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Fort Davidson - Battle of Pilot Knob Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

*gln: [b][green] ARCHIVING Disabled cache. [/b][/green]

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Greetings,

It has been a while since I first looked at this cache. I can't find any recent responses about maintaining this cache so for the time being it will be archived and removed from the active cache listings. We are no longer leaving caches stay disabled for extended periods of time.

Groundspeak and the geocaching community appreciate your contributions to geocaching and I hope to see this cache back in operation soon.

If you can get it back up and running in the next week or so contact me to get it re-listed. Otherwise plan to move it slightly and set up a new cache page.

[B][green]Most problems can be solved with good communication so reply back to the reviewer and we will do everything possible within the guidelines to get your cache published. It is best to give me as much information as possible instead of saying nothing at all. This will speed up the process and we can get your cache published. [/green][/b]

Glenn

"Seek quality, not quantity".

Your friendly Missouri Geocache Review team is
Glenn (*gln), & Mongo

How to get your cache published quickly: http://tinyurl.com/yhnva3g

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Hidden : 2/10/2004
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

On the flank of the historic Pilot Knob iron deposit.

Today, the Arcadia Valley in Iron County is a peaceful setting in one of Missouri's most scenic areas. But in 1864, it was the scene of one of the largest and most hard-fought battles waged on the state's soil - the Battle of Pilot Knob.

Confederate Maj. Gen. Sterling Price invaded Missouri from Arkansas, leading an army of 12,000 men. On Sept. 26-27, 1864, while en route to the St. Louis area, Price attacked the weakly defended Union post of Fort Davidson at Pilot Knob. This proved to be a mistake. Fort Davidson was defended by a garrison of 1,450 men led by Gen. Thomas Ewing Jr., the brother-in-law of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman. The Confederates lost nearly 1,000 men in attacking the small earthen fort and its 11 cannons.

Fort Davidson State Historic Site preserves Fort Davidson and the Pilot Knob battlefield where so many Confederate and Union soldiers lost their lives. A visitor center interprets the battle and Maj. Gen. Price's raid. It features exhibits, a research library, an audiovisual presentation and a fiber optics diorama of the battle. The nearby playground and picnic area make Fort Davidson State Historic Site an ideal place to get away with the family.

This cache is located on DNR property about 2600 ft ESE (108 deg) from the archeologically sensitive fort. You’re looking for an ammo box. You might want to park near N37° 37.032', W90° 38.055' and walk to cache.

There’s a nice view of the Arcadia Valley from the cache. Looking across at Sheperd Mountain reminds me that someone tried to turn it into a ski resort (yeah, snow, not water) back in the early 1980s. It had everything going for it -- except snow. If you know where to look you can see remnants of the old chair lift.

Directions From St. Louis

Take I-55 south out of St. Louis to U.S. Hwy 67, just south of the Festus (Route A) exit. Turn right (Exit 174) onto southbound U.S. Hwy 67 and drive past Bonne Terre, Park Hills, Leadington and into Farmington. On the south side of Farmington is the Route W overpass. Exit onto Route W. Travel on Route W for nine miles to Route V; turn left. Travel nine miles on Route V to the town of Pilot Knob. Cross under a railroad bridge at the entrance to town. The historic site is on the left. The trip is about one and one half hours long.

For more information about Fort Davidson, plus links to lots of other great places to hike, camp and float while you’re in the area, go to:
(visit link)

BTW, there are quite a few caches nearby. Some easy, some quite challenging, all beautiful.

** Permission was granted and hiding place provided by the park supervisor **

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ng onfr bs guerr gerrf; haqre frireny oynpx ebpxf.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)