Mike and Roxanne travel east

Fort Scott Oct 30, 2007

Our next stop would be Fort Scott about 100 miles up the road in Kansas.

Fort Scott may not have had a long existence but it was certainly varied. The Fort was first built and garrisoned in 1842. From then until 1853 troops from this post helped keep peach on the Indian frontier.

From 1854 -1861 the years of 'Bleeding Kansas,' the fort was caught up in the violent struggle between 'free-soilers' and slave-holders. Then during the Civil War the post was reactivated and enlarged as an important supply center for Union armies in the West.

To help with the Indian frontier dragoons were based here. There acted as guards on the wagon trains on the Oregon and Santa Fe trails. Dragoons were specially trained troops just as capable as fighting on horseback as on foot.

During the Civil War Fort Scott was the garrison for the first group of black soldiers who eventually would be called Buffalo Soldiers.

The fort has largely fallen into disrepair when the Park service took it over. It has since seen steady restoration and reconstruction of many of the buildings. The former hospital is now the visitor Center and upstairs is a display on the hospital itself. Other buildings are the barracks, the stables, Officer's quarters, the guardhouse, quartermaster storehouse and several others. Many are open for inspection with exhibits inside; others are still in the process of being restored.

This is another park that letting the ground revert back to the original landscape. Here the tallgrass is allowed to grow with picnic area and trails.

We are staying in downtown Independence tonight at the Campus RV Park. We are about 6-8 blocks from the Truman home, which we will visit in the morning.