Ft. McKavett-A Military Post

Under Construction

Fort McKavett was originally known as Camp San Saba in the mid 1850's but it would later be named Fort McKavett in honor of Captain Henry McKavett. Bvt. Lieutenant-Colonel W. G. Freeman, Assistant Adjutant General, inspected this post on August 19, 1853.

The post was active from 1852–1859, then again from 1868–1883.

"Scabtown", a civilian community, sprang up about a mile north of the camp to provide amenities for the soldiers. Suppliers had important and lucrative contracts with the Army to provide hay, grain, beef, and contract wagons. The quartermaster purchased fresh beef from local ranchers at 10 cents per pound, and the fort purchased 2,000 to 3,000 pounds each month. Hay was delivered at $8.60 per ton for mules and other livestock. Corn cost $1 per bushel. Lumber could be purchased for 4 cents per foot, and wood shingles for $3 to $3.75 per thousand. Fort McKavett provided the first school in the area-along with teachers for all children, both military and civilian-and they hired locals for clerical and mechanical services. The fort's hospital had trained medical personnel and was available for civilian use at the cost of $1 per day for staying in the hospital. When the fort closed about 1859, a large portion of the Scabtown community left for other protected areas.

At the height of the Indian Wars, Fort McKavett consisted of six barracks, 12 officers' quarters, a munitions storage area, hospital, guardhouse, post office, bakery, two storehouses, three stables, the headquarters and a forage house.

I have heard reports that Elliot Roosevelt, younger brother of President Theodore Roosevelt, visited Ft. McKavett area. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly seems to verify this when they state:..... His daughter (Elliot Roosevelt's daughter) published in 1932 five letters he wrote from Fort McKavett in her book "Hunting Big Game in the 80s." ..............(source: Colonel M. L. Crimmins, "Fort McKavett, Texas", Volume 38, Number 1, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v038/n1/contrib_DIVL590.html)

The post was abandoned in June 1883 and the abandoned buildings would soon be occupied by civilians. (See the Community of Fort McKavett)

The Military Fort

Soldiers Stationed at the fort for the 1870 census

Officers

John Bullis
Colonel H. B. Clitz- Nov 15, 1874 (Source: Galveston News)
Bethel M Custer
Geo W Dodd?
General Abner Doubleday - 1872 (Source: Galveston News)
Frank P Gress
Edward M Heyl
Henry W Lawton

Hospital Steward W. H. See is relieved from duty at Fort McKavett, and ordered to Fort Clark for duty. (Source: Galveston Daily News-Galveston Texas-August 24, 1873)

Companies Garrisoned at Ft. McKavett

I'm still researching this information.

Cavalry

4th Cavalry

Company A: March 1868 – March 1869 and February 1874 – January 1875 ----7 men in Co A, 4th Cavalry were awarded the Medal of honor.
Company F: April 1868 – November 1868
Company G: February 1875 – March 1875
Company M: August 1874 – January 1875 and January 1881 – February 1881

Dragoons

2nd Dragoons

Infantry

1st Infantry
8th Infantry
10th Infantry
16th Infantry
22nd Infantry

24th Infantry

In 1869, the 24th Infantry was founded at Fort McKavett with the consolidation of the 41st and 38th Infantry regiments. Buffalo Soldiers?

Headquarters: October 1869 – August 1872
Company A: July 1871 – August 1872
Company C: July 1871 – October 1872
Company D: October 69 – February 72
Company E: July 1870 – October 1872
Company H: July 1871 – October 1872
Company I: July 1871 – October 1872

25th Infantry

Buffalo Soldiers?

Company C: July 1870 – July 1871
Company H: July 1870 – July 1871

35th Infantry

*Sources: Texas Parks and Wildlife, Handbook of Texas Online, Friends of Ft McKavett State Historical Site,

Pictures I've taken of Ft. McKavett

Headstone pictures from McKavett Cemetery

The Community of Fort McKavett came into existance when the fort was abandoned. (See more about the Community of Ft. McKavett)

Ft McKavett External Websites:

West Texas Scouting- Ft McKavett Historical Trails

In The Spirit- Ghost Stories of McKavett from TPWD magazine

NOTE:  While I strive for accuracy in all transcriptions, please be advised that typing errors may be present.  I would suggest you always verify my online information with a copy of the actual record.

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Saturday, November 15, 2008 1:26 PM

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