ABSTRACT
Everybody talks about sneak attacks, but at Fort Davidson, MO, it was a sneak retreat that saved the day. Confederate General Sterling Price was determined to capture Fort Davidson as he marched toward St. Louis. Price had a grand scheme of marching into St. Louis and taking over the huge armory. The Confederate soldiers attacked Fort Davidson on September 26, 1864. It was going to be an easy fight—the Confederates outnumbered the Union soldiers by nearly 10 to one. There were simply too many Confederate soldiers, but he was not about to surrender. Ewing had several Black civilians in his fort and he knew the Confederates would either kill them or enslave them. It would take a miracle and a daring plan to save the Union soldiers and civilians. Ewing received a personal thank the people from a grateful President Lincoln. His idea of a sneaky retreat had made headlines throughout the country and had totally embarrassed the Confederacy.
