Fort Washita, Oklahoma – Protecting the Civilized Tribes
Fort Washita, a historical landmark nestled in the heart of Oklahoma, stands as a testament to a complex and often turbulent period in American history. Established in 1842 under the direction of General Zachary Taylor, its primary mission was to safeguard the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations, two of the "Five Civilized Tribes," from the potential threats posed by the Plains Indians. This strategic placement also marked it as the southwesternmost military installation of the United States at that time, a significant marker of the nation’s expanding frontier.
The story of Fort Washita is inextricably linked to the forced relocation of the Choctaw and Chickasaw people from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States to what was then known as Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma. This relocation, a consequence of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, saw these tribes settling in lands that were traditionally hunting grounds for various Plains tribes, including the Comanche, Wichita, Caddo, and Kiowa. The arrival of these newcomers inevitably created tension and conflict, as the Plains tribes viewed the settlement as an encroachment upon their established territories. Fort Washita was thus conceived as a buffer, a symbol of protection, and a tangible representation of the U.S. government’s commitment to its treaty obligations.
The initial construction of Fort Washita reflected the urgency of its establishment. Crude log barracks were hastily erected to house the officers and enlisted men assigned to the post. However, these temporary structures were soon deemed inadequate, and in 1849, a more ambitious construction program commenced, utilizing locally sourced stone to create more permanent and defensible buildings. Over the ensuing years, the fort expanded to include a hospital and surgeon’s quarters, essential facilities for maintaining the health and well-being of the garrison. Additional wooden structures, such as stables and corrals, were added to support the cavalry operations that were integral to the fort’s mission.
The role of the troops stationed at Fort Washita extended beyond simply protecting the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations from external threats. They were also responsible for providing quarters for the Indian Agency, the governmental body responsible for overseeing the relationship between the United States and the tribes. As the fort grew, it attracted a diverse population, including families of soldiers and enslaved people. While officers’ families were afforded designated quarters within the fort itself, enlisted men often faced more cramped conditions, sometimes sharing a single bed in the barracks. This led to the development of a small settlement just west of the fort, known initially as Rugglesville (named after Major Daniel Ruggles) where the wives and children of the enlisted men resided.
Rugglesville, however, was far from an idyllic family environment. It quickly gained a reputation as a rough-and-tumble frontier town, characterized by a proliferation of saloons, gambling halls, and bordellos. Despite its unsavory elements, the community also provided essential services, including a general store, a post office, restaurants, and hotels. In an effort to provide some form of recreation for the troops, Colonel William Harney even constructed a billiards hall, bowling alley, and tavern within the fort itself in 1844. The town later became known as Hatsboro, but it ultimately disappeared by the turn of the century, leaving behind only faint traces of its existence.
The outbreak of the Mexican-American War in 1846 significantly impacted Fort Washita. The fort’s strategic location made it a crucial staging point for troops and supplies heading south to the conflict. The number of soldiers stationed at the fort swelled from an average of 150 to nearly 2,000 during this period, placing a significant strain on its resources and infrastructure. The war years were a time of intense activity and heightened importance for Fort Washita, as it played a vital role in supporting the U.S. military effort.
Following the conclusion of the Mexican-American War, the discovery of gold in California in 1849 triggered a massive westward migration. Thousands of hopeful prospectors and settlers embarked on the long and arduous journey to the goldfields, many of whom chose the southern route to avoid the harsh winter conditions, snow, and cholera outbreaks that plagued the northern trails. However, the southern route was not without its own perils, as emigrants faced the constant threat of attacks from Plains Indians. As a result, many emigrating parties converged at Fort Washita, seeking protection and supplies before venturing further west. The fort became a temporary haven for these travelers, a place to regroup, resupply, and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead.
In 1850, General Matthew Arbuckle, commander at Fort Smith, Arkansas, recognized the need for additional protection for the California emigrants. He ordered the establishment of a new fort west of Fort Washita, which became known as Fort Arbuckle. This new fort was commanded by General William G. Belknap. Tragically, Belknap fell ill in the fall of 1851 and died while being transferred to Fort Gibson to see his family. He was subsequently interred at Fort Washita, a somber reminder of the hardships and sacrifices endured by those who served on the frontier.
By 1858, Fort Washita had undergone further expansion and improvement. A new east barracks, a hospital, and surgeon’s quarters were constructed using native stone, and several additional wooden structures were added. A corral and stables were built on the hillside southwest of the fort to support the cavalry operations, which remained a key component of the fort’s military capabilities. In the later years, the post also served as a United States Army Field Artillery School, leading to the assignment of several artillery units to the fort, alongside the existing infantry and cavalry forces.
Despite its initial importance, Fort Washita experienced a decline in its strategic value as the frontier moved westward, the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians became more settled, and the frequency of incursions by the Plains Indians diminished. As a result, the fort was briefly closed in February 1858, only to be reopened in December of the same year due to a resurgence of Comanche raids. This brief closure and subsequent reopening highlight the fluctuating nature of frontier life and the ever-present need for military protection.
The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 marked a turning point in the history of Fort Washita. Union forces abandoned the fort in April 1861, and Confederate troops quickly seized control. Although no major battles were fought at the post, it became an important Confederate supply depot and served as the headquarters of Brigadier General Douglas Cooper for much of the war. The fort remained in Confederate hands until the end of the war, when it was burned by retreating Southern forces, never to be reoccupied as a military installation.
In 1870, the War Department transferred ownership of the fort to the Department of the Interior. For the next two decades, the buildings stood vacant and gradually deteriorated. In 1897, the communal lands of the Chickasaw Nation, including the land on which Fort Washita stood, were divided into individual allotments for Chickasaw citizens.
The former military land was allotted to the Colbert family, a prominent Chickasaw family. Charles Colbert converted the west barracks into his personal residence, and the remaining buildings were used as living quarters and agricultural structures for the next 60 years. The Colberts also used the fort’s cemetery as a family burial ground and allowed other local families to use some of the land for their own burial purposes. The old west barracks served as the Colbert family home until it was destroyed by fire in 1917.
In 1962, the Oklahoma Historical Society acquired the site and began a painstaking process of restoration, reconstruction, and preservation. In 1965, the historic fort was designated as a National Historic Landmark, recognizing its significance in American history.
Tragically, on September 25, 2010, the reconstructed south barracks were destroyed by arson. Three teenagers were arrested and sentenced for setting the fire, a devastating loss for the historical site.
In 2016, the Chickasaw Nation partnered with the Oklahoma Historical Society to assume joint responsibility and management of Fort Washita. Today, visitors can tour the restored structures, witness Civil War reenactments, and participate in the annual Fur Trade Era Rendezvous, which offers a glimpse into life on the frontier before and during the Civil War. Other events throughout the year include storytelling, outdoor movies, and special seasonal and holiday events. In addition to the many buildings and foundations, the post cemetery, the Colbert Cemetery (a Chickasaw burial ground), and a Confederate Cemetery still exist on the site.
Fort Washita is located approximately 15 miles northwest of Durant, Oklahoma, at 3348 State Road 199. It stands as a lasting reminder of the complex interactions between the U.S. government, the Native American tribes, and the westward expansion of the nation.