Barnesville's Post
Encyclopedia
Barnesville, located in Bourbon County, Kansas
, was the site of military camps for stretches of time during the American Civil War
. The first mention of a camp there came from a report written on September 4, 1861, by Sen. James Lane
. This was during the time Lane had evacuated Fort Scott
and moved his forces to areas north of that post. A post was established at Barnesville. Lane wrote to Capt. W. E. Prince, then commanding Fort Leavenworth
, "I am holding Barnesville . . . with an irregular force of about 250 men, stationed in log buildings, and am now strengthening their position with earth entrenchments."
At least until February 1862 troops remained. In October 1861 the 5th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry stayed at Camp Denver near Barnesville. In February the troops left.
George E. Flanders, in a letter home in February 1862 wrote that the men lived in tents during the winter and cleared out much timberland to use as firewood. He mentioned there was some guerrilla activity near camp.
For a time troops were absent at Barnesville, between about February 1862 and December 1863. At the latter date one or two companies of the 9th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry were stationed there. After February 1864 these troops were gone and the use of Barnesville's post ended.
Bourbon County, Kansas
Bourbon County is a county located in Southeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 15,173...
, was the site of military camps for stretches of time during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. The first mention of a camp there came from a report written on September 4, 1861, by Sen. James Lane
James Lane
James Lane may refer to:*James H. Lane , Kansas senator and U.S. Army general*James H. Lane , Confederate general* Jim Lane...
. This was during the time Lane had evacuated Fort Scott
Fort Scott
General Winfield Scott, former General-in-Chief of the U.S. Army, was the namesake for five places named Fort Scott:*Fort Scott, Kansas, a city that grew up around a military fort of the same name**Fort Scott National Historic Site...
and moved his forces to areas north of that post. A post was established at Barnesville. Lane wrote to Capt. W. E. Prince, then commanding Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is a United States Army facility located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, immediately north of the city of Leavenworth in the upper northeast portion of the state. It is the oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C. and has been in operation for over 180 years...
, "I am holding Barnesville . . . with an irregular force of about 250 men, stationed in log buildings, and am now strengthening their position with earth entrenchments."
At least until February 1862 troops remained. In October 1861 the 5th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry stayed at Camp Denver near Barnesville. In February the troops left.
George E. Flanders, in a letter home in February 1862 wrote that the men lived in tents during the winter and cleared out much timberland to use as firewood. He mentioned there was some guerrilla activity near camp.
For a time troops were absent at Barnesville, between about February 1862 and December 1863. At the latter date one or two companies of the 9th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry were stationed there. After February 1864 these troops were gone and the use of Barnesville's post ended.