Sanitation, water, and heating facilities were at a minimum in the fort, with records revealing that troops suffered from severe cases of malaria and dysentery. In 1869, the old name of Fort Bliss was used once more. Its new location is south to what is now known as Interstate 10, which I across from El Paso’s Concordia Cemetery. In 1868, the Rio Grande flooding caused serious damages to the Magoffinsville post so Fort Bliss was moved to Camp Concordia. ![]() James Carlton arrived from California.Īn irregular garrison was maintained at Fort Bliss until the 5th Infantry units arrived to re-establish the military post. A year after the war, the Confederate garrison decided to abandon Fort Bliss without putting up a fight when 2,350 men under the command of Col. The Confederate Army succeeded in their attempt to gain control of New Mexico but its soldiers were forced to retreat after the Battle of Glorieta Pass. Since then, confederate forces held the post and used it as a platform for launching attacks into Arizona and New Mexico. It remained in service for over 14 years and served as a base for military troops protecting the area against Apache attacks.ĭuring the outbreak of the American Civil War, the Department of Texas ordered the garrison to surrender Fort Bliss to the Confederacy. When the troops abandoned Smith’s Ranch post in 1854, a new post was also established in Magoffinsville. For over two years, no garrison was built opposite El Paso del Norte. Two military troops that were stationed in El Paso were then moved 40 mile north of Fort Fillmore. Due to constant Indian raids, garrisons were frequently removed to meet shifting threats. It is situated La Noria Mesa, north of El Paso.Ĭopyright © 2022 Legends of America.Fort Bliss was first established as the site of Smith’s Ranch, along with Fort Selden and other Southwest outposts. Today, it is the Army’s second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. Fort Bliss National Cemetery is also located on the post. Other buildings of interest at the modern post include the old brick mess hall, remodeled and now serving as the post exchange 14 sets of officers’ quarters, still in use and 2 original barracks buildings, on either side of the old mess hall, housing administrative offices. At modern Fort Bliss (1893-present), on the northeastern edge of the city, is an adobe replica of the Magoffinsville fort, donated by the El Paso Chamber of Commerce. 80 overpass and Doniphan Street, are several officers’ quarters, now used as apartments, and an adobe barracks. At the Hart’s Mill site (1878-93), on the western edge of El Paso at the intersection of the U.S. Nothing has survived of the first three posts (Smith’s Ranch, Magoffinsville, and Concordia Ranch). ![]() ![]() Activities at the fort peaked in World Wars I and II, and it is now the Army Air Defense Center. But the troops spent even more time controlling local lawless elements and arbitrating border conflicts. The troops participated in various Apache campaigns in Texas and New Mexico in 1857, and in the 1870s and 1880s. authority in the area after acquisition in the War with Mexico (1846-48), to defend the El Paso area from Indian depredations, and to protect the Southern Transcontinental Trail to California. The fort was founded across the Rio Grande from El Paso del Norte (Ciudad Juarez), Mexico, to establish and maintain U.S. The fort is named for Mexican-American War soldier William Wallace Smith Bliss. It was initially called the Post of El Paso and Post at Smith’s Ranch when it was located at Smith’s Ranch from 1849-51 Fort Bliss, at Magoffinsville (1854-68), including Confederate occupation in 1861-62 Camp Concordia and Fort Bliss, at Concordia Ranch (1868-77) and Fort Bliss, at Hart’s Mill and the current location (1878-present). Over the years the post has had almost as many different names as it has locations. Since its creation, the post has been located at five different locations, all in the city limits of El Paso except the present one. Still an active post today, Fort Bliss, Texas was first established in 1848. Fort Bliss, 7th Cavalry Barracks, El Paso, Texas
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