BATTLE SUMMARY
In September, a Confederate army under Maj. Gen. Sterling Price crossed into Missouri with the goal of capturing St. Louis. Price, heading north toward St. Louis, received word at Fredericktown of Union positions. Spies told him that 8,000 troops were encamped near St. Louis and ready to defend the city. He was also told that a garrison of 1,500 Union troops were at the nearby town of Pilot Knob. Price saw the chance of an easy victory.