Every third year a full-scale reenactment of the Battle of Pilot Knob is staged, attracting tens of thousands of spectators to Pilot Knob. If you are a history buff and like your history unvarnished, this is the right place for you.
The towns of Pilot Knob, Ironton, and Arcadia were of strategic importance as the southern terminus of the St. Louis & Iron Mountain Railroad. Union soldiers occupied Pilot Knob, the Arcadia Valley Region, and Black River area throughout the War. Fort Davidson, the target of the Battle of Pilot Knob in 1864, is a hexagonal earthwork constructed by the Union Army and stands 300 yards from the base of Pilot Knob Mountain.
The Southern Rebels line up for the attack.
The state of Missouri withstood more than 1,000 clashes during the great Civil War. Only Virginia and Tennessee can lay claim to more. On the afternoon of September 27, 1864, the peaceful, picturesque Arcadia Valley was witness to one of the bloodiest battles of entire War. In the brief span of 20 minutes, more than 1,000 officers and men lay wounded at the foot of Pilot Knob Mountain.
Many reenactors are all-in. They even stay and live in 100% authentic tents and campsites.
Fort Davidson State Historic Site serves as a memorial to those who gave their lives on the battlefield and the Visitor's Center provides detailed information about the battle through the use of artifacts, a diorama, and film. Additionally, a self-guided driving tour around the towns of Arcadia, Ironton, and Pilot Knob, directs visitors to some of the most significant points on the battlefields. Each stop is marked by a red granite monument.
Visitors come to learn about history from all over the state and elsewhere. It's very cool when the cannons shoot.
Today, the battle area and a museum are operated by the Missouri State Parks system as "Fort Davidson State Historic Site." The earthworks of the fort are still generally intact, surrounding the huge hole that was caused by the powder explosion.
Today, the battle area and a museum are operated by the Missouri State Parks system as "Fort Davidson State Historic Site." The earthworks of the fort are still generally intact, surrounding the huge hole that was caused by the powder explosion. Following the battle, the Confederates retained the field and were therefore responsible for burying the dead. The rifle pits were accordingly selected for use as a mass grave. Although the exact number of Confederate casualties is unknown, park historians estimate that total Southern losses were approximately 1,000 compared to 200 Union casualties, 28 of whom were killed. A granite monument now marks the mass grave. The site is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The idea is historical accuracy from head to toe: period correct shoes, socks, headwear, and everything in-between, including working rifles.
This year's reenactment ran for two days with period vendors, foods, and a battle reenactment. To say the reenactors take this seriously would be an understatement. The idea is historical accuracy from head to toe: period correct shoes, socks, headwear, and everything in-between, including working rifles. When the battle starts, they use live five, no bullets of course, and live firing cannons. The sound and smoke consume the spectators. The cavalry charges in with horseback swore play, the infantry marches in and both sides, the North and South, begin to fire, and the actors start to fall. The battle rages for approximately 15 minutes.
As a reenactor, you need an authentic tin-type photograph—we found just the guy to do it.
Wet-plate photography was used until dry plates became available in the 1880s.
Frederick Scott Archer developed the process in 1851, and it became a popular and inexpensive method of making pictures. When the War between the States broke out, soldiers wanted their images made so that they could send them home, and the tintypes proved to be the perfect medium.
Bruce Schultz is the man behind the camera. His camera is an 1850s model, and the lens is actually from that era. It’s the same rig Civil War era photographers used for making tintypes during the actual Civil War.
The wet plate is coated with a gelatinous substance called collodion. Different chemicals such as bromides and iodides are mixed into the collodion. The plate is dipped into a bath of silver nitrate for 3 minutes, making the collodion surface light-sensitive.
After the plate is removed from the silver bath, it is placed wet in a film holder. The photograph must be taken while the plate remains wet, which means there is only a 3-5 minute window of time to make the image, then develop it on site.
Wet plate photography is part art, part alchemy...
Wet plate photography is part art, part alchemy, a time-consuming process that requires blackened metal plates, silver nitrate, and a thick syrupy liquid called collodion. It takes about half an hour to shoot and develop a single photograph. They are one of a kind and super cool.
I collected my faithful assistant and a model, and off we went to find a period photographer to help with testing for our upcoming film, The Spring, will be a period film set in 1870—a supernatural thriller all filmed right here in the 573. You can learn more about The Spring at www.motiondogfilms.com. We will begin casting very soon, so sign up for our 573 Magazine Updates for, you guessed it, updates.
Bruce Schultz is the man behind the camera. His camera is an 1850s model, and the lens is actually from that era. It’s the same rig Civil War era photographers used for making tintypes during the actual Civil War. Nothing is left to chance—his work and materials are as authentic as possible, down to the boots on his feet and the glasses on his face.
Learn more about Bruce and his photography at www.tintypesforever.com
His camera is an 1850s model, and the lens is actually from that era. It’s the same rig Civil War era photographers used for making tintypes during the actual Civil War.
The wet plate is coated with a gelatinous substance called collodion. Different chemicals such as bromides and iodides are mixed into the collodion. The plate is dipped into a bath of silver nitrate for 3 minutes, making the collodion surface light-sensitive.
In the film, there is an evil 19th Century photographer— thankfully, Bruce was very nice to all of us.
This image was styled after the Aesthetics Art Movement of the late 19th Century.
Like the Civil War, don’t like the Civil War...confused about history and what you should like or know about it—yeah, I know it sucks, but get out there and see the world and live your life. If you don’t see and learn things, even if they were bad places in history, they are still our history. The greatest part of being an American is the way we are always improving ourselves. So get out there and soak it up!
The editor
Model Skyler Gollaher
Styled by AJ Koehler
Pics by T. Smugala
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