Fort Henning facts for kids
Fort Henning was a small but important fort built in Kansas during the American Civil War. It was constructed in the spring and summer of 1864 to help protect the city and military base of Fort Scott. Fort Henning was located right in the middle of Fort Scott, at the corner of Second and National Streets.
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Fort Henning: A Civil War Stronghold
What Was Fort Henning?
Fort Henning was one of three special forts, called blockhouses, built to defend Fort Scott. The other two were Fort Blair and Fort Insley. Fort Henning was the smallest of these three forts. It had eight sides, like an octagon, and measured about 14 feet across.
How Was It Built?
Fort Henning was built to be very strong. The main part of the fort, the blockhouse, was made of rough wooden planks. It had a shingle roof to keep out the rain. The fort stood two stories tall. Both floors had openings, called ports, where soldiers could fire cannons or rifles at any attackers.
Around Fort Henning, and the other two blockhouses, were strong defenses. These included tall fences made of logs, called palisades. Outside these log fences, there were piles of earth, known as earthworks, to add extra protection. Beyond the earthworks, wide and deep ditches were dug to make it even harder for enemies to get close.
Why Was It Important?
Fort Henning, along with Forts Blair and Insley, played a role in guarding Fort Scott during the Civil War. In October 1864, a large group of Confederate soldiers led by Major General Sterling Price came near Fort Scott. This was part of a big attack known as Price's Missouri Raid, which was a failed attempt to take control of parts of Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas. The blockhouses helped keep Fort Scott safe during this time.
What Happened Next?
After the American Civil War ended in 1865, Fort Henning and Fort Insley were taken down. The military base at Fort Scott itself closed in October 1865. Even though it was small, Fort Henning was an important part of Fort Scott's defenses during a challenging time in American history.
