Fort McKean

During the Civil War, a "Union" outpost named Fort McKean was established 12 miles southeast of Fort Scott where the Military Road crossed Drywood Creek. This fort had three main functions which were to protect the ford which was used to cross the Drywood Creek, to be a point of assembly for the long supply trains traveling from Fort Scott to Fort Smith, Ark., and Fort Gibson, Indian Territory (present Oklahoma and to protect the ford where the Military Road crossed Drywood Creek. By August of 1864, Fort McKean had become quite large and was described in the following letter from First Lt. James B. Pond, Commanding Fort McKean, to Major Benjamin Henning his Commanding Officer at Fort Scott.

"Headquarters, Co. C., 3rd Wis. Cav.,

[Fort McKean], August 10, 1864.

Dear Major,

Since I returned to the Company I have been so busy with making pay rolls and transferring and receiving company property that it has been impossible to get the Co. history out until now and I fear it is very incorrect as it is. There is no record whatever of the Company nor of it's proceedings up to the time that I reported to you at Fort Scott and took command. While Hewett was Orderly Sergeant he never done his duty. Hereafter any information that you may need in regard to the company I hope to be prepared to furnish you promptly.

The men have been very hard at work this summer when not on the march and have BUILT A FORT WHICH I THINK IS THE BEST IN Kansas. I am having a diagram of the camp [fort] drawn and will send it to you at an early date. They have built FIVE BLOCKHOUSES 20 x 30 feet for quarters in the rear of which are five more of the same size as Mess Houses [Dining Halls], directly in the rear of the Mess Halls are FIVE LOG STABLES each 120 feet long and all of the buildings are covered with shake roofs. The logs for the houses are hewed on four sides and are built better than the western log houses will average. The stables are calculated to accommodate FIVE HUNDRED HORSES and quarters for that number of men if necessary. These grounds are enclosed with a stockade. We have a good well inside the enclosure, a large corn crib, a storehouse, a blacksmith shop, bakery and a splendid Flag Staff (from which you can see the Star Spangled Banner for miles in each direction. Also there are three small houses for officer's quarters. The timbers have all been got out by the men under the supervision of Lieut. Crites and Orderly Sergeant Smith who deserve great credit for the energy displayed by them.

Your Obedient Servant,

[1st Lieut.] J. B. Pond"

Now, it appears before Capt. Pond assumed command of Fort McKean it appears that there were two disgruntled soldiers in Company C who were arrested and sent to the Guardhouse in Fort Scott according to the following document

Officer of the Guard,

Fort Scott, Kansas.

Privates Alonzo Turncliffe and Bernard Hill are sent to the guard House for confinement and hard labor for abuse to their superior officer by throwing missles at him and using insulting language and cutting off his horse's tail thereby much disfiguring the horse.

By Command of,

R. W. Smith,

1st Sergt., Commanding Company."

It also appears that on occasion Lieut. Pond had a difficulty of his own as described in the following letter.

Mrs. Ann Preston,

You and the young woman stopping with you are reported to me as not following a very respectable calling for a living. My authority is good, therefore you need ask no questions. You will therefore take notice that YOU ARE BOTH OF YOU ORDERED TO LEAVE THE PREMISES you now occupy forthwith and NOT STOP WITHIN 10 MILES OF THIS CAMP. If you are not OUT by TOMORROW NOON the house will be torn down over your head! You can have transportation to move anytime you are ready.

Very Respectfully,

J. B. Pond

1st Lieutenant, Commanding."

Now, today nothing remains of Fort McKean and it appears that Sgt. Smith and 1st Lt. Pond did not hesitate to solve whatever problem they were faced with and of Course the War Went On!