Lawrence blockhouses facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lawrence blockhouses |
|
|---|---|
| Lawrence, Kansas | |
| Type | local militia blockhouses |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Lawrence militia |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1864 |
| In use | May 1864 - about April 1865 |
| Materials | wood |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | same |
The Lawrence blockhouses were strong wooden buildings. They were built in Lawrence, Kansas, in the spring of 1864. These blockhouses were made to protect the town. They helped defend against attacks from Confederate guerrillas.
About a year before, on August 21, 1863, a group of 400 guerrillas attacked Lawrence. This group was led by William C. Quantrill. The town of Lawrence had very few ways to defend itself. A large part of the town was destroyed during this attack. Many people, about 180 men and boys, lost their lives. After this terrible event, a local defense group called a militia was formed. By the spring of 1864, this militia was ready to act. Their main goal was to stop another attack from happening.
Contents
Building the Blockhouses
By May 1864, five blockhouses were built. These buildings were made from strong logs. Each blockhouse had small openings called port holes. These holes allowed people inside to aim their rifles safely at enemies outside. Each blockhouse had a group from the local militia assigned to it. These groups would stay there to guard the town.
Where Were They Built?
We do not know the exact location of all five blockhouses. One was somewhere in the western part of Lawrence. Two others might have been built a bit further away from the main town.
However, we do know the exact spots for two of the blockhouses:
- Blockhouse at Massachusetts and Winthrop (which is now 7th Street) - 38°58′17″N 95°14′10″W / 38.9713°N 95.2360°W
- Blockhouse at Massachusetts and Berkley (which is now 10th Street) - 38°57′57″N 95°14′09″W / 38.9657°N 95.2359°W
Guarding Lawrence
People like Cordley and Ridenour, who wrote about the time, said that militia members stayed at each blockhouse every night. This was part of their duty to protect the town.
A New Threat in 1864
In late October 1864, towns in Kansas became worried. A Confederate general named Sterling Price was moving his army. He was getting very close to Kansas City from the east. Because of this new danger, three of Lawrence's five militia groups were sent to the front lines. This left only two groups to stay at the blockhouses and guard Lawrence.
On October 23, the people of Lawrence heard bad news. The Union army, which was fighting General Price, had been defeated. It seemed like nothing could stop the Confederates from reaching Lawrence. But later that same day, good news arrived. General Price's men had been hurt in battle, and they were now moving south, away from Kansas.
The two militia groups continued to guard the blockhouses for about two more weeks. The other three groups were busy following the retreating Confederate army.
End of Duty
The nightly guard duty and the use of the blockhouses continued. This went on until the American Civil War finally ended. After the war was over, there was no longer a need for the blockhouses. They were not mentioned again in historical records.
