Barnesville's Post (Bourbon County, Kansas)
Bourbon County · Kansas · Civil War
History & Significance
Barnesville's Post was the site of military camps for stretches of time during the American Civil War. The first mention of a camp came from a September 4, 1861 report by Senator James Lane, made while he had evacuated Fort Scott and repositioned his forces to areas north of that post.
Lane reported holding Barnesville with approximately 250 men stationed in log buildings and strengthening the position with earth entrenchments. In October 1861, the 5th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry occupied Camp Denver near Barnesville.
Troops remained at the location at least until February 1862, when soldier George E. Flanders recorded that men lived in tents during winter and cleared extensive timberland for firewood. Following an absence between February 1862 and December 1863, one or two companies of the 9th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry returned to garrison the post. The post served as a forward position in Lane's defensive network along the Kansas-Missouri border during the volatile opening phase of the western Civil War.
Key Facts
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnesville%27s_Post
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnesville,_Kansas
- https://civilwaronthewesternborder.org/geographic-subject/bourbon-county-kansas