Pilot Knob 2007 event

After action report -- Pilot Knob MO, Sept. 21-23, 2007:

intro --                     (many more pictures at end of report)

Gen. Sterling Price’s doomed 1864 attack on Ft. Davidson preparatory to the planned seizure of St. Louis  was reenacted by the 9th Texas and the 1st Missouri Battalion in September 2007 with unfortunately, the same results. The reenactment was a great success, however.

the event --

Present for duty:  First Sgt. B. Shively, First Cpl. Randy D., Second Cpl. B. Albert, Pvt.’s Peiper, Shemwell, and Visser, and your humble correspondent.

All of the Battalion staff was present including Col. Amend, Lt. Col., Williams, Major Looney, Major Albert,  Sgt. Major Sutton, and Color Sgt. Bell.

The trip out of Topeka was approximately six hours, generally on major highways, although we encountered considerable commuter congestion south of St. Louis. Thereafter, the site was found in scenic albeit rural surroundings. The rest of the men came in by other routes and arrived at various times.

Mr. Shemwell and I stopped on the way in Mexico MO north of I-70 for some much-needed powder. We paid $11.99 per pound.

The site itself is in a beautiful valley of sorts between four tree-covered mountains and consists of grassy flats with numerous shady pine trees.

Ft. Davidson remains an impressive earthen fort, now covered in soft grass but still surrounded by the moat. It is always pretty neat when we get to fight in the actual location where the boys of ‘64 fought and died for what they believed in. The site is preserved and maintained today as a Missouri state historical site.

Numbers can only be estimated at approximately 130 reb infantry as of Saturday morning officer’s call although that number fluctuated somewhat;  perhaps 70 federal; perhaps 10 reb cannon, and a lesser number of federal; and a mere smattering of calvary both sides.

Crowds, both watching the battles and walking through the camps, were substantial and generally appreciative. Local authorities were friendly and unobtrusive.

My usual enthusiasm for building the fire Friday night was considerably dulled upon finding (or, rediscovering) that the ground was hard as iron. Nevertheless, after considerable effort, Mr. Shemwell and I got the job done.

The 1st Mo., our immediate neighbor in camp, proved most friendly and generous.

Sutler’s row was impressive for the size of this event with everything you could need, including Fall Creek (which we heard was, unfortunately, burglarized on Saturday night). Food venders were also present in force. In addition, as we discovered, a beer garden was available for thirsty soldiers on Saturday night (more on this later).

Saturday --

We endeavored to keep vehicles out of our camps, however, we were much distressed to see a car remaining near ours as late as Saturday morning. When a young federal approached it, we asked if he knew who it belonged to and Pvt. Shemwell was able to accompany him to the federal camp to respectfully suggest that the offending object be removed. Cpl. Albert suggested that the message be, whoever owned the Chevy Cavalier, with the flat tire, could they please remove it immediately! We also discovered that another of our own troops kept his “motorcycle” in camp during the weekend, under canvas.

The plastic “flags,”designed to keep the crowds safely behind the line of fire, were unfortunately placed directly behind our camp. And the “helicopter” which overflew the battle spoiled many a reenactor’s “moment.”

Due to some low numbers, the 9th was privileged to have some other regiments/companies fall in with us, including most prominently the 1st and 5th Missouri, and some lads from the 4th Texas ANV. Thus, our ranks swelled massively for the Saturday battle. We were the 4th Company, to the left of the colors.

We drilled both days, primarily by company into line, than advancing as a column of companies, then left wheel into line as a battalion, our battle line forming to our left.

Both days, the federals chanced to confront us outside their fort at the beginning of our attacks, then retired to their works prior to our final assaults.

We made three gallant charges on the fort after artillery on both sides exchanged barrages. Although some made it to the moat, our assault was badly broken up. And then they began to rain down grenades on us! Your humble correspondent died with a mortal gut shot.  Sgt. Shivley was the only one from our own 4th Company to make it to the moat.

The weather both days was hot enough to sweat but not so hot as to make the wearing of jackets unbearable.

After the battle, I was forced to mete out some discipline on some undisciplined rascals from the 1st Missouri. One was found to be a drunkard, and made to walk the camp carrying a sign pronouncing him a “Drunkard” and bearing a heavy log. Although claiming to be a teetotaler, he was indicted on the word of our resident expert in these matters, Cpl. Downey, physical evidence of a liquor container bearing a telltale odor, and the man’s own breath.

Another was said by a witness to be a shirker and ne'er-do-well, and a straggler to boot, although he also denied his guilt. Straggling on the march is bad for morale, and the man was bugged and gagged as an an example. In their defense, these men are known to be good soldiers otherwise, and their return to the ranks in good standing is anticipated.

Thereafter, we were informed that we were to receive two (2) months pay. Each captain received a Muster Roll from staff (including Sgt. Scott George of the 4th MO who capably organized the scenario), the requisite currency, and, as a pleasant surprise, a tin of caps for each man courtesy of the event sponsors. I paid each man, and each either signed or made his mark by my witness. This was a slow process, complicated by the issuance of $4.50 currency notes by staff, and threatened to last into dusk.

Sgt. Major Sutton uncovered a rebel boy in the camp who was quite a fiddle player and he regaled the troops with some lively tunes.

Mr. Shemwell later produced a package from home for the boys, including some old “King Crow,” socks, gloves, candles, matches, fried pies, beans, brown sugar, rice, letters from home, and the like.

As dusk came on, Dime Hollingsworth, a corporal with the 9th MO, proved his virtuosity on guitar, and with some other talent, played and sang to the satisfaction of all.

On Saturday night, at 8:30, the fort was “blown up” (simulating the original federal ruse after the first day’s assault) in a massive pyrotechnic blast. Quite a sight, but too quick for my “camera.”

The 52nd Regimental String Band played at the Saturday night dance. Then, many of the thirsty men of the Battalion repaired to the local’s beer garden where many a draft was imbibed. Some of the local ladies were also in attendance and provided a healthy diversion from a soldier’s troubles. A salacious suggestion by our color sergeant was rejected by one local lady.

Not surprisingly, all slept well that night.

Sunday --

During morning parade on Sunday, a lonely mutt, who had apparently followed the boys who had marched in on Friday, came up to nuzzle some of the men. When the musicians, came by with their “Beat, off,” he was startled and began to bark at the drumming and chased them briefly. It was a pleasant diversion from the humdrum of morning parade.

Prior to the Sunday battle, we were surprised to learn that the federals were not satisfied with our aggressiveness, and requested that we be more aggressive. We were pleased to accommodate them.

The federal commander, Stan Prater, at one point prior to the battle came over ostensibly to talk surrender. Instead, he announced that his men had found a small battle flag on the field on Saturday and wanted to return it to Col. Amend. Upon the latter agreeing, and much to our chagrin, the Yankee drew the cloth off his neck, dripping with sweat, and returned it to our Colonel. Now that’s a challenge!

We met an SCV man from Kansas City, who was strolling through the camps, and was very interested in our reenactment. Turns out that he took some very impressive photos of the Battalion in action and for that we are grateful (hopefully these will be posted soon). YES THEY ARE!!!!

We went into battle, again encountering the federals outside their fort. We advanced then fell back and were surprised to learn that our artillery was still in action, firing over our heads.

Ultimately, we went in in three successive waves, the third and last most disastrously. The final assault, although pressed to the moat, was unsuccessful, and we left 2/3’s of our men on the ground dead or wounded. From my perspective on the right wing, the grenades were fairly raining down on us. Luckily for us, they were mostly duds.

To the credit of our men, only one ran, the coward running like a scared rabbit, stripping his gear off him as he went. Neither I nor his own officer were quick enough to stop or shoot him as he bolted. He was found in the rear later, claiming a wound.

The Sunday fight was over at approximately 2:30 and we were on the road, very satisfied, by approximately 3:10.

Although the trip down was lengthy, the event was a worthwhile one for the 9th to add to its repertoire of events. I unqualifiedly recommend it next time it comes around.

I remain, your most humble and obedient servant,

Brian Cox
Captain, 9th Texas
  pictures:

drinking???   courtsmartial  

         punishment