In June 1862 two Union camps were established in the vicinity of what is today Baxter Springs, Kansas. One was Camp Hunter, located in what is now the center of the town. The other was the Indian Home Guard Camp, located at Little Five Mile Creek, 1½ miles southeast of Camp Hunter. The camps at Baxter Springs were established with three goals in mind. One was to escort wagon trains heading south into Indian Territory, as much of that entity was held by Indians owing loyalty to the Confederacy. Therefore, wagon trains traveling through the Indian Territory were in danger of being attacked.