Fort Scott in Bourbon County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
"A Most Deplorable Condition"
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 23, 2010
1. "A Most Deplorable Condition" Marker
“I have now over 200 in camp, and they are in a most deplorable condition….I have a mother with her dying babe in my office. The rest are in camp, in a condition next to death. Most of them have no shelter….Your agent here has no funds, no tents, nor clothing. Do for heaven’s sake send something along at once….Two poor creatures died during last night’s storm.”
Plea from Fort Scott’s chaplain, September 1864.
During the Civil War the ground in front of you witnessed both hope and despair. As a haven for refugees, Fort Scott offered respite from war, but conditions here all too often spawned tragedy.
The war transformed the Fort Scott area into a refugee center, harboring a broad mix of Indians, slaves, free blacks, and white settlers. Most were women, children, and elderly men. Three buildings from the former fort served as hospitals for both soldiers and civilians. At times tents sheltered the overflow of sick and wounded.
[Photo caption reads] Hospital tents (above) crowd the former parade ground, directly in front of you, in one of Fort Scott’s few Civil War photos. The chaplain
this page online
“Dr. Slocum and myself removed about twenty of the sick to a hospital tent in the Plaza.”
Erected 1998 by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 37° 50.609′ N, 94° 42.319′ W. Marker is in Fort Scott, Kansas, in Bourbon County. Marker can be reached from Old Fort Boulevard. Marker is on the grounds of Fort Scott National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Scott KS 66701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Western Hotel: Symbol of Strife (a few steps from this marker); Sutler Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); "Hardy, Dashing Looking Fellows" (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Scott Yesterday (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Town (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Scott (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sites and People of Fort Scott (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Scott.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 23, 2010
2. "A Most Deplorable Condition" Marker
Looking northeast across former parade ground toward Officers' Row.
Photographed By Unknown, 1860s
3. Photo Detail on Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 956 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 29, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
