Cimarron Redoubt
Encyclopedia
The Cimarron Redoubt was an improvised U.S. Army
fortification south of the city of Ashland
in Clark County
, Kansas
, United States
. Built in 1870 near a major trade route's crossing of the Cimarron River, it was later used for a variety of civilian purposes, including a post office
. Today, it lies abandoned amid farm fields in southern Center Township
.
, fought between 1867 and 1875. In order to protect traffic on the Fort Supply
/Fort Dodge
trail, U.S. Army soldiers built two redoubt
s north and south of the Cimarron River. The southern redoubt, constructed of sandbag
s, was erected on the eastern side of Clark Creek south of its confluence with the Cimarron, while the earthen northern redoubt was built along the eastern side of Bear Creek. Named for the streams along which they lie, the two sites are located approximately fourteen miles apart: the Cimarron Redoubt lies nine miles south of Ashland
, while the Bear Creek Redoubt lies five miles to the north of the city.
Although fighting concluded in the immediate vicinity of the redoubt by 1875, it and the Bear Creek redoubt remained necessary fortifications in the Army's strategy of keeping hostile Native Americans away from settled areas. By the late 1870s, the region was sufficiently peaceful to render the Cimarron Redoubt unnecessary, and it was left to use by local civilians. The next few years saw it converted into a store, and by 1881, it was the location of the Deep Hole post office. After an undetermined period of time, it was abandoned. Since that time, the redoubt has been remarkably well preserved: the tall grass that now covers it has significantly reduced the rate of erosion. Located in the middle of a field now used for the storage of hay
, the grass-covered redoubt is Kansas' only known sandbag fort.
In 1978, the Cimarron Redoubt's excellent state of preservation led to its being placed on the National Register of Historic Places
, both for its historical role in military affairs and for the potential archeological value of excavation. The areas recognized as significant include both the fortification and some surrounding fields. Moreover, the National Park Service
has recognized the redoubt as one of the principal sites in the valley of the Cimarron River.
s, such as bastion
s, ditches
, and a ten-foot-tall parapet
. Inside, the fortification included log-reinforced rooms for the garrison that, under Roe's supervision, were capable of becoming "clean and cheerful" for a military wife.
Today, the walls have been eroded somewhat, especially along Clark Creek on the redoubt's southern side; they are generally only about two or three feet above the surrounding terrain. Nevertheless, its structure is overall strong enough that the redoubt is expected to survive essentially intact long into the future.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
fortification south of the city of Ashland
Ashland, Kansas
Ashland is the largest city in and the county seat of Clark County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 867.-History:...
in Clark County
Clark County, Kansas
Clark County is a county located in Southwest Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 2,215...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Built in 1870 near a major trade route's crossing of the Cimarron River, it was later used for a variety of civilian purposes, including a post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
. Today, it lies abandoned amid farm fields in southern Center Township
Center Township, Clark County, Kansas
Center Township is a township in Clark County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,097.-History:The Cimarron Redoubt, an Army fortification built in 1870, is located along Clark Creek south of its confluence with the Cimarron River, in southern Clark...
.
History
Southwestern Kansas was the location of some of the fighting of the Comanche WarComanche Campaign
The Comanche Campaign, or the Comanche War, from 1867 to 1875, was a series of conflicts that took place throughout the border regions of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas, between the Arapaho, Comanche, Kiowa, Sioux and Cheyenne tribes of native Americans against the United States Army...
, fought between 1867 and 1875. In order to protect traffic on the Fort Supply
Fort Supply
Fort Supply was a United States Army post established on November 18, 1868, in Indian Territory to protect the Southern Plains...
/Fort Dodge
Fort Dodge, Kansas
Fort Dodge is an unincorporated community in Ford County, Kansas, United States. Fort Dodge is located on U.S. Route 400 southeast of Dodge City. Fort Dodge has a post office with ZIP code 67843....
trail, U.S. Army soldiers built two redoubt
Redoubt
A redoubt is a fort or fort system usually consisting of an enclosed defensive emplacement outside a larger fort, usually relying on earthworks, though others are constructed of stone or brick. It is meant to protect soldiers outside the main defensive line and can be a permanent structure or a...
s north and south of the Cimarron River. The southern redoubt, constructed of sandbag
Sandbag
A sandbag is a sack made of hessian/burlap, polypropylene or other materials that is filled with sand or soil and used for such purposes as flood control, military fortification, shielding glass windows in war zones and ballast....
s, was erected on the eastern side of Clark Creek south of its confluence with the Cimarron, while the earthen northern redoubt was built along the eastern side of Bear Creek. Named for the streams along which they lie, the two sites are located approximately fourteen miles apart: the Cimarron Redoubt lies nine miles south of Ashland
Ashland, Kansas
Ashland is the largest city in and the county seat of Clark County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 867.-History:...
, while the Bear Creek Redoubt lies five miles to the north of the city.
Although fighting concluded in the immediate vicinity of the redoubt by 1875, it and the Bear Creek redoubt remained necessary fortifications in the Army's strategy of keeping hostile Native Americans away from settled areas. By the late 1870s, the region was sufficiently peaceful to render the Cimarron Redoubt unnecessary, and it was left to use by local civilians. The next few years saw it converted into a store, and by 1881, it was the location of the Deep Hole post office. After an undetermined period of time, it was abandoned. Since that time, the redoubt has been remarkably well preserved: the tall grass that now covers it has significantly reduced the rate of erosion. Located in the middle of a field now used for the storage of hay
Hay
Hay is grass, legumes or other herbaceous plants that have been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for grazing livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep. Hay is also fed to pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs...
, the grass-covered redoubt is Kansas' only known sandbag fort.
In 1978, the Cimarron Redoubt's excellent state of preservation led to its being placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, both for its historical role in military affairs and for the potential archeological value of excavation. The areas recognized as significant include both the fortification and some surrounding fields. Moreover, the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
has recognized the redoubt as one of the principal sites in the valley of the Cimarron River.
Structure
Built by soldiers under the command of Captain John Page, the redoubt was constructed in the shape of a square, sixty feet on each side. According to an account by Frances Roe, a later commander's wife who was stationed there in January 1873, it was laid out with many aspects of larger fortificationFortification
Fortifications are military constructions and buildings designed for defence in warfare and military bases. Humans have constructed defensive works for many thousands of years, in a variety of increasingly complex designs...
s, such as bastion
Bastion
A bastion, or a bulwark, is a structure projecting outward from the main enclosure of a fortification, situated in both corners of a straight wall , facilitating active defence against assaulting troops...
s, ditches
Ditch (fortification)
A ditch in military engineering is an obstacle, designed to slow down or break up an attacking force, while a trench is intended to provide cover to the defenders...
, and a ten-foot-tall parapet
Parapet
A parapet is a wall-like barrier at the edge of a roof, terrace, balcony or other structure. Where extending above a roof, it may simply be the portion of an exterior wall that continues above the line of the roof surface, or may be a continuation of a vertical feature beneath the roof such as a...
. Inside, the fortification included log-reinforced rooms for the garrison that, under Roe's supervision, were capable of becoming "clean and cheerful" for a military wife.
Today, the walls have been eroded somewhat, especially along Clark Creek on the redoubt's southern side; they are generally only about two or three feet above the surrounding terrain. Nevertheless, its structure is overall strong enough that the redoubt is expected to survive essentially intact long into the future.
Further reading
- Roe, Frances M.A. Army Letters From an Officer's Wife. New YorkNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
: Appleton, 1909.