Trip to Ft. Leavenworth, spring 1999

Wet chilly weather accompanied us on our visit to Fort Leavenworth
in early March.

Fort Leavenworth was established in 1827 and is the oldest U.S. Army fort in continuous existence west of the Mississippi. Situated on the bluffs west of the Missouri River in Kansas, this frontier post was established to protect trade on the Santa Fe Trail. It became essential to the overland expansion on both the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails.

During the Mexican War, the Army of the West departed from Fort Leavenworth. When Kansas opened for settlement, the fort served the governor as his territorial capital. During the Civil War, the fort was the critical linchpin to the far west for the Union.

Select a small photo to see the larger version:

The black 10th Cavalry Regiment distinguished itself throughout the territory.		Buffalo Soldiers may be named after their nappy hair or after the buffalo coats they wore in winter.
Beautifully set among pools of water, a bronze monument to the Buffalo Soldier stands proud.		The detailing on this larger-than-life soldier and his mount are most impressive.
Carol, Nancy, Dottie Lou and Bob stand just outside of the post's Memorial Chapel.	In the chapel plaques honoring specific soldiers line its walls	Some soldiers mentioned died at Little Big Horn, others in other historic lines of duty.

Today Fort Leavenworth is home to the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College,
considered the finest senior tactical school in the world for advanced miltary education.

Read Topeka Capital-Journal article about Fort Leavenworth * Visit Frontier Army Museum site

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