Ewing’s Retreat Auto Tour

9/27/2025 | Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site | Pilot Knob, MO

Visitors to the site often ask questions about what happened after the Battle of Pilot Knob and the subsequent escape of the Union forces. The retreat from the fort has been of interest for a long time, and in 1995 a map was developed for people interested in learning more. This map has been available to the public ever since.

At this free event, you can follow interpreters along the route taken by the retreating Union forces and learn about the retreat and several points of interest along the way. The tour will travel the route from the historic site to Leasburg, stop for lunch at Onondaga Cave State Park, and return to the site via Highway 185. Each party will follow the lead car in procession.

Registration is required for this event. Those who can drive themselves or have someone to drive them should register by calling 573-546-3454 or by sending an email to Bryan.Bethel@dnr.mo.gov. Those who are interested in attending but are unable to drive themselves can ride in a 10-person van provided for this event. Anyone wanting to ride in the van should call 573-546-3454 to reserve a seat. All participants should bring their own lunch.

Tour schedule:

• 8:30 a.m. – Get organized and give participants maps and/or van assignments.
• 9 a.m. – Leave Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic site.
• 9:20 a.m. – Arrive at Caledonia. Stop at city hall on Webster Road to interpret the interaction between Shelby’s cavalry and Ewing’s command.
• 9:30 a.m. – Proceed to Palmer on Highway Z.
• 10 a.m. – Arrive at Palmer. Stop at Palmer Church and spring. Interpret the rest stop and the massacre of six militia men left at the town. Proceed to Palmer Cemetery; visit the graves of Civil War veterans.
• 10:30 a.m. – Proceed to Huzzah Conservation Area.
• 11:30 – Arrive at Huzzah Conservation Area. Stop at the shooting range parking lot to interpret the retreat up the Huzzah Valley into the town of Leasburg. Proceed to Leasburg.
• Noon – Arrive at Leasburg. Interpret battle and the relief from Union forces arriving from Rolla.
• 12:30 p.m. – Proceed to Onondaga Cave State Park.
• 1-2 p.m. – Eat lunch at Onondaga Cave State Park. (Only picnic tables and restrooms will be available at this stop.)
• 2 p.m. – Proceed to Potosi via Highway 185.
• 2:40 p.m. – Arrive at Potosi. Stop at the Walmart parking lot and interpret the activities of General Shelby in Potosi as the battle was going on in Pilot Knob. Return to Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site.
• 3:30-4 p.m. – Arrive at Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site and end the program.

Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site is located at: