10. The 1866 Guardhouse

The 1866 guardhouse was the second of three such structures built at Fort Laramie. It served two important functions, the headquarters of the guards or sentries at the Fort, and the incarceration center for soldiers who ran afoul of Army discipline and the rules of conduct outlined in the Articles of War. The building was constructed of stone.

Each day a group of soldiers would be selected to serve as guards or senties at the Fort. They would serve in this capacity for 24 hours and would be attired in dress uniforms with white Berlin gloves. A formal ceremony, on the Parade Ground, would be held each morning to mark the changing of the guard. The new guards would be inspected by the Officer of the Day and given the password for the day.

The guards were usually split into two shifts, with one shift assuming sentry duties at strategic positions around the Post, and the other one remaining in a state of readiness in the upper level of the guardhouse. At two-hour intervals, the two shifts would switch roles.

The lower level of the guardhouse was the Fort’s jail. The prisoners were usually forced to work at hard labor jobs during the day, under guard and often with ball and chain. At night they were confined to the jail. A general confinement room could hold up to 40 prisoners, and two solitary confinement cells were provided for incorrigibles. There was no stove or fireplace in the confinement area, so a soldier had only his two army-issue blankets to keep him warm, even on the coldest nights.