Fort Washita, Oklahoma - Protecting the Civilized Tribes

OKLAHOMA LEGENDS

Fort Washita - Protecting the Civilized Tribes

Established in 1842 by General Zachary Taylor to protect the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations from the Plains Indians, the post was the southwestern-most fort in the United States at the time. After having been forced to move from their homelands in the southeastern United States to Indian Territory, the Choctaw and Chickasaw settled in what is now southern Oklahoma. However, this land had traditionally been the hunting grounds of several Plains tribes including the Comanche, Wichita, Caddo, and Kiowa. These indigenous tribes were not happy with the newcomers and occasionally threatened them.

Initially, log barracks were built to house the officers and soldiers, but more permanent stone buildings were constructed in 1849. More stone buildings were also built over the next several years including a hospital, surgeon’s quarters, and additional wooden structures including stables and corrals for the cavalry.

Fort Washita, Kathy Weiser, September, 2010

One of the last remaining buildings at Rugglesville, Oklahoma The troops garrisoned at the fort were responsible for protecting the "Civilized” Indians and provided quarters for the Indian Agency to the two tribes. Families and slaves soon followed the soldiers to the frontier fort. Though officers' families stayed in assigned quarters, enlisted men were allotted only ½ of a bed in a barracks. If they had families, their wives and children lived in a small settlement that formed just to the west of the fort. This community, first called Rugglesville for Major Daniel Ruggles who commanded the fort after the Mexican-American War, was not a good family environment as it was filled with saloons, gambling halls and bordellos. The frontier community would eventually support a general store, a post office, restaurants and hotels. However, because murders and muggings were frequent in Rugglesville, Colonel William Harney built a billiards hall, bowling alley and tavern on the post in 1844. The town would later be called Hatsboro, but was entirely gone by the turn of the century.

When the Mexican-American War broke out in 1846, activity at the fort increased as it became a staging point for the conflict. The number of troops garrisoned at the post increased from an average of 150 to almost 2,000 during this time.

After the war was over, gold was discovered in California in 1849, prompting thousands of people to head west in search of their fortunes. Many of these emigrants chose the more southern route to California to avoid the cold winters, the snow, and cholera outbreaks that plagued the northern routes. However, the southern route was not without peril, being subject to attacks from the Plains Indians. Due to the danger, many emigrating parties rendezvoused at Fort Washita, before making the long journey.

In 1850 General Matthew Arbuckle, commander at Fort Smith, Arkansas ordered the establishment of a fort west of Fort Washita to aid the protection of California emigrants. This fort became Fort Arbuckle and was commanded by General William G. Belknap. However, when Belknap fell ill in the fall of 1851, he was being transferred to Fort Gibson, Oklahoma to see his family he died along the way on November 10, 1851 and was interred at Fort Washita.

By 1858 there was an east barracks, hospital, and surgeon's quarters all built from native stone, in addition to a number of wooden structures. A corral and stables on the hillside southwest of the fort supported cavalry operations, which comprised the bulk of the forces assigned to Fort Washita until the 1850s. Afterwards, the post served as a United States Army Field Artillery School, at which time several artillery units were assigned to the fort in addition to infantry and cavalry.

Fort Washita's importance as a military post waned as the frontier moved westward, the Chickasaw and Choctaw Indians grew more settled and incursions by the Plains Indians lessened. As a result, the fort was closed briefly in February, 1858, but was reopened in December of the same year due to an increased number of Comanche raids.

Fort Washita reconstructed south barracks, school and Adjutant's office foundations in the foreground, Kathy Weiser, September 4, 2010.

*Update-This building was destroyed by fire on September 25, 2010.

Fort Washita's east barracks was utilized as a home by the Colbert family

until it burned in 1917, Kathy Weiser, September, 2010.

When the Civil War broke out, the fort was abandoned by Union forces in April, 1861 and was immediately taken over by Confederate troops. Though no battles occurred at the post, it became an important Confederate supply depot and for most of the war, was the headquarters of Brigadier General Douglas Cooper. The fort stayed in Confederate hands until the end of the war, at which time the southern forces burned the fort and it was never reoccupied.

In 1870, the War Department transferred the fort to the Department of the Interior and its buildings remained unused and deteriorating for the next two decades. In 1897, the communal lands of the Chickasaw Nation, including Fort Washita, were divided up and allotments given to individual Chickasaw citizens.

The former military land was given over to the Colbert family, a prominent Chickasaw family. Charles Colbert turned the west barracks into a personal home and the remaining buildings were used as living quarters and agricultural buildings for the next 60 years. The Colberts also used the cemetery as a family cemetery, as well as allotting some land to area families for their use. The old west barracks continued to serve as the Colbert's household until it burned down in 1917.

In 1962, the site was acquired by the Oklahoma Historical Society who painstakingly restored, rebuilt, and preserved many of the buildings and ruins. In 1965, the historic fort was designated as a National Historic Landmark. A visit today provides a museum, numerous events throughout the year, and an interpretive trail of more than 20 landmarks. In addition to the many buildings and foundations, the post cemetery still exists, as well as the Colbert Cemetery, a Chickasaw burial ground, and a Confederate Cemetery.

Fort Washita is located some 15 miles northwest of Durant, Oklahoma at 3348 State Road 199.

Fort Washita Chaplain's Quarters serves as the visitor's center and a small museum, Kathy Weiser, September, 2010.

Contact Information:

Fort Washita

3348 State Rd. 199

Star Route 213

Durant, Oklahoma 74701-9443

580-924-6502

*Update - Sadly, on September 25, 2010, the reconstructed south barracks were destroyed by fire. Authorities believe that the blaze was caused by arson and as of this writing, reported that arrests could be made soon. Making matters worse, the State’s insurance will not cover the cost, so the Oklahoma Historical Society will have to seek help from the community and fundraisers to raise enough money to rebuild the South Barracks. The loss is estimated at roughly $2 million. See news article HERE.

South barracks blazing, photo courtesy KXII Channel 12 News.

Interior of the Fort Washita Barracks destroyed by fire.

Kathy Weiser, September, 2010.

Interior of the Fort Washita Barracks destroyed by fire.

Kathy Weiser, September, 2010.

From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Old West and Cowboy Bumper Stickers - Great Old West and Cowboy bumper stickers for yourself or for your friends. Made of durable vinyl and measuring a generous 10" x 3" these stickers are made for adding style to any surface. Printed using UV resistant inks means no fading in the sun or bleeding in the rain.