Fort Belknap, Texas – Fighting the Comanche
Fort Belknap, a sentinel of the Texas frontier, stands as a testament to the tumultuous period of westward expansion in the United States. Situated in Young County, approximately three miles south of present-day Newcastle, Texas, this historic site is a significant stop along the Texas Forts Trail. Its story is interwoven with the U.S. Army’s efforts to protect settlers from the raids of the Kiowa and Comanche tribes, the establishment of Indian reservations, and the eventual abandonment and restoration of a once-vital military post.
The need for Fort Belknap arose from the escalating tensions between settlers and Native American tribes following the annexation of Texas by the United States in 1845 and the conclusion of the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). As settlers pushed westward, they increasingly encroached upon traditional Native American hunting grounds, leading to frequent raids and conflicts. The settlers, understandably, demanded protection from the federal government.
In response to these demands, the U.S. Army established a series of forts across Texas, aiming to create a defensive line against the Kiowa and Comanche. The initial string of forts included Martin Scott (established in 1848), followed by Worth, Gates, Graham, Croghan, Duncan, and Lincoln in 1849. However, the rapid expansion of settlements soon rendered this initial line inadequate. A second system of forts was then initiated, including Fort Belknap and Phantom Hill (both established in 1851), and Chadbourne, McKavett, and Clark in 1852.
Fort Belknap played a crucial role in this second system of forts. Strategically positioned on the Brazos River, it served as the northernmost anchor, placing it closest to the territory inhabited by the Kiowa and Comanche. Besides safeguarding settlers, Fort Belknap and nearby Fort Phantom Hill protected the Fort Smith-El Paso Road, a vital segment of the transcontinental route pioneered by Captain Randolph B. Marcy in 1849. This road was a lifeline for westward-bound travelers and crucial for military and commercial transport.
The establishment of Fort Belknap was not without its initial challenges. Originally established on June 24, 1851, two miles north of its current location, the fort’s construction was overseen by Captain C.L. Stephenson of the Fifth Infantry under the order of Brevet Brigadier General William G. Belknap, for whom the fort was named. A primary concern was finding a reliable water source. Soldiers dug shafts as deep as 65 feet without success, leading to the decision to relocate the fort two miles south, where adequate water was found in springs near the Brazos River.
The first structures at Fort Belknap were constructed of adobe, a readily available material on the Texas plains. However, these were later replaced with more durable stone buildings. At its peak, the fort housed four companies of soldiers and served as a vital command post. Unlike some frontier forts, Fort Belknap lacked defensive fortifications such as walls, berms, or trenches, relying instead on its strategic location and the vigilance of its troops.
Fort Belknap also served as a base for important expeditions. In 1852, Captain Marcy and Lieutenant George B. McClellan launched an exploration of the Canadian River from the fort, ultimately discovering the headwaters of the Red River. This expedition filled in a significant gap in the understanding of the southern Plains’ geography.
In 1854, Marcy returned to Fort Belknap to assist Indian Agent Robert S. Neighbors in surveying and establishing two Indian reservations. This initiative was in response to Neighbors’ efforts to mediate between settlers and Native American tribes. He successfully negotiated peace treaties in the past. The State authorized the reservations because of Neighbors’ humanitarian efforts. In 1854-55, Neighbors and Marcy established the Brazos Agency a few miles south of Fort Belknap, and the Comanche Reservation (also known as the Comanche Reserve), located 45 miles to the west and guarded by Camp Cooper. Within three years, over 1,100 peaceful Indians from various smaller tribes settled around the Brazos Agency, while approximately 400 Comanche moved onto the Comanche Reservation. Neighbors encouraged the reservation Indians to abandon their nomadic lifestyles and adopt agriculture.
Despite these efforts, tensions remained high. While the reservation Indians were generally peaceful, conflicts with non-reservation Indians continued. Settlers often blamed reservation Indians for the raids, leading to increased animosity and distrust.
The U.S. Army, often supported by Texas Rangers and State troops, worked to manage the Indian raids. However, significant success was not achieved until the arrival of Colonel Albert S. Johnston’s newly organized 2d Cavalry Regiment in December 1855. Johnston dispersed his troops among the forts in the chain, strengthening the military presence and improving the response to Indian raids.
One of the most significant military operations involving troops from Fort Belknap was Captain Earl Van Dorn’s 1858-59 Wichita Expedition. This expedition was a retaliatory march into Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) in response to raids into Texas. Van Dorn led 250 cavalrymen and infantrymen from the garrison, along with 135 Indian allies, northward. He established Camp Radziminski in Oklahoma as an advance base and achieved victories against the Comanche in the Battle of Rush Springs, Oklahoma, on October 1, 1858, and the Battle of Crooked Creek, Kansas, on May 13, 1859, near present-day Dodge City.
These aggressive campaigns had a notable impact on the Comanche. The tribe divided into smaller bands, with many fleeing to the Staked Plains of eastern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle. Those who remained near populated areas of Texas curtailed their raiding activities.
In 1859, further difficulties arose. A severe water shortage forced the abandonment of Fort Belknap, and the troops were transferred to Camp Cooper. However, the Butterfield Overland Mail Station, which had been established there in 1858, continued to operate until 1861, highlighting the fort’s strategic importance for communication and transportation.
The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 brought about significant changes. General David E. Twiggs, in San Antonio, ordered Colonel William H. Emory to gather all federal troops and move them north to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, believing that war was imminent. On February 9, 1861, General Twiggs surrendered all United States forts and military equipment in Texas. During the Civil War, Confederate forces of the Texas Frontier Regiment used Fort Belknap as a base to protect settlers from hostile Indians. However, the inexperienced Confederate troops struggled to contain the Indian raids.
Following the Civil War, U.S. troops returned to Fort Belknap in April 1867 and began to repair the buildings. However, the problems with water supply persisted, and the westward movement of the frontier diminished the fort’s strategic importance. As a result, Fort Belknap was permanently abandoned in September 1867. Forts Richardson to the northeast, and Fort Griffin to the southwest, replaced it in the frontier defense system.
For several years afterward, detachments were occasionally stationed at Fort Belknap to oversee the mail road and manage Indian uprisings. After the Red River War of 1874-75, which effectively subdued the southern Plains tribes, the fort fell into disrepair, and settlers dismantled it for building materials.
Despite its decline, Fort Belknap was not forgotten. In 1936, during the Texas Centennial, the state, using supplemental Federal funds, initiated a restoration project. At that time, only the magazine and part of the corn house were still standing. The state restored these structures and reconstructed the commissary, a kitchen, two 2-story barracks, and the well. These reconstructions were built on the original foundations, with the exception of the kitchen, which was placed between the barracks. The buildings were constructed of stone with shingled roofs. The 20-acre site was then transformed into a county park.
In 1960, the site was designated a National Historic Landmark, recognizing its historical significance. Today, the Fort Belknap Society manages museums in the commissary and corn house. The Fort Belknap Archives of Western America, in collaboration with Texas Wesleyan College, is located in one of the barracks, providing a valuable resource for researchers and historians. One of the former infantry barracks serves as a community center. In the nearby town of Belknap, a monument honors Indian Agent Robert S. Neighbors.
Today, visitors can explore the restored buildings, walk the grounds, and learn about the history of Fort Belknap and its role in the development of Texas. The fort stands as a tangible link to a bygone era, a reminder of the challenges and conflicts that shaped the American West.