Fort Wyman facts for kids
Fort Wyman was a special kind of fort built during the American Civil War. It was made of earth and dirt, not stone, and was located near Rolla, Missouri. The Union Army built it to protect an important area during the war. Even though it never saw a big battle, Fort Wyman played a key role in helping the Union keep control of Missouri.
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Fort Wyman: A Civil War Stronghold
This fort was named after Colonel John B. Wyman. It was built on top of a hill, about a mile from the courthouse in Rolla. The fort was shaped like a rectangle and had a dry ditch, called a moat, all around it. Powerful cannons were placed at each corner of the fort. These cannons were ready to defend Rolla from any attacks coming from the south.
Why Rolla Was Important
Rolla was a very important town during the Civil War. General Franz Sigel and his Union soldiers took control of Rolla on June 12, 1861. From that day on, the Union Army kept Rolla safe. President Abraham Lincoln himself gave an order: "By all means hold Rolla."
Rolla was important because it was the furthest west supply center for the Union Army in Southern Missouri. It was also at the end of the Pacific Railroad line at that time. This made it a key spot for moving soldiers and supplies.
Building the Fort
After the Union Army lost the Battle of Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861, they moved back to Rolla. That's when they started building Fort Wyman. Soldiers were sent out from Rolla in all directions. They brought back people who were against the Union. These people were made to help clear the land around the fort. They used tools like axes, shovels, picks, and saws to remove trees and bushes. This hard work helped make the area ready for the fort's construction.
The Big Guns of Fort Wyman
Four very large cannons arrived by train to be placed at the fort. These cannons were called "32-pounders" because of the weight of the cannonball they fired. Each of these huge guns needed a team of ten mules to pull it from the train station to the fort. This difficult task was completed on August 18, 1861. The cannons were only fired for practice, never in a real battle.
Fort Wyman's Role
Fort Wyman became a strong Union base in the Midwest. Even though it never saw actual fighting, it was very important. It helped train Union soldiers and provided a safe place for them. The fort's presence and the soldiers it trained helped keep Missouri under Union control throughout the Civil War.
