Franklin's Fort
Franklin's fort | |
---|---|
Franklin (Douglas County), Kansas | |
Coordinates | 38°56′02″N 95°10′34″W / 38.9338°N 95.1761°W |
Type | prosouthern post during Bleeding Kansas era |
Site information | |
Controlled by | Pro-slavery partisans |
Site history | |
Built | May 1856 |
In use | May to August 1856 |
Garrison information | |
Past commanders | Sheriff Samuel J. Jones |
Garrison | Pro-slavery partisans |
Franklin's Fort was a small fortification that had been erected in Franklin, Douglas County, Kansas by pro-slavery settlers. During the "Bleeding Kansas" period, the fort was the site of two minor battles between pro- and anti-slavery factions.
History
Background
Franklin was a small town established in 1854 in Douglas County, Kansas Territory. It was established by settlers, mostly from the nation's south, who wanted the territory admitted to the Union as a slave state. By late 1855 Franklin had about a dozen homes and businesses and a post office. It became a center devoted to the southern cause in Kansas.[1] By May 1856 a blockhouse was built inside Franklin, which was used to store arms and the "Old Sacramento Cannon", which had been seized during a raid on the Liberty, Missouri arsenal. The blockhouse was built to be defended in the event of attack by forces from Lawrence.[2][3]
First Battle of Franklin
Two attacks were made on Franklin's fort during summer 1856. The first attack was made on June 4 by about fifteen members of
Second Battle of Franklin
After this battle, Franklin's fort was made more defensible. On August 12 the Second Battle of Franklin took place. Possibly two companies, at least 75 men, left Lawrence after dark to capture or destroy the fort. Free-state leader
A man from Franklin was sent to travel to a company of U.S. cavalry camped approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) away and seek help. The cavalry reached Franklin just before dawn. By then the battle was over. Although the town's defenders fought determinedly, the Lawrence men finally made progress when they set a wagon loaded with hay afire and moved it to the front door of the fort. The heat and light caused the defenders of the fort to escape into the night, as they thought they may be burned alive.[6]
While the adjoining post office was damaged by fire during the Second Battle of Franklin, the fort was damaged only by bullets. The free-staters entered it and took fifty to eighty muskets and ammunition. They also found the "Old Sacramento Cannon" disguised as a dress-making mannequin.[7] They took the food stored there and 14 prisoners, while suffering one man killed and several wounded. The fort was left, but this ended its use as a town defense. It was converted to use as a residence and was occupied by Dr. R. L. Williams until probably the 1870s.[6][8][9]
References
- ^ Litteer (1987), p. 32.
- ^ Litteer (1987), p. 32.
- ^ Davis (1976), p. 59.
- ^ Davis (1976), p. 59.
- ^ Bickerton (1881), p. 218.
- ^ a b c "Only Fertile Fields Mark Where Famous Kansas Town Stood," Kansas City Journal Post, Oct. 30, 1927, p. 5.
- Douglas County Historical Society Newsletter. 27 (3): 2, 4.
- ^ Connelley (1910), pp. 327-28.
- ^ Smith (1928), pp. 559-60.
Bibliography
- Bickerton, Thomas (1881). "Experiences of Captain Thomas Bickerton". Transactions of the Kansas State Historical Society. Kansas State Society.
- Connelley, William E. (1910). Quantrill and the Border Wars. Cedar Rapids, Iowa: The Torch Press. pp. 327–28.
- Davis, Kenneth S. (1976). Kansas: A Bicentennial History. ISBN 9780393055931.
- Litteer, Loren K. (1987). 'Bleeding Kansas': The Border War in Douglas and Adjacent Counties. Baldwin City, KS: Champion Publishing.
- Smith, Elizabeth Williams (1928). "R. L. Williams: A Biographical Sketch". Kansas Historical Collections. Vol. 17. Kansas State Society.