Army Life: From a Soldier's Journal

XI. WE RETURN TO PILOT KNOB

CHAPTER XI. WE RETURN TO PILOT KNOB. It being plainly evident that the enemy would not remain for us to get within striking distance of him, and the object of our winter’s advance being accomplished by clearly demonstrating that the Union troops could at any time drive all rebel bands out of Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas, we were ordered to march back “nearer to supplies.” We started at eight o’clock Sunday, February eighth, and marched twenty miles to Barnesville. The next day we went six miles. After seeing his army fairly under way General Davidson left us to go to Pilot Knob and thence to St. Louis. Tuesday we marched fifteen miles and camped at Jack’s Forks. We have now left the scrub oak country, and reached one where the soil is strong enough to produce fine large trees. They are oak with some very good pine. There is a combined carding, saw and grist mill at this place. It is a small affair. There is, however, a grand water power here which, with an enterprising people occupying the surrounding county, would be very valuable. We layover at Jack’s Forks until the thirteenth, on which day we broke camp at eight in the morning and marched twelve miles. The next day our company was sent to guard the ammunition train. We went back two miles, met the train and then came forward with it six miles. Sunday, February fifteenth, we marched to within ten miles of Eminence. The rough and heavy roads have broken the mules up. A large number of oxen have been pressed into the service to help move our heavy wagons. The soldiers are in splendid health but many of them nearly barefooted. The rough mountain roads wear out shoe leather fast. A few days ago the raw hides of the beef cattle that were killed were ordered distributed for the soldiers to make something for them to walk in. But they are no good. The soldiers seem to succeed better in tying bark and pieces of wood to the bottom of their worn-out shoes. We reached Eminence at two o’clock Monday. Crossed the river and went four miles farther, before we camped for the night. We helped to drive the ox teams over the mountains. Had lots of fun. We now learned that we are to go to Pilot Knob. Company A of the Ninety-ninth Illinois is detailed to assist us in guarding the ammunition train - Army Life. 116 and to help drive the Missouri oxen up and down the hills. The next day we marched sixteen miles. The ammunition train being now safely out of reach of any strolling bands of the enemy we rejoined the regiment Wednesday morning and then marched twenty-one miles to Centerville. The next day we went twelve miles and camped near Lesterville. On Friday, February 20, 1863, we marched to our journey’s end and camped at Belleview Valley, near Pilot Knob. Lieutenant Norton, with his usual vim, had pushed ahead and when we camped he had the post commissary ready to issue us good rations including fresh bread instead of hard tack, so that we celebrated our arrival with a firstclass soldier’s supper which we were in condition to fully appreciate. A FEW DESCRIPTIONS. PILOT KNOB.—The greatest iron mountain in the world deserves a passing word. The first time I ever visited that mountain pile of iron ore known by the name of Pilot Knob was on Saturday, September 21, 1861, the day after the arrival of our regiment at the village of the same name. Since then I have visited it, climbed to its top and roamed over its sides a number of times. It did not appear as I had expected it to. There is nothing that we become acquainted with by name before seeing, that does when met, agree with the picture that imagination had created. I do not know why, but for some reason I was surprised to see trees growing not only upon the sides but also upon top of the mountain. As I found it, trees were growing all over it except the highest peak, which is perfectly bare. I had not formed any definite idea of its appearance but from what I had read I rather expected to see a huge, gigantic and barren pile of iron ore. Yet, I must confess that it is much more interesting as it is...