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

Shepherd Mountain

Battle of Pilot Knob

— September 27, 1864, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. —

Photographed by Duane Hall, October 14, 2016

1. Battle of Pilot Knob — Shepherd Mountain Marker

Inscription. Skirmishes between Clark’s rebel brigade and the Union’s 14th Iowa were fought on Shepherd Mt. on the second day. Prior to the assault on Ft. Davidson two Rebel cannons were placed on the mountain, but, because of the accurate fire from Union artillery in the fort, they were ineffectual. During the assault on the fort Clark’s brigade anchored the left wing of the Confederate army at the base of Shepherd Mountain.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 27, 1864.

Location. 37° 36.824′ N, 90° 38.241′ W. Marker is in Pilot Knob, Missouri, in Iron County. It is on State Highway 21 0.3 miles south of S. McCune Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located at the northeast edge of the shopping center parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pilot Knob MO 63663, 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: Knob Creek (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Battle of Pilot Knob (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Powder Magazine (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Moat (approx. half a mile away); Pilot Knob Mountain (approx. half a mile away); The Fight for Ironton (approx. half a mile away); The Doomed Assault (approx. half a mile away); Fort Davidson (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pilot Knob.

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 #8 on the Battle of Pilot Knob Driving Tour.

Also see . . . Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site. Missouri State Parks website entry (Submitted on October 27, 2016.)

Photographed by Duane Hall, October 14, 2016

2. Battle of Pilot Knob — Shepherd Mountain Marker

Shepherd Mountain is visible in background

Shepherd Mountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 27, 2022

3. Shepherd Mountain

Looking past Fort Davidson (the "mound" covered with grass in the open field) towards Shepherd Mountain. While imposing, the rough terrain on the slopes of Shepherd Mountain slowed and disorganized the Confederate attackers on the Federal fort. The high ground also failed to provide the Confederate field artillery any advantage against the Federal's much heavier garrison cannon.

The Pilot Knob Gun image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 27, 2022

4. The Pilot Knob Gun

This 6-pdr field gun, on display at the Fort Davidson State Historic Site, is believed to be one of the two placed by Confederates on Shepherd Mountain during the battle. The cannon is a non-standard pre-war pattern. Likely it was manned during the battle by Captain H.C. Hynson's Texas Battery. With its carriage damaged by Federal solid shot, the 6-pdr was abandoned. Years after the war, loggers found the cannon on Shepherd's Mountain.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 714 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 27, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on November 13, 2022, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.