Indian Wars: Second Battalion, Kansas State Militia

Organized July 1869
Mustered out November 20, 1869

Also known as the Second Frontier Battalion, this unit was formed to patrol the area from the Republican to the Smoky after Indian warriors attacked, murdered and carried into captivity a number of citizens from the area (primarily the May 30, 1869 Lincoln County Indian attack were 10 people were killed). COL W. S. Moorhouse, the adjutant general, directed the formation of a legislatively-approved organization of four companies to provide a military presence in the rather remote region. Although the units did not have any major battles, Indian activity in the area greatly reduced upon their arrival. The unit was the last Kansas Militia formed in response to Indian attacks.

The units occupied four camps orginally built by the federal government, when the federal troops vacated the camps. The soldiers had to provide their own horses, clothing and rations, except the state provided the firearms and ammunition. Enlisted soldiers were paid $46.50 a month. Officers were paid $92.50 a month. Upon their muster out of service, the soldiers were directed to give their firearms to the settlers in the area.

Company A – Located at Spillman Creek. Under the command of CPT A. J. Pliley, 1LT C. B. Whitney, 2LT John Marshall. CPT Pliley was in command of 82 men and 90 horses. Upon arriving in mid-July to take command of the camp, Pliley had a second story built on the 24 foot square blockhouse. The second story was off-set 45 degrees, so that when viewed from the top, the blockhouse had the appearance of an octogon. Camp Pliley was composed of the blockhouse, a stockade, kitchen, and several “officer’s quarters.”

Company B – Located at Plum Creek. Under the command of CPT W. A. Winsell, 1LT Joseph Becock, 2LT B. C. Lawrence

Company C – Located around Fisher Creek. Under the command of CPT I. N. Dalrymple, 1LT H. H. Tucker

Company D – Located near the forks of Beaver creek and the Republican river. Under the command of CPT Richard Stanfield, 1LT Herod Johnson

Expenses of 2nd Battalion, Kansas State Militia

Amount paid for services = $51,658.50 Amount paid for service of detachments of 1st Battalion, Kansas State Militia = $1,681.84 Amount paid for rations, camp and garrison equipage = $16,819.27 Amount paid for forage = $4,562.08 Amount paid for transportation = $4,037.65 Amount paid for medical attendance = $655.03 Amount paid for printing bonds = $125.00 Amount paid for organizing and of commission = $780.60 Amount paid for recruiting = $903.17 Amount paid for horse-shoeing = $774.62 Amount paid for lost horses = $545.00 Amount paid for quarters = $290.50 Total = $82,833.26 (By , HQ-KSANG Source: Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Kansas, 1869, p. 8-11.)