Omaha daily bee., 1905-11-12

confederate army in war OF the rebellion
1861 to 1866; died January p, 1873
Captain Taylor OF the Second dragons,
who spiked the guns at Fort kearney and
deserted to join the confederate army In
Colonel % b. Alexander. appointed from
Virginia, 1918; was one OF the loyal Nir-
giniaus who stood by his country; pro-
NOTED for gallant and meritorious conduct
brigader general In 1865 for meritorious
service and recruitment OF armies com
Colonel d. S. Miles, appointed from
Maryland in 1919; promoted to colonel OF
the Second infantry for distinguished con,
duct in defense Of Fort Brown, Texas, and
several conflicts at Monterey, Mexico;
commanded the defense at Harpers Ferry,
Va. In 1862, and died of wounds received at
Kearney when Sumter was fired upon, and
remained loyal to the government;
Nathan p. Lyon was one Of the COM
manders who afterwards commanded the
Department Of the Missouri and was killed
at the battle Of Wilson's creek in 1862.
distinction at the battle of Fredericksburg
Gettysburg and kearneyville, Va.
Later History of Fort.
The year 1862 found John A. Thomas in
command The following year Major Heath
OF an Iowa regiment. Colonel Livingston
Of this state, DR.. Livingston of Platts-
mouth. Colonel Baumer. Captain lee p.
Gillette. Colonel Sumner Of the Seventh
iowa cavalry, officers of volunteers.
'After the outbreak Of the Cheyennes the
! last of the war, General Darlington was
sent to command this important post He
/ commanded the Eighteenth infantry in the
! Army OF the Cumberland and the defenses
| around Louisville. Ky.
There we're also stationed at this post
Colonel Tom Majors, Major Dallas and
Captain Pollock.
! In 1866 the War department authorized
| inspection to be made to enlarge the post,
| with a view to the erection Of substantial
! buildings 1t was later visited by General
| w. T. Sherman. who was in command of
! the Western division. He appeared well
pleased with the location, but as he passed
/ through the struggling village, whose in
! habitants depended upon the fort for their
support, and who were largely composed
| Of southern sympathizers, he was Kissed
by the people and offered various insults
and, after conversation with some of the
/ officers and men and citizens, the general
remarked that he had no desire to assist
in the support of disloyal people and, OF
his recommendation, the fort was aban
doned in 1867
| 1 had been informed that there was
nothing left of Fort Kearney, but a vis
to that point in August, accompanied by
| COlonel JENKINS OF TINS CITY, SnOWeu uluCi
of interest
The parade square was surrounded b!
two rows of mammoth cottonwoods
planted probably by Major Ruff, and be
meath the bluegrass sod rests the OLE
gravel walk. In the center of this squar,
is the hole from which the Flagstaff ha
been taken, and at the north the remain
Of the old powder magazine. To the south
east the parapets and fortifcations wer
distinctly outlined, and 1t would take blu
little work to restore the earthworks t
their original condition.
In 1s4S-49 came the rush from the north
west, east and southeast to the go
fields of California. Old Fort Kearney wa
great American desert Long wagon train
and eager gold hunters looked to the gar
rison of this post for protection acros
the plains of Nebraska.
While no important engagement with tn
Indians took place within the vicinity G
Fort Kearney, its historical prominenc
invites the attention of all patriotic people
who trust, will inaugurate a movement
that will result in the purchase Of tn
land contained in and surrounding thi
fort and make of it a national park.