Distance Learning
- Grade Level:
- Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Subject:
- Social Studies
- Common Core Standards:
- 9-10.RH.9
- State Standards:
- Kansas Standards for History, Government and Social Studies: 1,2,3,4,5
Your class will get a unique look at where it all began, so to speak, as the staff at Fort Scott National Historic Site takes them on a look back in history and discusses important contributions of both African American and American Indian troops during the Civil War. While Fort Scott is not a hot bed of controversy today, in 1862, it was in the forefront of moving toward equality for all men, especially in the US Army.
The 1st African American unit to be victorious in action during the Civil War was mustered into service on the parade grounds at Fort Scott. This unit's history provides a unique view into the struggles and accomplishments of a diverse army during the Civil War. The Battle at Island Mound, Missouri, took place not far from Fort Scott and was the first Civil War battle where African American soldiers defeated Confederate soldiers in combat. While African American soldiers distinguished themselves at numerous battles throughout the remainder of the war, this first battle at Island Mound made a vivid impression to many at the time. Despite being vastly outnumbered in this battle, African American soldiers pushed the enemy back and earned high praise from their white commanding officers. Once news of the Battle of Island Mound began to circulate, more and more people saw that African American soldiers would fight to the death to earn their freedom, and the number of Black soldiers in the US Army vastly increased.
Along with African American soldiers, Fort Scott also played a role in the creation of three regiments of American Indians, known as the Indian Home Guards. These troops were not well received by the public in general, but they were successful in their endeavors. The Indian Home Guard had the job of taking back their homelands to the south of Kansas (Indian territory) from the Confederates who controlled most of Indian territory. Their impact was only in Indian territory as that is the only place that these soldiers were allowed into battle. These were not the only American Indians to serve the US Army as many Indians mustered into other Union regiments throughout the war, but Kansas was the only place where Native Americans were mustered into their own regiments. As with Fort Scott's African American soldiers, these troops played a unique role in the history of Fort Scott and the State of Kansas.
While we talk of their bravery and accomplishments, we must also discuss the harsh ways that these soldiers were treated, not only by white soldiers, but also by the community. Many white citizens did not like the idea of African Americans or American Indians being trained to fight and handle weapons. Many people felt that those men were too uneducated to learn the discipline of being a soldier, and that they would abandon their companies at the first sight of battle. That is why the Battle of Island Mound, while militarily insignificant, was vital to the success of the Colored Troops in the US Army as a whole.
All of these topics will be covered in a distance learning setting with your class. The presentation made through the video conference will be made by a presenter in Civil War uniform. In addition to the above topic, the class could also learn the differences between what the colored soldiers were given and what the white soldiers were given at the time.
Contact the site's education program, email, or call us at 620-223-0310 to schedule this program.
Materials
Selected newspaper articles that reflect prevailing attitudes toward African Americans and American Indian troops in the Fort Scott area during the Civil War.
Last updated: March 28, 2025