Fort Belmont, Kansas

Fort Belmont, Kansas, a name that echoes through the annals of Kansas history, stands as a testament to a turbulent era. Constructed around 1860 in the southern reaches of Woodson County, near the now-vanished town of Belmont, this fortified site served a critical purpose: safeguarding early settlers from the dual threats of Native American unrest and the marauding Bushwhackers from neighboring Missouri. This was a period of intense conflict, a time when the very soul of Kansas was being forged in the fires of the Kansas-Missouri Border War, also known as Bleeding Kansas.

The location of Fort Belmont was carefully chosen. Nestled within a wooded area adjacent to Sandy Creek, the fort strategically overlooked the Belmont Trading Post, an establishment that had been serving the community since 1856. Its proximity to the intersection of vital trail lines radiating from Humboldt to Eureka, and from Neosho Falls to Coyville and Fort Row, made it a key defensive point. This crossroads position allowed for the monitoring of movement and provided a crucial early warning system for potential threats.

The physical layout of Fort Belmont was designed with defense in mind, although its construction was relatively rudimentary. The post comprised several distinct elements. South of the main fortification, a cluster of three or four small cabins served as officers’ quarters, providing basic accommodations for the leadership stationed there. A quarter of a mile to the north stood the primary defensive structure: a rectangular earth embankment measuring approximately 150 feet by 60 feet. This embankment was likely reinforced with logs, potentially forming a rudimentary roof or palisade for added protection. To the east of the officers’ quarters lay a parade ground, a clear, open space used for drills, formations, and other military activities.

For a brief but significant period, Fort Belmont also functioned as an Indian Agency. This agency served the needs of the Osage and Creek Indians residing in the surrounding area, acting as a liaison between the Native American tribes and the United States government. It was a time of forced relocation, broken treaties, and immense suffering for many indigenous people, and the agency at Fort Belmont played a small role in that complex and often tragic history.

The military presence at Fort Belmont was primarily composed of companies from the Kansas 16th Regiment and local militiamen, under the command of Captain Joseph Gumby. However, the fort’s remote location and the nature of the conflict meant that troop deployments were often short-lived. Most militiamen had their own homes nearby, and likely rotated in and out of service as needed, rather than maintaining a permanent garrison within the fort itself.

Despite its strategic location and military presence, Fort Belmont never witnessed any direct military action during the Civil War. However, the fort played an indirect, but critical, role in one of the war’s lesser-known tragedies. In the winter of 1861-1862, Creek Indian leader Opothle Yahola led approximately 10,000 of his followers on a desperate flight from present-day Oklahoma, seeking refuge in Kansas to escape the pursuing Confederate soldiers and their Native American allies.

This harrowing journey, known as the Trail of Blood on Ice, was undertaken in the depths of winter, with many refugees lacking adequate clothing and provisions. Starvation, exposure, and disease took a terrible toll. More than 240 refugees perished during this period, succumbing to the harsh conditions and the lack of adequate support from the Union Army. Opothle Yahola himself, along with his daughter, was among those who died, their unmarked graves located near Fort Belmont. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of the Civil War, extending far beyond the battlefield to impact the lives of countless civilians and Native American tribes.

The Indian agency at Fort Belmont was discontinued in October 1864, signaling a shift in the government’s policies and priorities. By the end of that same month, Kansas Governor Thomas Carney made the decision to relieve the militia from duty and permanently close the fort. This closure reflected a gradual decline in the perceived threat level in the area, as well as a broader realignment of military resources in the final stages of the Civil War. The nearby town of Belmont, which had sprung up around the trading post and the fort, was soon abandoned, its residents dispersing in search of new opportunities.

Though the physical structure of Fort Belmont continued to stand for a few more years, lasting until around 1871, it quickly deteriorated. Exposed to the elements and lacking ongoing maintenance, the earthworks and log structures gradually crumbled, returning to the earth from which they had been built. Today, no visible remains of the fort exist, leaving only historical accounts and local lore to mark its former presence.

The location of the former Fort Belmont is situated approximately two miles west of present-day Buffalo, Kansas, at the intersection of Kanza Road and 70th Road, southwest of Yates Center, near the reservoir. Though the physical fort is gone, the stories of the settlers, soldiers, and Native Americans who once crossed its paths continue to resonate, offering a glimpse into a pivotal chapter in Kansas history. The memory of Fort Belmont, Kansas, remains as a quiet, yet potent, reminder of the struggles and sacrifices that shaped the state’s identity.

Also See:

Kansas Forts

Forts of America

Haunted Forts & Battle Grounds

List of Old West Forts

Sources:

Pollard, William C., Jr.; Kansas Forts During the Civil War
Revitalize Yates Center
Wikipedia