# TROOPS IN FORT SCOTT

## Fort Scott DEMOCRAT

## January 12, 1861

Movements of the Troops -- Captain Lyons' Company of Infantry arrived
here last Monday morning, and the Dragoons, under Captain Steele left
for Fort Riley, the same day. In their short stay among us, the men as
well as the officers of the Dragoons, had rendered themselves
universally liked and respected, and their departure was much regretted.

## Fort Scott DEMOCRAT

#### May 11, 1861

### Indian Troubles

## In view of these circumstances, it behooves Kansas to be ready in any emergency, to PROTECT her citizens. This is not the time to discuss the right of those settlers to that land. They are on it and no foreign mob shall ever be permitted to drive them off. A thorough preparation to resist invasion will be the most likely means of preventing it. If two regiments of Kansas troops are called for, one, at least, should be stationed on the Southern frontier to protect the settlers, and prevent inroads from either side.

(regarding a possible attack by Cherokee and Osage Indians)

# Fort Scott DEMOCRAT

## August 31, 1861

Our city presents the appearance of one grand military camp. Every
vacant tenement has been taken possession of by the Government for
quarters for uncle Sam's men. Villages of tents surround the town, and
the measured tread of the sentinel and the tramp of the cavalry may be
heard at all times of the day and night.

We are gratified to know that an order has been issued to restrain some
of our mischievous soldiers from crowding around the wagons of the fruit
venders and pilfering from them the products of their orchards and
gardens. We hope the Captains of companies will not permit any more such
performances as we have witnessed to take place today.

Iowa Troops -- Two very fine companies, mostly made up in Iowa, are now
in camp at Barnesville. They are under the commands of Captains Harvey
and Watson, both of whom are active, popular and efficient officers; and
constitute a part of Col. Johnson's Fifth Kansas regiment. The character
of the men for sobriety morality and discipline cannot be surpassed by
that of any other body of men in the service. They are armed with Minie
rifles and sword bayonets, and will make a formidable battalion for Gen.
Lane's brigade.

## TROOPS IN FORT SCOTT

## 

## WESTERN VOLUNTEER

## March 31, 1862

A fortnight ago Fort Scott and vicinity presented a decidedly martial
appearance, five regiments and one battery being in camp within a mile
of town. The 12th and 13th Wisconsin occupied the high ground west of
town, near the Marmiton. Babb's battery and the Kansas 1st were south,
and the 9th Wisconsin and 2d Ohio Cavalry south-east of town.

The 12th Wisconsin is composed of lumbermen from the Wisconsin and
Kickapoo. Hardy and daring, with a slight touch of the reckless; well
drilled and under strict discipline they constitute a formidable
regiment. Their fine band attracted considerable attention.

The 13th is mostly from the farming population of Rock and Watworth
counties. A finer and more intelligent body of men we never saw
together. They went into the service because their country needed them;
and they will make themselves felt by the rebels whenever an opportunity
occurs. Col. Maloney was once Orderly Sergeant of a company stationed at
this Post. He was promoted for gallantry during the Mexican War, and is
now a Major in the Regular Army.

The "Bloody First" - - a well earned name - - needs no notice from us.
Their record is written in the red field of Wilson's Creek. Better
soldiers or better officers cannot be found in the service. The 12th and
13th Wisconsin regiments and the 1st Kansas have gone to Lawrence,
preparatory, we understand, to a march to New Mexico.

Rabb's Battery is one of the finest in the service. It consists of four
rifled 15 pounders and two smooth sixes. All of the appointments are No.
1; the men are well drilled and disciplined, and altogether it is in a
splendid state of efficiency. It is from the Hoosier state.

The Wisconsin 9th is from Milwaukee, and is composed of that class of
our population who make war a trade. In discipline and drill they cannot
be surpassed. Col. Saloman was a Captain in his brother's regiment at
Carthage.

For intelligence, good appearance, and general efficiency, we venture to
say few cavalry regiments in the service surpass the 2d Ohio. We have
formed a pretty large acquaintance among both officers and men, and find
them to be gentlemen and soldiers in every sense of the word. The
regiment was organized at Cleveland, being principally recruited from
what is known as the Western Reserve. It is becoming universally popular
here, and we shall be sorry to see it leave us.

The bands of the various regiments have served, through their excellent
music, in a great degree to enliven our quiet town. Altogether, we must
say, that so large a body of troops could not well keep up a better
state of feeling than exists here at the present time.

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## TROOPS IN FORT SCOTT

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## WESTERN VOLUNTEER

#### April 26, 1862

Rabb's Indiana Battery

This Battery was organized and mustered into service July 26th, 1861. It
was with Fremont's Grand Army at Springfield, where it was attached to
the Kansas Brigade. It is now stationed at this place, and is ready for
service at any moment. . . During their stay among us we have always
found officers and men gentlemanly and well behaved. The will give a
good account of themselves, whenever they get into action.

# WESTERN VOLUNTEER

# May 3, 1862

Time was when a prettier or cleaner town than Fort Scott could not be
found in Kansas. The Plaza was neatly enclosed, planted with trees and
sown with grass; nearly every citizen had trees planted around his lots;
and thrift and comfort were everywhere discernable. But there has been a
change. The iron heel of War has left its imprint here. Our streets are
littered with filth and rubbish; trees torn down; the Plaza fence is
going to decay, and desolation prevails generally. True, much of this
could not be avoided, but a large proportion has been the result of
heathenish vandalism. The assault of last September will never be
forgotten. As for the troops now here, they have never, to our
knowledge, given cause for complaint.

But complaints of the past will not remedy the present ills. The
sanitary condition of the town requires that immediate steps should be
taken to purify it. Soldiers and citizens are alike interested. Just in
proportion to the health and purity of the town will be the condition of
the sick in the Hospital. This matter should be attended to at once. Let
every man put his shoulder to the wheel, and it will soon be
accomplished.