An event of historical significance was held near Denmark, Saturday, May 11, when Debra Smith Edwards, founder of the Denmark Preservation Society dedicated a limestone sign signifying the one-time location of this important military camp.
Author and historian Jeff Broome presented the history of Camp Pliley and its significance to Lincoln County. Camp Pliley was one of four military camps in Lincoln County established to deal with raids by Indians. Several settlers were gruesomely killed in the raids. Established in 1868 in Grant Township, it was more specifically located on the north side of the creek just east of the junction of Bacon and Spillman Creeks.
A veteran of the Battle of Beecher’s Island in Colorado, and having served under Col. George A. Forsyth’s Scouts, Allison J. Pliley was commissioned as a Captain and given command of Company A, the 19th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, where he served from October 1968 until April 1869, repeatedly leading scouting and rescue details.
Camp Pliley originally consisted solely of a log house built in a square with portholes in the walls. In mid-July 1969 Captain Pliley took command of the camp, in charge of 82 men and 90 horses. The building was enlarged with a 45-degree offset second story. The camp included a stockade, kitchen, ness house and several officers’ quarters. The 24x24 foot building could hold 100 people when it had to.
Local history buffs might recognize the names of some settlers who were at Camp Pliley in 1869 t0 1872, including Tom Boyle and wife; P.D. Reed and wife; Dick Alley and wife; Lorentz
Debra Edwards addresses a large group of history buffs who followed the signs to attend the event commemorating Camp Pliley.
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Christiansen and wife, along with his brother Peter and his family. Henry Leaf and Harry Trask, single men, were living on Spillman Creek at this time as well as Helena Christensen Errebo, widow of Henry Errebo. The event drew a large crowd from descendants as well as interested locals.
The land dedicated to the marker was donated by the late Richard Peterson. The ground was cleared by Steve and Marion McReynolds and Lance Peterson, who also created the sign itself. The site sits just west of Denmark.
The Denmark Preservation Society is a non-profit organization, dedicated to preserving the rich history of Denmark, Kansas.
Author and historian, Jeff Broome presented information concerning Captain A.J. Pliley and Camp Pliley, and the history of both. (Photo coutesy of Debra Edwards)
