The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1917-05-16
THE HISTORY OF
FORT SMELLING
Noted Fort Had Its Beginning in Au-
gust, 1919, When 1t. Col, Henry
LeavenWorth Stopped There.
Two-THIRDs DIED FIRST WINTER
OF the Ninety-Eiaht Men Who Landed
Sixty Of Them Died-Name Was
Changed in the Year 1924

Hugo Bottger, of this city, who has
been attending the State University
of Iowa City. was called to Ft. Smell
ing, Mimi. the first of the week, be.
ing one of the first 1900 called last
week. He has been put in class "a
and doubtless some of the either
Denison boys who have made Ropll, a.
ton for the officers reserve corps
will be called in classes "B" and "C",
which will be called out soon.
The history of Fort Smelling, Minn.,
will be Of interest to the relatives and
friends of the boys in this comlaunity
who will receive their training, at shis
camp.
1t had its beginning in August 1919,
when Lieutenant Colonel Henry Leav-
enworth assembled the Mississippi
river with ninety-eight men OF the
Fifth infantry and at the mouth OF the
Minnesota river where now Is situated
the village of Mendoza, former New
Hope cantOnment.
Two-Thirds Died.
The first winter was passed in rude
log huts which were inadequate pro
lection from the biting cold. and in
the sickness that resulted, sj&ty men
of the small garrison died, III the
early spring, Camp Coldwater was
erected to the north Of the present
fort, and Col Josiah Smelling, who
followed Colonel Leavenworth in COM
mand during the summer. began the
construction of the permanent fort to
which was given the name of Fort
St. Anthony, from the Falls of st. An
thony, few miles up stream.
In 1924, the name was changed to
Fort Smelling in honor of its builder.
The rapid growth of the surrounding
settlements after 1850 persuaded the
government that it was unnecessary
to maintain garrison any longer at
that point and in 1858 the post was
abandoned. But its use as a place OF
for volunteers during
the Civil war and the outbreak OF
the great Sioux massacre in 1852 de-
monstrated that it still had it's value.
Federal troops again occupied the
barracks in 1865, and since that time
Ii tilas beer ons OF. tho most
ant posts in. the middle west. S
There is no phase of the develop
ment of the great Northwest which
Fort Smelling has not Influenced. In
the history of the fur trade, the Indian
relations, the Indian wars, the Indian
treaties, the great exploring eXpedi-
.tions, the missionary activities, the
first settlements and the early govern
ment, Fort Smelling has had an inn
portant part.
Zach Taylor Commanded.
Col. Zachary Taylor, later president
was commandant Of the post from
1929 to 1881. The negro boy Dred
Scott, who later figured in one of the
great decisions of the Supreme Court,
lived at the post from 1886 to 1888.
Many legends and stories have
grown up about the old Round Tower
all that remains of the original fort.
As early as 1849 there was much
agitation to establish military scad-
envy. A second West Point Fort,
Smelling; and in recent years the sub
ject has again been discussed. The
national crisis has now brought this
about to some extent. And old Fort
Smelling may be about to enter upon
a new and larger chapter of its his
tory.