Fort Row (Coyville, Kansas)
Coyville · Kansas · Civil War
History & Significance
Fort Row was built by the local mounted militia for their use. The militia was formed in summer 1861 to defend the area against raids by Confederate guerrillas, with John R. Row chosen as captain.
Three log blockhouses measuring sixteen by twenty-four feet were built, surrounded by a six-foot log stockade on three sides, with the steep riverbank providing protection on the fourth side. The militia abandoned Fort Row in the spring when they joined the 9th Kansas Volunteers.
The fort's historical significance rests primarily on the "Trail of Blood on Ice," the humanitarian catastrophe that unfolded there. Creek Indian leader Opothleyahola had 12,000–13,000 followers in Indian Territory; he sought to keep his people neutral and avoid the Civil War conflict, but after Confederate pressure and military defeats, approximately 9,000 Creeks and at least 2,600 Indians of other tribes fled toward Fort Row in late 1861.
Opothleyahola lost an estimated 2,000 of his 9,000 followers from battles, disease, and bitter winter blizzards during their trek to Fort Row. The fort had been unable to obtain extra supplies and lacked adequate medical support for the refugees.
The Creek were moved to Fort Belmont where conditions remained poor, and many died that winter, including Opothleyahola's daughter. After being abandoned, Fort Row was eventually destroyed by floods, and for many years human and animal bones littered the surrounding countryside.
Key Facts
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Row
- https://www.kansashistory.gov/archives/440307
- https://www.fredoniakschamber.org/fort-row-site-and-the-opothleyahola-story.html
- http://skyways.lib.ks.us/kansas/genweb/woodson/Yahola.txt
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opothle_Yahola