Fort Davidson

Fort Davidson was the site of the Battle of Fort Davidson during the American Civil War. The remains of the fort are the central feature of the Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site in Pilot Knob, Missouri. The fort bears the name of Brigadier General John Wynn Davidson, a United States general.[3] Fort Davidson was purchased by the state in 1968 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.[4] The site is managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.[5]

For the military conflict, see Battle of Fort Davidson.

Battle of Pilot Knob
State Historic Site
LocationPilot Knob, Iron County, Missouri, United States
Coordinates37°37′11″N 90°38′24″W
Area77.19 sq mi (199.9 km2)[1]
Established1968[2]
WebsiteBattle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site
Fort Davidson
Fort Davidson earthworks and moat
LocationPilot Knob, Missouri
Built1863
ArchitectDavidson, Gen. J.W.
NRHP reference No.70000332
Added to NRHPFebruary 26, 1970

Description

The earthworks of the fort are still generally intact, surrounding the huge hole that was caused when the fort's powder magazine was blown up. Following the battle, the Confederates held the field and were therefore responsible for burying the dead. One of the rifle pits was accordingly selected for use as a mass grave. Although the exact number of Confederate casualties is unknown, park historians estimate that total Southern casualties were approximately 1,000. This compares to 200 Union casualties, 28 of which were killed. The mass grave is now marked by a granite monument.[6]

Activities and amenities

A museum and interpretive center features a 25-minute film about the battle as well as a 15-minute audio-visual display of the battle in miniature. Displays include artifacts from the battle and from the Civil War in general.[5]

Battlefield preservation

The Civil War Trust (a division of the American Battlefield Trust) and its partners have acquired and preserved 41 acres (0.17 km2) of the Fort Davidson battlefield that are now part of the historic site.[7]

  • One side of Fort Davidson as seen today. The crater from the powder magazine blast is visible on the right. Pilot Knob is the hill at the back.

References
  1. "Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site: Data Sheet" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. November 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  2. "State Park Land Acquisition Summary". Missouri State Parks. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  3. "Iron County Place Names, 1928–1945". The State Historical Society of Missouri. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  4. "Fort Davidson". NPGallery. National Park Service. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  5. "Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  6. Charla A. Piggott (December 1969). "Fort Davidson" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form. Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved January 1, 2017. (includes 5 photographs from 1969)
  7. American Battlefield Trust "Saved Land" webpage. Accessed May 23, 2018.
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