far as he knew. The 93

94 pursuit was abandoned at Leasburg the third night, after which they continued their march to Rolla unmolested. The following story of the battle and the anniversary celebration appeared in Monday s Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian: The celebration of the 65 th anniversary of the battle of Pilot Knob, held Sunday at Fort Davidson on state highway 21 in Iron County, was attended by a crowd estimated at four to six thousand persons. About 1500 cars were parked in the vicinity of the old fort, and the people were scattered over the side of Pilot Knob mountain and nearby fields in such a way that to make an estimate of the number present was exceedingly difficult. It was an ideal day and people had come form distant points as well as surrounding country. Warren G. Steward Post No. 44 of Sons of U.S. Veterans sponsored the celebration, and the patriotic instructor of the post, Orren Wilson, acted as master of ceremonies. The Central High School Band of Cape Girardeau furnished the music, and the members of the Stewart post and the auxiliary sang several sacred and patriotic songs, and also furnished the flags and flowers for the decorations. Dean R.S. Douglass of the Teachers College, himself a son of a Confederate veteran, was the principal speaker of the day and delivered a historic address just before the noon hour. Among the veterans present were: J.F. Wilferth, Co. K 5 th Mo. Cavalry; A. Moore, Co. E, 22d Mo. Inf.; J.C. Douglass, Co. H., 1 st Nebraska Inf.; Jesse E. Inmann, Co. I, 47 th Mo. Inf.; Ferrol Cretin, Co. D, 80 th Ill.; S.B. Reed, Co. G, 47 th Mo. Inf.; William Bogue, Co. F, 154 th Ill.; W.H. Welch, Co. D, 6 th Mo Cav.; W.T. Gay, Co. F, 47 th Mo.; W.B. Thurman, Co. K, 47 th Mo.; J.W. Craig, 50 th Mo. Many touching scenes occurred on the old battle ground at meetings of the old boys, one particular pathetic meeting being that of E.K. Hopkins, who was in Fort 94

95 Davidson during that memorable battle, and Ferreol Cretin, who was one of Marmaduke s men attacking the fort. 2 These two are intimate friends now and were heard to???? Naturedly chide one another. You boys did not come in here that day as you expected, said Hopkins. No, replied Cretin, but that night you fellows beat it out of here, and were gone when we were coming in here whether you wanted us to or not. Cretin became reminiscent then and told what happened after the battle. We came in here the day after the battle to look at the place. It was a sight. Meat, sugar, coffee, ammunition and all kinds of camp equipment was scattered all over the place and mixed in mud. One man we found asleep and captured him. While I was walking around here a shell exploded near me and that scared me worse than the entire battle had done. It must have been one of the ammunition dump on which the fuse had smouldered all night. We left for Ironton that day. We left because we were about out of ammunition, said Hopkins. Well when I came in here I found lots of ammunition, said Cretin. In his address, Dean Douglass said, in part: You are on a battlefield of the Civil War, yet all about us is peace and quiet. It was different here 65 years ago. Although nature was the same, Pilot Knob was there, Shephard Mountain was over there just as it is now, but here was hatred, fighting, and bitterness. Two flags, the stars and stripes and the stars and bars divided the American people. 2 Ferroel Cretin must have been some sort of card. How he could convince a newspaper reporter that he was a Confederate serving with the 80 th Illinois has to be a good joke. Cretin is buried as a Union soldier. 95

96 He then gave a review of conditions as they existed at that time, and what led up to the battle of Pilot Knob. Gen. Sterling Price was leading an army of 12,000 men back to Missouri, 8,000 of them armed, 4000 of them unarmed. Federal troops were sent out of St. Louis to stop him. When Price had reached Fredericktown, he divided his command and marched upon the little fort, Davidson. Skirmishers had been sent out, and several fights occurred before the fort was reached. Gen. Thomas Ewing was in command of the fort and had four 32 pound guns and a few smaller pieces of ordinance, and 1000 to 1500 men. Price ordered the attack upon Fort Davidson and General Ewing prepared for its defense. General Price ordered Gen. Marmaduke to place two guns on Shepherd Mountain to the southwest of the fort, and he himself drove in from Pilot Knob on the east. All day the battle raged. Repeatedly the Confederates charged and advanced within forty yards of the trenches of Fort Davidson, but were driven back by the withering fire from the ramparts of the fort. The infantry retreated to the Creek, but the artillery battle continued. Night came and General Ewing was still in command of the fort. In the early part of the night the Confederates fired the building of the mining company, and while the surroundings of the fort were lighted up by the fire, Gen. Ewing did not vacate the fort. But at three o clock in the morning the Union forces left the fort and marched northward. A man was left behind to blow up the ammunition magazine, and the explosion shook the country round about. The pit torn by the explosion is still as it was 65 years ago. The Federals found the road to St. Louis blocked and went west. Price got within 40 miles of St. Louis, and then also marched west. The loss of life in this battle will never be known, but from the best information obtainable, about 400 men were killed and wounded. It was not a large battle, but an 96

97 important one, as it probably saved St. Louis for the Union, said the speaker. The greatest miracle wrought by all this today is that today we are a united nation of about 120 million people. Only a mile or two from this place stands a monument and two cannons, marking the spot where General Grant received his commission. We all irrespective of descendancy, are indebted to General Grant, not so much for what he did during the war, but after the war, when he held his protecting had over the vanquished foe, and together with Abraham Lincoln, set about to heal the wounds caused by the war. A military touch was given to the celebration by the presence of several soldiers who are at a rifle range in Arcadia. They are members of the 6 th Infantry stationed at Jefferson Barracks[.] Rene B. Ouesnel, state traffic officer of Webster Groves, was detailed by the state highway department to handle the traffice [sic], and for two hours, after the conclusion of the program, worked like a Trojan to untangle the mass of cars and keep it from interfering with the traffic on highway 21, which was exceptionally heavy. It was all accomplished without a mishap, and the traffic man was highly complimented for his work. The old fort is small, only about 250 feet in diameter, with walls about 16 feet high all around, made of earth, and a shallow moat or ditch on the outside. No one seems to know just where the dead were buried, and there is nothing to indicate just where the graves are. Over on the east side across the valley, are the beetling heights of Pilot Knob, to the southwest the long ridge of Sheppard mountain, to the northeast Buck Mountain or Oak Hill rears its wooded head, and on the north towers the rock-ribbed top of Cedar Mountain or Buzzard Mountain. A more romantic surrounding cannot be found in Missouri. While, to the thinking of a Civilian, it was not good strategy to place a fort 97

98 where it could be bombarded from the heights all around, it was a strategic point so far as guarding the highway is concerned. The road could be raked with fire for a mile from this fort. From the Iron County Register, Ironton, Mo., October 3, 1929 VISIT PILOT KNOB AND ATTEND BIG REUNION. (Steelville Ledger) Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Schwieder and Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Puckett drove to Iron County Saturday to attend the reunion held by the Sons of Union Veterans and Auxiliary [,] D.A.R., G.A.R.[,] Daughters of the Southern Confederacy, Spanish and American War Veterans, American Legion and Auxiliary and Camp Fire Girls. The reunion was in memory of the Pilot Knob battle during the Civil War. They drove first to Graniteville where they viewed one of the wonders of the Arcadia Valley, Elephant Mountain. This large rock which resembles very much an elephant sets on a tiny pivot where it has rested for ages. From there they went to Pilot Knob to visit the old Schwieder homestead where Mr. Schwieder was born. Andy stated to the family occupying the place that he would like to go through the house, and especially did he want to see the door leading to the dining room. This door had a bullet hole made during the Civil War, a bullet coming in at one window, going through the door and out another window. To his satisfaction he found the door intact, and the war marks still visible. On Sunday they attended the reunion where Mr. Schwieder met several of the survivors of the Battle of Pilot Knob, one of whom knew his father who was also in this battle. His father was in charge of the Pilot Ion Furnace for many years during Mr. 98

99 Schwieder s boyhood. They also met Wm. Webb who in later years lived at Bixby, Mo., where he was agent for the Sligo & Great Eastern Ry. They enjoyed also the big fest prepared for the reunion that day. From Unknown Newspaper., The Copy on file at Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site claims to be in the [LOCA?]L Section Illinois and Missouri for the ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH dated Tuesday, September 24, The copy doesn t clearly show if that is the paper of that this article is cut out and laid atop that paper. Microfilm at the St. Louis County Library was searched and the originals at the St. Louis Mercantile Library were also and this photo has not been located. `It is possible it is a lost insert for the outlying areas, but the search goes on An Observance of Anniversary of Civil War Battle The sixty-fifth anniversary of the Battle of Pilot Knob, credited by historians with having saved St. Louis from capture by Confederate forces under Gen. Sterling Price, was observed at Ironton, Mo., Sunday with a program under auspices of various veterans organizations and affiliated societies. Dean R.S. Douglas of the SOUTHEAST Missouri Teachers College at Cape Girardeau, a son of a Confederate soldier who took part in the battle, was the principal speaker. After describing the engagement Dean Douglas declared that the disappearance of sectional feeling engendered by the war was one of the miracles of history. Tis he attributed to the character of Grant and Lincoln as displayed in the reconstruction 99

100 programs and to the morale of the defeated Confederate soldiers who returned to their homes to begin anew. Twelve veterans of the battle of Pilot Knob were present 3. They are, as show in the first row of the picture above: S.B. Reed, W.H. Webb, Jesse Inman, E.K. Hopkins, William Bogue, H.D. Benedict, A. Moore, J.C. Douglas, J.W. Craig, B.L Jones, Ferrot Cretin and Samuel Gray. 3 Some named did not fight in this battle but were still Civil War soldiers. 100