Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz

1. While the Confederates deploy. They put two cannons on Shepherds Mountain and begin to fire. Accurate return fire put both out of action.

2. General John S. Maraduke's Missouri Division streams down Shepherds Mountain. Rifle and artillery fire breaks the charge. The Confederates seek shelter in a creek bed.

3. McCray's and Slemon's Brigades of General James F. Fagan's Arkansas Division charge across Pilot Knob Mountain. They overwhelm the Federal Cavalry, capture Major Wilson, and then rush for the fort. They too are driven to shelter.

4. Dobbin's Mounted Confederate Brigade threatens the fort from the rear. Federals from the north rifle pit charge out and drive them off.

5. General William L. Cabell's Brigade of Fagan's Division advances up the gap between the mountains. They reach the fort in spite of intense fire and enter the fort's moat. Exploding hand grenades drive them out. Every attack fails. By night some 1,000 Confederates lie dead or wounded, more than 200 Federals are casualties.

6. After midnight, General Thomas Ewing evacuated the fort. His men march north between Confederate camps. About 3:30 a.m. volunteers blow up the powder magazine. General Sterling Price, in overall Confederate command, does not investigate until daylight.

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment