Photos only, from our Day Trip to Big Bend Ranch State Park
Wednesday 27
DaGirls Rv, Gus Da Bus
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me
Friday, March 29, 2024
Time for History
On Tuesday, we headed north to Fort Davis.
Reading Material:
Fort Davis: Frontier Post
A key post in the defense system of western Texas, Fort Davis played a major role in the history of the Southwest. From 1854 until 1891, troops stationed at the post protected emigrants, freighters, mail coaches, and travelers on the San Antonio-El Paso Road hoping to reach the gold fields of California. Today, Fort Davis is considered one of the best remaining examples of a frontier military post in the American Southwest. It is a vivid reminder of the significant role played by the military in the settlement and development of the western frontier.
Named for Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, the fort was first garrisoned by Lieutenant Colonel Washington Seawell and six companies of the Eighth U.S. Infantry. The post was located in a box canyon near Limpia Creek on the eastern side of the Davis Mountains--where wood, water, and grass were plentiful. From 1854 to 1861 , troops of the Eighth Infantry spent much of their time in the field pursuing Comanches, Kiowas, and Apaches.
With the outbreak of the Civil War and Texas's secession from the Union, the federal government evacuated Fort Davis. The fort was occupied by Confederate troops from the spring of 1861 until the summer of 1862, when Union forces again took possession. They quickly abandoned the post and Fort Davis lay deserted for the next five years. The original post consisted of primitive structures. (It was located west of the present day Officers' Row.
The foundations of several buildings from this earlier fort can still be seen today.) Not many of the fort's structures remained in June 1867, when Lieutenant Colonel Wesley Merritt and four companies of the recently-organized Ninth U.S. Cavalry reoccupied Fort Davis. The building of a new post, just east of the original site, began immediately. By the end of 1869, a number of officers' quarters, two enlisted men's barracks, a guardhouse, temporary hospital, and storehouses had been erected. Construction continued through the 1880s. By then, Fort Davis had become a major installation with more than 100 structures, and quarters for more than 400 soldiers.
Fort Davis's primary role of safeguarding the west Texas frontier against the Comanches and Apaches continued until 1881. Although the Comanches were defeated in the mid-1870s, the Apaches continued to make travel on the San Antonio-El Paso road dangerous. Soldiers from the post regularly patrolled the road and provided protection for wagon trains and mail coaches. The last major military campaign involving troops from Fort Davis occurred in 1880.
In a series of engagements, units from Fort Davis and other posts, under the command of Colonel Benjamin Grierson, forced the Apaches and their leader Victorio into Mexico. There, Victorio and most of his followers were killed by Mexican soldiers. With the end of the Indian Wars in west Texas, garrison life at Fort Davis became more routine. Soldiers occasionally escorted railroad survey parties, repaired roads and telegraph lines, and pursued bandits.
In June 1891, as a result of the army's efforts to consolidate its frontier garrisons, Fort Davis was ordered abandoned, having "outlived its usefulness. "Seventy years later, in 1961, the fort was authorized as a national historic site, a unit of the National Park Service.
Henry Ossian Flipper (1856-1940) was the first African American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1877. He was also the first Black officer commissioned in the U.S. Army.
Flipper was born into slavery in Thomasville, Georgia. He faced prejudice and isolation, but became a leader in engineering, national government service, publishing, and education. He also wrote books, including The Colored Cadet at West Point in 1878 and his memoirs in 1963.
Flipper faced challenges at Fort Davis, including being accused of making false statements and embezzling funds. In 1994, his descendants had his case reviewed and the court martial was reversed. President Clinton pardoned him in 1999.
Flipper died in 1940 without having his record or name cleared. Today, there is a bust of Flipper at West Point, and an award is given in his name to a soldier who perseveres in the face of unusual difficulties.
Final Update on Lt. Flipper:
It was only posthumously that Flipper’s name was cleared of the charges brought upon him in 1882. In 1976, the Army upgraded Flipper's discharge from “dishonorable” to “honorable.” In 1997, a private law firm filed an application of pardon on Lieutenant Flipper’s behalf, and President Bill Clinton approved this application, saying "Henry Flipper did all his country asked him to do." On February 19, 1999, Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper was formally pardoned, effectively ending the decades-long effort to clear his name.
Reading Material:
Fort Davis: Frontier Post
A key post in the defense system of western Texas, Fort Davis played a major role in the history of the Southwest. From 1854 until 1891, troops stationed at the post protected emigrants, freighters, mail coaches, and travelers on the San Antonio-El Paso Road hoping to reach the gold fields of California. Today, Fort Davis is considered one of the best remaining examples of a frontier military post in the American Southwest. It is a vivid reminder of the significant role played by the military in the settlement and development of the western frontier.
Named for Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, the fort was first garrisoned by Lieutenant Colonel Washington Seawell and six companies of the Eighth U.S. Infantry. The post was located in a box canyon near Limpia Creek on the eastern side of the Davis Mountains--where wood, water, and grass were plentiful. From 1854 to 1861 , troops of the Eighth Infantry spent much of their time in the field pursuing Comanches, Kiowas, and Apaches.
With the outbreak of the Civil War and Texas's secession from the Union, the federal government evacuated Fort Davis. The fort was occupied by Confederate troops from the spring of 1861 until the summer of 1862, when Union forces again took possession. They quickly abandoned the post and Fort Davis lay deserted for the next five years. The original post consisted of primitive structures. (It was located west of the present day Officers' Row.
The foundations of several buildings from this earlier fort can still be seen today.) Not many of the fort's structures remained in June 1867, when Lieutenant Colonel Wesley Merritt and four companies of the recently-organized Ninth U.S. Cavalry reoccupied Fort Davis. The building of a new post, just east of the original site, began immediately. By the end of 1869, a number of officers' quarters, two enlisted men's barracks, a guardhouse, temporary hospital, and storehouses had been erected. Construction continued through the 1880s. By then, Fort Davis had become a major installation with more than 100 structures, and quarters for more than 400 soldiers.
Fort Davis's primary role of safeguarding the west Texas frontier against the Comanches and Apaches continued until 1881. Although the Comanches were defeated in the mid-1870s, the Apaches continued to make travel on the San Antonio-El Paso road dangerous. Soldiers from the post regularly patrolled the road and provided protection for wagon trains and mail coaches. The last major military campaign involving troops from Fort Davis occurred in 1880.
In a series of engagements, units from Fort Davis and other posts, under the command of Colonel Benjamin Grierson, forced the Apaches and their leader Victorio into Mexico. There, Victorio and most of his followers were killed by Mexican soldiers. With the end of the Indian Wars in west Texas, garrison life at Fort Davis became more routine. Soldiers occasionally escorted railroad survey parties, repaired roads and telegraph lines, and pursued bandits.
In June 1891, as a result of the army's efforts to consolidate its frontier garrisons, Fort Davis was ordered abandoned, having "outlived its usefulness. "Seventy years later, in 1961, the fort was authorized as a national historic site, a unit of the National Park Service.
Henry Ossian Flipper (1856-1940) was the first African American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1877. He was also the first Black officer commissioned in the U.S. Army.
Flipper was born into slavery in Thomasville, Georgia. He faced prejudice and isolation, but became a leader in engineering, national government service, publishing, and education. He also wrote books, including The Colored Cadet at West Point in 1878 and his memoirs in 1963.
Flipper faced challenges at Fort Davis, including being accused of making false statements and embezzling funds. In 1994, his descendants had his case reviewed and the court martial was reversed. President Clinton pardoned him in 1999.
Flipper died in 1940 without having his record or name cleared. Today, there is a bust of Flipper at West Point, and an award is given in his name to a soldier who perseveres in the face of unusual difficulties.
Final Update on Lt. Flipper:
It was only posthumously that Flipper’s name was cleared of the charges brought upon him in 1882. In 1976, the Army upgraded Flipper's discharge from “dishonorable” to “honorable.” In 1997, a private law firm filed an application of pardon on Lieutenant Flipper’s behalf, and President Bill Clinton approved this application, saying "Henry Flipper did all his country asked him to do." On February 19, 1999, Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper was formally pardoned, effectively ending the decades-long effort to clear his name.
As always, photos for Fun
Safe Travels and Journeys
DaGirls Rv and Gus Da Bus
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Marfa Texas
Marfa is a city in the high desert of the Trans-Pecos in far West Texas, United States, between the Davis Mountains and Big Bend National Park, at an elevation of 4685 feet. It is the county seat of Presidio County, and its population as of the 2020 United States Census was 1,788. The city was founded in the early 1880s as a water stop; the population peaked in the 1930s and has continued to decline each decade since. However, today Marfa is a tourist destination and a major center for minimalist art. Attractions include Building 98, the Chinati Foundation, artisan shops, historical architecture, a classic Texas town square, modern art installments, art galleries, and the Marfa lights. (As Always wikipedia is a good resource).
Now, if you want to read about the reality of Marfa, Press here - Link.
Even though it was still windy, I chance a Walk-A-Bout through town. I usually find something either unique or fun photos shoots. The first 3 photos, even close up, is very hard to say what is was. If I have to guess, possible a hay bailer.
As I walked around I though of Steve, Tony and a few others of my Army Friends
From there it was a Sprit Store -
The next 3 are Photos of St. Paul Episcopal Church
Anyway, we are currently in Presidio, Tx. I will update you of aother unique places we visited on Tuesday.
DaGirls AkA Gus Da Bus
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me
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