Fort Clark, Texas
Encyclopedia
Fort Clark was a frontier fort that later became the headquarters for the 2nd Cavalry Division.
at the time its potential for military development was recognized by William H.C. Whiting and William F. Smith
in 1849. Whiting and Smith were actually engaged in surveying the path of the San Antonio-El Paso Road
when they came upon the Las Moras Springs ("Mulberry Springs") at the headwaters of Las Moras Creek. They told their superiors that they believed the high ground above the springs would be an appropriate placement for a fort.
On June 20, 1852, the military made use of it, placing Companies C and E of the 1st US Infantry Regiment and a detachment of riflemen of the U.S. Mounted Rifles on the post they initially called Fort Riley, after retired General Bennett C. Riley. Riley himself requested that the fort be named instead for Major John B. Clark, an officer of the 1st Infantry who died during the Mexican-American War on August 23, 1847. It was accordingly renamed on July 15 of that year, and on July 30, 1852, the United States officially leased the land from Maverick, through signatory Lieutenant-Colonel D.C. Tompkins, to permit development of a fort. After soldiers and officers quarters were constructed in 1853 and 1854, the fort was expanded with a hospital and a two-story storehouse in 1855. Stone quarters for the commanding officer, recorded as near completion in the summer of 1857, were converted to the post headquarters in 1873.
was founded in 1852 by local dry-goods merchant Oscar B. Brackett. The town was renamed Brackett in his honor in 1856 and renamed Brackettville in 1873 upon receiving a government post office. It became a stop on the San Antonio-El Paso Road stagecoach. In 1876, a visitor to the town described it as "the liveliest burg in West Texas, where the night life could only be compared to the saloons and gambling places that existed the early days of the gold excitement of California and the Klondike. Its flow of travellers later dried up when the railroad bypassed it by ten miles.
, who was garrisoned there with four companies. The surrender took place without military engagement, but not without tension, as Union soldiers garrisoned at the base cut the halliard of the flag-pole after the Federal flag was removed in order to prevent the Confederate flag being raised and then, further, set fire to the barracks as they were withdrawing. Sykes took quick action to aid in extinguishing the fire to preserve the barracks and nearby buildings.
Colonel Ranald Mackenzie and the 4th US Cavalry were based here in 1873-1876 and 1878-1879.
Texas National Guard
was posted here.
In the spring and summer of 1943, the 3rd Cavalry Brigade (made up of the 9th and 27th
US Cavalry Regiments) was trained and stationed here. Its parent unit, the 2nd Cavalry Division
, was headquartered here until their deployment overseas on February, 1944.
Founding
The land that became Fort Clark was owned by Samuel A. MaverickSamuel Maverick
Samuel Augustus Maverick was a Texas lawyer, politician, land baron and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence...
at the time its potential for military development was recognized by William H.C. Whiting and William F. Smith
William Farrar Smith
William Farrar Smith , was a civil engineer, a member of the New York City police commission, and Union general in the American Civil War.-Early life:...
in 1849. Whiting and Smith were actually engaged in surveying the path of the San Antonio-El Paso Road
San Antonio-El Paso Road
The San Antonio-El Paso Road also known as the Lower Emigrant Road or Military Road was an economically important trade route between the Texas cities of San Antonio and El Paso between 1849 and 1882...
when they came upon the Las Moras Springs ("Mulberry Springs") at the headwaters of Las Moras Creek. They told their superiors that they believed the high ground above the springs would be an appropriate placement for a fort.
On June 20, 1852, the military made use of it, placing Companies C and E of the 1st US Infantry Regiment and a detachment of riflemen of the U.S. Mounted Rifles on the post they initially called Fort Riley, after retired General Bennett C. Riley. Riley himself requested that the fort be named instead for Major John B. Clark, an officer of the 1st Infantry who died during the Mexican-American War on August 23, 1847. It was accordingly renamed on July 15 of that year, and on July 30, 1852, the United States officially leased the land from Maverick, through signatory Lieutenant-Colonel D.C. Tompkins, to permit development of a fort. After soldiers and officers quarters were constructed in 1853 and 1854, the fort was expanded with a hospital and a two-story storehouse in 1855. Stone quarters for the commanding officer, recorded as near completion in the summer of 1857, were converted to the post headquarters in 1873.
Brackettville
The nearby village of Las MorasBrackettville, Texas
Brackettville is a city in Kinney County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,876 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Kinney County...
was founded in 1852 by local dry-goods merchant Oscar B. Brackett. The town was renamed Brackett in his honor in 1856 and renamed Brackettville in 1873 upon receiving a government post office. It became a stop on the San Antonio-El Paso Road stagecoach. In 1876, a visitor to the town described it as "the liveliest burg in West Texas, where the night life could only be compared to the saloons and gambling places that existed the early days of the gold excitement of California and the Klondike. Its flow of travellers later dried up when the railroad bypassed it by ten miles.
Civil War
On March 19, 1861, Captain Tervanion T. Teel, leader of 18 Confederate troops, accepted the surrender of the fort from then-Captain George SykesGeorge Sykes
George Sykes was a career United States Army officer and a Union General during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
, who was garrisoned there with four companies. The surrender took place without military engagement, but not without tension, as Union soldiers garrisoned at the base cut the halliard of the flag-pole after the Federal flag was removed in order to prevent the Confederate flag being raised and then, further, set fire to the barracks as they were withdrawing. Sykes took quick action to aid in extinguishing the fire to preserve the barracks and nearby buildings.
Indian Wars
The Seminole-Negro Indian Scouts were headquartered at Fort Clark from 1870 to 1914. A Seminole community settled near the fort in 1872 and its descendants are still to be found in Brackettville and the surrounding areas.Colonel Ranald Mackenzie and the 4th US Cavalry were based here in 1873-1876 and 1878-1879.
World War 2
In 1941, the 112th Cavalry Regiment (Horse)112th Cavalry Regiment (United States)
The 112th Cavalry Regiment was a Texas National Guard Regiment that served in several Pacific campaigns during World War II.-Early history:...
Texas National Guard
Texas National Guard
The Texas National Guard consists of the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard. The Guard is administered by the adjutant general, an appointee of the governor of Texas. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state...
was posted here.
In the spring and summer of 1943, the 3rd Cavalry Brigade (made up of the 9th and 27th
27th Cavalry Regiment (United States)
The 27th Cavalry Regiment was a short-lived African-American unit of the United States Army. The regiment was formed as part of the 2nd Cavalry Division in 1943 and inactivated in north Africa in 1944 without seeing combat.-History:...
US Cavalry Regiments) was trained and stationed here. Its parent unit, the 2nd Cavalry Division
2nd Cavalry Division (United States)
-Heraldry:SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA*Description: On a yellow Norman shield with a green border, a blue chevron below two eight-pointed blue stars.*Blazon: Or, a chevron azure, in chief 2 mullets of eight points of the second, a bordure vert....
, was headquartered here until their deployment overseas on February, 1944.
Closure
Cavalry training at the fort ceased in January, 1944. In 1944, the US Army deactivated the Cavalry Branch and merged it with the Armor branch. The base was deactivated in 1946.Famous People Associated with Fort Clark
- Lieutenant (later General) John Lapham BullisJohn L. BullisJohn Lapham Bullis was a much-decorated American soldier and later an entrepreneur.He was born at Macedon, New York, the eldest of the seven children of Dr. Abram R. and Lydia P. Bullis...
commanded the Seminole-Negro Indian Scouts from 1873-1881. Camp BullisCamp BullisCamp Bullis Military Training Reservation is a U.S. Army training camp located in Bexar County, Texas, just northwest of San Antonio, USA. The camp is named for Brigadier General John Lapham Bullis ,...
, Texas is named after him. - Colonel Ranald S. MackenzieRanald S. MackenzieRanald Slidell Mackenzie was a career United States Army officer and general in the Union Army during the American Civil War, described by General Ulysses S. Grant as its most promising young officer...
used it has his headquarters in 1873 and as a base of operations in 1874-1875 and 1879.