Liberty Arsenal facts for kids
The Liberty Arsenal was a special storage place for weapons used by the United States Army. It was located in Liberty, Missouri, in Clay County, Missouri. This important army depot was taken over twice by groups who supported slavery. The first time was in 1855, during a period called "Bleeding Kansas." The second time was in 1861, right at the start of the American Civil War.
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Building the Arsenal: A New Army Base
On July 2, 1836, President Andrew Jackson signed a law to build an arsenal. This new army base would be on the western edge of Missouri. By June 30, 1837, the government bought ten acres of land near Liberty.
The construction of the arsenal finished in 1839. By September 30, 1841, the War Department reported what was there. The arsenal had buildings for officers and soldiers. It also had a storehouse, a place for gunpowder (called a magazine), workshops, and an armory. There were even sheds for guns and two laboratories. Building the Liberty Arsenal cost about $26,435.96.
Bleeding Kansas: A Fight Over Freedom
The time known as "Bleeding Kansas" was a period of violence. People argued and fought over whether Kansas would allow slavery or be a free state. People from Clay County, Missouri, who supported slavery, often went into Kansas. They voted in elections there and even joined armed groups. These groups fought against those who wanted Kansas to be a free state.
First Seizure: The Wakarusa War
On December 4, 1855, during a conflict called the "Wakarusa War," something big happened. More than 100 armed volunteers from Clay County took over the arsenal. These pro-slavery forces were led by Judge James Turner Vance Thompson and Major Ebenezer Price.
The person in charge of the arsenal, U.S. Major Luther Leonard, and his six workers were arrested. The attackers then took many weapons and supplies. The arsenal had three brass cannons, 55 rifles, and 67 cavalry swords. It also held 100 pistols, 20 Colt revolvers, and lots of ammunition.
Getting the Weapons Back
A few days later, on December 10, 1855, Captain William N. R. Beall arrived. He was from the 1st U.S. Cavalry and brought his soldiers. His goal was to stop more raids and get back the stolen items.
The "Wakarusa War" had just ended with a peace agreement. Captain Beall talked with important local citizens. Because of these talks, most of the stolen weapons and supplies were returned to the arsenal.
American Civil War: A Nation Divided
After some states left the Union, Missouri held a special meeting in 1861. On March 21, 1861, Missouri voted to stay in the Union. However, they also decided not to send soldiers or money to either side of the conflict. The Civil War officially began on April 12, 1861, when shots were fired at Fort Sumter.
Second Seizure: The "Missouri Fort Sumter"
People in western Missouri who strongly supported the Southern states again wanted the Liberty Arsenal. On April 20, 1861, a large group of about 200 men forced their way into the arsenal. This group included militia from Clay County, led by Colonel Henry Lewis Routt, and militia from Jackson County, Missouri, led by Captain John H. McMurray.
Major Nathaniel Grant, who was the caretaker of the arsenal, had only two employees. He could not stop the takeover. This event was sometimes called the "Missouri Fort Sumter." After this, the St. Louis Arsenal was the only other federal army depot left in Missouri.
What Was Taken and Where It Went
The Southern supporters took many valuable items from the arsenal. They captured three brass cannons and their carriages. They also took 12 iron cannons, one smaller iron cannon, and other artillery equipment. Hundreds of rounds of cannon ammunition were seized too.
They also took 1,180 muskets, 243 rifles, and 121 carbines. In addition, they got 923 pistols, 419 cavalry swords, and 20 musketoons. A huge amount of ammunition was taken, including 400,000 cartridges. They also seized 1,000 pounds of cannon powder and over 11,000 pounds of musket and rifle powder. While this was a lot, it was much less than the weapons kept at the St. Louis Arsenal.
A part of the group stayed at the arsenal for a week to move everything out. Some weapons were taken to Colonel Routt's home. His ice-house was used to give weapons to Missouri soldiers. The brass cannons became part of Captain Henry Guibor's State Guard battery. The barrels of gunpowder were hidden around the countryside. Some weapons were even sent upriver to the mayor of St. Joseph, Missouri, M. Jeff Thompson.
Union Response
Union Captain Nathaniel Lyon was worried that the much larger St. Louis Arsenal might also be taken. So, he secured the St. Louis Arsenal on April 29. In May, he started sending most of its weapons and supplies to Illinois. This moved them out of reach of those who supported the Southern states in Missouri.
Captain O.P. Moss, a veteran of the Mexican–American War, led the Unionist Liberty Home Guards. This group was formed just a few days after the second seizure. Captain Moss compared the takeover of the Liberty Arsenal to another famous event. He said, "Col. Routt had no more right to capture the Liberty Arsenal... than John Brown had to seize the one at Harper's Ferry."
Closure and Historical Marker
Major Grant continued to be the caretaker of the arsenal until it was sold in 1869. This sale happened because of a law passed by Congress on July 25, 1868.
On October 6, 2012, a special historical marker was placed near where the arsenal once stood. It is at the highway intersection. None of the original buildings are left today, and the land is now privately owned.
Images for kids
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"Old Sacramento Cannon" captured by U.S. during the Mexican–American War in 1847 and taken to the Liberty Arsenal. The cannon was seized by pro-slavery forces in 1856 and fired during the Sacking of Lawrence in 1856. The cannon was damaged in 1896 when it was loaded with clay and straw and fired.
