The Doomed Assault

As Confederates deployed, they placed two cannons on Shepherd Mountain and opened fire, but accurate return fire quickly put both guns out of action. Major General John S. Marmaduke’s Missouri division then streamed down Shepherd Mountain, where rifle and artillery fire broke its ranks and drove the men to shelter in a creek bed. Colonel Thomas McCray’s and Colonel William F. Slemmons’ brigades of Brigadier General James F. Fagan’s Arkansas division charged across Pilot Knob Mountain, overwhelmed the Federal cavalry, and rushed toward Fort Davidson, but they too were driven to cover. Colonel Archibald Dobbin’s Arkansas brigade threatened the fort from the rear until Federals from the north rifle pit charged out and drove them off. Brigadier General William L. Cabell’s brigade of Fagan’s division advanced up the gap, reached the fort despite intense fire, and entered the moat, but exploding hand grenades forced them back. Every attack failed, and by night some 1,000 Confederates were dead or wounded while more than 200 Federals were casualties. After midnight, Brigadier General Thomas Ewing evacuated the fort, and his men marched north between sleeping Confederate camps. At 3:30 a.m., volunteers blew up the fort’s powder magazine, and Major General Sterling Price did not investigate until daylight.

Pilot Knob, Missouri · United States