Last updated: June 28, 2024
Place
Camp Grierson / Station Little Arkansas
Photo/Public Domain
Quick Facts
Location:
P Ave., between 30th Rd. and Plum Ave. (31st Rd.), South of Windom, KS
Significance:
Location of a camp for Cavalry deployed to protect travelers on the Santa Fe Trail
MANAGED BY:
Privately owned
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Throughout the summer of 1864, the probability of conflicts between American Indians and travelers of the Santa Fe Trail increased dramatically west of the Little Arkansas. Troops were assigned to the Little Arkansas and the Stone Corral area in April 1865. It was called Station Little Arkansas. Company G, Third Wisconsin Cavalry, were the first troops to be stationed at the Stone Corral. By early May, 93 men were stationed at the post, most of them from the 2nd U. S. Volunteer Infantry. In June 1865, the 13th Missouri Cavalry was present. There were 185 enlisted men and five officers from the 13th Missouri Cavalry and the 2nd U. S. Volunteer Infantry. In June, 1865, four men were killed by American Indians near Station Little Arkansas. A cholera epidemic also claimed eight men at Station Little Arkansas. All were buried near the south end of the breastworks in the Cottonwood Grove Cemetery at Station Little Arkansas. Later the bodies were exhumed and moved to the Fort Leavenworth Cemetery in 1888 or 1889.
Peace talks and signing of peace treaties with the American Indians occurred in the fall of 1865. It appears troops were withdrawn from the Little Arkansas post late in 1865. This peaceful situation did not last long as soldiers were again stationed at the Stone Corral site in 1867. At this time the camp was called Camp Grierson, to honor Colonel Benjamin Grierson of the 10th Cavalry. In 1867, the camp was occupied from May to November by Company C of black troops of the 10th Cavalry. This company of some seventy troops constructed dugouts for protection from the American Indians and the weather in the riverbanks of the Little Arkansas. They erected breastworks above the dugouts for protection, which are still visible today.
During the summer of 2005, a stone was found in a nearby foundation of a fire damaged house that was inscribed with the name of Andrew Welsch of Co. E, 13th MO Cavalry. This unit was at Station Little Arkansas in 1865.
Site Information
Location (P Ave., between 30th Rd. and Plum Ave. (31st Rd.), South of Windom, KS)