When the American Civil War erupted on April 12, 1861, Kansas City, Missouri, found itself at a critical crossroads. Far from the major battlefields, this frontier city became a hotbed of division, its citizens torn between Union and Confederate loyalties. Amidst this turmoil, a crucial defensive position emerged: Camp Union, also known as Fort Union, a temporary but pivotal stronghold that played a significant role in securing Kansas City for the Union cause.
A City Divided: Kansas City on the Eve of War
Missouri’s delicate position as a border state meant that neutrality was an early, though ultimately unsustainable, goal. Kansas City, having already witnessed the violence of the Bleeding Kansas era, was acutely aware of the impending conflict. Despite the state’s official declaration of neutrality by the Missouri Constitutional Convention, Governor Claiborne Jackson openly favored secessionists, creating a volatile political climate. The situation escalated rapidly when Southern sympathizers attacked the Union Arsenal in Liberty, Missouri, capturing weapons and marking an early act of civilian hostility.
Mayor Van Horn: A Unionist’s Resolve
At the heart of Kansas City’s Union efforts was Mayor Robert T. Van Horn, a newspaperman and staunch Unionist. Initially elected on a moderate platform, Van Horn quickly solidified his pro-Union stance when war broke out. Defying Governor Jackson’s orders to resign, he not only continued as mayor but also received a commission as a Major in the Union Army, demonstrating remarkable leadership and commitment. His resolve was tested when pro-secessionists brazenly raised a Confederate flag in the city, prompting Van Horn to request immediate Union reinforcements from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Establishing Camp Union: A Fortress for Freedom
The arrival of seven companies of U.S. troops on June 14, led by Captain W.E. Prince, marked a turning point. Supplemented by Van Horn’s newly organized “Home Guard,” these forces set about establishing a permanent presence. Camp Union was strategically built at the site of an unfinished Broadway Hotel on 10th Street and Broadway. The location was transformed into a formidable defensive compound:
- A 200-square-foot earthwork encircled the site.
- The hotel’s foundation was ingeniously converted into a stable for cavalry horses.
- Barracks and service buildings were constructed within the fortifications.
- Two howitzers and a single cannon, survivors from the Bleeding Kansas conflict, were installed for defense.
Beyond the main camp, supporting facilities included quartermaster’s stables, a commissary warehouse by the river, and a hospital at the Farmer’s Hotel, showcasing a comprehensive military infrastructure.
Life and Conflict at the Fort
Throughout the war, Camp Union served as the nerve center for Union operations in Kansas City. Its soldiers actively suppressed Confederate sympathizers, and the camp’s cannon famously provided warnings of impending danger. Laura Coates Reed, daughter of prominent citizen Kersey Coates, fondly remembered, “I remember it well, with its old cannon that always looked so formidable, its adjoining barracks, and the dear old flag that waved so proudly over all.”
Despite the Union’s hold on the city, the region remained fraught with danger. Mayor Van Horn himself was wounded and captured at the Battle of Lexington, only to be released and later re-elected mayor. Confederate bushwhackers and guerrillas constantly threatened trade routes and ravaged surrounding farmlands, severely impacting Kansas City’s economy and diverting commerce to more secure Kansas towns. The struggle for control culminated in October 1864 with the Battle of Westport, a decisive Union victory that effectively crushed Confederate hopes of bringing Missouri into their fold.
Conclusion
Camp Union, though a temporary installation, stands as a powerful symbol of Kansas City’s resilience and its crucial role in the Civil War. It was a beacon of Union presence in a deeply divided state, a testament to the dedication of leaders like Robert T. Van Horn, and a strategic point that helped shape the outcome of the war in the Western Theater. After the war concluded in 1867, the camp was dismantled, and the site returned to civilian use, eventually becoming the renowned Coates House Hotel. Today, the legacy of Camp Union reminds us of a pivotal period when Kansas City stood firm in the face of national upheaval, securing its place in American history.
