In September and October 1864 , as deputy commander of the St. Louis district under William Rosecrans , Ewing played a major part in thwarting Sterling Price 's invasion of Missouri by commanding a successful defense at Fort Davidson at Pilot Knob , Missouri . His command of 1500 heavily outnumbered soldiers ( 900 effectives ) and a few black civilians fought off repeated attacks from a force of about 15,000 Confederates , buying additional time for the Union army to strengthen the defenses around St. Louis . Instead of surrendering , Ewing and his men successfully eluded Price 's force during the night and fought a fighting withdrawal to Rolla , Missouri . On February 23 , 1865 , Ewing resigned to return to civilian life , tendering his resignation directly to his good friend , the President , a month before Lincoln 's assassination . On February 24 , 1866 , President Andrew Johnson nominated Ewing for appointment to the brevet rank of major general of volunteers to rank from March 13 , 1865 and the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination on May 4 , 1866
Lincoln 's assassination
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Thomas Ewing Jr.