Painting of the attack on Sand Creek, by Robert Lindneaux, 1936.
Fort Morgan, Colorado, was established in 1864 to protect the mail service and immigrants along the Overland Trail.
During this time, the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians were committing several raids in the area due to white settlers encroaching upon their hunting grounds and in revenge for the Sand Creek Massacre. Located on a plateau called “Morgan Flats” about ½ mile from the South Platte River, the site was chosen for its commanding view of the entire river valley. Colorado Volunteers, under the leadership of General Sam Brown, initially built the post, first calling it Camp Tyler.
Confederate prisoners could escape captivity by taking the oath of allegiance to the United States and enlisting in a specific Army unit comprised of former Southern soldiers. These men were called “galvanized Yankees.”
However, the “Galvanized Yankees” completed the cumbersome work under the command of Captain Williams. These troops were Confederate soldiers released from prison because they joined the Union Army and moved West to fight the Indians. At the time, the post was renamed Camp Wardwell.
Once the fort buildings were complete, a detachment of Federal soldiers from the Missouri Cavalry under Lieutenant Colonel Willard Smith garrisoned the post, which was finally christened “Fort Morgan” in honor of Colonel Christopher A. Morgan. The post was about the size of one square city block and included about 20 sod and adobe buildings surrounding a parade ground. Staffed with up to 1,200 soldiers, it was the only army presence between Julesburg, Colorado, to the East and the populated regions of the Rocky Mountains to the West; it was the most significant organized armed presence for miles.
Immediately, the troops’ presence deterred Indian raids in the area and protected travelers along the “Fort Morgan Cut Off” of the Overland Trail. Within a few years, the Union Pacific Railroad completed its line from North Platte, Nebraska, to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and most Indian raids had been subdued. In 1868, the troops were moved to Fort Laramie, Wyoming, and the fort was decommissioned. The buildings were then sold at auction.
Today, no remains of the fort remain. The site is in the city of Fort Morgan, near a Municipal Skate Park and Tennis Courts on Railroad Avenue.
By Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated September 2026.
Also See:
Colorado – The Centennial State
See Sources.