Military History

On October 28, 1852, Fort Chadbourne was established by Companys A & K of the 8th U.S. Infantry. The Fort was named in honor of 2nd Lt. Theodore Lincoln Chadbourne who was killed at the Battle of Resaca de la Palma during the Mexican War. Chadbourne’s sash, and saber are on display in the Visitor Center. As many as 450 or as few as 50 men were stationed at Fort Chadbourne during its years of operation. Men such as Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, George Pickett, Albert Sidney Johnston, and John Bell Hood passed through its doors.

At the outbreak of the Civil War the fort was relinquished to the Texas Regimental Forces, some of whom were mustered into the Confederacy at the post. Following the Civil War, Fort Chadbourne was reoccupied in 1867 by Commander Eugene Beaumont and the 4th U.S. Cavalry. Due to lack of water and supplies, along with deterioration of the buildings, the troops were moved to an area along the Concho River and established Fort Concho. Fort
Chadbourne was decommissioned and used as a picket post until 1873.

Military Timeline

1852    Fort Chadbourne Established by 8th U.S. Infantry
1858    Butterfield Overland Mail Arrives
1861    Federal Troops Surrender Fort Chadbourne to the Texas Regimental 
           Forces 
           Troops Muster into the Confederacy at Fort Chadbourne
           Butterfield Overland Mail Ceases to Run
1867    Fort Chadbourne Reestablished by 4th U.S. Cavalry
           Abandon Fort Chadbourne and Establish Fort Concho