Fort McKavett State Historic Site

Fort McKavett State Historic Site "The prettiest post in Texas" according to General W. T. Sherman. Open Daily, 8 am - 5 pm

Two weeks ago, we brought you the story of Pvt. Richard Roe, a young soldier from Co. M, 9th Cavalry. After an altercati...
06/05/2026

Two weeks ago, we brought you the story of Pvt. Richard Roe, a young soldier from Co. M, 9th Cavalry. After an altercation between himself and his fellow soldiers over an alleged stolen carbine, Pvt. Roe deserted his company but was apprehended by a search party near Fredericksburg in April 1873. In an appeal to Army leadership, Roe touted his record as a blacksmith in the company, and he alleged mistreatment during his confinement, and even claimed that he’d requested transfer to a different company.

Today, we bring you a pointed response to Roe’s allegations from the 1st lieutenant of his company. Upon receiving Roe’s letter, 1st Lt. Byron Dawson, Co. M, 9th Cavalry, wrote that, “In reply I would respectfully state, I have not spoke one word to pvt. Rowe since he was returned to this Post as a Prisoner.” Lt. Dawson stated bluntly the facts of the case writing, “He deserted while on Post taking with him, one carbine and accoutrements, one horse and full set of horse equipments.”

Concerning Roe’s allegations of mistreatment, Dawson replied, “The prisoner never complained to me about harsh treatment by General McCook, and I am not aware, that he is treated worse than other men under similar circumstances.” Lt. Dawson summarily dismissed Roe’s blacksmithing, writing that, “this man was acting as Blacksmith for a few days but I had to relieve him because he was worthless.” Dawson condemned Pvt. Roe himself saying of him that, “…since this man has been in the company I have always considered him a lyer and a thief and worthless as a soldier. Finally, he dismissed Roe’s claims of abuse by his 1st sergeant, explaining that, “I think this is a made up story of his, and as for him applying to me to be transferred to another Co., he never made an application to me that I remember of.”

Below: Officers’ Quarters No.8, part of Lt.’s Row. It’s probable that Lt. Dawson in this row of officers’ quarters in the 1870s | Fort McKavett collection

As the nation’s centennial approached in June 1876, Americans across the country planned to celebrate. In Philadelphia, ...
06/04/2026

As the nation’s centennial approached in June 1876, Americans across the country planned to celebrate. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, millions of Americans and international guests were basking in the industrial and intellectual advancements brought forth by the industrial revolution displayed at the Centennial Exposition in Fairmount Park. Meanwhile, in cities such as St. Paul, Minnesota, citizens planned parades, speeches, salutes, and even centennial races. In San Antonio, Texas, a muster and inspection of the Alamo Rifles was planned for 7:00 AM, while a 100-gun salute, in front of the Alamo, was planned for 12:00 PM on July 4, 1876.

Meanwhile, military service on the nation’s frontier continued unabated that June. A glimpse of frontier life at Fort McKavett that month was captured by post surgeon, Dr. Goddard. The surgeon recorded the total size of the command as 319 officers and men, including 5 companies of the 10th Infantry and 1 company of the 10th Cavalry. In accordance with his duties as post surgeon, Dr. Goddard listed the number of men sick, writing that among the white men on post, “taken sick during the month 65…” Among black troops, Dr. Goddard recorded 15 new cases of illness, joining 5 ongoing cases from the previous month.

In addition to his care for patients, Dr. Goddard also had to receive medical supplies from department headquarters in San Antonio. He recorded that, “Medical and Hospital Supplies for the year ending June 30, 1877, were received at this post in good condition, from Saint Louis, Mo. June 24, 1876. The supplies were shipped from Saint Louis, Mo. May 13, 1876. Additional Meteorological Instruments were received at the post from the Surgeon Generals, Office July 30, 1876.”

Left: Soldiers at Fort McKavett work a sawmill at the north end of the post behind the commissary and quartermaster storehouses c. 1875.| Fort McKavett collection
Right: Soldiers at Government Springs gather water for Fort McKavett c. 1875 | Fort McKavett collection

The United States’ Centennial ushered in the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the city in which the Declaration of...
05/30/2026

The United States’ Centennial ushered in the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the city in which the Declaration of Independence was first written and proclaimed in 1776. The Centennial Exposition was envisioned as both a national celebration and world’s fair intended to showcase the technological and intellectual advancements of the United States to the world.

Fittingly, the nation’s military was well represented at the exposition. The army and navy each erected their own exhibits for the fair’s nearly 8 million visitors, hoping no doubt to impress fairgoers with the latest in military technology and logistics. The Army Quartermaster Department, the department responsible for supplying the Army with its equipment, featured a display that included Army uniforms, weapons, and strikingly, a full skeleton of a horse.

Additionally, the Army featured an exhibit from its medical department which included a fully recreated, modern hospital ward complete with 24 beds. The medical department also showcased different modes of transport including litters, stretchers, and medical wagons.

Meanwhile, the Navy Department’s exhibits featured model ships and drydocks, ships’ engines and boilers, and naval weaponry. Together, the U.S. Army and Navy demonstrated the technology and innovation of modern armed forces at the dawn of industrial-scale warfare.

Left: The Quartermaster Department exhibit at the Centennial Exposition, 1876 | LOC
Right: The Medical Department's hospital ward at the Centennial Exposition, 1876 | LOC

In the 19th Century, the U.S. Army placed especial emphasis on the education of its enlisted men. Army leadership felt t...
05/29/2026

In the 19th Century, the U.S. Army placed especial emphasis on the education of its enlisted men. Army leadership felt that educating the “rank and file” would improve the “moral tone” of the Army. In the 1850s, Army leaders began to advocate for the establishment of post schools at far-flung Texas garrisons.

This advocacy increased in measure and importance after the U.S. Civil War when the Regular Army welcomed black soldiers into its ranks for the first time. Many of these formerly enslaved men could not read and write, and therefore, could not do the paperwork that helped the Army’s gears turn properly. Colonel Ranald Mackenzie, Col. 41st Infantry, captured this problem while serving as Fort McKavett’s post commander. In one letter in which he requested civilian clerks be placed in Fort McKavett’s quartermaster and commissary departments Mackenzie explained, “I have in my regiment no man capable of performing the duties of either.” He lamented that, “There is no one that can do the duty now and this Post cannot be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the service without clerks.”

With the Army in need of educated enlisted men to fill such roles, Fort McKavett established a post school by 1870. According to general orders issued July 31, 1870, by Captain Cunningham, 24th Infantry, “The chaplain of the Post will take charge of and superintend the Post school. The hours for the Post school will be from 8 to 11 A.M. and 1 to 4 P.M. daily except Saturday afternoon and Sundays.” According to Cunningham, “…Company Commanders can require such men of their companies to attend as are not on duty or who can be spared for that purpose.” Neither Cunningham nor his superiors would tolerate absences or misbehavior. His orders stipulated that, “The chaplain will report promptly all absences to these Hd Qrs and will submit a report every Saturday to these Hd Qrs of the Number of attendants each day during the week…noting Number of absences by regular attendants also any inattention or bad behavior on their Part.”

Top: Fort McKavett's headquarters was the location of the first post school prior to 1875 | LOC
Bottom: Fort McKavett's schoolhouse was completed in 1875 | LOC

Ninety-one soldiers died while in service at Fort McKavett, 1852-1883. The Post Cemetery remains active today and still ...
05/25/2026

Ninety-one soldiers died while in service at Fort McKavett, 1852-1883. The Post Cemetery remains active today and still contains the unmarked graves of soldiers that were buried prior to the end of the Civil War.

This Memorial Day we honor their memory, as well as the many others who gave their all in service to our country.

Below: 'A lonely grave, Antietam' by Alexander Gardner, 1862.

On May 21, 1870, Sergeant Emmanuel Stance, and nine privates of Co. F, 9th Cavalry were scouting for Indians near Kickap...
05/22/2026

On May 21, 1870, Sergeant Emmanuel Stance, and nine privates of Co. F, 9th Cavalry were scouting for Indians near Kickapoo Springs when he, “discovered a party of Indians about twenty in number making for a couple of Government trains which were about three miles in advance of us.”

Sergeant Stance judged that they meant to attack the lightly defended wagon train, and so he acted quickly. He later explained that, “They evidently meant to capture the stock as there was only a small guard with the teams. “I immediately attacked them by charging them,” he said. “They tried hard to make a stand to get their herd of horses off but I set the Spencers to talking and whistling about their ears so lively that they broke in confusion and fled to the hills leaving their herd of five horses.”

Stance and his men resumed their march to McKavett, but they were continually harassed by Indians while enroute. However, Stance merely, “turned his little command loose on them at this place and after a few volleys they left me to continue my march in peace.” Stance’s detachment returned to Fort McKavett later that day, where he wrote his report which was forwarded to Department headquarters by his company commander, Captain Henry Carroll.

Captain Carroll endorsed Stance’s conduct writing, “The gallantry displayed by the Sergeant and his party as well as the good judgement used on both occasions deserves much praise.” The captain’s endorsement makes clear that Stance’s bravery at Kickapoo Springs was part of a pattern exhibited throughout his service in the 9th Cavalry. He explained that, “As this is the fourth or fifth encounter that Sgt. Stance has had with Indians within the past two years on all of which occasions he has been mentioned for good behavior by his immediate Commanding Officer, it is a pleasure to commend him to higher authority.” The Army’s higher authorities awarded Stance with the MOH, making him the first Buffalo Soldier to receive the MOH.

Below: "The Redoubtable Sergeant" by Don Stivers

We are open!! Come on out and visit us! The visitor center will be open from 10:00 until 4:30 and the grounds will be op...
05/22/2026

We are open!!

Come on out and visit us! The visitor center will be open from 10:00 until 4:30 and the grounds will be open until 5:00. Due to the recent rainfall the buildings are closed today until it dries out a little more.

So if you are in the area we would love to see you.

SITE CLOSED Heavy rains from the storm last night have caused the closure of Ranch Road 1674 and Farm to Market Road 864...
05/21/2026

SITE CLOSED

Heavy rains from the storm last night have caused the closure of Ranch Road 1674 and Farm to Market Road 864 do to some flooding and the potential for flooding.

Please do not attempt to visit the site today and remember not to cross any water flowing over a roadway. Have a safe day!

156 years ago, Sergeant. Emmanuel Stance, Co. F, 9th Cavalry began the scout for which he earned the MOH for his brav...
05/20/2026

156 years ago, Sergeant. Emmanuel Stance, Co. F, 9th Cavalry began the scout for which he earned the MOH for his bravery during the Skirmish at Kickapoo Springs. Sgt. Stance himself described the events that led to the skirmish in a later report. “I left camp on the 20th of May taking the Kickapoo road.,” Stance wrote, “When some fourteen (14) miles out I discovered a party of Indians making across the hills having a herd of horses with them.” Stance resolved to charge the Indians, and according to him, “after slight skirmishing they abandoned the herd and took to the mountains,” leaving Stance with 9 horses in his possession.

Stance resumed his march to Kickapoo Springs and camped there for the night. Unbeknownst to him, his attack of May 20th indirectly led to the rescue of one of two boys captured by tribesman on May 16th in Loyal Valley, Texas. Willie Lehmann, stepson of Phillip Buckmier, was kidnapped along with his brother Herman. Sergeant Stance’s detachment from the 9th Cavalry was dispatched from Fort McKavett to o rescue the boys. Willie escaped captivity and made his way to the Kickapoo Springs stage station where he arrived the day of Stance’s return to Fort McKavett.



Top: A map of a Fort McKavett scout showing Kickapoo Springs c. 1871 | FTM Electronic Library CD 4
Bottom: Herman Lehmann was captured by Indians in May 1870 and remained their captive for nine years. | Texas State Historical Association

156 years ago, Captain Henry Carroll of Co. F, 9th Cavalry, issued Special Order No. 73 ordering that, “Sergeant. Emma...
05/19/2026

156 years ago, Captain Henry Carroll of Co. F, 9th Cavalry, issued Special Order No. 73 ordering that, “Sergeant. Emmanuel Stance with 9 enlisted men from Company “F” 9th Cavalry will proceed mounted with 5 days rations and scout along on Kickapoo Creek from its junction to its source.”

Captain Carroll described Stance’s objective thusly, writing, “Both the above parties will endeavor to the utmost to intercept the Indians that stole the two children of Phillip Buckmeier of Loyal Valley on the 16th Inst.”

With these orders, Carroll set in motion a train of events that would lead to the Skirmish at Kickapoo Springs and the awarding of the first MOH to a Buffalo Soldier in US. Army history. Captain Carroll’s orders also demonstrate the reactive nature of Army operations in Texas. The primitive transportation and communication networks in the state meant that word of violence between Euro-American settlers and Native Americans often travelled slowly thus delaying the Army’s response to such incidents.

Look at this scan of the original orders issued by Captain Carroll!



Left: Special Order no. 73 issued by Captain Henry Carroll, Co. f, 9th Cavy | FTM Electronic Library CD 56
Right: Captain Carroll | FTM Electronic Library CD 56

Address

7066 FM/864
Fort McKavett, TX
76841

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm
Sunday 8am - 5pm

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+13253962358

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