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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Tyler in Smith County, Texas — The American South (West South Central) |
Camp Ford Stockade
Confederate Prisoner of War Camp
— Union Prisoners —
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By Mike Stroud, September 17, 2012 | |
| | | 1. Camp Ford Stockade Marker | | |
Inscription. The initial prisoners to arrive at Camp Ford were kept in the open with no stockade. Panic resulted with the arrival with over 600 prisoners October 23, 1863. The Camp Commander, Col. R.T.P. Allen, with only 40 guards, discovered a plot among the prisoners for a mass break out. Planters in the area were called upon to bring their slaves and erect a stockade. The work commenced on November 11 and within 10 days an area of about three and a half acres was enclosed with a wall made of split logs standing sixteen feet out of the ground.
The west wall ran about ten yards east of this location. The main gate was not discovered during the archaeological work, but is thought to be about 75 yards to the south. Immediately outside the gate was the "wolf pen" where prisoners would be held for disciplinary reasons, as well as a cabin for the officer on guard.
Erected by Smith County Historical Society.
Location. 32° 23.809′ N, 95° 16.052′ W. Marker is in Tyler, Texas, in Smith County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 271 near Loop Texas Road 323. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tyler TX 75702, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Camp Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Camp Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); Cabin of Lt. Col. J.B. Leake (within shouting distance of this marker); Camp Ford - Establishment of the Camp (about 300 feet away, in a direct line); Camp Ford Confederate Guards (about 300 feet away); Camp Ford - Early Days as a Prison Camp (about 300 feet away); Camp Ford - Prisoners from Louisiana (about 300 feet away); African Americans at Camp Ford (about 300 feet away). Click for a list of all markers in Tyler.| | | | 
By Camp Ford Stockade Marker, ` | |
| | | 2. Camp Ford Stockade Marker | | |
Regarding Camp Ford Stockade. Camp Ford was the largest Confederate Prisoner of War Camp west of the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. Established in August of 1863, the camp was not closed until May 19, 1865. At its peak in July 1864, over 5,300 prisoners were detained there. (Smith County Historical Society) |
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By Mike Stroud, September 17, 2012 | |
| | | 3. Camp Ford Stockade, todays example split logs standing out of the ground. | | here, not quite the 16 feet tall as mentioned | | |
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By Mike Stroud, September 17, 2012 | |
| | | 4. 1936 Marker by State of Texas: Camp Ford stockade prison of Federal soldiers during the Civil War | | * See nearby markers | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on September 24, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 66 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 28, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
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