GUARDIANS OF THE SANTA FE TRAIL

THE SOLDIERS OF FT. LARNED, KANSAS

1859 to 1878

The soldiers who died and were buried at Ft. Larned are now relocated in graves marked “Unknown Soldier” at the National Cemetery at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Their graves are in Section B, graves 2136 to 2200. The saddest part of this is that we do have records that show who died and were buried at Ft. Larned. Can we know exactly who is in which grave? No, but we can list here for you the names of those brave soldiers who gave their lives protecting others on the Santa Fe Trail.

Most of these deaths were not from Indian fighting, but from accidents, cholera, dysentery and other injuries. Alcohol intoxication was common and there were whiskey ranches and houses of prostitution nearby that spread venereal diseases. Illnesses and injuries were a constant threat to the army and many health problems resulted from the crowded and poorly ventilated quarters. Respiratory illnesses, unsanitary water induced diarrhea and fevers, mosquitoes that carried illness and inadequate bathing facilities contributed to boils and other infections.

In 1867 a cholera epidemic was widespread and although there were 15 reported cases and 6 deaths, only one of those deaths was a soldier. There was also a death from a rabid wolf bite.

Ft. Larned is located on the Santa Fe Trail near Pawnee Fork River, 7 miles west of Larned, Kansas. The fort was established in 1859 and was originally called camp on Pawnee Fork. In February 1860 it was renamed Camp Alert. On May 2, 1860 they renamed it Ft. Larned to honor the paymaster general, Colonel Benjamin Larned.

The soldiers of Ft. Larned offered protection for the U.S. Postal Service mail trains and trail commerce. They were also the principle annuity distribution point for the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, Comanche and Apache Indians. Although mounted troops were often not available, both life and property on the Santa Fe Trail were in danger from Indian raids and the soldier escorts were invaluable. Their presence made a significant contribution to the safe passage of many people and their goods. Ft. Larned was a peacemaker.

During the Civil War most officers were not regular army, but members of state volunteer regiments. The garrison usually held both cavalry and infantry companies. The cavalry was not stationed at the post after 1869. The number of soldiers stationed there varied with the seasons and activity with as many as 400 – 500 for short periods of time to as few as 30 in the winters. Although it fluctuated, they probably averaged 150 soldiers. Ft. Larned was deactivated in 1878 and a small detachment of troops was left to guard the property until 1882.

The troops from the Second Volunteer U.S. Infantry, stationed at Fort Larned in 1865 to 1866, were known as “galvanized Yankees”. These soldiers were former captured Confederate soldiers that had been held as Union prisoners. They were allowed to volunteer to soldier in the west and served well as our protectors.

The “Buffalo Soldiers”, black soldiers of the 10^th Cavalry, served at Ft. Larned from 1867 to 1869. Although their records were excellent, they often faced hostility from the white soldiers at military posts in the West.

In this time of renewed pride in our soldiers and our country, I think it is especially important to recognize these men. For them to go on through eternity without any identity other than “Unknown Soldier” seems very wrong. We DO know, according to records, that these soldiers died and were buried at Ft. Larned. We DO know that the majority was reburied at Ft. Leavenworth and it seems so wrong for this majority not to be remembered with the fear that a particular solider might not be buried there but we listed him or that we didn’t list a soldier and he is buried there. It seems better to recognize that they were buried at Ft. Larned and hope they are reburied there, than to not recognize them at all.

Check out the list – maybe you will recognize a name and know if he is buried somewhere else. We welcome your comments and help, but please remember that this list is compiled from old surgery and other forts records. Any errors in this report are mine alone and this Information is meant for background information only. My sole intent is to have this list of soldiers available for all who would like it. For more information about Ft. Larned, please go to their website http://www.nps.gov/fols/ . This is a wonderfully preserved Indians era fort with a knowledgeable staff that is dedicated to its preservation. There are many volunteers who regularly bring the fort and its history to life. The “Ft. Larned Old Guard” and The “Wet/Dry Routes Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association” are friends of Ft. Larned and are also dedicated to Ft. Larned. Visit the fort online and check out the schedule of upcoming events or even better, come visit it in person.

View Cemetery List

View Cemetery Pictures

Email us at: bullett@grapevine.net (Janice K. Seymour)

References:

“Fort Larned: Guardian of the Santa Fe Trail”, Leo E. Oliva

Microfilmed copies of hospital records from Ft. Larned

Records from Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery

A special thank you to Jeff Barnes, Cemetery Director, Leavenworth/Ft. Leavenworth/Ft. Scott National Cemeteries, and Pam Westmoreland, for their help in trying to get a monument with the soldiers’ names erected at Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery.