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Fort Scott National Historic SitePhotograph of Powder Magazine and Officers Quarters at Fort Scott
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Fort Scott National Historic Site
Dragoon Soldier-Overview

Imagine yourself a dragoon at Fort Scott in the 1840s.  Your mission is to keep Indians and white settlers off of each other's territory and to keep peace between the various Indian tribes.  For your services, you get to sleep in a crowded barracks, eat Army food, and earn eight dollars a month. 

This section contains information on recruiting of soldiers, training, the life of a soldier, and the missions that they participated in during the 1840s.  Was it an exciting life? You decide.

You will be doing your program in the squad room of the dragoon barracks. The dragoon barracks was constructed in 1843 and was occupied in May of 1844 by 1st Dragoons, Company A. The barracks contained a company office, kitchen, mess hall, laundress quarters and quarters for married noncommissioned officers on the first floor. On the second floor were the squad rooms or sleeping quarters for the privates and corporals as well as a room for the sergeants. 

Below is a picture of the squad room.

 
Squadroom of Dragoon Barracks
 
 
Dragoon guidon
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Park volunteer, Anatika Timmons-Lee (now deceased) portrays Anna in a dramatic presentation.  

Did You Know?
Many officers at Fort Scott in the 1840s owned slaves. One particular slave, Anna, was rented to Hiero Wilson, post sutler. Born free and educated, she was kidnapped into slavery in 1820, In 1849, she regained her freedom, married, operated a hotel in Eastern Kansas, and later became a pioneer.

Last Updated: February 03, 2008 at 17:58 EST