Camp Winfield Scott
Camp Winfield Scott (1866-1871) - A U.S. Army Camp established in 1866 during the Snake Indian War by Captain Murray Davis, Company A, 8th U.S. Cavalry, in Humboldt County, Nevada. Named for Major General Winfield Scott. Abandoned in 1871.
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Camp Winfield Scott Plan (enhanced & annotated).
History
Established 12 Dec 1866 by Captain Murray Davis and Company A, 8th U.S. Cavalry. The camp was built of adobe, rock, and lumber along Cottonwood Creek at the north end of Paradise Valley, Nevada. Established to control hostile Indians who were attacking settlers and miners.
As of July 1870, an inspection report indicated that the post had Adobe Quarters for 100 men, two adobe officer's quarters almost completed, two sod quartermaster's storage buildings, a rough stone hospital, an insecure guardhouse, and stables described as "... liable to take fire at any time." The 1870 plan shown above would seem to indicate the future goal for building out the camp.
On 19 Feb 1871, 2nd Lieutenant Otto L. Hein, (Cullum 2358), 1st U.S. Cavalry, commanding the detachment at Camp Winfield Scott, departed the camp with all but 6 men left to guard the remaining government property. The camp was closed as of that date.
Current Status
The site is on private property about four miles north of the town of Paradise Valley in Humboldt County, Nevada. No public access, and the road is gated and locked. A marker mentioning the role of the camp is located in the town of Paradise Valley.
Context
Location:
At the head of Paradise Valley
about four miles north of the town of Paradise Valley
in Humboldt County, Nevada.
Lat: 41.533° Long: -117.569° Elevation: 4754'
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 494-495
- Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2,page 94
- Post returns available Dec 1866 - Feb 1871 at Ancestry.com (by Subscription)
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 862990
Links:
Related:
1st U.S. Cavalry, 8th U.S. Cavalry, Camp Winfield Scott, Encyclopedia of Historic Forts, Snake War, Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Winfield Scott,