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Text originally published in 1952 under the same title.
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Although in most cases we have retained the Authors original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern readers benefit.
We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.
FORT CONCHO AND THE TEXAS FRONTIER
BY
J. EVETTS HALEY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DRAWINGS
by H. D. BUGBEE
...they swept their savage way back toward the Rio Grande
...four sons, who were as fine young men as could be found
From there this cavalcade of mule-men headed for the spring called Escondido
Fortunately the party came upon four old buffalo bulls
They picked up Comanche Chief Buffalo Hump
...with forty-five wagons pushing for the Pecos
...and scatter again, back to their nomadic homes
Thus the army and the camels had the right of way.
...that tenuous tie between rough and lonely men on the outer edges, and civilized life
...we observed herds of antelopes
...shaken for two years by the violence of its Indian troubles
...we spread blankets over them and put the wounded men on litters
Indian depredations became more frequent and violent
...looking out for Indians and affording protection for drovers
...the location of Fort Concho was little short of perfect
...soldiers puddled mud and filled the moulds
Plenty of water and grass, game...made this land a fine place
His lookouts topped the hills to scan the country ahead
the air of nervous expectancy culminated with orders for the column to mount
Lone Wolf, Big Tree, Satanta, and Kicking Bird
In the middle of the night a band raced through the camp
That night the wolves cleaned up the carcasses...
For many decades the comancheros had been carrying on illicit barter
They followed the usual route out by Griffin to Phantom Hill
...he showed up with twelve mules snaking a load of welcome beef through the mud
Hundreds of hide hunters were killing off the buffalo
The Indian trail led on
...two colored troopers splashed through the ford
Meanwhile the colored Sergeant Umbles, his two deserters...well on their way
Humpy drew a deadly bead
Thus Fort Conchos subsistence depended completely on mules and oxen
But those inured to the long trails out of San Antonio did not quit without a struggle
...there was the untrammelled space of the out-of-doors
They were merry without being frivolous affairs...
He loathed the place and again took to the war trail
...the squeeze was put upon Victorio and his lean warriors
PREFACE
THIS book presents a picture of life on the frontier as it centered around an important Texas fort. Despite the isolation of the early border posts they did not stand completely alone. They were part of a vast pattern of policy, of movement and of action through which life sometimes ebbed but mainly flowed from east to west across the face of America. Thus this story is written broadly into the historical background of the time and place.
Both these elements combined to enhance the importance of some posts. Others in the same strategic design came to life and withered into oblivion on the vine of history. Fort Concho was born in that expansive period when free menimpelled by the lust for land and cattle and commerce, but impelled most by the vital force of simply being freepushed zestfully west in spite of the limitations of distance and danger. It was conceived at the proper time and its camp was pitched in the right spot.
For hundreds of miles on either side wild and difficult land and stubborn and hostile men combined to funnel the westward flow of people past the fort, through the valleys of the Conchos. Thus in addition to being thrown up as a shield in partial defense of the settlements of Texas, Fort Concho became the jumping-off place for many important trails. From this advanced bastion eager men and apprehensive women pointed their herds and the tongues of their wagons into the arid and largely unknown world that separated them from the West Coast. It became the focus of concentration and maneuver for far-flung campaigns designed to break forever the resistance of the Comanche, the Kiowa and the Apache. And at last, somewhat living down its bucolic past, it became the nucleus of a gracious city and a distinctive culture.
This book is an effort to trace the sometimes faltering policy and the chain of dynamic circumstances by which this development came about. It owes its existence completely to the devotion and drive of Houston Harte, of the San Angelo Standard-Times, who through a period of many years, unstintingly spent his time, money and influence to bring it to completion. The volume itself is thoroughly provincial. It was conceived, written, illustrated, designed and printed by West Texans.
As usual the illustrations of H. D. Bugbee have their unusually authentic touch and appeal. The hand and the consummate taste of Carl Hertzog shows on every page. Of all the sources, the old army files in the National Archives at Washington were most revealing. Locally, Miss Susan Miles and her associates in the Tom Green County Historical Society were always helpfully at hand. The careful reading in script by Francis Fugate, of El Paso, levelled off some of the rough spots, while the conclusions and the errors are definitely mine.
J. EVETTS HALEY
Canyon, Texas, June 7, 1952
MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS
The Great Comanche War Trail
Westward Trails Marcys Trail, Connellys Trail, Upper and Lower Roads
Frontier of the Fifties Butterfield Overland Mail, San Antonio-San Diego Mail
Mackenzie and Shafter Campaign Areas
Plat of Fort Concho, 1875
War Department Sketch of Fort Concho Original in National Archives
CHAPTER IThe Great Comanche War Trail
