Kansas Military Records: Difference between revisions

There were many forts established for specific purposes on the frontier. Some existed for only a few years. Some were official U.S. military posts. Some were never used as military garrisons. As a result, some had official military records, but many did not. Several resources that contain information about Kansas forts are:

Kansas Forts: Western U.S. Army Forts
Kansas Legends: Kansas Forts of the Old West
Kansas Forts During the Civil War - article by William C. Pollard, Jr. in the Kansas History website
Frontier Forts: part of Kansas Historical Society's Kansapedia. A bibliography for selected forts:

Those listed below are only some of the known forts that existed in what is now the state of Kansas.

Fort Abercrombie -- Textual records of this fort, 1859-1877, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).
Fort Atkinson -- Sometimes mentioned in connection with Kansas, Fort Atkinson was actually located in Nebraska.
Fort Baxter -- A small US Army post located in the southeast corner of Kansas near present-day Baxter Springs, Kansas, an area that was known as the Cherokee Strip. It was also knowb as Fort Blair
Fort Blair -- The official name of a Civil War fort existing from about 1862 to 1865, more commonly known as Fort Baxter. It was located near the present town of Baxter Springs.
Fort Cavagnolle -- 1744-176, also known as Fort Cavagnolle or Post of the Missouri or Fort de la Trinité placed somewhere between Kansas City, Missouri, and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Fort Dodge -- Textual records of this fort, 1865-1883, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7). These records have also been microfilmed on 25 rolls as National Archives Microcopy M989.Available through the FamilySearch Library FS Catalog Film: 1694850 (first film of 25)
Fort Fletcher -- the original name of Fort Hays. Records of Fort Hays, Kansas (Army Post), 1866-1889. T 713. 22 rolls. FS Library film 1695711 (first film of 22)
Fort Harker 1866 -- Textual records of this fort, 1865-1873, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).
Fort Hays -- Established in 1865 as Fort Fletcher, it was closed for a few months in 1866 and then reopened later that year and renamed Fort Hays. It was abandoned in 1889. Textual records of this fort, 1860-1878, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).
Fort Kearny -- Although near the Kansas-Nebraska border, this fort was actually located in Nebraska.
Fort Larned 1859 -- Textual records of this fort, 1848-1871, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).
Fort Leavenworth -- Originally established as Cantonment Leavenworth in 1827 near the site of the 18th Century French Fort de Cavagnal. It was renamed Fort Leavenworth in 1832. It is still an active military post. Textual records of this fort, 1856-1919, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7). The fort is also the site of Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery. See also Death/cemetery records of the National Cemetery, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 1844-1963
Fort Lincoln -- Civil War Fort
Fort Lyon -- Sometimes associated with the state of Kansas, Fort Lyon was actually located in Colorado.
Fort McKean -- Civil War Fort
Fort Mann -- Established as a non-military fort principally to protect teamsters and provide a place for the repair of their wagons and replacement of animals. It was in use for only a few years in the late 1840s. It was abandoned when Fort Atkinson was built.
Fort Marion -- Fort Marion was located at St. Augustine, Florida. It occupies a place in the military history of Kansas because Indian leaders from Kansas and other states were sent to Fort Marion as punishment for their involvement in murders and other military actions against settlers and military troops. For the names of Indians sent to Fort Marion, read more...
Fort Montgomery -- Civil War Fortin Eureka, Kansas.
Fort Riley -- Established by a group of surveyors early in the year 1853, it was initally called Camp Center. In June of that year, it was renamed Fort Riley and has continued under that name to the present day. Textual records of this fort, 1859, 1864-1919, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).Fort Riley, Kansas : the story of the 9th Infantry Division : "The Old Reliables." American Yearbook Co., 1966? Fort Riley, its historic past Washington, D.C. : U.S. G.P.O., 1984
Fort Scott -- Fort Scott was an active Army post from 1842-1854, 1861-1865, and 1870-1873. It is now a National Historic Site. Textual records of this fort, 1862-1865, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7). The records of Fort Scott, 1869-1873, have been microfilmed and form National Archives Microcopy M1077, 2 rolls. Available through the FamilySearch Library FS Library film 1695673 (first film of 2)
Solon's Fort
Fort Wallace -- Textual records of this fort, 1866-1882, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).
Fort Zarah -- Fort Zarah was established in 1864 at a site about 2 miles east of present-day Great Bend, Kansas and was originally named Camp Dunlap. It was moved about one-half mile upstream in 1866 and was abandoned in 1869. Textual records of this fort, 1864-1869, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920, under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).

References

Encyclopedia of Indian Wars Western Battles and Skirmishes 1850-1890 . By Gregory F. Michno. Mountain Press publishing Co., Missoula, Montana. C. 2003 ISBN 0-87842-468-7

Mexican War (1846-1848)[edit | edit source]

The Mexican War was caused by the annexation of Texas by the United States in 1845. Most volunteer regiments were from southern states. Records of Mexican War veterans might exist in a state where the veteran later resided.

Mexican War Index to Pension Files, 1887–1926. (NARA T317). FS Library films 0537000–13 Alphabetically arranged and includes the veteran’s name, rank, and unit; names of dependents; date of filing and application; certificate numbers; act filed under; and state from which application was made. Also available at:

United States, Mexican War Pension Index, 1887-1926 (FamilySearch) Free digital copy. (How to use this collection.)

Robarts, William Hugh. Mexican War Veterans : A Complete Roster of the Regular and Volunteer Troops in the War Between the United States and Mexico, from 1846-1848… Washington, D.C. : Brentano’s, 1887. FS Catalog book 973 M2rwh Digital version available at Internet Archive.

Click on these links to learn more about the Mexican War and about Mexican War pension records.

Civil War (1861-1865)[edit | edit source]

Battle of Lawrence, Kansas, August 21, 1863, also known as the Lawrence Massacre and Quantrill's Raid

See Kansas in the Civil War for information about Kansas Civil War records, web sites, etc. with links to articles about the Kansas regiments involved in the Civil War.

The regimental pages often include lists of the companies with links to the counties where the companies started. Men in the companies often lived in the counties where the companies were raised. Knowing a county can help when researching more about the soldiers and their families.

The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System allows name searching for soldiers. The result set gives the regiments for the soldiers. Then you can check the Wiki regiment pages to determine counties. Often knowing the counties that had men in a regiment will help you determine if a soldier was your ancestor.

Indian Wars (1780s-1890s)[edit | edit source]

The 19th Kansas Cavalry Enlistment Papers at the Kansas Historical Society's website is an index to the enlistment papers of the 19th Kansas Cavalry during the 1868-1869 Indian campaigns.

Spanish-American War (1898)[edit | edit source]

The Spanish-American War was largely fought in Cuba and the Philippines. Spanish-American War records might exist in the state from which the soldier served or in a state where the veteran later resided.

Kansas Troops in the Volunteer Service of the United States in the Spanish and Philippine Wars, Mustered in Under the First and Second Calls of the President of the United States: May 9, 1898-October 28, 1899. Topeka, Kan.: W.Y. Morgan State Printer, 1900

Indexes

United States, General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934 (NARA T288). (FamilySearch) Free digital copy. The "General Index to Pension Files, 1861–1934". The index covers veterans of the Civil War, Spanish‑American War, Philippine Insurrection, Boxer Rebellion (1900 to 1901), and the regular Army, Navy, and Marine forces. (How to use this collection.)

United States, Index to Service Records, War with Spain, 1898 (FamilySearch) Free digital copy. (How to use this collection.)

The Kansas Military Index at the Kansas Historical Society's website searches several databases at once that cover the Indian Wars, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Kansas, United Spanish War Veterans Reports of Deaths, 1945-1970 (Ancestry) ($)

Click on the link to learn more about the Spanish American War.

World War I (1917-1918)[edit | edit source]

World War I was a global war fought on multiple continents with several nations involved. Over four million men and women served from the United States.

WWI Draft Cards

United States. Selective Service System. Kansas, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. National Archives Microfilm Publications, M1509. Washington, D.C.: National Archives, 1987-1988. (On FS Library films beginning with 1643420). Also available at:

United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection

United States World War I Draft Records provides additional information.

World War I Kansas Veterans Collection

The Kansas, World War I Veteran Collection, 1917-1919 available online at Ancestry.com is a collection containing items about Kansas veterans solicited and compiled by the Kansas State Historical Society. The collection contains letters, photographs and biographies of the veterans.

The Kansas State Guard

Prior to 1917, the citizens of Kansas did not give much thought to having local troops to protect municipal and industrial properties. Once the United States entered World War I, it was thought that the National Guard offered ample protection against activities of alien sympathizers. Exaggerated claims of sabotage, originating with stories published in Eastern newspapers soon excited the local citizenry.

On April 17, 1917, the State Council of Defense was organized in the Governor's office at Topeka. The objective was "to mobilize all the resources of the state to support of the war." The Department of Public Defense was created by the Council and assigned the duty of organizing Home Guards "for the protection of local property." Immediately after the meeting, units were organized in many Kansas communities. This Home Guard, or Kansas State Guard, as it became known, existed from August 6, 1917, to November 11, 1919, when it was disbanded. A complete history, including the rosters of those involved, is found at http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/archives/military/ksguard/index.html.

Adjutant General's Office. History and roster of the Kansas State Guard, August 6, 1917, to November 11, 1919.Kansas State Printing Plant, 1925

Bounty Claims

The Kansas Military Index at the Kansas Historical Society's website searches several databases at once that cover the Indian Wars, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The database includes Bounty Claims records from World War I.

Kansas, World War I Bounty Claims at MyHeritage — index ($)

Casualties

Kansas Casualties in the World War

United States, World War I American Expeditionary Forces Deaths, 1917-1919 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection

YMCA Service Cards

United States, YMCA World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection

Veterans Administration

1917-1940 United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection

Enemy Alien Lists

Dept. of Justice. U.S. Marshal District of Kansas. Lists of Permits Issued to Enemy Aliens NAID 46701813

World War II (1941-1945)[edit | edit source]

Draft Registrations

On 16 September 1940, President Roosevelt signed into law the first peacetime Selective Service Act. During WWII, the Selective Service System conducted six draft registrations; these records are held collectively in two groupings at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO. The registrations are part of Record Group 147 Records of the Selective Service System. From December, 1942 to August, 1945 no enlistments were allowed. The Selective Service became the only way men entered the service for the remainder of the war.

1940-1945 Kansas, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945 at FamilySearch
1940-1946 Kansas, World War II Selective Service Records at MyHeritage - index ($)

On April 27, 1942, the Selective Service conducted the fourth of six draft registrations related to WWII. The "World War II Selective Service Draft Cards: Fourth Registration, 1942" is often referred to as the “Old Man’s Registration” or the “Old Man’s Draft" because it included men with a date of birth from April 28, 1877 to February 16, 1897. Since there is overlap in the WWI and WWII Selective Service registration, men born in the years 1877 to 1900 may have registered twice and have both WWII and WWI draft records.

1942 United States, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 (Image Browse) at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
1942 United States, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images

Also available at:

Ancestry ($)
Fold3 ($).

World War II United States Military Records provides additional information.

WWII Kansas Draft Board Records Index contains more than 227,000 entries of male and female Kansas veterans of the armed forces who served between September 16, 1940 and June 30, 1946.

Korean War (1950–1953)[edit | edit source]

The Korean War was a conflict between North Korea (and its communist allies) and South Korea (with support of the United Nations, primarily the United States). See the Korean War wiki article for information on records and their availability.

Vietnam War (1964–1972)[edit | edit source]

The Vietnam War was a conflict between North Vietnam (and its communist allies) and South Vietnam (with support of its anti-communist allies, including the United States). See the Vietnam War wiki article for information on records and their availability.

Militia - National Guard[edit | edit source]

Websites[edit | edit source]

The Kansas Military Index at the Kansas Historical Society's website searches several databases at once that cover the Indian Wars, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

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 *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Kearny Fort Kearny] -- Although near the Kansas-Nebraska border, this fort was actually located in Nebraska.<br>
 *[http://www.legendsofamerica.com/ks-fortlarned.html Fort Larned] 1859 -- Textual records of this fort, 1848-1871, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/393.html Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920], under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7).
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Leavenworth Fort Leavenworth] -- Originally established as Cantonment Leavenworth in 1827 near the site of the 18th Century French Fort de Cavagnal. It was renamed [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Leavenworth Fort Leavenworth] in 1832. It is still an active military post. Textual records of this fort, 1856-1919, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/393.html Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920], under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7). The fort is also the site of [http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/ftleavenworth.asp#hi Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery].
+*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Leavenworth Fort Leavenworth] -- Originally established as Cantonment Leavenworth in 1827 near the site of the 18th Century French Fort de Cavagnal. It was renamed [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Leavenworth Fort Leavenworth] in 1832. It is still an active military post. Textual records of this fort, 1856-1919, including registers, reports, and correspondence, are in the National Archives and are described in [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/393.html Records of United States Army, Continental Commands, 1821-1920], under the section entitled Records of Posts, 1820-1940 (Record Group 393.7). The fort is also the site of [http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/ftleavenworth.asp#hi Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery]. See also {{FSC|737528|item|disp=Death/cemetery records of the National Cemetery, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 1844-1963}}
 *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Lincoln_(Kansas) Fort Lincoln] -- Civil War Fort
 *Fort Lyon -- Sometimes associated with the state of Kansas, Fort Lyon was actually located in [[Colorado Military Records|Colorado]].