Salina Stockade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Salina Stockade |
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|---|---|
| Salina, Kansas | |
| Coordinates | 38°50′27″N 97°36′36″W / 38.8407°N 97.6101°W |
| Type | U.S. Army post, local militia post |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | various Army units from Kansas, local militia |
| Site history | |
| Built | May—June 1864 |
| In use | May 1864—June 1865 |
| Materials | wood |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders |
various, including Lieut. John M. Clark, Capt. Henry Booth, First Lieut. Jacob Van Antwerp, Capt. Elisha Hammer |
| Garrison | same |
The Salina Stockade was a special fort built in Salina, Kansas. It was made to protect the people living there from conflicts with some Native American groups in the area. In 1862, Salina had been attacked by Native Americans and also by soldiers from the Confederacy during the American Civil War. Because of these attacks, the people of Salina decided in May 1864 that they needed a strong defense.
On May 17, 1864, they quickly put together a temporary fort. They used wagons placed in a circle around the town's flagpole. Local volunteer soldiers, called the militia, then guarded Salina. Soon after, a permanent stockade was built around a small building at the corner of 7th Street and Iron Avenue. This stronger fort was finished in May and June of 1864.
Building the Salina Stockade
The construction of the permanent stockade started on May 29, 1864. It was shaped like an oval and measured about 100 feet (30 meters) by 125 feet (38 meters). The walls were made from large logs. These logs were 18 feet (5.5 meters) long and were buried 3 feet (0.9 meters) deep into the ground.
Small openings called Portholes were cut into the walls. These holes allowed the defenders to shoot at anyone trying to attack the stockade. A very strong gate was placed at the southeast corner for entry and exit. The entire construction of this important fort was completed by June 8, 1864.
Life at the Stockade
Right after the stockade was finished in June 1864, soldiers arrived to guard it. The commander of Fort Riley sent 25 troops, led by Lieutenant John M. Clark, to live and work at the Salina Stockade.
In July, Captain Henry Booth took over as the commander in Salina. He brought an artillery piece, which is a type of large gun, to help defend the fort. While Captain Booth was in charge, he helped local settlers and friendly Native American groups. They sometimes had conflicts with other Native American groups who were against white settlers moving into the area. These conflicts continued in the region until at least the end of the Civil War. From October 1864 to March 1865, Captain Elisha Hammer commanded the post in Salina.
The building inside the stockade was used for more than just military purposes. In September 1864, it was changed and opened as Salina's very first public school! The school year lasted until March 1865. It's likely that the building continued to be used as a school until at least June 1865.
The soldiers stayed at the Salina Stockade until March 1865, when they were moved somewhere else. On June 20, 1865, there was an order to send a group of soldiers from the 15th Kansas Cavalry to Salina. However, it's not clear if these soldiers actually arrived and stayed at the stockade. The Salina Stockade played an important role in protecting the early settlers of Salina during a time of conflict.
