American Progress, by George Crogutt
The Old Stagecoach of the Plains. by Frederick Remington
Families disembark their wagons for a welcome rest at Fort Concho. As one observer has noted, army forts served "as the oasis in the desert" for many a weary traveler. Courtesy Fort Concho NHL
A stagecoach mired in the mud, on mail route east of Fort Stockton, March 12, Escort duty was a critical assignment for frontier troops. Photo taken by Capt. William G. Wedeyer, 16th Infantry
Comanche camp. Photo by William S. Soule
Painting by Nola Davis
Troopers leaving Fort Mason, Texas by Melvin Warren
A single hunter might kill dozens of buffalo in one day. Why did some US government leaders encourage the killing of the buffalo? What impact did this have on Native Texans?
Cavalry Charge on the Plains. In Texas, most of the successful large-scale expeditions came after Painting by Frederick Remington
An army encampment near Santa Rosa Springs, circa 1884.
A total of 219 engagements between the army and the Indians in Texas can be documented. Sufficient data exist on 158 to classify the encounters as resulting from scouts, pursuits, large-scale expeditions, or escort duties. After the Civil War, most common types of military engagements in Texas shifted from pursuits to more-routine scouting.
1861
Painting by Nola Davis
Drill at Fort Davis 1875
Flag raising at Fort Davis Painting by Alice Reynolds