Arcadia in Iron County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Russellville Junction

Battle of Pilot Knob

— September 26, 1864, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. —

Photographed by Duane Hall, October 14, 2016

1. Battle of Pilot Knob — Russellville Junction Marker

Inscription. Slemons’ 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 patrol 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.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 26, 1864.

Location. 37° 35.324′ N, 90° 37.088′ W. Marker is in Arcadia, Missouri, in Iron County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 72 and Thompson Road, on the left when traveling west on State Highway 72. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Arcadia MO 63621, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Missouri. It is also in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Arcadia Valley (here, next to this marker); Fort Curtis (approx. half a mile away); General Grant Commission Commemorative (approx. ¾ mile away); War In The Arcadia Valley (approx. 0.8 miles away); Battle of Pilot Knob (approx. 0.8 miles away); Iron County Courthouse (approx. 0.8 miles away); VFW Post 5527 Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Iron County - The "Birthplace of 4-H" in Missouri (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arcadia.

More about this marker.

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The marker is one of 16 Missouri red granite historical markers interpreting the Battle of Pilot Knob and is Marker #3 on the Battle of Pilot Knob Driving Tour.

Also see . . . Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site Map. Missouri State Parks website entry (Submitted on October 26, 2016.)

The Arcadia Valley and Russellville Junction Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, October 14, 2016

2. The Arcadia Valley and Russellville Junction Markers

Markers Near the Russellville Junction image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, October 14, 2016

3. Markers Near the Russellville Junction

Russelville Junction Today image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 27, 2022

4. Russelville Junction Today

On the left side of this view is the Fredericktown Road. Just beyond the rise and further to the left is Russellville Road (just a remnant that does not pas all the way to Ironton, as it did in 1864). On the afternoon of September 26, 1864, seven men from Company H, 47th Missouri Infantry manned a picket post near this location. These forces reported the approach of Confederates on the Fredericktown Road.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 509 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 26, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 4. submitted on November 12, 2022, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.