Camp Watson
Camp Watson (1864-1869) - Established 18 May 1864 by Company G, 1st Oregon Volunteer Cavalry in Wheeler County, Oregon. Named after 2nd Lt. Stephen Watson who was killed in action against hostile Snake Indians. Abandoned 1869.
History
The camp reportedly had a 15' high stockade with twelve enlisted log cabins on the north side and four officer's log cabins on the south side. The west side contained a small map house, a hospital, a guardhouse, a commissary and a storehouse. The east side had three corals and the stables. A large meadow was used as a parade ground.
Current Status
Little remains and the 1932 marker is missing.
Context
Location:
Wheeler County, Oregon.
Lat: 44.485° Long: -119.894° Elevation: 4220'
Bing, Google,
OldMapsOnline,
USGS, OHM
Sources:
- Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 138
- McArthur, Lewis A. & McArthur, Lewis L., Oregon Geographic Names, Oregon Historical Society Press; 7 edition (December 2003), 1073 pages, ISBN 0875952771, ISBN 978-0875952772, page 153
- Oregon Military History, Forts-Camps-Roads
- 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 669
Links:
- North American Forts - Camp Watson
- Old Camp Watson
- Find A Grave - Camp Watson Cemetery
- NPS - John Day Fossil Beds
Related:
1st Oregon Volunteer Cavalry, Dalles-Fort Boise Military Road, Encyclopedia of Historic Forts, Oregon Geographic Names, Oregon Military History, Forts-Camps-Roads, Snake War, Tour Guide to Old Western Forts,