Post Commander's Headquarters

Command Decisions

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

The commanding officer at Fort Scott coordinated the operation of the military post from the post headquarters in front of you. He was in charge of the health, safety, cleanliness, and security of the post. He routinely dealt with housing issues, property, supplies, and personnel management. He oversaw post discipline; he could arrest other officers and he convened courts-martial in this building. In these offices, he and his adjutant prepared reports and kept records that kept his superiors informed of affairs and assured the smooth functioning of the fort. In addition to the offices and court-martial room, the ordnance storeroom and artillery shed are also attached to this building.

Court Martial Room

Discipline was rigidly enforced at army posts of the Nineteenth Century, and the commandant of Fort Scott saw that infractions of the regulations were severely punished. The enlisted men were at the mercy of the superior officers. Justice was administered by a court-martial convened at the post. A general court-martial, consisted of five to eleven officers, had the power to try capital cases, officers, and to fine more than one month's pay of or imprison a soldier. Regimental court-martials were administered by three officers and were for less severe infractions. Mitigating circumstances that appeared during the trial could not be considered during sentencing but were adequate grounds for recommending mercy. All court-martial proceeding were approved by the commanding officer who could remit sentences if so inclined.

Commandant's Office

Each commandant was responsible for the discipline of his troops and the good state of everything entrusted to his charge. A commander had to see that the rules and regulations were enforced, the supplies of provisions, arms and ammunition were sufficient, and the quarters and defenses in a proper state. He had local maps drawn showing the locations of roads, rivers, hills, etc., which related to the military resources and capabilities of the country, including the defensibility of the area. The commanding officer was responsible for the monthly records of his post. He sent the guard after deserters, convened court-martials, and recommended disability discharge for soldiers unable to perform their duties. When his post was abandoned, it was his duty to see the surplus property was accounted for and turned over to the Quartermaster's Department for a Board of Survey to inspect.

Adjutant's Office

The adjutant was the commanding officer's first deputy and did most of the work requiring his approval and signature. The adjutant supervised the selection of the men for details, wrote the monthly post records and reports concerning court-martials, was the Treasurer and Librarian, and was responsible for the security and good order of the post. He was expected to pass along all orders of his commanding officer without discussion, and he made semi-annual reports of a confidential nature to the War Department, which were counter-signed by the commandant. Perhaps his biggest task was that of keeping the morale of the staff high and things running smoothly at all times.

Ordnance Storeroom

The ordnance storeroom served as a work area and storage facility of military stores for the post ordnance sergeant. By army regulation, the ordnance sergeant was to have served in the military for a minimum of eight years. General character, fidelity, sobriety, qualifications as a clerk, and fitness for duty were required for this selection. He was responsible for two storage areas, the Powder Magazine consisting of kegs of Black Powder and the Ordnance Storehouse consisting of small arms, sabers, bayonets, and ammunition. In addition he was charged with receiving and preserving all ordnance, arms, ammunition, and other military stores at his post. He would make minor repairs of arms and equipment for the troops. The ordnance sergeant spent much of his time applying coats of lacquer to guns, renewing leather, and preventing moths from destroying woolen sponges used in artillery. When a post is closed, the ordnance sergeant remained on duty in charge of the government property until proper disposal of these items could be made.

Gun Shed

Artillery consisting of two 6-pound field cannons, with carriages and equipment, were supplied to Fort Scott and used from 1845 to 1853. The evidence indicates that the cannon barrels were made of iron, and were susceptible to moisture. The gun shed served as a safe storage area to protect these pieces from the weather. Also present in the shed is a mountain howitzer, which was not present at Fort Scott, but would have been used by dragoon soldiers out on western expeditions.