Picture courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Picture courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Picture courtesy of Jim Kuntz

The three towns of Arcadia, Ironton, and Pilot Knob are located in the Arcadia Valley. The valley's iron mining industry helped spur population growth and led the St. Louis & Iron Mt. Railroad to extend its tracks to Pilot Knob in 1858. The strategic nature of the railroad terminus and supply depot then situated in Pilot Knob explains the presence of Union Forces in the Valley during the Civil War and why the Battle of Pilot Knob was fought.

Selmons' Brigade riding in advance of the rebel army was first spotted at 1 P.M., by pickets here at the Russellville Junction. After the pickets had sounded the alarm, a cavalry rode here to verify the pickets report. Despite much shooting there were no casualties on either side.
This phase of the conflict ended at 2:30 P.M. when the Union Cavalry fled leaving the road to Ironton open to the Confederate advance.

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment