Fort Blair, Kansas & the Baxter Springs Massacre

The narrative of Fort Blair, Kansas, and the harrowing Baxter Springs Massacre is etched deeply into the annals of Civil War history. Situated in the southeastern corner of Kansas, the town of Baxter Springs found itself strategically positioned along the old military road. This vital artery stretched from Fort Smith, Arkansas, northward through Fort Scott, Kansas, and then southwestward to Fort Gibson in the Indian Territory (modern-day Oklahoma). In its nascent stages, Baxter Springs served primarily as a crucial rest stop, a haven for wagon trains laden with supplies destined for the troops. It also provided respite for military personnel tasked with safeguarding these convoys from the ever-present threat of hostile Native American tribes who roamed the surrounding lands. However, the tranquility of this way station was shattered with the eruption of the Civil War, transforming the region into a volatile theater of conflict, susceptible to attacks from both Confederate regulars and ruthless guerilla forces.

The evolution of Baxter Springs from a simple rest stop to a fortified position mirrors the escalating tensions of the era. As the Civil War intensified, the need for a more robust military presence became apparent.

In the spring of 1862, the Union Army established a field camp, initially known as Camp Baxter Springs. This encampment was the creation of Colonel Charles Doubleday’s 2nd Ohio Brigade and Colonel William Weer’s 2nd Kansas Brigade, designed to accommodate a substantial garrison of approximately 6,000 troops. The strategic importance of the location necessitated the construction of further defensive positions along the military route.

Several more field camps sprang up along the route, each serving to bolster the Union’s control over the vital supply line. Camp Little Five Mile was one such camp, constructed by Colonel John Ritchie’s Indian Home Guards in June 1862. This camp was strategically situated to the southeast, across the meandering Spring River. The summer of 1863 witnessed the construction of two additional field camps in the vicinity: Camp Joe Hooker and Camp Ben Butler. These camps were erected by Colonel James Williams’ 1st Kansas Colored Troops, highlighting the increasing role of African American soldiers in the Union war effort.

Life at these early camps, while essential to the Union effort, was often characterized by periods of inactivity and monotony. As one Union soldier wryly noted in June 1862, "Here we camp, with nothing to do but eat, drink, swim, sleep and read – the latter only when we are fortunate enough to procure newspapers or books." This sentiment paints a vivid picture of the daily realities faced by the soldiers stationed in these remote outposts, far removed from the major theaters of war.

However, the growing threat posed by Confederate forces and guerilla bands prompted a significant shift in strategy. Recognizing the need for a more permanent and defensible position, the Union command made a pivotal decision in July 1863: to construct a fortified post at Baxter Springs.

The construction of Fort Blair, Kansas, commenced on August 17, 1863, under the direction of Colonel Charles Blair, who dispatched Lieutenant John Crites and companies C and D of the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry to undertake the task. Although officially designated as Fort Blair, the post quickly became more popularly known as Fort Baxter. Upon completion, the fort comprised a sturdy blockhouse and a cluster of cabins, all encircled by breastworks constructed from logs, rocks, and earth. These rudimentary fortifications provided a vital layer of protection for the troops stationed within.

Lieutenant Crites’ initial contingent was soon reinforced by a detachment of the Second Kansas Colored Infantry, under the command of Lieutenant R. E. Cook. In early October, further reinforcements arrived, led by Lieutenant James B. Pond of the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, who brought with him a 12-pound howitzer, a valuable addition to the fort’s defensive capabilities.

Despite these efforts to fortify the position, the activities at Fort Blair, Kansas, remained relatively subdued in its early months. However, this period of relative calm was about to be shattered by the events of October 1863, which would forever mark Baxter Springs in the history books.

The appointment of Lieutenant James B. Pond to command of Fort Blair, Kansas, on October 4, 1863, marked a turning point in the fort’s history. Upon his arrival from Fort Scott, Pond immediately assessed the defensive capabilities of the post, which was then manned by approximately 155 men. Concluding that the fort needed to be enlarged to better withstand potential attacks, Pond ordered the removal of the west wall on the following day, with the intention of rebuilding it further outwards.

The following morning, a foraging party of sixty men, accompanied by all the available wagons, was dispatched from the fort. This left Lieutenant Pond with a reduced force of approximately 90 men to defend the post. Unbeknownst to Pond and his men, a formidable threat was rapidly approaching.

At that very moment, William Quantrill, the infamous Confederate guerilla leader, was leading a band of approximately 400 raiders towards Baxter Springs. Quantrill and his men, who had planned to winter in Texas, had intercepted and murdered two Union teamsters along the Texas Road, who had recently departed from Fort Blair. This act of violence prompted Quantrill to change his plans and launch an attack on the vulnerable Union outpost.

Despite being significantly outnumbered, Lieutenant Pond and his men mounted a spirited defense when the guerillas launched their initial assault. Pond himself skillfully manned the howitzer, inflicting casualties on the attacking force and temporarily repelling the attack. However, Quantrill’s men quickly regrouped, seeking another opportunity to strike a decisive blow.

Meanwhile, on the same day that Pond had assumed command of Fort Blair – October 4 – General James G. Blunt had departed from Fort Scott with an escort of 100 men from the Third Wisconsin and Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry, en route to Fort Smith, Arkansas. By midday on October 6, Blunt’s column was nearing Fort Blair when they observed a large body of mounted men emerging from the trees along the Spring River. Mistaking them for Pond’s men on a training exercise, Blunt dispatched his Chief of Scouts, Captain Tough, to make contact. However, Tough swiftly returned with alarming news: the approaching riders were not Union soldiers, but Confederate rebels, and a battle was already underway at Fort Blair.

The riders spotted by Blunt’s troops were, in fact, Quantrill’s guerillas. The rebels immediately launched a ferocious attack on Blunt’s unsuspecting command. Despite Blunt’s attempts to organize a defensive line, his men were overwhelmed by the sheer numerical superiority of the attacking force. The Union troops quickly scattered in disarray. One Union officer managed to break through the Confederate lines and reach Fort Blair, informing Pond of the unfolding disaster. However, his warning came too late to alter the course of events. General Blunt and approximately 15 of his men managed to escape the ambush and eventually made their way back to Fort Scott.

The devastating aftermath of the attack was vividly described by Wiley Britton in his book, Civil War on the Border: "In many instances where the soldiers were closely pursued, they were told that if they would surrender they would be treated as prisoners of war; but in every case the moment they surrendered and were disarmed, they were shot down sometimes even with their own arms in the hands of the bandits." This chilling account underscores the brutal nature of the conflict on the Kansas-Missouri border, where acts of cruelty and treachery were commonplace.

Following the destruction of Blunt’s force, Quantrill’s guerillas turned their attention to plundering the Union supply wagons, seizing weapons, food, and whiskey. While two of Quantrill’s lieutenants, George Todd and the notorious William "Bloody Bill" Anderson, advocated for a renewed assault on Fort Blair, Quantrill prioritized the evacuation of his wounded men. Consequently, no further attack was made on the fort, and the guerillas continued their southward march.

The events of October 6, 1863, constituted a significant Confederate victory. The Baxter Springs Massacre resulted in the deaths of 85 of Blunt’s men, with an additional eight wounded. Six of Pond’s men were killed, and ten were wounded. The guerilla casualties were estimated to be between twenty and thirty killed, with at least three wounded.

The casualties of the Baxter Springs Massacre were initially buried near the fort. In the aftermath of the tragedy, General Blunt was temporarily relieved of his command but was later reinstated. In 1885, the United States Congress allocated $5,000 for the establishment of a national cemetery approximately one mile west of Baxter Springs, where many of the remains were reinterred, providing a more dignified final resting place for the victims of the massacre.

With the conclusion of the Civil War, Fort Blair, Kansas, was abandoned. However, the town of Baxter Springs continued to thrive, becoming a prominent outlet for the Texas cattle trade and earning a reputation as one of the wildest cow towns in the American West.

Today, the story of Fort Blair, Kansas, and the Baxter Springs Massacre is preserved and interpreted at the Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum, located at 740 East Avenue. This 20,000-square-foot facility showcases the area’s rich history, encompassing Native American heritage, mining operations, and the iconic Route 66. Visitors can also embark on a self-guided Civil War tour, highlighting twelve points of interest related to the attack. Maps and brochures are available at the museum and the Chamber of Commerce, providing a valuable resource for those seeking to learn more about this pivotal chapter in American history.