When was fort leavenworth established

In , Gen. William T. Sherman established the School of Application for Cavalry and Infantry. That school evolved into the U. Home Bases. Base Directory. But Union officials quickly realized the strategic value of the fort.

Besides the previously mentioned bounty of geographical benefits, Fort Leavenworth was equipped with two other key qualities: a well-stocked armory and its experience as a top training center for new Army recruits. Without Fort Leavenworth providing such critical services, both forts could have fallen under Confederate command and given the Confederate Army near total control of eastern Kansas and western Missouri.

Instead, Fort Leavenworth remained one of the few military sites on the Western Border to never experience a Confederate attack. During the Mexican-American War between and , the fort developed a strong reputation for producing excellent soldiers. During the course of the war, a new day would bring in scores of new recruits, and by the end of the struggle, thousands had arrived at Fort Leavenworth and left as well-trained soldiers fighting for the Union cause.

Building on the courage and devotion to duty that black soldiers demonstrated during the war, Army officials recognized the necessity and value of an official standing unit of black soldiers and formed four regiments in At present, the post is years old and has played a vital role in every major American conflict since the Civil War.

Hughes, J. Fort Leavenworth: Gateway to the West. Hunt, Elvid. Skip to main content. The missouri-kansas conflict You are here Maps. Encyclopedia Entry Fort Leavenworth.