Camp Colorado
Camp Colorado (1856-1865) - A U.S. Army Camp established in 1856 by Bvt Major Carl Van Dorn and two companies of the 2nd U.S. Cavalry, in present day Coleman, Coleman County, Texas. Named Camp Colorado in Special Order 98, 11 Aug 1856 after the Colorado River. Taken over by Texas State troops in 1861 and remained in Confederate hands until abandoned in 1865.
History
Established by Bvt Major Carl Van Dorn, 2nd U.S. Cavalry 2 Aug 1856. Located six miles north of the Colorado River on the road leading from Fort Mason to Fort Belknap. The post was moved in July 1857 to a healthier location 22 miles north of the original site on Jim Ned Creek.
The post was abandoned by Federal troops on 26 Feb 1861, taken over by Texas State troops and remained in Confederate hands until the end of the war in 1865. All of the Federal troops with the exception of Lt. George B. Cosby went into Confederate service. The camp was not regarrisoned after the end of the war and the property was sold.
Current Status
Unknown near Coleman, Coleman County, Texas.
Context
Location:
18.5 Miles NW of Coleman via TX-206 N and Co Rd 140, Coleman County, Texas. Map point is second location on Jim Neb Creek.
Lat: 31.883° Long: -99.264° Elevation: 1558'
Bing, Google,
OldMapsOnline,
USGS, OHM
Sources:
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 759
- Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 157
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 1372886
Links:
Related:
2nd U.S. Cavalry, Camp Colorado, Encyclopedia of Historic Forts, Fort Belknap, Fort Mason, Tour Guide to Old Western Forts,