The Barracks at Fort Osage

The barracks functioned as the social center for the enlisted men of Fort Osage. This is typically where the men prepared and ate their meals, engaged in social activities such as music and singing, and read or wrote letters from home (if literate). The soldiers at Fort Osage came from a variety of backgrounds, but most were from eastern states such as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Delaware. Several were born in foreign countries, especially Ireland and Germany. Each hut or room of the barracks was composed of a “mess” or squad of 6-8 men. The mess was issued rations as a group, and generally a couple of men in the mess would prepare meals on a rotating basis.

Chiefs of Squads

Each room in the barracks held a “squad”, and the barracks rooms are referred to as “squad rooms”. Captain Eli B. Clemson issued the following orders for non-commissioned officers (corporals and sergeants) in squad rooms at Fort Osage.

“When in Barracks the Companies are to be divided into Squads, according to the number of men the Barrack Room will contain. A non-Commissioned will be appointed to each Squad, whose duty it will be to be very attentive in Instructing the men how to dress themselves and Clean their Arms & Accoutrements, they are to be Accountable for the good Appearance of the men in every Respect, they are also to be responsible for their regular Behavior when in the rooms, and never Suffer any Gambling, Card Playing, Cursing, Swearing, or improper treatment one from Another, those that are discovered in disobeying this order are to be Confined and to be tried.”

“The squads must be so formed that the vices of some men may be Checked by the good Conduct of Others.”

“Non Commissioned officers of Squads are to be responsible that the men Sweep their Rooms, and put all the Utensils given for their use in proper Order, every Morning before Roll Call and that their beds and Blankets be well shaken and hung out every fair day.”