National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Fort Davis National Historic Site Name: ____________________________________ Before You Visit Fort Davis National Historic Site 1. Who were the pioneers who went west in the 1800s? For what reasons did they go? 2. Who lived in the west before pioneers began arriving? 3. How do you think American Indians felt as pioneers started claiming land? 4. What do you expect to find at a fort like Fort Davis that was active during the Indian Wars in the west (1850s-1890s)? 5. Imagine that there are two people standing on a hill overlooking Fort Davis. One is a pioneer and the other is an Apache. Describe briefly what each of them sees. 6. (a) How many miles is it from where you live to Fort Davis? (b) How long would it have taken you in the 1880s to go from your home to Fort Davis by horseback or in a wagon at the rate of 3 miles per hour? (c) How long would it have taken you in the 1880s to go from your home to Fort Davis by train at 20 miles per hour? (d) How long would it take you today to go from your home to Fort Davis by car at the rate of 55 miles per hour? 7. If you went back in a time machine to the 1870s or 1880s when Fort Davis was an active military post, what do you think would be different about the way people lived then? What would be missing? 8. How would you feel about living back then? National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Fort Davis National Historic Site Name: ____________________________ Pre-Test/Post-Test Fort Davis National Historic Site 1. How many forts were there at Fort Davis? ____________ 2. Who were the Buffalo Soldiers?_____________________ 3. How many times did American Indians attack Fort Davis? ________ 4. Most of the soldiers who died at Fort Davis died of what? ___________________________________ 5. How many soldiers are buried in the fort cemetery today? Explain. _________________________________ 6. Who was Victorio? _______________________________ 7. Why was the fort built? __________________________ _______________________________________________ 8. Describe the wall or stockade around Fort Davis. ______ ______________________________________________ 9. Who was Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper?_______________ ______________________________________________ 10. Were there any children at Fort Davis when it was an active army post (1854-1891)? _____________________ 11. What is the purpose of Fort Davis National Historic Site and why don't the rangers want people to walk or climb on the ruins? ___________________________________ ______________________________________________ Pre-Test/Post-Test Fort Davis National Historic Site ANSWER SHEET 1. How many forts were there at Fort Davis? 2 (two) 2. Who were the Buffalo Soldiers? Black soldiers or soldiers of African-American descent 3. How many times did American Indians attack Fort Davis? zero 4. Most of the soldiers who died at Fort Davis died of what? disease 5. How many soldiers are buried in the fort cemetery today? None. After the fort was abandoned, the bodies were moved to the National Cemetery in San Antonio. 6. Who was Victorio? Apache leader (he was a Warm Springs Apache) 7. Why was the fort built? to protect settlers moving west 8. Describe the wall or stockade around Fort Davis. There was none. 9. Who was Lieutenant Henry O. Flipper? First Black graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point & thus the first Black officer in the U.S. Army. He was the only Black officer to serve at Ft Davis. 10. Were there any children at Fort Davis? Yes -- children of officers and of enlisted men. 11. What is the purpose of Fort Davis National Historic Site and why don't the rangers want people to walk or climb on the ruins? To preserve and protect the fort for future generations because of its historical significance. National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Fort Davis National Historic Site **USING PRIMARY SOURCES** WHAT REALLY HAPPENED? LET'S LOOK AT THE OLD ARMY RECORDS Name: ________________________________ When Fort Davis was an active military post, the U.S. Army kept records of incidents involving unfriendly American Indians in the area regularly patrolled by troops from Fort Davis. On the following four pages is a list of incidents, which have been taken from the army records. Using the list, answer the questions below. 1. How many times did American Indians attack the stage? ______ 2. How many times did they attack a mail station? ______ How many times did they attack a mail carrier or mail escort? ______ 3. If the stage or mail ran twice a week for 31 years (that's how long Fort Davis was an active post), how many times did it run? _______ How many stages or mail carriers were not attacked? ________ 4. How many times did American Indians steal or run off stock? ______ What kinds of stock were involved? __________ Why do you think American Indians wanted stock? _______________ 5. How many times did they attack Fort Davis or Fort Quitman? ______ 6. Did only American Indians steal stock? (See incident on Dec. 6, 1872.) 7. The report of July 8, 1881 says the crime was committed by "unknown parties." Is it safe to assume that American Indians did it? ___________ A detailed report would provide us with more information, but who else might have murdered these two men? Explain. 8. How many soldiers and civilians were killed total? ______ How many American Indians were killed total? ______ 9. What conclusions can you draw from the records? 10. How would you describe the adverse activities of American Indians in west Texas? How would you describe their mode of operating? Define any patterns you see. Compare this to what you previously thought. HOSTILE ACTIONS — A COMPLETE LIST RECORDED 1854-1891 BY THE U.S. ARMY AT FORT DAVIS, TEXAS Oct. 3, 1854 Near Limpia - Detachments of Companies D and K, Mounted Riflemen. Nov. 1, 1854 Near Fort Davis - Company G, 8th Infantry. 3 soldiers were killed. Jan. 7, 1855 Pecos River - Company A and a detachment of Company G, Mounted Riflemen. Several Comanches were killed. Jul. 22, 1855 Near Eagle Springs - Detachment of Company I, Mounted Riflemen; 13 Mescalero Apaches were killed. Jun.16, 1857 Near Guadalupe Mountains - Detachments of Co. C, D, F, H of 8th Inf. Feb. 8, 1859 Dog Canyon, Sacramento Mountains - Detachment of Company D, Mounted Riflemen. 3 soldiers killed; 8 soldiers wounded. August, 1861 Big Bend - 7 Confederate soldiers under Lieutenant Mays and 6 civilians, trying to regain 100 stolen horses, were ambushed and killed in a canyon by Apaches. (Mth.?)1866 Faver Ranch -100 Indians attacked. 5 men killed. Oct. 1, 1867 Howard's Well - Mail escort attacked. Detachment of Troop F, 9th Cavalry. 2 soldiers killed. (Date?)1867 On Faver Ranch - Indians attacked and stole 300 livestock. Dec. 5, 1867 Eagle Springs - Detachment of Troop F, 9th Cavalry engaged Indians. 1 soldier was killed. Jan. ?, 1868 Near Fort Quitman - Detachment of Troop E, 9th Cavalry. Aug. 6, 1868 Near Fort Quitman - Troop H, 9th Cavalry. Sep. 4, 1868 Eighty miles from Fort Davis (Horse Head Hills) - 60 men of 9th Cavalry (Co. C, F, K) and some citizens under Lieut. P. Cusack engaged 200 Apaches Killed 20-30 Apaches and wounded as many; 2 soldiers wounded. Dec. 25, 1868 Johnson's Mail Station - Detachment of Troop E, 9th Cavalry. Attack. Jan. 12, 1869 In Presidio County - A stage driver and passenger killed by Indians. Jul. ?, 1869 At El Muerto Station - Stock stolen by Indians. Jan 3-Feb 6, 1870 Scouting along Rio Grande & Pecos Rivers -Troop G & detachment of Troop L, 9th Cavalry, and detachments of Co. L and K, 24th Infantry. Jan. 6, 1870 Guadalupe Mountains - Troop H, 9th Cavalry. Jan. 11, 1870 Lower Pecos River - Troop L, 9th Cavalry. 1 Indian killed. Jan. 20, 1870 Guadalupe Mountains, Delaware Creek - Detachments of Troops C, D, I and K, 9th Cavalry; 2 soldiers were wounded. Mar. ?, 1870 Indians attacked cattle herd being driven to Fort Quitman by Roe Watkins, government beef contractor. Mar. ?, 1870 Faver Ranch - Attack; 1 man killed; 400 sheep stolen. Apr. 3, 1870 San Martine Springs - Detachment of Troop H, 9th Cavalry, 1 Indian killed. May 22,1870 30 miles from Fort Davis - 15 government mules stolen from the Pinery (sawmill). May 29, 1870 Bass Canyon - Engagement between Indians and Troop K, 9th Cavalry. 1 soldier killed. May 30, 1870 Holiday Creek - Detachment of Troops C and D, 9th Cav. 1 soldier killed; 2 citizens wounded. Mar. 9, 1872 4 miles from Fort Davis. 15-year-old Mexican boy captured by Indians; he was taken 5 or 6 miles and killed. Apr. 20,1872 Near Howard's Well - Troops A and H, 9th Cavalry. 1 officer mortally wounded; 6 Indians killed. Apr. 27, 1872 Engagement involving detachment of Company B, 25th Infantry. Dec. 6, 1872 Near Rio Grande - Sgt. Bruce and 6 men of 9th Cavalry attacked band of Mexican cattle thieves and recaptured 59 head of stolen cattle. Apr. 27, 1873 Eagle Springs - Detachment of Company B, 25th Infantry. May ?, 1873 Barrilla Springs - Detachment of Company D, 25th Infantry. Aug. 19, 1873 Barrilla Springs - Detachment of Co. E, 25th Infantry. 1 Indian killed. Aug. 21, 1873 Barrilla Springs - Indians attacked stage station. They were driven off by guard and station keeper, with loss of 2 killed. Dec. 31, 1873 Eagle Springs - A sergeant and 3 privates of Company B, 25th Infantry were attacked by about 15 Indians; 1 Indian wounded. May 18, 1874 Carrizo Mountains (near Van Horn) - Detachment of Company B, 25th Infantry engaged Indians.