Fort Stanton, New Mexico – Rounding Up the Apache

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of southeastern New Mexico, near the town of Lincoln, stands Fort Stanton, a historical site with a rich and complex past. Established in 1855, this fort has witnessed pivotal moments in the history of the American West, serving as a military outpost, a medical facility, and even an internment camp. Its story is interwoven with the conflicts between settlers and Native American tribes, the struggles of the Civil War, and the evolving social policies of the United States. Fort Stanton’s enduring presence is a testament to its strategic importance and its adaptability to the changing needs of the nation.

The fort’s origins are deeply rooted in the tumultuous relationship between the U.S. government and the indigenous populations of the Southwest, particularly the Apache tribes. As settlers began to encroach upon traditional Apache lands, tensions escalated, leading to frequent raids and skirmishes. The U.S. Army recognized the need for a permanent military presence to protect settlements and maintain order in the region. Thus, Fort Stanton was born.

The establishment of Fort Stanton, New Mexico, was directly motivated by the need to protect settlers along the Rio Bonito from the incursions of the Mescalero Apache. The fort was named in honor of Captain Henry W. Stanton, who tragically lost his life in a skirmish with Apache warriors. Beyond its military role, Fort Stanton, New Mexico, was also designated as the Indian Agency for the Mescalero Apache, a dual function that reflected the government’s policy of both containing and attempting to assimilate Native American populations. The initial structure of Fort Stanton, New Mexico, was relatively simple, consisting of two blockhouses enclosed by an adobe wall, a testament to the harsh realities of frontier life.

The early years of Fort Stanton, New Mexico, were marked by ongoing conflict and negotiation with the Mescalero Apache. While the fort provided a degree of security for settlers, it also represented a symbol of intrusion and oppression for the Apache. The soldiers stationed at Fort Stanton, New Mexico, were tasked with the difficult and often morally ambiguous responsibility of enforcing government policies that aimed to restrict the Apache’s movements and traditional way of life. This period was characterized by a complex interplay of violence, diplomacy, and cultural misunderstanding.

The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 brought further disruption to Fort Stanton. With the nation divided, the Union Army made the difficult decision to abandon the fort, fearing that it would fall into Confederate hands. As they retreated, the Union troops set fire to the buildings, hoping to deny the Confederates a valuable strategic asset. However, a timely rainstorm extinguished the flames, and Confederate forces quickly seized control of the fort. The Mescalero Apache, seizing the opportunity presented by the chaos of the Civil War, fled the fort and resumed their raids on settlements in central New Mexico.

In 1862, the tide began to turn as Union forces, led by the renowned frontiersman Kit Carson, returned to Fort Stanton. Carson, a legendary figure in the American West, was tasked with leading a campaign against the Apache and Navajo tribes. Under Carson’s command, the New Mexico Volunteers launched a series of military operations aimed at capturing and subjugating the Native American populations. The soldiers employed a scorched-earth strategy, destroying fields, orchards, houses, and livestock to deprive the Indians of their means of survival.

Before the military campaign even concluded, the U.S. Congress authorized the establishment of Fort Sumner at Bosque Redondo, New Mexico. In 1862 and 1863, Carson oversaw the relocation of approximately 400 Mescalero Apaches to the newly established Bosque Redondo Reservation, under the watchful eye of Fort Sumner. In 1864, troops escorted an additional 8,000 Navajo to the reservation, in an event now remembered as the Long Walk of the Navajo, a tragic chapter in Native American history.

Life at the Bosque Redondo Reservation proved to be a disaster for both the Mescalero Apache and the Navajo. The reservation was poorly located, with inadequate water and resources to support the large population. Disease was rampant, and the two tribes, with their distinct cultures and histories, struggled to coexist. In 1865, the Mescalero Apache, unable to endure the harsh conditions and resenting the presence of the Navajo, fled the reservation and returned to their ancestral lands in the Sierra Blanca mountains.

Following the departure of the Mescalero Apache from Bosque Redondo, Fort Stanton was reoccupied by the Buffalo Soldiers, African American troops who played a crucial role in the Indian Wars. These soldiers were dispatched to once again round up the Apache and bring them back under government control. By 1871, the Mescalero Apache were once again deemed to be "under control" and were reestablished on the Fort Stanton Reservation.

However, the peace was short-lived. Many Apache individuals and groups continued to resist the encroachment of settlers and the policies of the U.S. government, joining forces with renowned Apache leaders such as Victorio and Geronimo. These Apache warriors led daring raids and engaged in fierce battles with the U.S. Army, becoming symbols of resistance and defiance.

As the Indian Wars drew to a close in 1890, the need for a large military presence at Fort Stanton diminished. By 1893, the fort’s personnel had been reduced to just 15 soldiers. In August 1896, the post was officially decommissioned, marking the end of its era as a military installation.

However, the story of Fort Stanton did not end with its decommissioning. In 1899, the U.S. Public Health Service acquired the fort and transformed it into a Merchant Marine hospital, dedicated to the treatment of tuberculosis. The facility was later renamed the Public Health Service Hospital.

During World War II, Fort Stanton underwent another transformation, becoming a German internment camp. German civilians and prisoners of war were held at the fort during the war years, adding another layer to its complex history.

In 1953, Fort Stanton and approximately 27,000 acres of surrounding land were transferred to the State of New Mexico. The facility continued to operate as a hospital for tuberculosis patients until 1966, when declining patient numbers led to its closure. Subsequently, it became a branch of the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School, serving individuals with mental disabilities under the New Mexico Department of Health. This program ended in 1995.

In 1996, Fort Stanton was briefly utilized as a minimum-security prison by the State Corrections Facility until 1999. Following this, the fort was leased to Amity International, which operated a drug rehabilitation center for state prisoners recovering from substance abuse.

Over the years, the original buildings of Fort Stanton have been subject to numerous renovations, remodelings, and additions to accommodate its various uses as residences, wards, and offices. Today, the fort grounds feature a diverse collection of buildings, offering visitors a glimpse into its multifaceted past. Several buildings are open for self-guided tours, including a bunk room with beds and everyday items that would have belonged to a cavalry soldier, and a saddle display. The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs continues to work on the restoration and preservation of the fort’s 53 buildings, transforming it into a vibrant historical site that hosts occasional live recreations and entertainment. Fort Stanton stands as a tangible link to the past, a reminder of the complex and often contradictory forces that shaped the American West.