Category:Fort Davis

Fort Davis (1854-1862)(1867-1891) - Established on the order of General Persifor F Smith on 23 Oct 1854 and named after the then Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis. The fort provided protection for the San Antonio - El Paso road which was a major link on the southern route to California.

The First Fort Davis (1854-1862)

The first Fort Davis was initially commanded by Ltc. Washington Seawell and manned by companies of the 8th U.S. Infantry. Ltc. Seawell commanded the first Fort Davis for most of the years between 1854 and 1862. The fort was a large and important post in the southwest and often containe more than 400 officers and enlisted men. In 1861 the fort was abandoned by Union forces and occupied by units of the 2nd Texas Mounted Rifles. In Aug 1862 Union forces regained control of the fort but did not occupy it until 1867, well after the conclusion of the U.S. Civil War.

The Second Fort Davis (1867-1891)

The fort was reoccupied in Jun 1867 by four troops of the 9th U.S. Cavalry under Ltc. Wesley Merritt. At that point in time the 9th U.S. Cavalry was composed of white officers and Negro enlisted men. Col. Merritt began the construction of a new stone fort on a plan that envisioned a row of 19 officers quarters facing a row of 6 barracks across a 500 foot long parade ground with supply and adiministrative buildings on either end. The new fort was located closer to the mouth of the canyon that had contained the original fort.
Construction on the new fort was halted in March of 1869 and only 2 barracks and 10 sets of officers quarters were built and occupied. Few stone buildings were constructed. Additional facilities were built during the 1880's to house increasing troop levels and by 1890 more than 60 buildings and such amenities as an ice plant, gas street lamps and a water system were in place.

Current Status

Links:

• Fort Davis National Historic Site

Sources:

Visited: 23 May 1986

Picture Gallery

• 
  Fort Davis Hospital, 1986
• 
  Fort Davis Officer's Row, 1986