Fort Davidson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fort Davidson Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site
Fort Davidson Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site Location in Missouri
Location	Pilot Knob, Iron County, Missouri, United States
Area	77.4 acres (31.3 ha)
Established	1968
Visitors	139,425 (in 2019)
Website	Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site
Fort Davidson
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Fort Davidson earthworks and moat
Location	Pilot Knob, Missouri
Area	9.9 acres (4.0 ha)
Built	1863
Architect	John Wynn Davidson
NRHP reference No.	70000332
Added to NRHP	February 26, 1970

Fort Davidson is a historic fort located near Pilot Knob, Missouri. It was a very important place during the American Civil War. Union soldiers built the fort in 1863 to protect key areas.

On September 27, 1864, the fort faced a big attack. Confederate soldiers tried to capture it during a campaign called Price's Raid. The Union defenders fought bravely and stopped the attacks. That night, the Union soldiers blew up the fort's ammunition storage and left.

Today, Fort Davidson is part of the Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site. This park was created in 1968. You can still see the fort's walls and the large crater from the explosion. There's also a museum with interesting items from the battle.

Fort Davidson: A Civil War Story

Fort Davidson is located in a flat area near Pilot Knob, Missouri. It sits between four mountains: Pilot Knob, Shepherd Mountain, Rock Mountain, and Cedar Hill. Before Fort Davidson, there was an older fort called Fort Curtis. It was built in 1861 by Union soldiers.

Fort Curtis had several cannons, but its location wasn't ideal. It couldn't easily protect the important local iron mines and a nearby railroad. So, in 1863, Union soldiers built Fort Davidson. It was placed closer to the base of Pilot Knob to better guard these valuable resources.

Building a Stronghold: Fort Davidson's History

Fort Davidson was designed in a six-sided shape, like a hexagon. Its walls were made of earth. Historians have slightly different ideas about the exact size of the walls. Some say they were about 100 feet long, while others say 150 feet. The walls were either 5 or 9 feet high.

The fort also had two trenches, called rifle pits, for soldiers to hide in. One was to the north, and the other to the southwest. The fort's magazine, where ammunition was stored, was underground. It had about 15 feet of dirt and wood planks for protection.

What Fort Davidson Looked Like

Around the fort was a wide moat, like a ditch filled with water. This moat was about 10 feet wide. Its depth varied, with estimates ranging from 6 to 8 feet deep. The fort was named after John Wynn Davidson, a Union general who commanded troops in the area in 1862.

The Battle of Pilot Knob: A Fierce Fight

In September 1864, Confederate Major General Sterling Price led his army into Missouri. His goal was to capture St. Louis and challenge Union control. This campaign was known as Price's Raid. On September 24, Price learned about a Union force at Pilot Knob. This town was important because it was at one end of a railroad line.

Price didn't want Union soldiers behind his army. So, he decided to attack Pilot Knob. The Union force there had about 1,456 soldiers, including some local militia and civilians. Their commander was Brigadier General Thomas Ewing Jr.. Price sent part of his army to cut off the railroad. The rest of his army aimed for the town itself.

The Attack and the Escape

On the morning of September 27, Confederate troops pushed Union guards back. Artillery fire from Fort Davidson stopped the Confederate advance. General Ewing moved most of his men inside Fort Davidson. That afternoon, the Confederates tried to place cannons on Shepherd Mountain. But the Union guns in the fort drove them away.

Price planned a big attack from many directions. However, his units didn't attack at the same time. This allowed the Union defenders to fight them off one by one. Few Confederates even reached the fort's moat. Those who did could not get over the walls. Price stopped the attacks for the day, planning to try again tomorrow.

But that night, the Union defenders quietly left the fort. They blew up the magazine as they went. Confederate soldiers who were supposed to be watching the escape route didn't notice them leave. The Union side had 213 casualties. The Confederates lost between 800 and 1,000 men. Confederate soldiers buried the dead in a mass grave at the site.

Visiting Fort Davidson Today: A Historic Site

After the Civil War ended in 1865, a mining company used the fort area for animals. Union veterans held meetings at the fort to remember the battle. In 1905, a local group bought Fort Davidson. They tried to make it a national battlefield, but it didn't happen.

Eventually, the land went to General Ewing's son, Thomas. He later gave it to the United States Forest Service. In 1968, the Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site became part of the Missouri State Parks system. The fort was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. The state of Missouri took full control of the site in 1987.

Exploring the Park and Museum

Today, you can visit the ruins of Fort Davidson. The fort's earthen walls are still visible. You can also see the large crater where the magazine exploded. A granite monument marks the mass grave. It has a message about letting past conflicts be forgotten.

The state park has a visitor center and museum. Construction for the museum started in 1991. Inside, you'll find a research library and artifacts like General Ewing's sword. There's also a special fiber optic display that shows how the battle happened. The park also has a playground, picnic area, and walking trails.

The park covers about 77.4 acres. It has several buildings and miles of trails. In 2019, over 139,000 people visited the park. The American Battlefield Trust has helped protect 41 acres at the site. Archeologists have found old bullets and other military items there.

Images for kids

• 

  Fort Davidson State Historic Site

• 

  Fort Davidson earthworks and moat