Fort Davidson, MO

Date(s): September 27, 1864

Location: Please click on link below for map.

Campaign(s): Price’s Missouri Expedition [1864]

Battles in Campaign:

• Fort Davidson, MO - September 27, 1864 B

• Glasgow, MO - October 15, 1864 C¹

• Lexington, MO II - October 19, 1864 D¹

• Little Blue River, MO - October 21, 1864 D¹

• Independence, MO II - October 22, 1864 C¹

• Byram's Ford, MO - October 22, 1864 B

• Westport, MO - October 23, 1864 A

• Marais des Cygnes, KS - October 25, 1864 C¹

• Marmiton River, MO - October 25, 1864 D¹

• Mine Creek, KS - October 25, 1864 C¹

• Newtonia II, MO - October 28, 1864 B

Situation:

Commanders:

• Union: Brig. Gen. Thomas Ewing, Jr.

• Confederate: Maj. Gen. Sterling Price

Principal Forces:

• Union: Garrison

• Confederate: Army of Missouri

Description:

• In September 1864, a Confederate army under Maj. Gen. Sterling Price crossed into Missouri with the goal of capturing St. Louis.

• Union Brig. Gen. Thomas Ewing moved with reinforcements down the railroad to Ironton to retard Price’s advance.

• On the morning of September 27, the Confederates attacked, driving the Federals back into their defenses anchored by Fort Davidson.

• In the late afternoon, Price unsuccessfully assaulted the fort repeatedly, suffering heavy casualties.

• Price, considering the possible time involved, had dismissed the possibility of mounting guns on the high ground to compel the fort to surrender or to shell the garrison into submission.

• During the night, the Federals evacuated the fort.

• Price had paid a high price in lives and gave Union forces the necessary time to concentrate and oppose his raid.

Slide Presentation: None

Classification²: B

Casualties³:

• Union: 184

• Confederate: 1,500

Results: Union Victory

Battlefield Websites:

• Battle of Fort Davidson

• Fort Davidson State Historic Site

• Armored Plan of Fort Davidson at Pilot Knob, Mo.

Recommended Resources:

¹ National Park Service summary.

² Classification:

• A - having a decisive influence on a campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war

• B - having a direct and decisive influence on their campaign

• C - having observable influence on the outcome of a campaign

• D - having a limited influence on the outcome of their campaign or operation but achieving or affecting important local objectives

³ Casualties are someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.

Revised 06/05/2008